Occupational Therapy
UCAS code B920
- Study mode
- Full-time
- Duration
- 3 years
- Start date and application deadlines
-
- Start date
- September 2025
- Apply by:
- Starts on:
UCAS code B920
We've set the country or region your qualifications are from as United Kingdom.
Our Occupational Therapy programme is stimulating and rewarding, delivering a breadth of patient-focused practical experience in a region with a particularly diverse population, providing an invaluable insight into a student's potential future career.
The Occupational Therapy programme at Liverpool will equip you with a range of both academic and practical skills for a rewarding career that enhances the quality of life for a variety of people encountering physical, emotional and social difficulties.
You will be taught by respected academics with a breadth of clinical and research experience and will graduate with up-to-date knowledge. You will learn about the human body and use the impressive Human Anatomy Resource Centre. This knowledge will help you learn about disease and disability and how they impact on the ability to engage in everyday meaningful occupation.
Throughout the three years you will undertake clinical placements. We have extensive connections with a diverse range of clinical specialties in physical and mental health and learning difficulties, for all age groups from young children to the elderly, in our student placements. There are also opportunities for you to study abroad.
More than 1,000 hours of clinical experience, together with the theoretical knowledge gained from the programme, will enable the Liverpool graduate occupational therapist to competently analyse the psychosocial, physical and environmental factors in the lives of the people in their care and devise appropriate interventions to help them.
The programme is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and is accredited by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT). The programme also has approval from the World Federation of Occupational Therapy (WFOT). Recognition of the programme by the RCOT and WFOT are important for graduates seeking international job opportunities.
During your three years you will engage in modules which are framed within four themes. These themes explore the person, occupation and environment relationship, which is a core underpinning philosophy for the practice of occupational therapy. They are:
As a requirement for qualification you will experience a minimum of 1,000 hours practice placement education. Placements are integrated within each of the three years of the programme and are undertaken in a variety of health and social care settings.
We’re proud to announce we’ve been awarded a Gold rating for educational excellence.
Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.
The aims of year one are to provide you with the opportunity to:
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
The aims of year two are to provide you with the opportunity to:
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
The aims of year three are to provide you with the opportunity to:
It may be possible to undertake a placement overseas as an elective personal choice in year three or as part of international agreements with other universities.
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Learning is promoted through a wide variety of activities that enable the students to become autonomous and continuous learners. Interactive lectures, practical and clinical skills group work, directed study, role play, problem-based learning, small group work, student-led seminars, collaborative project work and interactive tutorials are key learning strategies of the programmes. Practical work using our imaging suite digital equipment, the Clinical Skills Resource Room and the Human Anatomy Resource Centre complement teaching activities.
Face-to-face interactions between all students will occur at shared lectures, tutorials and group work and online interaction will be encouraged and facilitated. There is also inter-professional education and learning opportunities across all Healthcare Professions programmes.
Using a mixture of coursework and examination, a range of assessment methods can be seen across the programmes. These include seen and unseen written examinations, essay assignments with specific word lengths, multiple choice questions, case study presentations, video analysis and interactive practical examinations. Assessment of the work-based learning element of all programmes is an important aspect. You will be required to communicate your views orally and in written form; analyse, implement and evaluate your practice; and to extend the research and evidence base of your chosen profession.
The various methods of assessments have been chosen to provide a balance that will permit the undergraduates to demonstrate their intellectual abilities in all areas to the full.
We have a distinctive approach to education, the Liverpool Curriculum Framework, which focuses on research-connected teaching, active learning, and authentic assessment to ensure our students graduate as digitally fluent and confident global citizens.
The Liverpool Curriculum framework sets out our distinctive approach to education. Our teaching staff support our students to develop academic knowledge, skills, and understanding alongside our graduate attributes:
Our curriculum is characterised by the three Liverpool Hallmarks:
All this is underpinned by our core value of inclusivity and commitment to providing a curriculum that is accessible to all students.
Studying with us means you can tailor your degree to suit you. Here's what is available on this course.
University of Liverpool students can choose from an exciting range of study placements at partner universities worldwide.
