Bachelor of Applied Science (O - The University

The Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy) from the University of Sydney is a four-year full-time program that prepares students for a career as a professional occupational therapist. Combining theoretical and practical learning with extensive work-based placements, the program equips graduates with the skills to support individuals with disabilities, injuries, or ongoing conditions in participating fully in life. Graduates are eligible for registration with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia and membership in professional organizations.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Our Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy) will enable you to support people experiencing disability, injury or with ongoing conditions or needs to manage barriers that may be preventing them from participating more fully in life. This course is designed for students who want to become professional occupational therapists. You will combine theoretical and practical learning with extensive work-based learning to provide a rich environment for professional skill development.

Intake/s: Check semester start dates
Location: Camperdown/Darlington University of Sydney
Study mode: Face to face
Credit points: 192

What you’ll study:

The Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy) is an undergraduate coursework degree that will prepare you for professional practice as an occupational therapist. Over four years you will gain skills to support people experiencing disability, injury or with ongoing conditions or needs to manage barriers that may be preventing them from participating more fully in life. You will complete core units in occupational therapy and a minor in Disability, Participation and Health. In addition, you will select elective units from other discipline areas, or choose further specialised units to complete a major in Disability, Participation and Health. Alternatively, an honours pathway for invited students is integrated into the final three semesters of the program. Handbooks for future years, including for new courses commencing in a future year will progressively be available in November each year.

Teaching:

We are ranked 4th in the world for Sports-Related subjects (QS Subject Rankings 2023).
We are a top 20 university globally (QS World University Rankings 2024).
You'll gain real-world, hands-on training through clinical placements within our extensive network of clinical partners.
You'll learn from highly respected practitioners, clinicians and researchers, who are at the forefront advancing health sciences.
With a multidisciplinary focus, we prepare graduates with generalist and specialist healthcare knowledge and skills.

Careers:

Career paths:

Disability service providers
Community health services
Acute hospital settings
Rehabilitation hospital settings
Mental health services
Private Practice
Early Childhood Intervention
Workplace rehabilitation / Work health and safety
Education settings
Vocational rehabilitation and employment services
Home modifications and accessibility services
Consultancy
Health Promotion
Community-based rehabilitation/community development
Aged care sector

For example, a therapist could commence a career working one-on-one with teens with spinal cord injury, then work with babies in neonatal intensive care.

Other:

Professional accreditation:

This course is accredited by the Occupational Therapy Council of Australia (Ltd) and approved by the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia. Graduates will be eligible to apply for registration as an occupational therapist with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia (OTBA). The course is also approved by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists.