Occupational Therapy (Pre-Registration) MSc
2 Years Full-Time | September Start
Option for Placement Year
Option for Study Abroad
Placement
Occupational Therapy (Pre-Registration) MSc
Overview
Please note: This course is Subject to Validation. First intake is September 2026 however applications are currently closed. To stay informed about future intakes, please register your interest.
Help people live meaningful, fulfilling lives, supporting them to participate in the everyday things that matter to them.
This two-year course adheres to the professional standards of practice, values, and behaviours set out by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT)* which, upon successful completion, can allow you to be eligible for professional registration.
At Northumbria we know the value of real-world practice which is why each student is required to successfully undertake a minimum of 1000 practice-based learning hours.
Throughout the course, you can develop your skills in therapeutic communication, activity analysis, risk assessment and occupation-focused intervention whilst building your confidence and professional identity. You’ll also complete an independent research project on a topic that you choose allowing you to explore what inspires you.
This Occupational Therapy course is accredited by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT)*, reflecting its academic quality and relevance to the discipline.
*This course is being updated and reaccredited with the same RCOT standards in mind, thus some module details may be due to change.
Entry Requirements 2026/27
Standard Entry
Applicants should normally have:
A minimum of a 2:1 honours degree in a subject relevant to Occupational Therapy, and completed within the last five years. Applicants with experience in the field who hold a 2:2 honours degree will be assessed on an individual basis.
GCSE grade C (or equivalent) in English Language, Maths and Science.
Accredited Prior Learning (APL), Accredited Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) and Accredited Work Based Learning (AWBL) may also be considered against University Criteria.
Additional requirements:
All offers of places on this course are subject to a satisfactory DBS Disclosure. You must meet the Health and Care Professions Council's suitability for registration requirements.
International qualifications:
If you have studied a non UK qualification, you can see how your qualifications compare to the standard entry criteria, by selecting the country that you received the qualification in, from our country pages. Visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/yourcountry
English language requirements:
International applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 7 with 6.5 in each component (or approved equivalent*).
*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades you will need in our English Language section. Visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/englishqualifications
For further admissions guidance and requirements, please visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/admissionsguidance Please review this information before submitting your application.
Fees and Funding 2026/27 Entry
Full UK Fee: £9,790
Tuition fees in the academic year 2027/28* will be £10,050. Fees are set in line with the UK Government's tuition fee cap. The University may increase fees in subsequent years in line with any changes to the tuition fee cap. Increases will be linked to inflation. For example, increases may be linked to RPIX (Retail Price Index excluding mortgage interest payments) Students will be notified of any increase ahead of it taking effect. Student fee loans rise in line with the tuition fees cap.
*if your course is longer than one year
Full International Fee: £19,850
This is the tuition fee for your first year of study. You should expect to pay tuition fees for every year of study. The University may increase fees in the second and subsequent years of your course at our discretion in line with any inflationary or other uplift. Students will be notified of any increase ahead of it taking effect.
Scholarships and Discounts
ADDITIONAL COSTS
There are no Additional Costs
Look out for module specifics coming soon. Please keep checking this web page for updated information.
Year 1
Master the theoretical foundations of occupational therapy. Develop practical skills during two assessed placements and develop research skills with evidence-based reasoning.
Year 2
Apply theory to practice in complex scenarios. Complete a third placement and conduct an independent research project.
Why study Occupational Therapy at Northumbria?
- Ranked 6th in the UK for Counselling and Occupational Therapy by Complete University Guide 2026.
- Three diverse placements totalling 1000 supervised hours across NHS, social care, charities and emerging practice areas prepare you for varied professional contexts.
- Research-active staff with international connections bring global perspectives, contemporary practice knowledge and links to organisations including London School of Hygiene.
- Purpose-built Clinical Skills Centre with virtual reality technology and simulation environments allows safe skill development before applying techniques in real practice settings.
Careers & Employability
Upon successful completion of your course, you’ll be prepared for HCPC registration and equipped to practise across a breadth of occupational therapy roles.
You may wish to embark on opportunities in the NHS or social services, charitable organisations or private sector in settings such as acute hospitals, mental health services, community rehabilitation, residential settings, and specialist areas like paediatrics or older adult care.
Your research experience and masters-level critical thinking may also inspire you to pursue specialist qualifications, stepping into advanced practice roles or following research-focused career pathways in academia or clinical leadership.
Whatever you decide to do, our team aim to support you in acquiring the key transferable skills that employers look for across the sector.
Staff Expertise
You'll learn from research-active occupational therapists who bring expertise in global health equity, occupational science, rehabilitation, and emerging practice.
Our team maintains professional registration and stays at the forefront of the profession through contributing to international journals and collaborating with organisations such as the World Federation of Occupational Therapists.
Facilities
You’ll be based at Coach Lane Campus, where our Clinical Skills Centre gives you access to simulation suites, virtual reality technology and authentic clinical environments.
You’ll have the opportunity to practice therapeutic skills using a home and garden environment, adaptive equipment and assistive technology before applying your skills during placements.
Virtual reality scenarios aid you to develop and refine your skills in a safe, supportive environment. Technology-enhanced learning includes Anatomage tables for studying human anatomy and Microsoft Teams for collaborative projects with your peers.
Our online learning platform, Blackboard, provides you with 24/7 access to digital resources, discussion boards and module materials, while our Library offers physical and online collections, research databases and dedicated study spaces.
All information is accurate at the time of sharing.
Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.
Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.
Useful Links
Find out about our distinctive approach at
www.northumbria.ac.uk/exp
Admissions Terms and Conditions
northumbria.ac.uk/terms
Fees and Funding
northumbria.ac.uk/fees
Admissions Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/adpolicy
Admissions Complaints Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/complaints