Spend a summer abroad on a study placement or research project at one of our worldwide partner institutions.
Every student at The University of Liverpool can study a language as part of, or alongside their degree. You can choose:
Occupational Therapy students benefit from the School of Allied Health Professions and Nursing‘s experience in delivering over 100 years of dynamic, research-led teaching. Our student satisfaction rates, which range from 93-100%, are testament to our School being a great place to start to your career.
From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:
Occupational Therapy just jumped out at me a couple of years ago. After looking at Liverpool University on their website I saw that they had a Foundation Year, a Year Zero over at Birkenhead. I did my year there and it gave me the foundation and footing to come to study at Liverpool. Since I have started it is amazing how quickly the practicals come into play. We are working with service users already, they come in and they give up their time to come and talk to us. So we really get to put our experiences across, within the first two weeks we were talking with patients. I am loving the course, I think it is fantastic. We have such a variety of people on the course and the lecturers are great. You are straight out on placement so you see what is really involved; you get to see what you are going into. It’s the best thing I’ve ever done for my life. I know that I am going to get a job at the end of it. It is a way of changing your future, you either want to do it or you don’t. Liverpool University offers a fantastic place to study and a wonderful city to come to.
Want to find out more about student life?
Chat with our student ambassadors and ask any questions you have.
Occupational Therapy graduates are eligible to apply for membership of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) and the World Federation of Occupational Therapy (WFOT) to work outside the UK.
You can work in a variety of settings including:
99% of School of Allied Health Professions and Nursing students find their main activity after graduation meaningful.
(Graduate Outcomes, 2018-19.)
My qualifications are from United Kingdom.
Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.
Full-time place, per year - £9,535
Year abroad fee - £1,430 (applies to year in China)
Full-time place, per year - £29,100
Year abroad fee - £14,550 (applies to year in China)
The tuition fees shown are correct for 2025/26 entry. Please note that the year abroad fee also applies to the year in China.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support. Learn more about paying for your studies.
We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This includes the cost of stationery and equipment, professional association fees, and travel to placements. Students can choose to undertake a placement overseas that would incur additional costs.
Students should expect to cover the following costs.
Stationery and equipment
Professional association fees
Optional (but strongly recommended) Royal College of Occupational Therapists fee. The cost to join is £60 per year / £5 per month.
Travel to placements
Students will complete 33 weeks of placement experience. Most clinical placements are a daily commute (students are placed within 50 miles of the University). Student concessions are also available from local travel companies.
Additional accommodation costs apply for students wishing to complete a placement in the Isle of Man at the cost of £343 per month (placement lengths vary from 4- 8 weeks)
Elective placements
Elective placement (6 weeks in semester two, year three) is mandatory. The same travel costs will be incurred as those on a clinical placement.
Students can choose to complete placements in the UK or abroad (these are self-funding).
*Home students are able to apply for reimbursement of travel/accommodation costs in relation to placement from the NHS Business Services Authority.
We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that could help pay your tuition and living expenses.
If you’re a UK student joining an undergraduate degree and have a household income below £35,000, you could be eligible for a Liverpool Bursary worth up to £2,000 for each year of undergraduate study.
Apply for an Asylum Seekers Scholarship and you could have your tuition fees paid in full and receive help with study costs. You’ll need to have applied for asylum in the UK, or be the dependant of an asylum seeker, and be joining an eligible undergraduate degree.
If you’ve spent 13 or more weeks in Local Authority care since age 14, you could be eligible for a bursary of £3,000 per year of study. You’ll need to be a UK student joining an eligible undergraduate degree and be aged 28 or above on 1 September in the year you start.
Are you a UK student with a Black African or Caribbean heritage and a household income of £25,000 or less? You could be eligible to apply for a Cowrie Foundation Scholarship worth up to £8,000 for each year of undergraduate study.
If you’re a UK student identified as estranged by Student Finance England (or the equivalent UK funding body), you could be eligible for a bursary of £1,000 for each year of undergraduate study.
Joining a School of Biosciences degree and have a household income of less than £25,000? If you’re a UK student, you could apply to receive £4,500 per year for three years of your undergraduate course.
