MSc Occupational Therapy (pre-registration) is a science-based programme designed to prepare graduates for work in a variety of settings, including health organisations, social care services, housing, education, voluntary organisations, or as independent practitioners.
This programme is suited to those who want to fulfill, or work towards fulfilling their potential as an occupational therapist, to promote function, quality of life, and the realisation of potential in people who are experiencing occupational deprivation, imbalance, or alienation. They believe that activity can be an effective medium for remediating dysfunction, facilitating adaptation, and recreating identity.
Occupational therapists work with adults and children of all ages with a wide range of conditions; most commonly those who have difficulties due to a mental health illness, or physical or learning disabilities. The course seeks to develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to work in a range of complex and dynamic health and social care environments.
Students on this course are encouraged to appreciate and understand current occupational therapy practice while being critical in their approach to developing new, innovative, and evidence-based interventions. There are interprofessional components of the course which are designed to develop practitioners who are professional, compassionate, safe, reflective, and autonomous. Working with peers from other professions including physiotherapy, nursing, midwifery, and social work helps promote teamwork, collaboration, and an application of research skills in the transformation of health and social care services.
How You Study
The foundation of this course is the inter-professional learning approach to develop and promote a culture of wellness in health and social care. Students on this pre-registration MSc Occupational Therapy course can experience collaborative approaches to learning and teaching that will challenge traditional perceptions of healthcare provision.
A variety of learning and teaching strategies will be used to cater to the individual needs of students on the programme. These strategies may include lectures, seminars, workshops, small group activity, self-assessment, case studies, library-based resources, clinical skills sessions, virtual learning, simulation, and practice-based learning.
In addition to academic-based learning in a modern university setting students will have the opportunity to experience over 1,000 hours of practice-based learning in a variety of clinical settings.
In the second year, students have the opportunity to develop a ‘role emerging placement’ to explore an area where occupational therapists haven’t traditionally worked before, subject to achieving the minimum requirements for supported practice learning.
Contact Hours and Independent Study
Contact hours may vary for each year of your course. Students will be engaged in a two-year full-time course and so, at the very least, should expect to undertake a minimum of 37 hours of study each week during term-time. There may also be assignments set outside of term time. The composition and delivery of the course vary for each module. Each year of the course runs from January to December.
Master's level study involves a significant proportion of independent study, exploring the material covered in lectures, seminars and practice-based learning. As a general guide, for every hour spent in class, students are expected to spend two to three hours in an independent study.
Methods of Assessment
The way you will be assessed on your course will vary depending on the subject and the type of postgraduate programme you select. A taught programme could include a written dissertation, exams, presentations, and projects. A research programme could include a thesis, oral examination, and presentation to a group of research academics. You may be expected to demonstrate how your research findings have contributed to knowledge or developed existing theory or understanding. Please see the individual course pages to find out more.
Modules
Advancing Occupational Therapy Practice (Core)
Applied Health Improvement (Core)
Applied Sciences in Occupational Therapy (Core)
Assessment and Clinical Reasoning in Occupational Therapy (Core)
Essential Interprofessional Practice (Core)
Essential Occupational Therapy Practice (Core)
Service Evaluation for Clinical Practice (Core)
Service Transformation (Core)
How You Are Assessed
Students will be assessed both formally and informally throughout the course to develop their learning and autonomy. The assessments will take place both within the University and practice placement environments. Practice-based learning will be pass/fail, while the Level 7 academic work will contribute towards a student’s final grade.
Some of the assessment will be led by tutors but students are also encouraged to engage in peer and self-assessment to help develop the skills of reflection and evaluation which are essential for lifelong learning and continued professional development following registration as an Occupational Therapist.
Some of the assessments will focus on theoretical knowledge and application of theory, and others on the practical performance of technical skills and patient management. Detailed guidance of what is expected, and the assessment criteria, will be provided for each module.
Assessment Feedback
The University of Lincoln's policy on assessment feedback aims to ensure that academics will return in-course assessments to students promptly – usually within 15 working days of the submission date (unless stated differently above).
Scholarships
There are more ways than ever before to fund your postgraduate study, whether you want to do a taught or research course. For those wishing to undertake a Master's course, you can apply for a loan as a contribution towards the course and living costs. Loans are also available to those who wish to undertake doctoral study. The University offers a number of scholarships and funded studentships for those interested in postgraduate study.
Programme Specific Funding and Bursaries
From September 2020, new and returning postgraduate nursing and midwifery students, and some students in allied health professions will receive a payment of at least £5,000 a year which they will not need to pay back. This is in addition to any financial support they receive through the Student Loans Company. For more information visit.
From 1st August 2018, the MSc Occupational Therapy (pre-registration) programme will be eligible for further financial support in terms of student loans.
Students may also be able to access Student Finance England’s Travel Grant for reimbursement of eligible practice placement expenses.
For the latest information please see Student Finance England’s website.
