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| Academic Unit |
Health Sciences |
| Final Award |
Bachelor of Science (Honours) |
| Programme(s) |
BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy |
| Last modified |
July 2015 |
Reference should be made to the University's General Regulations found in Section IV and Section V (Higher Degree Regulations) of the University Calendar.
Except where an opt-out has been granted by the University, the following academic regulations apply in addition to the General Regulations.
| 1. |
Admissions |
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Candidates for admission must satisfy the Regulations for Admission to Degree Courses as specified in Section IV of the University Calendar. They must normally offer at least three A level passes(AAB or ABB) and, additionally, at least five GCSE passes at Grade C or above including English language, mathematics and a science subject. Candidates aged over 21 years and those who have other academically equivalent qualifications completed in the three years prior to commencing a programme are also considered. Information about those qualifications most commonly accepted is published in the Faculty prospectus and updated annually. Candidates with other qualifications outside of these are considered on an individual basis. The level of English proficiency accepted for the programme is IELTs at grade 7.0. Applicants with grade 6.5 will be accepted on the understanding that the student will need to re-sit the exam to achieve 7.0 if they wish to register and practise in the UK.
Admission to, and continuation on, the programme is subject to specific health requirements (consistent with the provisions of the Equality Act [2010]). This is to comply with statutory requirements laid down by the Health Act (1999) and the Health Care Professions Council. Prospective students are required to inform the Head of Programme of any health problems relevant to their future employment as a health professional. All students will be subject to an occupational health check.
Equality Statement
The Faculty wishes to make places available to a wide range of people who will make a useful contribution to the study and practice of Occupational Therapy. The University and the Faculty are committed to a comprehensive policy of equal opportunities in which students are recruited on the basis of their relevant merits and abilities and are given equal opportunities within the University. The aim of the policy is to ensure that no prospective or current student should receive less favourable treatment on any grounds that are not relevant to academic ability and attainment and registration as a professional Occupational Therapist.
The University's Disability Equality Scheme includes an Action Plan which identifies the steps that the University is taking to improve the opportunities available to disabled students. Applications from candidates with disabilities are always considered and assessment of their abilities and needs undertaken sensitively.
Decisions are based on whether or not the applicant meets the admission criteria, whether the programme can be delivered to the applicant in a way that meets their requirements, making reasonable adjustments if necessary and whether at the end of the programme, the graduate would meet the standards set by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
Admission to, and continuation on, the programme is subject to consideration of any criminal convictions. The programme is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1986). This is to comply with statutory requirements laid down by the Health Act (1999) and the Health Care Professions Council. Prospective students are required to inform the Faculty of all criminal convictions. All students will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Students holding a professional qualification in Occupational Therapy may register for individual modules and, on satisfactory completion of that module, may be awarded the appropriate credit.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
RPL will be considered on a case by case basis and in accordance with the University regulations for RPL and the College of Occupational Therapists. |
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| 2. |
Structure of Programme(s) |
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Progress from one level of the programme to the next will depend upon the successful completion of the appropriate examination and coursework requirements, and the satisfactory completion of practice placements.
In level 4 students will study 120 credits (certificate level) (67.5 ECTs)
In level 5 students will study 120 credits (diploma level) (60 ECTs)
In level 6 students will study 120 credits (honours level) (60 ECTs)
The full-time programme leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science [Honours] in Occupational Therapy shall normally be of three years' duration The maximum period of registration shall normally be five years and will incorporate periods of suspension of studies.
The part-time programme leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science [Honours] in Occupational Therapy shall normally be of four years' duration. The maximum period of registration shall normally be seven years and will incorporate periods of suspension of studies.
Incorporating periods of suspension or interruption of studies, the College of Occupational Therapists sets the maximum time in which students should normally complete the programme and gain the professional qualification. This is to ensure that those qualifying have currency of professional knowledge for safe practice and the protection of the public.
- Three-year Bachelor programmes should normally be completed within five years.
- Four-year part-time Bachelor programmes should normally be completed within six years.
