Undergraduate Course

The B.Sc. (Hons.) in Occupational Therapy is a full-time four year course.  During the four years students also spend 4 eight week practice education placements in Occupational Therapy departments around the country.

• Year 1
• Year 2
• Year 3
• Year 4

Year 1

Human Body Structure
This module will introduce the students to the fundamental principles of biological science and to the basic organisation, form and structure of the human body.  It will develop knowledge and understanding of the structure and functional aspects of the musculoskeletal system of the body and support knowledge in Physiology.  An understanding of the musculoskeletal system forms part of the knowledge required to understand the performance components (motor/sensory, cognitive and affective) of occupation.

Human Body Function 
This course covers the physiology of the major body systems with the exception of the central nervous system which will be addressed in Year 2.  The student will develop knowledge and understanding of the physiological and anatomical processes in the body associated with a normal, healthy, functional state.  It is designed to underpin subsequent development of modules related to Occupational Therapy practice.

Psychology
This module is designed to introduce students to areas of psychology, relevant to their professional activities.  The main areas covered are Social Psychology, Psychological Disorders, Developmental Psychology and Cognitive Psychology.  The module helps to underpin some of the material encountered in Occupational Therapy modules.

Exploration of Occupation
This module is aimed at enabling the students to develop an understanding of themselves as occupational beings.  Students will be introduced to how occupation is conceptual within occupational therapy and will learn how to conduct an occupational analysis.  Students will then learn about roles, habit and routines and explore the nature of occupation and form.

Enabling Occupation - Mental Health
This module will provide the students with some of the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to work as an occupational therapist in a mental health setting.  The lectures focus on the aetiology, course, prognosis and medical management of various mental health conditions.  The seminars and workshops will introduce and expand on the occupational therapy role, with emphasis on enabling people with mental health problems to engage in occupation.

Enabling Occupation - Physical Disability
Students will be introduced to a variety of clinical conditions commonly encountered by occupational therapists in practice.  Lectures on conditions will be delivered by Occupational Therapy staff and by lecturers in the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.  Case studies used in seminars and workshops will be organised using the format of an occupational therapy model.  Case studies will also reflect culture and gender diversity.  Students will have the opportunity to develop skills, knowledge and understanding with regard to treatment approaches used in practice.

Fundamentals of Occupational Therapy I
This module is the first in a series of modules which will run throughout the four years and underpin the study of occupational therapy.  In this module students will begin to develop a thorough understanding of occupational therapy identity.  They will learn the history of the profession both nationally and internationally and will understand the occuaptional therapy process.  They will reflect on client-centered practice and on outcomes for intervention and will also study the code of ethics via the discussion of ethical dilemmas and will discuss the various intervention methods of occupational therapists.

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Year 2

Neuroanatomy
This module will run concurrently with the module in neurophysiology and will cover the fundamentals of neuroanatomy and functional neuroanatomy.  It will underpin several applied occupational therapy modules.  An understanding of neuroanatomy forms part of the knowledge required to understand the performance components (motor/sensory, cognitive and affective) of occupation.

Neurophysiology
This module will run concurrently with the module in neuroanatomy and will cover the fundamentals of neurophysiology.  It will underpin several applied occupational therapy modules.  An understanding of neurophysiology forms part of the knowledge required to understand the performance components (motor/sensory, cognitive and affective) of occupation. 

Health Psychology
This module provides students with an introduction to health psychology.  It will introduce students to the main areas of sickness and health and application of psychological theories to the prevention of ill health and the promotion of health across the lifespan.

Groupwork and Professional Skills
This module prepares students to engage patients/clients through a range of seminars and workshops designed to develop professional skills in dyadic and group situations.  Students will learn the principles of effective communication and effective teamwork and in addition to this, this module also aims to encourage students reflection on their personal and professional development.

Enabling Occupation - Paediatrics
This module introduces students to the knowledge and skills necessary to work effectively with children and adolescents with physical or learning disability or mental health problems.

Enabling Occupation - Adults with Learning Disability
In this module, students will become familiar with the specific issues and needs of adults with learning disability.  This is a growing population and in this module issues such as advocacy, ageing, personal relationships and culture will be explored.

Fundamentals of Occupational Therapy II
This module is the second in the series.  Here, students will explore client narratives and professional behaviour and reasoning, the therapeutic relationship, interdisciplinary teams and managing conflict.  There will also be sessions aimed at preparing students for practice education placement and a session on moving and handling.

