Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours)

School of Health Sciences

Occupational therapy is a healthcare profession that focuses on helping people of all ages to engage in meaningful activities or occupations that are important or relevant to their everyday life. Occupational therapists help clients address physical, cognitive, emotional and developmental challenges that may hinder their ability to participate in these meaningful tasks, activities or roles.

• Why study this degree?

  The Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) degree allows you to make a positive impact on people’s lives, working within a multidisciplinary team. Focussing on practice across a range of contexts and life stages, you will develop evidence-based skills in assessment, management and evaluation of service delivery.

  The program of study includes foundational skills in body systems (anatomy and physiology/pathophysiology) and functions within the context of a holistic approach to healthcare that emphasises the cognitive, psychological and emotional aspects of healthcare requirements and delivery.

  Your on-campus study is geared toward allowing you to excel in the 1000 hours of professional work-integrated learning you will complete throughout the degree, a feature of the program that ensures you are work-ready immediately upon graduation.

• Program summary

  The Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) is a four year degree program incorporating theoretical knowledge into the practical assessment and management of clients in various healthcare settings. You will undertake foundational courses in the first year before moving progressively onto Occupational Therapy specific content and ultimately toward the 1000 hours of clinical practicum, primarily in years three and four.

  You will study:

  • Human anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology
  • Therapy provision to different populations (e.g. across the lifespan, chronic conditions)
  • Practical skills and techniques required for therapy service delivery
  • Developmental psychology and mental health
  • Leading to 1000 hours of professional work experience

  Core Curriculum

  • CORE I: Foundations of Wisdom
  • CORE II: Elective
    • Electives in philosophy and\or theology
    • Professional embedded electives that integrate studies in a profession with philosophy and\or theology
    • An option to undertake a pilgrimage embedded in the study of the philosophy and theology of pilgrimage, e.g., World Youth Day
    • An option to undertake a course that integrates philosophy & theology with community service and charity work
    • An option to undertake an elective in philosophy, theology, and the liberal arts contained within an international experience

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  More information regarding courses can be found at the course descriptions page.

  Full details of the program requirements are contained in the Program Requirements.

  Please note: The availability of these courses is indicative only and may be subject to change. Program is pending approval for accreditation.

• Entry requirements

  Entry requirements NSW

  Academic requirements for this program are outlined below.  In addition, to be eligible for admission, all applicants need to satisfy the Minimum University Admission Requirements outlined. These include those relating to minimum age and English Language Proficiency.  We also consider your application more broadly – your non-academic achievements (such as any previous leadership roles, volunteering, work, church and/or community involvement) as well as personal qualities - your aspirations and interests and your capacity to complete your chosen program.  See Individual Factors for further details regarding this.

  Applicants with recent Secondary Education

  • Indicative ATAR/Selection Rank*

  OR

  • International Baccalaureate (IB) score

  *Selection Ranks include ATAR plus Adjustment Factors.

  Due to the nature of the program, it is recommended that students have completed at least one ATAR course in the sciences that include physics, chemistry, human biology and/or physical education studies.

  Applicants with Higher Education Study

  • Successful completion of 8 subjects at an undergraduate level or higher*

  *Applicants who have successfully completed subjects at another University, which are relevant to the selected program of study, may be eligible for credit (Advanced Standing).

  Note: Tertiary Preparation Programs are not accepted for entry.

  Applicants with Vocational Education and Training (VET) study

  • VET qualifications are not accepted for entry

  Applicants with Work and Life Experience

  • Work and Life Experience is not accepted for entry
  • STAT is not accepted for entry

  Please note: all applicants must be of school leaving age or older to apply.

• Entry pathways

  An alternative pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants is applicable for this Award and is under development.

• Learning outcomes

  Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) graduates will be able to:

  1. Collaboratively apply effective, culturally safe verbal, non-verbal and written communication skills with clients, families, carers, and service providers
  2. Practice professional and ethical behaviour, demonstrating respect and sensitivity to clients with diverse social, cultural, and spiritual beliefs
  3. Reflects on limitations in knowledge, skills, and abilities in order to plan and implement lifelong learning strategies
  4. Apply an ethically informed, evidence-based approach to occupational therapy practice by accessing, critically appraising, and implementing best available evidence
  5. Demonstrate a broad range of knowledge and skills to practice safe, effective entry-level occupational therapy across a range of settings
  6. Autonomously conduct effective assessment and critically analyse findings to formulate and prioritise occupational therapy practice
  7. Develop and communicate occupational therapy-based health promotion and collaborative management strategies to empower clients to participate in healthcare decisions and behaviours
  8. Contribute to healthcare delivery through culturally safe, effective inter-professional communication, advocacy, and practice
  9. Apply coherent and advanced knowledge in an area developed through research and critical analysis of the relevant literature
  10. Develop advanced knowledge, critical thinking and technical skills to develop, conduct and report on project or research work independently and/or in collaboration with others.

• Practical component

  The program has an embedded 1000 hours of practical, professional work experience. This will be undertaken across a range of settings and is carefully selected by our dedicated practicum team within the School of Health Sciences.

  The following courses are specific to clinical placement experiences:

  • OCTY2002 Participation in Diverse Communities
  • OCTY3004 Professional Practice A
  • OCTY4001 Professional Practice B
  • OCTY4003 Professional Practice C

• Career opportunities

  Graduates of this program can follow diverse career paths in the private and public health sectors; career opportunities range from working in public and private health and rehabilitation facilities, disability service providers, aged care and occupational health and workplaces.

• Real-world experience

  You will learn from academics who are industry leaders, and through our practicum placements and internship programs, you will gain real professional experience and make valuable contacts with potential employers.

• Professional accreditation

  The Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) is accredited by the Occupational Therapy Council Australia

  Students studying in an approved program are required to be registered with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia (OTBA) (the University will organise this), and graduates from approved programs are eligible to apply for registration with the OTBA.

  The program is also being developed to meet the expectations of the World Federation of Occupational Therapists.

• Honours

  This is an embedded Honours program for all students with an Industry or Research streams available. Further information can be found in the or by contacting the School of Health Sciences.

• Fees and costs

  This Program has the following loan scheme(s) available for eligible students:

  
  

  Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
  A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is a place at a university where the Australian Government pays part of your fees. This part is a subsidy, not a loan, and you don’t have to pay it back. However, this subsidy does not cover the entire cost of your study. Students must pay the rest, which is called the ‘student contribution amount’.

  In a Commonwealth Supported Place, your fees are subsidised by the Australian Government. Your fees will be split into two portions:

  The Commonwealth contribution, which is the portion paid by the Australian Government.

  The student contribution, which is the portion you pay. You may choose to pay upfront or defer your student contribution with a HECS-HELP Loan. The HECS-HELP loan scheme assists eligible students with the payment of all, or part, of their tuition fees, not including additional study costs such as accommodation or textbooks. Your HECS-HELP debt will be indexed each year in line with the Consumer Price Index.

  Eligible students will be offered a CSP – you do not need to apply.

  
  

  International Full-Fee Paying
  Tuition costs depend on an international student’s study load and discipline. Fees are payable each semester at least four weeks prior to the commencement of your program.

  
  

  For indicative fees and information on how to pay, including Government loan schemes and our online calculator, visit our Fees, costs and scholarships page.

• More information

  Considering your uni options?

  Talk to one of our career advisors for a personalised advice session. Our advisors provide support while choosing a program of study and completing our application process. Book my session.

  
  

  For more information, please call our Prospective Students Office on +61 2 8204 4404 or email sydney@nd.edu.au.