Extension of a student’s registration period beyond the maximum time set by the College of Occupational Therapists must have prior approval of the College and must have the support of the higher education institution. |
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| 3. |
Progression |
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Progression Regulations are as described in the University Calendar, Section IV : General Regulations; Progression, Determination and Classification of Results for Undergraduate and Integrated Masters Programmes. For all programmes which lead to registration with the Health and Care Professions Council, statutory regulations apply. For this reason, this programme is partially exempt from section 3.1 with regard to the completion of practice modules and progression to the next part. In exceptional circumstances, and in order to achieve the practice hours required by COT standards, students may conditionally progress to the next part of a Programme before all practice modules have been successfully completed. Any outstanding practice modules must be successfully completed by the end of the following placement period.
The pass mark for all practice modules is 40% and satisfactory achievement of designated competencies, skills and criteria. Students must meet the pass criteria in both academic and practice experience to pass overall. All practice placements must be passed and the level maintained during unassessed periods.There is no compensation between any modules.
Practice Placement Referral
A student will normally be required to retrieve a referred practice experience assessment on one further occasion, if he/she refers a practice experience assessment. In accordance with the College of Occupational Therapists, students are permitted only one retrieval of each practice experience, therefore failure at a practice experience/placement will normally result in termination of their programme.
Failure to declare good health and character at the beginning of the academic year may result in termination of the programme. Progress from one level of the programme to the next will depend upon the successful completion of the appropriate examination and coursework requirements, and the satisfactory completion of clinical work and placements. Students will not normally progress from one part of the programme to the next with assessments outstanding. |
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| 4. |
Assessment |
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To graduate from the programme, students must have satisfactorily completed all assessment components including the required practice placement hours (1000 hours).
The performance of candidates shall be assessed by the relevnt Board of Examiners in accordance with the University's regulations governing examinations. Details of the assessment for individual modules are given in module descriptors held on the programmes Blackboard site.
Transfer between Programmes
The Faculty operates a policy/process whereby students may request to transfer to another programme. Transfers between academic programmes are confined to specific points in the programme journey and are governed by the programme structure in the Faculty and available capacity. |
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| 5. |
Award of Qualification(s) |
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All candidates registered for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy shall be candidates for an Honours degree since this is the minimum level of attainment laid down by the professional body as a pre-requisite for registration as an occupational therapist.
Successful completion of this programme provides eligibility to apply for registration with the Health Care Professions Council (HPC). It is a legal requirement that anyone who wishes to practice using a title protected by the Health Professions Order 2001 is on the HCPC Register.
In order to qualify for the award of the degree of Bachelor of Science [Honours] in Occupational Therapy candidates must:
- have satisfied the entry requirement as set out in the programme regulations;
- have followed the approved curriculum and passed all the required assessments and examinations;
- have completed all practical work, clinical placements and other coursework as required;
- be judged as of good character and worthy of admission to the Health Care Professions Council's register.
Students who are successful at all level 4 assessments but are unable to complete their full degree studies shall be eligible for the exit award of a Certificate of Health Studies. This does not confer eligibility to register with the College of Occupational Therapist nor the HCPC as an Occupational Therapist.
Students who are successful at all level 5 assessments but are unable to complete their full degree studies shall be eligible for the exit award of a Diploma of Health Studies. This does not confer eligibility to register with the College of Occupational Therapist nor the HCPC as an Occupational Therapist.
Any student who experiences grave or terminal illness/injury which prevents them from continuing on their programme of study and achieving qualification may be eligible for a posthumous or aegrotat degree named Certificate in Health Studies or Diploma in Health Studies. The award cannot be named 'Occupational Therapy' since the term 'Occupational Therapy' is a title protected under the Health Act (1999) for those who are fully qualified and registered as Occupational Therapists. This does not confer eligibility to register with the College of Occupational Therapists nor the HCPC as an Occupational Therapist. |
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| 6. |
Placements/Study Abroad/Exchange/Fieldwork |
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Practice placements form an integral part of the programme and students are required to pass in order to be awarded a BSc (Hons) in Occupational Therapy.
During the course of their programme, students are required to successfully complete a minimum of 1000 assessed hours of practice learning during which they use occupational therapy skills and interventions.
Students are not permitted to continue in placement whilst progressing an academic appeal against a relevant body. |
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| 7. |
Other |
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As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our programmes to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. As a result, these regulations may be revised during a student’s period of registration, however, any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Please read our Disclaimer to see why, when and how changes may be made to a student’s programme.
Fitness to Practice
Students are advised to acquaint themselves with the University Fitness to Practise Policy which is used within the Faculty of Health Sciences. |
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