Occupational Therapy (Pre-Registration) MSc
2 Years Full-Time | September Start

In this module you will develop in-depth critical knowledge of the theoretical underpinnings of Occupational Therapy alongside an appreciation of how Occupational Therapists apply their core knowledge to practice. You will explore the academic discipline of Occupational Science which studies the links between meaningful activities, health and wellbeing. Topics in this module will include:

- How occupation is performed across the lifespan
- Using theoretical models to analyse human occupation and the application of contemporary theoretical frameworks to occupational science
- The impact of environments on occupation

Your university learning will be consolidated and developed by a period of practice placement (assessed at BSc level 4) during this module where you will be supported to apply theory to practice and develop your Occupational Therapy knowledge and skills with support and supervision of a Qualified Occupational Therapist. You will engage with service users and carers to gain insight and appreciation of the impact of a range of health, social and/or environmental factors on occupational participation.

The preparatory period in university prior to placement will help you to understand the professional conduct required in practice as set out by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct (2017) and HCPC Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics (2016). Hours completed on this module contribute to the 1000 hours of supervised practice required to be eligible to register to practice on completion of the programme.

This module will provide you with the opportunity to engage with academic writing, a range of research methodologies, both quantitative and qualitative and consider these in the context of Occupational Therapy practice and wider health and social care to contribute to your development as an evidence based healthcare practitioner. Empirical and systematic review methodologies will be introduced and considered in the context of an MSc project option. In this module you will have the opportunity to engage with research ethics, research methodology theory, participate in data collection and analysis and engage in critical debate about public involvement in research. The module provides the opportunity for the integration and development of some skills and concepts considered in your profession specific modules to be critically evaluated in the context of research. The end product of this module will be a project proposal that could be transferable for submission for ethics approval. This module is linked with your MSc project; with the aim prepare you for involvement in data collection and analysis or systematic appraisal to provide you with a firm foundation for undertaking research as part of your MSc.

Occupational Therapists select, analyse, adapt and utilise occupations to promote occupational engagement, health and wellbeing and you will practice, analyse and reflect on these skills during this module. You will further develop your understanding of how environments and contexts influence occupation and again, develop practice skills in analysing occupation within different contexts and environments. You will also develop and critically reflect upon skills used within therapeutic interactions such as motivating others, collaborative goal setting and working towards behaviour change. Alongside this and integrated with opportunities to learn profession-specific Occupational Therapy skills, you will also develop wider professional skills including skills in risk assessment, record keeping and collaborative working.

Experts by experience have helped to identify the following core values as the most important elements of building relationships with service users and carers: respect, trust, compassion, empathy, listening and collaboration. Through a range of learning experiences students will be supported to examine these values and to think about how they demonstrate them in their professional practice.

In semester 1, this module will include a simulated placement – an approach to practice learning which recreates elements of scenarios, environments or practice conditions to enable you to deliberately practice, develop skills and reflect on your learning. In semester 2, you will then spend time in a practice context to complete your second period of practice assessed at level 5 practice placement. Hours from both the simulated placement, and the Placement B period will contribute to the 1000 hours of supervised practice required to be eligible to register to practice on completion of the programme.

Authentic case studies will be developed to reflect diverse and contemporary areas of occupational therapy practice, including (but not limited to) scenarios with a focus on prevention and health promotion, acute care, and rehabilitation contexts.

Your university learning will be consolidated and developed by a period of practice placement during this module. Module sessions will help you to understand the professional conduct required in practice as set out by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists Professional standards for occupational therapy practice, conduct and ethics (RCOT, 2021) and HCPC Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics (2016).

Academic skills when studying away from your home country can differ due to cultural and language differences in teaching and assessment practices. This module is designed to support your transition in the use and practice of technical language and subject specific skills around assessments and teaching provision in your chosen subject. The overall aim of this module is to develop your abilities to read and study effectively for academic purposes; to develop your skills in analysing and using source material in seminars and academic writing and to develop your use and application of language and communications skills to a higher level.

The topics you will cover on the module include:

• Understanding assignment briefs and exam questions.
• Developing academic writing skills, including citation, paraphrasing, and summarising.
• Practising ‘critical reading’ and ‘critical writing’
• Planning and structuring academic assignments (e.g. essays, reports and presentations).
• Avoiding academic misconduct and gaining credit by using academic sources and referencing effectively.
• Listening skills for lectures.
• Speaking in seminar presentations.
• Presenting your ideas
• Giving discipline-related academic presentations, experiencing peer observation, and receiving formative feedback.
• Speed reading techniques.
• Developing self-reflection skills.
• Discussing ethical issues in research, and analysing results.
• Describing bias and limitations of research.