Occupational Therapy BSc (Hons)
Option for Placement Year
Option for Study Abroad
Placement
Occupational Therapy BSc (Hons)
Overview
Please note: This course is subject to validation. First intake is September 2026.
Study to become a registered occupational therapist through a course designed with people, communities and lived experience at its heart.
You'll have the opportunity to work alongside Occupational Therapy practitioners, educators and researchers to develop practical skills in assessment, intervention and evidence-based reasoning. You’ll study core concepts of occupation, health, and wellbeing whilst building expertise in clinical practice.
This course requires 1,000 hours of successful practice-based learning across NHS, social care, education and community settings and experience diverse placement opportunities, including specialist areas aligned to your interests.
Successful completion aims to prepare you for Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration with the knowledge, skills and values needed for compassionate, ethical and contemporary occupational therapy practice.
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
96 to 112 Tariff Points
From a combination of acceptable Level 3 qualifications which may include: A-level, T Level, BTEC Diplomas/Extended Diplomas, Scottish and Irish Highers, Access to HE Diplomas, or the International Baccalaureate.
Find out how many points your qualifications are worth by using the UCAS Tariff calculator: www.ucas.com/ucas/tariff-calculator
Northumbria University is committed to supporting all individuals to achieve their ambitions and we understand that every applicant’s circumstances can be different, which is why we take a flexible approach when making offers for this course. We have a range of schemes and alternative offers to make sure as many individuals as possible are given an opportunity to study at our university regardless of personal circumstances or background. Typically, offers range from 96 to 112 UCAS tariff points, but we’ll assess your individual circumstances and potential when reviewing your application
To find out more, review our Northumbria Entry Requirement Essential Information page for further details www.northumbria.ac.uk/entryrequirementsinfo
Subject Requirements:
There are no specific subject requirements for this course.
GCSE Requirements:
Applicants will need Maths, English Language and a Science at minimum grade 4/C, or an equivalent.
Additional Requirements:
Applicants will be required to attend an interview. Admission is subject to a suitable DBS Enhanced Certificate and a satisfactory health check. Applicants must meet the Health and Care Professions Council's suitability for registration requirements.
International Qualifications:
We welcome applicants with a range of qualifications which may not match those shown above.
If you have qualifications from outside the UK, find out what you need by visiting www.northumbria.ac.uk/yourcountry
English Language Requirements:
International applicants should have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 7.0 with 6.5 in each component (or an 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 in our English Language section: 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
UK Fee in Year 1: £9,790
The UK tuition fee for 26/27 is £9,790 and is set in line with the UG Government's tuition fee cap. The University may increase this fee in subsequent years in line with any changes to the tuition fee cap. Students will be notified of any increase ahead of it taking effect. The remaining fees relate to the International Soccer Academy and accommodation fees. Accommodation fees may increase in subsequent years. Students will be notified of any increase ahead of the re-issuing of tenancy agreements. 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
* Fees subject to annual increases over the course of the period of study. Students will be liable for payment of any/all tuition fees which are not sponsored by their employer or other third party.
International Fee in Year 1:
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.
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.
This is the programme fee for your first year of study. The programme fee includes the international tuition fee, International Soccer Academy and accommodation fees. Accommodation fees may increase in subsequent years. Students will be notified of any increase ahead of the re-issuing of tenancy agreements.
Discover More about Fees, Scholarships and other Funding options available for UK and International applicants for 26/27 entry.
ADDITIONAL COSTS
There are no Additional Costs
Look out for module specifics coming soon. Please keep checking this web page for updated information.
Year One
Build foundational knowledge of occupation, anatomy and professional skills. Begin your practice journey through a period of practice-based learning on placement.
Year Two
Apply concepts and theory to real-world practice challenges and demonstrate evidence-based reasoning through projects with communities. Continue your practice-based learning on placement, developing your professional competence. Assessment combines practical, written and oral presentations.
Year Three
Explore advanced clinical reasoning in complex scenarios. Complete your final practice-based learning placement and your major project in research or service improvement. Prepare for professional registration through simulated application processes and autonomous decision-making.
Why study Occupational Therapy at Northumbria?
- Experts by Experience - Our programme was created in collaboration with people with lived experience, practitioners and communities. This ensures teaching reflects real occupational needs and values unique perspectives.
- Top 6 University - Counselling & Occupational Therapy at Northumbria is ranked 6th in the UK by the Complete University Guide 2026.
- Meet the 1000 Hours Requirement - Three diverse placements totalling 1000 supervised hours across NHS, social care, charities and emerging practice areas prepare you for varied professional contexts.
- Student Rated - Over 92% of students studying Occupational Therapy at Northumbria believed their course enabled them to develop knowledge and skills needed for their future (NSS, 2025).
- Learning opportunities - Work alongside students from social work, education, nursing and physiotherapy programmes. Develop collaborative skills essential for effective inter-agency working in health and social care.
Careers & Employability
Graduates are prepared for diverse roles including in mental health specialisms, physical rehabilitation, learning disability services, community health teams, paediatrics, older adult care, private practice and many more
Your degree aims to equip you with clinical assessment skills, therapeutic intervention expertise and evidence-based reasoning abilities valued across healthcare sectors.
Develop your leadership potential and innovative thinking through real service improvement projects and engage with workshops from local employers and careers services.
Your professional development portfolio throughout the programme supports you to evidence the competencies that many employers seek.
Staff Expertise
This course is taught by experienced therapists, educators and researchers with expertise spanning mental health, physical rehabilitation, private and community practice.
Staff contribute to health priorities locally and globally, with active roles at organisations such as the Royal College of Occupational Therapists and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
Facilities
Access authentic learning environments in our Clinical Skills Centre featuring simulation equipment and technology-enhanced learning tools.
From your first year, practise clinical skills through virtual reality scenarios with opportunities for repetition and reflection without real-world risks.
You may use 3D virtual reality software to support your learning, alongside traditional teaching methods, as well as professional studio spaces which replicate real practice settings.
Video capture technology enables you to review and critically reflect on your practical skills development.
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
