MSc Occupational Therapy (Pre-Registration)

Program Overview

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The MSc Occupational Therapy (Pre-Registration) program equips students with the knowledge and skills to become registered Occupational Therapists. It combines virtual classroom learning with practical experience, focusing on community/primary care and meeting industry standards. Graduates are well-rounded professionals prepared for employment in various healthcare and social care sectors.

Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

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MSc Occupational Therapy (Pre-Registration)

is a two-year, full-time or a three-year, part-time program designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and attributes needed to become registered Occupational Therapists.

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Objectives:

• Equip graduates with the ability to work with individuals of all ages who have physical, mental health, and/or learning disabilities.
• Develop graduates who are adaptable, flexible, and prepared for future healthcare challenges.
• Provide a strong foundation in occupational therapy theory and practice.

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Program Description:

• Combines virtual classroom learning with practical/seminar learning on campus.
• Aligns with local needs of a largely rural community by focusing on community/primary care.
• Meets the Standards of Education and Training (SETs) and Standards of Proficiency (SOPs) required by the Health and Care Professions Council and the Royal College of Occupational Therapists.
• Utilizes a case-based learning and teaching approach.
• Includes keynote lectures, small group work, practical sessions, project supervision, tutorials, seminars, clinical placements, and guided independent study.

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Other:

• Program is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT).

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Outline:

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Year 1:

• Integrated Human Sciences
• Professional Practice
• Occupational Therapy Process and Practice
• Personal and Professional Development
• Assessing Occupational Performance
• Practice Placement 1

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Year 2:

• People and Society: Occupational Therapy in Context
• Occupational Therapy Knowledge and Skills
• Critical Inquiry – Research Protocol
• Occupational Therapy in Contemporary Practice
• Practice Placement 2
• Practice Placement 3
• Capstone
• Critical Inquiry – Research Study

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Modules:

• Integrated Human Sciences: Explores the impact of pathology on function, including human sciences and occupational sciences.
• Professional Practice: Covers ethical dimensions of care, statutory and mandatory training topics, safe-guarding vulnerable people, practicing advocacy, safe moving and handling techniques, infection control, basic life support, monitoring vital signs, and observation and communication skills.
• Occupational Therapy Process and Practice: Explores occupational therapy models, frameworks, history, philosophy, role of activity and occupation, and empowerment.
• Personal and Professional Development: Covers ethical and professional reasoning, standards of report writing, communication, advocacy, continued professional development, managing risk, and relevant legislation.
• Assessing Occupational Performance: Explores standardized and non-standardized assessments, data analysis, hypothesis generation, goal construction, outcome tool selection, and intervention effectiveness.
• Practice Placement 1: Provides experience in a traditional setting under supervision, implementing simple assessment, intervention, and evaluation procedures.
• People and Society: Occupational Therapy in Context: Explores socio-cultural and political drivers, facilitators and barriers, public health provision, leadership, management, and entrepreneurship.
• Occupational Therapy Knowledge and Skills: Develops practical skills in different occupational therapy interventions, therapeutic dialogue, therapeutic use of self, critical appraisal, and evidence-based practice.
• Critical Inquiry – Research Protocol: Builds research skills, reviews literature searching and critical appraisal, conducts journal clubs, analyzes quantitative and qualitative data, develops protocol and journal writing, and prepares for research study submission and ethics committee submission.
• Occupational Therapy in Contemporary Practice: Explores contemporary practice in community and primary care, identifies areas of interest within non-traditional and emerging areas of practice, constructs learning plans, and considers international aspects.
• Practice Placement 2: Provides experience in a traditional setting, building on previous placement experience, developing assessment skills, selecting and modifying interventions, managing a small caseload, and managing time and resources.
• Practice Placement 3: Provides experience in a variety of settings, continuing to build on previous placement experience, making an active contribution to assessment, intervention, and evaluation, and managing complex cases under supervision.
• Capstone: Develops a quality improvement plan in collaboration with a site mentor, operationalizes the plan, and evaluates its impact.
Possible projects include creating a practice guideline, professional development plan, or online continuing education program.
• Critical Inquiry – Research Study: Undertakes research activity based on the research protocol completed in the Critical Inquiry module, working with a research supervisor.

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Assessment:

Assessment methods may include:

• Essays
• Portfolios
• Supervised independent work
• Presentations
• Written exams
• Practical performances

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Teaching:

The program utilizes a case-based learning and teaching approach, which includes:

• Keynote lectures
• Small group work
• Practical sessions
• Project supervision
• Tutorials
• Seminars
• Clinical placements
• Guided independent study
The program also features guest speakers, external visits, and individual and group presentations.

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Careers:

Graduates may be employed in the following sectors:

• Healthcare (private and NHS)
• Social care
• Charitable and voluntary organizations
• Local councils
• Research
• Disaster management
• Education

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Other:

• The program is offered through a combination of distance learning and teaching on campus in Winchester.
• Students must complete at least 1000 hours of work-based placements.
• The program is designed to help graduates become adaptable, flexible, and 'tuned' to the future, positioning them well for employment opportunities.
• Graduates are well-rounded professionals with the knowledge, skills, and attributes to work with individuals of all ages who live with a physical, mental health, and/or learning disability.
• The program fee for UK/ Channel Islands/ Isle of Man/ Republic of Ireland students is £9,250 per year for full-time study and £6,166 per year for part-time study.
The program fee for international students is £17,000 per year for full-time study and £11,334 per year for part-time study.

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UK/ Channel Islands/ Isle of Man/ Republic of Ireland Full time £9,250 pa for 2 years - total £18,500 Part-time £6,166 pa for 3 years - total £18,500 International Full time £17,000 pa for 2 years - total £34,000 Part-time £11,334 pa for 3 years - total £34,000