Course-Specific Additional Costs
The library has a good selection of textbooks and online resources but there may be a small number of key texts students may prefer to purchase. Whilst out in clinical practice students may be required to travel to their placement area and on some occasions may require accommodation. Students may be able to apply for funds to support this but we are unable to say if everyone is entitled to this as each application is judged on its own merit and separate from the university system. Students will be given the relevant information as part of their induction to the course.
For each course, you may find that there are additional costs. These may be with regard to the specific clothing, materials, or equipment required, depending on your course.
With regards to textbooks, the University provides students who enroll with a comprehensive reading list and you will find that our extensive library holds either material or virtual versions of the core texts that you are required to read. However, you may prefer to purchase some of these for yourself and you will be responsible for this cost.
Entry Requirements 2021-22
Applicants should hold an honours degree in a relevant discipline at 2.2 classifications or above. If you are unsure whether your first degree is relevant we welcome you to send us your degree transcript so that our Admissions Tutor can advise you further.
Normally 3 GCSEs at grade A*-C, including English Language, Maths and Science, or equivalent qualifications. These GCSEs must be obtained prior to submitting an application. Applicants who completed an Access to HE in Health and Social Care will be required to provide evidence of undertaking science units at level 3.
Entry into the course is subject to meeting the requirements of a profession-specific occupational health screening. Certificates and degree transcripts of all previous qualifications will need to be provided before any offers are confirmed.
Other requirements include:
IELTS 7.0 with no element below 5.5. We ask for English language proof if you are from non-majority English-speaking countries. A list of the majority English-speaking countries, as defined by the UK Home Office, can be found here. If you have a recent undergraduate degree obtained in the UK you will not need IELTS.
Evidence of recent academic learning
Successful performance at an interview
Knowledge of contemporary health and social care issues, and the role of the occupational therapist in providing health and social care interventions
Understanding of written material and can communicate clearly and accurately in written and spoken English.
All students will be required to sign the subject-specific Fitness to Practice Code of Conduct on entry, details of which will be forwarded with an offer letter
Satisfactory completion of an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), including a check of all cautions and warnings as well as convictions, before their place on the course, is confirmed. Note that the University will pay the costs of this check directly on your behalf. International students will additionally be required to obtain a recent criminal record certificate from their home country. A list of admissible certificates can be found on the UK Government website.
Applicants with disabilities:
We take seriously our obligation to make reasonable adjustments to ensure that all students with disabilities can successfully complete their studies. All applicants will be assessed on the basis of the criteria outlined here regardless of any disability. If you declare a disability we will invite you to work with us to explore how best we can support your studies.
Other information:
You must declare all spent and unspent criminal convictions including (but not limited to) cautions, reprimands, final warnings, bind over orders or similar and details of any minor offences, fixed penalty notices, penalty notices for disorder, ASBO’s or VOO’s.
Teaching and Learning During Covid-19
At Lincoln, Covid-19 has encouraged us to review our practices and, as a result, to take the opportunity to find new ways to enhance the student experience. We have made changes to our teaching and learning approach and to our campus, to ensure that students and staff can enjoy a safe and positive learning experience. We will continue to follow Government guidance and work closely with the local Public Health experts as the situation progresses, and adapt our teaching and learning accordingly to keep our campus as safe as possible.
Accreditations
This course is accredited by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT). Successful completion of this programme will provide graduates with the eligibility to apply to the HCPC Register as an occupational therapist and membership of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists.
Features
The University of Lincoln is home to the Community and Health Research Unit (CaHRU), which is the research centre for the School of Health and Social Care. CaHRU conducts world-leading interdisciplinary research with service users, health service professionals, and organisations to increase health and wellbeing across health, social, and third sector care services. CaHRU is allied with the Lincoln Institute for Health. The Lincoln Institute for Health (LIH) is a University-wide multidisciplinary research collaboration that conducts internationally excellent and world-class studies from ‘cell-to-community’.
In the second year, students may have the opportunity to go on a ‘role-emerging placement’, where they will be able to explore and justify the possible role of an occupational therapist in an organisation. The options for this are wide-ranging and diverse and students can develop opportunities in areas of interest with the support of the teaching staff.
Facilities
As a student at Lincoln, you will have access to a range of leading-edge and innovative equipment which provides an opportunity to enhance your learning, encourage research, and hone industry-ready skills during your time with us.
Career and Personal Development
Many registered Occupational Therapists work within the NHS or in social care settings and are recruited and employed by individual organizations. This forward-looking programme appreciates that many occupational therapists and new graduates may also work in non-traditional OT roles, or for private and third sector organizations.
New, varied, and innovative job opportunities are increasingly available to qualify Occupational Therapists, and this programme aims to prepare its graduates accordingly. Non-clinical careers also exist in teaching, research, management and administration, health and safety, and training and development. The experienced teaching team can help students explore and develop their individual career aspirations.
The University Careers and Employability team can provide tailored, individual support and career advice. The service can include one-to-one coaching, CV advice, and interview preparation. Alumni can continue to access support and advice for up 15 months after graduating. The service works closely with local, national, and international employers, acting as a gateway to the business world.
