Occupational Therapy

Please check the Sheffield Hallam University website for the latest information

Course Summary

• Develop your understanding of the role of occupation for health and wellbeing.

• Explore how occupational engagement is shaped environmentally and personally.

• Deliver person-centred occupational therapy inclusively and collaboratively.

• Apply your learning in a range of stimulating practice-based placements.

• Employ creative adaptations of everyday activities to enhance health, wellbeing and quality of life.

Aligned with professional and ethical standards, this course trains you as an occupational therapist who meets the contemporary needs of diverse populations. You’ll support people to take part in what they want, need, and are expected to do – modifying occupations and environments to maximise health and wellbeing. You’ll connect with their lived experiences, collaborating to enhance occupational performance and recommend meaningful activities.

Accredited by:
Health and Care Professions Council, the (HCPC)
This course is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Graduates are eligible to apply to register with the HCPC and can apply to become members of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists. You must be registered with the HCPC in order to practise as an occupational therapist in the UK.

How you learn
Teaching and learning is enriched by research, meaning you’ll develop research and inquiry skills over the programme. You’ll be supported to develop academically and professionally throughout the course, building your learning, assessment and practice skills.

You’ll also have opportunities to learn with other health and social care students, understanding how to work collaboratively with other professions. We’ll provide you with the knowledge, skills and values to enhance your employability so you’ll be ready for future practice.

You learn through:

• Seminars, lectures and practical sessions

• Remote learning and digital learning packages

• Work-related learning

• Independent learning

• Applied learning

Key Themes
The curriculum is designed to scaffold and develop your knowledge, skills and confidence as you progress through the course.

In your first year you’ll build a strong knowledge base of occupational therapy which includes the occupational therapy process, exploring models of practice and human systems. In your second year you’ll be able to apply your learning to practice-based learning experiences while embracing more complexity and criticality. Your final year has a focus on transition, so you are prepared to meet the required standards of practice and work as a colleague in your first job role.

Applied learning
Work Placements

You’ll have a range of compulsory practice based experiences linked to the Royal College of Occupational Therapists’ pillars of practice: professional practice, facilitation of learning, leadership and evidence, research and development. These will prepare you to be a confident practitioner and will help you build your skills, creativity, and resilience.

They’ll take place in various learning environments, reflecting the diverse ways occupational therapy services are currently delivered. This might include blended learning experiences, real-world experiences of services delivered face-to-face to service users, and be connected to the aforementioned pillars of practice.

We’ll ensure that the practice-based learning element of your course complies with the requirements of the Professional and Statutory Regulatory Body (PSRB) governing the occupational therapy profession. By the end of your course, you’ll have the opportunity to demonstrate that you meet the requirements to register as an occupational therapist.