Regulations for the Degrees of Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Therapy Studies (Honours)

1. The course leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy shall be of three years' duration or up to five years on a part-time, flexible studies basis.

2. Candidates for admission must satisfy the Regulations for Admission to Degree Courses as specified in Section IV of the General Regulations. In addition they must normally offer at least two A level passes and five GCSE passes at Grade C or above. English Language, Mathematics and a science subject must be offered either at A level or GCSE. Mature candidates or candidates with other academically equivalent qualifications are considered on their merit. Admission to and continuation on the course is subject to specific health requirements. Students are required to inform the Head of School of health problems relevant to future employment as a health professional. Admission to and continuation on the degrees in occupational therapy and physiotherapy, are subject to candidates being able to establish that they have no 'spent' or 'unspent' criminal convictions or police cautions which would preclude their eligibility for state registration under the PSM Act, 1960. Any candidate who is not able to provide evidence of a clean police record must inform the Head of School immediately.

3. All candidates registered for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy or Therapy Studies shall be candidates for an Honours degree.

4. In order to qualify for the award of the degree of Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy candidates must
   1. have satisfied the entry requirement
   2. have followed the three year curriculum appropriate to each subject and passed all the required assessments and examinations
   3. have completed to pass level all practical work, clinical field work and other coursework as required.

5. Progress from one year of the course to the next will depend on the successful completion of the appropriate examination and coursework requirements and the satisfactory completion of clinical/fieldwork and other practical work.

6. Level I of the curriculum shall extend over one academic year and comprise:
   1. modules in Biological Sciences (2), Psychosocial Sciences (2), Professional Foundations (1), Placement Preparation (1), Practice Skills, Occupational Therapy (4) (Foundations in Occupational Therapy, Activities of Daily Living, Work and Leisure, Group Work and Creativity) or Physiotherapy (4) (Neuromusculoskeletal, Applied Anatomy and Clinical Measurement, Human Movement and Therapeutic Exercise, Electrotherapy), Interprofessional Studies(1)
   2. seven weeks' clinical/fieldwork placements.

7. Level II of the curriculum shall extend over one academic year and shall comprise:
   1. modules in Neurology (1), Working with Children/Ageing and Health Care (1), Professional Studies (1), Methods of Inquiry (1), Managing with Ethics (1), Professional Modules, Occupational Therapy (3) (Musculoskeletal and Cardiovascular, Mental Health, Occupational Therapy in the Community) or Physiotherapy (3) (Musculoskeletal, Cardio-Respiratory, Physiotherapy in the Community), Interprofessional Studies(1)
   2. twelve weeks' clinical/fieldwork placements.

8. Level III of the curriculum shall extend over one academic year and shall comprise:
   1. modules in Methods of Inquiry (2) and Managing in the Workplace (1), Options (2), Interprofessional Studies (1)
   2. sixteen week's clinical/fieldwork placements.

9. Alternatively students may register on a flexible study basis and complete the course either over four years or over five years by taking six to eight study modules each year and completing the clinical/fieldwork placements on a full-time basis during the period of registration.

10. Students holding a professional qualification in Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy at 240 credits who are eligible for State Registration may register on a flexible study basis over two years in order to undertake Level 3 degree studies and assessments and qualify for the award of the BSc degree in Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy. Alternatively overseas students who are eligible for State Registration may be able to study full-time over 3 or 4 terms.

11. In each year students shall be examined by means of in-course assessments, clinical/fieldwork assessments and formal examinations. A candidate who fails to satisfy the examiners for Year One or Year Two will normally be re-examined during the following summer vacation (see Reg. 12). Failure at re-examination will normally result in a recommendation for termination of course. A candidate will be required to pass all modules within each year in order to progress to the next year of the course.

12. Candidates who fail to satisfy the examiners in up to two assessments in the final year of study but who have satisfied the Examiners in all other aspects of level 3 assessment shall be permitted on one occasion only to undertake re-assessment of the failed subject(s). Such candidates, if successful on re-assessment shall be eligible for the award of an Honours degree and state registration.

13. Candidates who fail to satisfy the examiners in three or more assessments in the final year of study shall be permitted, on one occasion only, to undertake re-assessment of the failed subjects. Such candidates, if successful on re-assessment, shall not be eligible for the award of an Honours degree but may be awarded a Pass degree and shall be eligible for state registration.

14. To graduate from the programme, students must pass the assessments of all graded clinical/fieldwork placements. In the case of the final placement, Placement E which is not graded, students must demonstrate that they are safe to practise. In the case of a failed or unsafe assessment, which is confirmed by the External Examiner, the student will be given the opportunity to repeat the placement once only. Performance on the repeat placement must meet the criteria for successful completion for the student to proceed to the next level or to graduation.

15. Where demonstration of competence is required prior to undertaking clinical/fieldwork, and where the student fails at the first attempt and resits are not scheduled prior to placement, the student will undertake remedial work prior to starting their clinical/fieldwork placement. Where concerns regarding performance persist following remedial work, the placement supervisors of the students concerned will be notified of the areas of concern prior to the start of the placement.

16. Candidates who have satisfied the academic requirements of their programme but who fail their placements assessment for the second time may be awarded the degree of BSc Therapy Studies. Such degrees may be awarded with Honours.

17. A list of successful candidates will be issued with their full names in alphabetical order arranged in the following classes and divisions: First Class, Second Class (Upper Division), Second Class (Lower Division), Third Class, and a Pass degree.

18. Students holding a professional qualification in Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy may register for individual modules and on satisfactory completion of that module may be awarded the appropriate credit