Occupational Therapists work to improve people’s health and wellbeing. It’s a rewarding career where you can make a real difference – and where no two days (or clients) are ever the same.
Because of illness, disability or injury, a person may struggle to do the things they used to do, such as go to school, work, live at home, drive a car or be independent. As an occupational therapist, you’ll create solutions that help people regain their occupations and remain independent.
Occupational therapists work in schools, hospitals, prisons, in mental health, and for charities. They have been identified by the UK government as a key workforce for the future NHS.
Why would you study Occupational Therapy at the University of Bradford?
The course is one of the most highly rated in the UK – ranked 4th in the UK in the Complete University Guide Occupational Therapy League Table 2020.
The course offers dedicated facilities at the Faculty of Health Studies, including a ‘home from home’ room and an arts and crafts suite, and gives you the opportunity for varied placement experiences across the West Yorkshire area.
You’ll undertake six placements in a range of different settings, supervised and supported by a Practice Placement Educator, where you’ll work alongside practitioners to get hands-on experience. Placements reflect the varied nature of the profession and enable you to work with diverse populations and multi-disciplinary teams.
You must register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) to practise as an occupational therapist in the UK. The Occupational Therapy course at Bradford is accredited by the HCPC allowing you to apply for registration once you graduate. The course is also approved by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists.
What the professionals say about our students
“For me, the most exciting thing about working with placement students is the possibility of developing new services to meet the needs of our patients.
“Two students came to work in our bereavement service. We didn’t have any occupational therapy input in bereavement; it’s always been a counselling or drop-in service.
“There are big issues for people who had lost their role as carers, issues in occupational disruption, and issues with the grief, and the resulting emotional impact on everything people do.
“The students left us with a brilliant project. We never previously had the resources to carry out the work they did in this area, but they worked out and evaluated everything from the training to how it would start. We’ve got a perfect project and it couldn’t have happened without them.”
Sharon Witton – placement supervisor at Manorlands Hospice.
“A placement is the closest a student can get to proper work. I didn’t know the students before they started their placement at Hazelbeck Special School, but their tutors have really noticed a growth in confidence.
“The students were based inside the school, which has a staff of 70 teachers and assistants. They had to look into what wellbeing requirements the staff had, and match those requirements up to an occupational focus.
“They had to win the teachers over. Many had a different way of doing things and weren’t necessarily aware of what occupational therapists are or do. It was challenging, but they did a very good job.
“These experiences help the students to stand out. If they have enthusiasm, positivity, and can show a wish to develop through experience – that’s what would attract me as an employer.”
Helen Tomes – placement supervisor at Bradford District Care Foundation Trust
Ready to take the next step?
You can apply for Occupational Therapy in Clearing now, to start this September.
Want to find out more first?
If you’re still considering your options for 2020 or beyond, why not come to an Open Day and talk to us about Occupational Therapy? You’ll also be able to check out our facilities and accommodation and get tips on writing your personal statement and applying for student finance.
Our next Open Days are at the start of October – you can book your place now.
Great blog on occupational therapy. It’s a great career path for so many, but there’s not a tonne of information about it offered in schools in sixth forms. This is great!