Do you live in the Liverpool City Region with a household income of £25,000 or less? Did neither of your parents attend University? You could be eligible to apply for a Nolan Scholarship worth £5,000 per year for three years of undergraduate study.
Are you a UK student with a household income of £25,000 or less? If you’ve participated in an eligible outreach programme, you could be eligible to apply for a Rigby Enterprise Award worth £5,000 per year for three years of your undergraduate degree.
Are you a UK student with a household income of £25,000 or less? Did neither of your parents attend University? You could be eligible to apply for a ROLABOTIC Scholarship worth £4,500 for each year of your undergraduate degree.
Apply to receive tailored training support to enhance your sporting performance. Our athlete support package includes a range of benefits, from bespoke strength and conditioning training to physiotherapy sessions and one-to-one nutritional advice.
Joining a degree in the School of Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Computer Science? If you’re a UK student with household income below £25,000, you could be eligible to apply for £5,000 a year for three years of study. Two awards will be available per academic year.
If you’re a young adult and a registered carer in the UK, you might be eligible for a £1,000 bursary for each year of study. You’ll need to be aged 18-25 on 1 September in the year you start your undergraduate degree.
My qualifications are from United Kingdom.
The qualifications and exam results you'll need to apply for this course.
NHS Values will be assessed in all areas of an application including UCAS Personal Statement and at interview. For more details, please download our explanation of Value Based Recruitment.
We believe in treating applicants as individuals and we take into account a range of factors, both academic and non‐academic, in assessing applicants’ merit and potential. We consider personal circumstances and backgrounds and may be able make offers that differ from those indicated as ‘typical’ below when taking extenuating circumstances or relevant experience into account.
If you would like us to consider any extenuating circumstances, please provide evidence of these and their impact on your educational achievement from an appropriate individual (school headteacher, medical practitioner, etc).
Please find below indicative offers for the BSc Occupational Therapy programme. If you would like to discuss your qualifications please contact School of Health Science Admissions office on +44 (0)151 794 9490/5712/5901 for further information.
Qualification | Details |
---|---|
A levels |
BBB with at least one Science subject from the following: Biology, Health & Social Care, Psychology, Sociology, Physical Education. Narrowly missed the entry requirements on results day? If you've studied these subjects, we may take them into account: From three A2 levels with at least one Science subject from the following: Biology, Health & Social Care, Psychology, Sociology, Physical Education. General studies is not acceptable. You may automatically qualify for reduced entry requirements through our contextual offers scheme. Based on your personal circumstances, you may automatically qualify for up to a two-grade reduction in the entry requirements needed for this course. When you apply, we consider a range of factors – such as where you live – to assess if you’re eligible for a grade reduction. You don’t have to make an application for a grade reduction – we’ll do all the work. Find out more about how we make reduced grade offers. If you don't meet the entry requirements, you may be able to complete a foundation year which would allow you to progress to this course. Available foundation years: |
T levels |
T levels in Health, Health Science and Science is accepted with an overall grade of Merit to include in the core. Applicants should contact us by completing the enquiry form on our website to discuss specific requirements in the core components and the occupational specialism. |
GCSE |
5 GCSEs at grades A*-C or 4-9 including Maths and English Language. Please note English Language must be achieved at a minimum of grade 5. A GCSE Science subject (not applied) must be achieved at grades 4-9 or A*-C if applicants are not offering an A-level Science qualification or level 3 equivalent. |
BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma | BTEC Nationals are considered in addition to 5 GCSEs grades A* – C or level 5, which must include English Language, Mathematics and a Science subject. Science Dual Award is acceptable. Core and Additional Science are also considered. Please note that Applied GCSEs will not be considered. BTEC National Extended Certificate We will accept one National Extend Certificate at a minimum of Distinction. This must be accompanied by two A2 subjects at grade B. The A2 subjects must include Biology/Human Biology, Sociology, Psychology, PE or Health & Social Care. In total between the two types of qualification 3 separate subjects must be taken. BTEC Level 3 National Diploma We will accept in Health & Social Care at grade DD plus one accompanying A2 level subject at grade B. BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma We will accept in Health and Social Care, Sport and Exercise Science or Applied Science at grade DDD. |
