Occupational Therapy (Pre-Registration) MSc
2 Years Full-Time | September Start

In this module you will develop in-depth critical knowledge of the theoretical underpinnings of Occupational Therapy alongside an appreciation of how Occupational Therapists apply their core knowledge to practice. You will explore the emerging academic discipline of Occupational Science which studies the links between meaningful activities, health and wellbeing. Topics in this module will include:
- How occupation is performed across the lifespan
- Using theoretical models to analyse human occupation and the application of contemporary theoretical frameworks to occupational science
- The impact of environments on occupation

Your university learning will be consolidated and developed by a period of practice placement during this module where you will be supported to apply theory to practice and develop your OT knowledge and skills with support and supervision of a Qualified Occupational Therapist. You will engage with service users and carers to gain insight and appreciation of the impact of a range of health, social and/or environmental factors on occupational participation.

The preparatory period in university prior to placement will help you to understand the professional conduct required in practice as set out by the College of Occupational Therapists Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct (2015) and HCPC Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics (2016). Hours completed on this module contribute to the 1000 hours of supervised practice required to be eligible to register to practice on completion of the programme

You will use your developing understanding of human occupation to further understand how Occupational Therapists enable the occupational performance and participation of others. Occupational Therapists use a wide range of knowledge and practice skills to identify and assess occupational needs and to enable people to participate and engage in everyday occupations. By the end of this module, you will further develop your understanding of why people experience difficulty engaging in everyday occupations and develop practice skills which enable Occupational Therapists to positively influence participation in occupation.

The core skills of an Occupational Therapist link to how they select, analyse, adapt and utilise occupations to promote occupational engagement, health and wellbeing. Throughout this module you will be provided with opportunities to learn and practice these skills and apply them to a range of authentic case studies and practice contexts. Examples include skills and techniques to assess individuals, occupations and environments, and using a range of activities and occupations within therapeutic contexts. You will also develop and critically reflect upon skills used within therapeutic interactions such as motivating others, collaborative goal-setting and working towards behaviour change. Alongside this, and integrated with opportunities to learn profession-specific Occupational Therapy skills, you will also develop wider professional skills including skills in risk assessment, record keeping and collaborative working.

Your university learning will be consolidated and developed by a period of practice placement during this module. Module sessions will help you to understand the professional conduct required in practice as set out by the College of Occupational Therapists Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct (2015) and HCPC Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics (2016).

This module will provide you with the opportunity to engage with academic writing, a range of research methodologies, both quantitative and qualitative and consider these in the context of Occupational Therapy practice and wider health and social care to contribute to your development as an evidence based healthcare practitioner. Systematic review methodology will be introduced and considered in the context of an MSc project option. In this module you will have the opportunity to engage with research ethics and research methodology theory and to also participate in data collection and analysis, including the integration and development of some skills and concepts considered in your profession specific modules in the context of research. Public health related to activity will be reflected within this module; both from an individual, personal perspective and development of this to relate to the wider population. This will support development of critical discussion and as a vehicle for data collection and analysis. The end product of this module will be a project proposal. This module is linked with your MSc project; with the aim prepare you for involvement in data collection and analysis or systematic appraisal to provide you with a firm foundation for undertaking research as part of your MSc.

The purpose of this module is to develop the participant’s ability in study skills and English language skills for academic purposes.

The module is designed to develop the participants as independent learners. The module is supported by a teaching and learning plan which outlines the formal sessions, together with the tutor-directed study and independent reading. An interactive approach to seminars will draw upon the directed learning undertaken and participants’ own experience of study skills. Directed learning will centre upon a range of activities including pre-reading, preparation for interactive activities and use of the discussion board on the e-learning platform.
Independent learning will focus upon the participants identifying those skills which they need to develop and understand through a range of learning activities that might include extended reading, and reflection. The sessions will attempt to follow the principles set out by the CEM model (Sloan and Porter, 2008)