Course
Occupational Therapist
Occupational therapists work with people of all ages and can look at all aspects of daily life in your home, school or workplace.
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Occupational Therapists enable individuals to participate in occupations in a meaningful way. In a therapeutic context, the term ‘occupation’ refers to everyday activities that people want, need, or are expected to carry out. Using a holistic person-centred approach, informed by evidence-based practice, occupational therapists support service users to carry out everyday occupations, such as dressing, eating, catching the bus to work, or other activities that are important to them.
We offer the following programmes:
University of Hertfordshire
BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy (Degree Apprenticeship)
Duration
36 months
The programme is offered in full time mode
Apprentices spend one day a week at university gaining theoretical knowledge and practical skills and 4 days a week in their workplace. There are 4 full time practice placements over the 3 year course.
Delivery approach
Integrates academic study with practice-based learning across all years of study.
Practice placements are interspersed with study of academic modules increasing from one 5-week placement in year 1 to one 7-week placements in year 2, and one 7 and one 10-week placement in year 3. These 4 placements cover a breadth of settings and will include a psychosocial setting, and normally an acute setting and a community setting.
These placements provide a range of experiences in different settings and sectors enabling a broad understanding of the value and contribution of Occupational Therapy. Role emerging placements in diverse settings can be available in the final placements.
Assessment is through course work, practical assessment and practice placement assessment.
Unique benefits for employers
The Degree Apprentice programme recognises the diversity of occupational therapy practice and embraces a commitment to produce practitioners who are cognisant of health and social disparities and promotes an inclusive and participatory society.
It also recognises learners’ past and current experiences and their value and contribution to the learning process.
UH received a good rating from Ofsted in June 2024 the report commended the university for its “expertly given” practical and pastoral support in partnership with employers, which the report said is highly valued by apprentices.
Ofsted also stated that apprentices at Herts are highly positive towards their education and job roles. They develop “character and confidence” as a result of their studies, and become “more reflective and resilient to challenges, change and setbacks” through their time at the University.
The report further praised Herts for its links with businesses and partners to meet regional skills needs, as well as its variety of teaching and learning opportunities, including practical experiences.
Drawing on an enquiry-based approach, learning is designed around scenarios involving individuals, carers, families, groups and communities from birth to end of life. These are used as triggers for discussion of the learning and to plan self-directed study.
The final year of the programme includes a leadership shadowing opportunity in the apprentice’s own employing organisation and a quality improvement project implemented in their work setting solidifying the link between academic and practice learning.
Curricular delivery has been designed to ensure that graduates develop the skills that are key to and will enhance risk assessment and autonomous Occupational Therapy practice.
This enables a graduate to be adaptable, resourceful and responsive to changes in health and social care provision.