International Baccalaureate | 30 points to include 3 Higher Level subjects at a minimum of Grade 4. Biology must be offered at a minimum of a Grade 4. |
European Baccalaureate | 74% overall with a minimum mark of 8 in biology and no subject mark below 6. |
Irish Leaving Certificate | 6 Higher Level subjects including Biology, English and Mathematics. Four subjects graded at H2 or above which should include Biology. The remaining two subjects should be graded at a minimum of H3. |
Scottish Higher/Advanced Higher | Advanced Higher Level/Higher Level |
Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced | WJEC Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate (Level 3) at grade A in addition to two level 3 qualifications as outlined above. |
Cambridge Pre-U Diploma | Grade M2 accepted in addition to 2 A-levels achieve at BB. At least one subject must be taken from Biology, Health & Social Care, Psychology, Sociology, P.E or Sport Science. Three separate subjects must be taken between the two qualifications. |
AQA Baccalaureate | Will be considered. |
Graduate application | We welcome applications from graduates holding a 2:2 classification, or above. For queries about the suitability of your degree, please contact the Admissions Tutor in the first instance. Experience in health care is also an advantage. |
Access | The Access to HE Diploma should include 45 credits at Level 3 in a Biological, Psychological, Sociological or Health related subject (all should be new learning, ie. GCSE awards cannot be APL'd against the Diploma). 30 credits passed at distinction and the remaining 15 credits must be passed at merit or higher. The diploma qualification should be supported by a sound academic background. In addition, 2 GCSEs in English Language and Maths at grade 4/C. We also accept Functional Skills in Maths at a pass. |
Academic Reference | An academic reference must be included within the UCAS application. If the applicant is a graduate and has been working since graduating (within three years), an employer reference is acceptable. |
Profession-specific knowledge and skills required | Candidates must show evidence, in their UCAS Personal Statement, of a good understanding of the scope of Occupational Therapy practice, preferably indicated by observational experience. It is recommended that applicants have observed Occupational Therapists at work and reflect this in their personal statement. It is preferable to have at least two visits, one being in the field of mental health and one being in the physical field. The Personal Statement of the UCAS application form will be screened for evidence of what has been learned from these visits. Health Trust Open Days, careers conventions, information leaflets and websites may also provide useful background information. Experience in a paid or voluntary capacity in a health and well-being environment that demonstrates your caring nature. |
Declaration of criminal background | You will understand that as an allied health professions and nursing student, and when you qualify, you will be asked to treat children and other vulnerable people. We therefore need information about any criminal offences of which you may have been convicted, or with which you have been charged. The information you provide may later be checked with the police. If selected for interview you will be provided with the appropriate form to complete. |
Health screening | The University and the School of Allied Health Professions and Nursing has an obligation to undertake health screening on all prospective healthcare students. Any offer of a place to study is conditional on completion of a health questionnaire and a satisfactory assessment of fitness to train from the University’s Occupational Health Service. This will include some obligatory immunisations and blood tests. |
Disability information | If you have, or think you have dyslexia or a long term health condition or impairment that may have the potential to impact upon your studies and/or your Fitness to Practice duty, please complete the Disability form. We will contact you to discuss your support needs. |
International qualifications |
The IELTS requirement is an overall score of 7.0 with no component less than 6.5 Please note – whilst we do accept IELTS qualifications, we do not accept IELTS qualifications that have been sat and gained online. We only accept qualifications that have been sat and gained in person. |
You'll need to demonstrate competence in the use of English language, unless you’re from a majority English speaking country.
We accept a variety of international language tests and country-specific qualifications.
International applicants who do not meet the minimum required standard of English language can complete one of our Pre-Sessional English courses to achieve the required level.
Qualification | Details |
---|---|
IELTS | 7.0 overall, with no component below 6.5 |
TOEFL Paper | Grade 7 at Higher Level |
LanguageCert | Grade 6 at Standard Level or grade 6 at Higher Level |
Have a question about this course or studying with us? Our dedicated enquiries team can help.
Last updated 11 March 2025 / / Programme terms and conditions