Name: Occupational Therapy (Pre-registration), MSc
Price: £11,000 per year GBP

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Attendance

Campus

Start

Duration

2 years

Start

September 2025

Delivery

In-person

Do you have an undergraduate degree and want to become an occupational therapist? If so, our pre-registration MSc Occupational Therapy offers an excellent opportunity to qualify as an occupational therapist in two years.

Successful completion of this course entitles you to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). With this registration you'll be able to take up employment as an occupational therapist.

This course combines academic and practical learning in university-based teaching, along with practice placements. This means you'll gain the knowledge, skills and attributes you need to be a successful occupational therapist.

You’ll get the opportunity to engage in a wide variety of practice placement opportunities. And you'll be taught by occupational therapists with a wide range of experience in clinical practice and research. This will give you the confidence and ability to apply occupational therapy core skills whilst also learning about the profession.

This intense course suits those who are self-directed in their learning and are motivated to achieve their goals.

Why study with us

The course is accredited by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) and the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT).
You’ll be taught in a small cohort with excellent tutor support. The course is timetabled to three days per week, giving you flexibility around your studies.
You’ll be taught by expert staff who are passionate about occupational therapy and are actively involved with the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, research and the development of the profession.

Important information

The application deadline for September 2025 entry for UK students is Friday 31 January 2025.

Interested?

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What you'll do

There’s an emphasis on ‘real-life’ assessments which reflect the everyday working environment of an occupational therapist.
You'll learn through placements in practice with experienced occupational therapists along with high-quality teaching in academic modules. This is enhanced through the use of innovative technology.
You will meet a range of employers, such as the NHS and other social care providers, at our annual recruitment events.

Modules

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of our published course information. However, our programmes are subject to ongoing review and development. Changing circumstances may cause alteration to, or the cancellation of, courses. Changes may be necessary to comply with the requirements of accrediting bodies or revisions to subject benchmarks statements. As well as to keep courses updated and contemporary, or as a result of student feedback. We reserve the right to make variations if we consider such action to be necessary or in the best interests of students.

Academic expertise

Dr Ana Lucia Borges da Costa

Senior Lecturer

Katherine Ward

Senior Lecturer

Rachel Imms

Senior Lecturer

Dr Hayley Bamber

Lecturer in Occupational Therapy

Kristina Babbitt

Lecturer in Occupational Therapy

Dr Kathryn Jarvis

Senior Research Fellow

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I always felt completely supported on the course and every tutor was always so approachable and friendly.

Amy Flute

MSc Occupational Therapy (Pre-Registration)
United Kingdom

We're one of the largest providers of health and social care education in the North West. As a result, we have developed close links with practice partners across the region in both NHS and non-NHS settings.

We organise annual recruitment events where employers from the public (NHS and social care providers) and private spheres attend and network with students.

Future careers

Our graduates are highly employable. Through consultation with our clinical partners, we know that there is a great demand for occupational therapists in the North West – particularly those with master-level qualifications.

After graduating from this course you’ll be in a position to apply for initial registration as an Occupational Therapist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). You’ll also be able to apply for full membership of the British Association of Occupational Therapists and the World Federation of Occupational Therapists.

Entry requirements

Please note if your application is deemed unsuccessful, subsequent applications submitted within the same academic cycle will not be considered.

Applicants should hold a First degree (Lower second class or above) or equivalent professional experience or learning in a related field
Non-standard applications will be considered on their merits in the light of the nature and scope of the programme
A detailed admissions procedure will be forwarded on application which will explain the need for Satisfactory values-based interview DBS clearance and medical screening required
Applicants will be assessed through interview
For applicants where English is not their first language, we require an IELTS: Score of 7 with no component lower than 6.5
All applicants must hold GCSE or O Level Mathematics and English Language at grade C/4 or above
Application to the programme will be via a completed application form including personal statement and two supporting references
In the personal statement applicants should demonstrate: How they meet the academic entry requirements, A knowledge of occupational therapy and a motivation to join the occupational therapy profession
Where applicants have relevant experience, they should include a description of this and how this experience will support their goal of becoming an occupational therapist
A satisfactory Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland) and Occupational Health clearance are required for this course.

This course will involve you working with vulnerable groups of individuals, this may include children. In order to ensure that the University offers places on their programmes to suitable candidates you will be required to obtain a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service clearance (formerly termed CRB).

We will be able to guide you through this process once you have been offered a conditional place of study at the University of Central Lancashire.