Practice Education
This will provide an opportunity for students to experience the delivery of occupational therapy services in the field.  Students will be supervised by a named qualified occupational therapist.  An individual learning contract will be negotiated and agreed between the student and supervisor and will guide students learning on placement.  Tutorials may be provided by practice educators and a minimum of one hour per week of formal supervision will be provided.  Informal feedback will be given regularly.  The students progress will be monitored in a placement visit by the practice education co-ordinator.

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Year 3

Social Policy
This module examines the legislation and policy which underpins practice including the knowledge of employment and equality of opportunity.

Evidence Based Practice
This module uses neuroscience as a theme to explore and appraise critically the best available clinical evidence from systematic research and to apply and integrate this clinical practice.  Students are required to make use of evidence to guide professional judgement about the effectiveness of specific interventions for individual clients.

Standardised Testing
With increasing need for evidence, audit and clinical effectiveness, quantifiable measures of effectiveness are essential.  In order to engage in and develop evidence based practice, occupational therapists need to be familiar with and competent in administering, scoring and interpreting the results of standardised tests.  This module introduces the students to a range of standardised assessments used in Occupational Therapy and links with the module of evidence based practice.

Enabling Occupation - Community
In this module, students explore the policies and trends for care in the community and implications for Occupational Therapy practice.  The diversity of service users within the community will be a key theme and will include all ages, cultures and conditions e.g. primary care, health promotion, equipment provision, community mental health etc.  This module will enable students to develop the knowledge and skills to work with individuals and groups in the community.

Enabling Occupation - Older Adults
This module prepares the student to work with older adults (>65 years) and considers the complexity of the interrelationships between normal aging, role change and pathology and the subsequent effect on occupational functioning.

Research Methods
This module introduces the student to methods of scientific enquiry focusing on research and design.  Both quantitative and qualitative methodologies will be introduced and the module will include both theoretical aspects and practical skills such as data analysis and statistics.

Emerging Areas in Occupational Therapy
This module provides students with an opportunity to evaluate a range of possibilities and develop occupational therapy in settings where there is no current or past occupational therapy involvement.  Students will go on a series of visits to such settings and evaluate how concepts of "occupation" and "occupational performance" might be applied.  This module will afford students the opportunity to gain experience in identifying the clients/agency needs and to determine how these needs could be met.

Fundamentals of Occupational Therapy III
This module is the third in a series of modules.  The students will have an opportunity to debrief and discuss their second year practice education experience and apply the case-studies carried out on placement to the modules of practice presented.  Students will be given an opportunity to develop knowledge, understanding and skills regarding models of practice and occupational therapy.

Fundamentals of Occupational Therapy IV
This module is the fourth in a series.  In this module, students will be introduced to the concepts and theory of occupational science.  They will examine the relationship between occupation and issues such as health and quality of life.  They will also explore the effects of occupational imbalance, deprivation and alienation and will develop knowledge and understanding and skills in the promotion of social justice.

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Year 4

Practice Education
These are the third and fourth year practice education modules and will provide further opportunity for students to experience the delivery of occupational therapy services in the field.  This module may be taken abroad if a student wishes and if an appropriate venue with an accredited supervisor can be identified.  Students will be supervised by a named qualified occupational therapist.  An individual learning contract will be negotiated and agreed between the student and supervisor and will guide students learning on placement.  In this placement it is expected that students will continue to work as effective team members but that they will also learn to manage a small caseload and communicate effectively with other team members, with parents/clients and carers/relatives in this context.

Research Project
This module gives the student the opportunity to plan and conduct an original piece of research in a scientific and organised manner under supervision.  Project guidelines given to students and the research protocol will have been devised and ethical approach sought during the Research Methods module.  Supervision will be given only by an academic supervisor and where appropriate by a clinical supervisor.  Students will write a 15,000 word dissertation, give a conference presentation and have a viva voce.

Management
In this module students are introduced to basic management and leadership styles.  The skills relevant to their practice as basic grade occupational therapists.  Current health and social service policies and proposed developments will also be addressed and the importance of being aware of and acting upon changes in policy where appropriate stressed.

Preparation for Practice
This module provides a synthesis and an update of the learning acquired to date.  Students will review current health care strategies and policies and will learn about continued professional development and evidence-based practice.

Further information, including entry requirements can be found in our programme brochure.   

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