Occupational Therapy Cardiff University

Overview

Once you have successfully completed the Occupational Therapy degree offered at Cardiff University you will be eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as well as professional membership of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT).

What you'll study

With over 50 years of experience in delivering occupational therapy education, our three-year, full-time BSc (Hons) is a stimulating programme that provides the opportunity to engage in both academic study and practice-based placement learning. Our programme is approved by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT), which means that your qualification will be recognised in around 60 countries worldwide, enhancing your opportunities for international employment.

As a qualified occupational therapist you will work in partnership with and empower a broad spectrum of people who, for reasons of ill-health, disability, trauma or adverse social circumstances, face barriers and challenges which prevent them from undertaking the activities (or occupations) that matter to them.  Our curriculum emphasises the centrality of occupation in human life, the relationship between occupation, health and wellbeing and the power of occupation to transform the lives of individuals, groups and communities.     

The programme fosters a commitment to lifelong learning among its students and you will actively engage in continuing professional development throughout the three years, reflecting upon and recording your individual learning needs and achievements. 

With over 50 years of experience in delivering occupational therapy education, our three-year, full-time BSc (Hons) is a stimulating programme that provides the opportunity to engage in both academic study and practice-based placement learning. Our programme is approved by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT), which means that your qualification will be recognised in around 60 countries worldwide, enhancing your opportunities for international employment.

As a qualified occupational therapist you will work in partnership with and empower a broad spectrum of people who, for reasons of ill-health, disability, trauma or adverse social circumstances, face barriers and challenges which prevent them from undertaking the activities (or occupations) that matter to them.  Our curriculum emphasises the centrality of occupation in human life, the relationship between occupation, health and wellbeing and the power of occupation to transform the lives of individuals, groups and communities.     

The programme fosters a commitment to lifelong learning among its students and you will actively engage in continuing professional development throughout the three years, reflecting upon and recording your individual learning needs and achievements. 

Placement

A varied profile of placement experience undertaken across the three years of the programme will allow you to integrate academic theory with actual occupational therapy practice and gain insight as to the wide-ranging employment opportunities available to you upon qualification (e.g. within NHS, Local Authority, private and third sector settings). That’s why 95% of our occupational therapy graduates are in professional employment or further study six months after completing the programme (Unistats 2017/18).

Career prospects

There are excellent employability options for those pursuing a career in occupational therapy and Cardiff University occupational therapy graduate prospects were rated at 96% within the Complete University Guide 2019.

95%* of our occupational therapy graduates are in professional employment or further study six months after completing the programme (*Unistats 2018).

In addition to established traditional areas of practice within statutory sectors (NHS and Local Authority provision),  the unique occupation-focused contribution of occupational therapists is increasingly recognised and valued within public organisations such as prisons and schools, private-sector organisations such as residential homes and housing associations and by third sector organisations such as charities and social enterprises.

This programme of study will equip you with sound understanding of the changing landscape of health, social care and wider community services, supporting your development as a creative, dynamic and innovative occupational therapist and in honing the leadership skills you will require to shape current and future services.  As an alternative to seeking employment, some students may choose to undertake higher-level study (eg masters or PhD) following completion of the programme.