It is important to note that should your Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check prove to be unsatisfactory for the purpose of the course you have applied to, your offer of a place for that course may be withdrawn. If you have already enrolled on a course and your DBS check subsequently discloses a criminal conviction, you may be required to withdraw from the course even if you have already started. If you are aware that your DBS check will disclose a previous conviction, please contact the course leader for advice as not all convictions may preclude you from continuing with the course.

All offers of a place on this course are subject to satisfactory health screening. It is important to note that should your health screening not be satisfactory your offer of a place on this course may be withdrawn.

If you have already enrolled on the course prior to completion of your health screening, or if your health screening clearance is revoked or changes during the course, you may be required to withdraw from the course even if you have already started.

If you would like to discuss or seek advice in respect of the health screening requirements for this course, please contact the Course Enquiries Team.

Not got the grades?

Our courses with a foundation year could be exactly what you're looking for. They provide an alternative route to study for this degree.

Find out more about our courses with a foundation year.

Equal consideration deadline

We have an equal consideration deadline for this course. This is shown in the important application information at the top of this page. It means any application that is submitted before this deadline will be considered for September entry in the same year. Any applications submitted after this date are not guaranteed to be considered for the September start.

Fees and funding

2025/26

Full-time£11,000 per year

International

Full-time£17,900 per year

Scholarships and bursaries

We have a wide range of bursaries, scholarships and funds available to help support you whilst studying with us.

Select your country to see eligibility information and how to apply by selecting more info on the cards below.

Select your country/region

NHS Learning Support Fund
If you are thinking of studying for a health-related undergraduate or postgraduate degree, take a look at what financial support is available.
Find out more about NHS Learning Support Fund
Dependants Bursary
Students with financially dependent children may be eligible for our Dependants Bursary as part of our financial support package. 
Find out more about Dependants Bursary
Carers Bursary
If you need extra support because you have unpaid caring responsibilities alongside your studies.
Find out more about Carers Bursary
Sports scholarships
We offer student athletes support and opportunities for their playing careers whilst they study a high-quality degree.
Find out more about Sports scholarships

During your first year, the emphasis is on developing your scientific knowledge, considering the theory behind occupational therapy and preparing you to develop your practice skills. There’s a focus on understanding and managing occupational therapy practice, designing effective client-centred interventions, and becoming a safe and competent occupational therapist.

You’ll develop your knowledge, skills and capabilities through learning in small groups and studying realistic cases so that you can apply what you learn in your future career.

You’ll be assessed through various methods, including written assignments, practice-based learning assessments, practical skills assessments, occupational analysis, project work and exams. Other tasks are likely to include online learning, peer assessment of written work, class presentations and regular debrief sessions of placement practical experience.

In the second year, you’ll build on the knowledge and skills you developed in the first year and apply it to contemporary service delivery. You’ll also have the opportunity to complete an extended piece of project work, further developing your research skills and commitment to service improvement.

During the programme you’ll undertake four placement blocks in a range of settings. Inter-professional working is an integral part of Occupational Therapy practice. During your time at University you’ll have timetabled sessions when you’ll work in partnership with several professions this may include physiotherapists, social workers, doctors, nurses, paramedics, psychologists. You will learn about the crossover in care amongst disciplines, as well as the distinct differences and boundaries between the professions. Throughout your placements you’ll be supported by your Practice Placement Educator and be visited by your University Placement Tutor.

You’ll need to successfully complete a minimum of 1,000 hours of assessed placement practice – the final placement can take the form of a 10-week full-time placement. You’ll have the opportunity to negotiate your choice of placement, which could be based in the UK or overseas.

Interested?

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This course is delivered by the School of Health, Social Work and Sport

For information on possible changes to course information, see our essential and important course information

You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at the University of Central Lancashire on our student contract page

Your saved courses

Occupational Therapy (Pre-registration)

Why study with us

Important information

What you'll do

Modules

Modules studied

Compulsory modules

Academic expertise

View the course facilities

Accreditations

Future careers

Entry requirements

Not got the grades?

Equal consideration deadline

Fees and funding

Scholarships and bursaries

NHS Learning Support Fund

Dependants Bursary

Carers Bursary

Sports scholarships

Occupational Therapy (Pre-registration)

Why study with us

Important information

What you'll do

Modules

Modules studied

Academic expertise

Looking to start your postgraduate journey?

View the course facilities

Accreditations

Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT)

Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT)

Future careers

Entry requirements

Not got the grades?

Equal consideration deadline

Fees and funding

Additional costs

Scholarships and bursaries

NHS Learning Support Fund

Dependants Bursary

Carers Bursary

Sports scholarships

Learning and assessment

Pathway opportunities

Further information