About this course

Our Occupational Therapy programme is stimulating and rewarding, delivering a breadth of person-centred practical experience in a region with a particularly diverse population, providing an invaluable insight into a student's potential future career.

Introduction

The course content on these pages is for 2026 entry. The University is currently reviewing its programmes for 2027 entry. Course listings for students beginning in September 2027 will be published on our website before our Open Days on June 19 and 20. Please note, the University reserves the right to make reasonable changes, including to content, entry requirements, or fees, or to discontinue programmes. Applicants will be informed of any significant change.

Please note this programme is subject to revalidation in 2026. Therefore, course content is subject to change for January 2027 entry.

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 people encountering physical, emotional, social and cognitive challenges.

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. In addition, there are opportunities for elective and role emerging placements.

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.

Programme in detail

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:

Core concepts and skills
Professional identity
Society and well-being
Evidence for practice.

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.

What you'll learn

Research gathering techniques
Critical thinking skills
Communication skills
Self-directed learning techniques
Patient care

Course content

Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.

Year One

The aims of year one are to provide you with the opportunity to:

Develop an understanding of the concept of ‘person’ as it relates to health and wellbeing
Explore and experiment with the use of occupation as a therapeutic medium
Demonstrate basic self-awareness and communication skills
Demonstrate an understanding of normal biological and behavioural functioning that contributes to human lifespan
Apply systematic problem-solving approaches to rehabilitation
Develop critical appraisal skills
Develop skills to inform occupational therapy practice and engage with research literature.

Modules

Compulsory modules	Credits
MIND BODY PERFORMANCE 1 (OCCU170)	15
MIND BODY PERFORMANCE 2 (OCCU171)	15
OCCUPATIONS THROUGHOUT THE LIFE-COURSE (OCCU172)	15
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY TOOLKIT 1 (OCCU173)	15
EVIDENCE FOR PRACTICE IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 1 (OCCU174)	15
PERSON IN CONTEXT (OCCU176)	15
PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE 1 (OCCU178)	15
PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE 2 (OCCU179)	15

Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.

Year Two

The aims of year two are to provide you with the opportunity to:

Demonstrate an understanding and evaluation of the philosophy and theory of occupation and occupational therapy
Appreciate the importance and implications of a multicultural society
Demonstrate an understanding of research methodology and the importance of evidence-based practice
Apply core skills of occupational therapy
Develop a well-being plan to promote health and well-being through engagement in occupation
Demonstrate the ability to work both autonomously and collaboratively.

Modules

Compulsory modules	Credits
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY TOOLKIT 2 (OCCU272)	15
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY TOOLKIT 3 (OCCU273)	15
EVIDENCE FOR PRACTICE IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 2 (OCCU274)	15
EVIDENCE FOR PRACTICE IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 3 (OCCU275)	15
ENGAGING IN SOCIETY (OCCU276)	15
OCCUPATIONAL PARTICIPATION IN A PUBLIC HEALTH CONTEXT (OCCU277)	15
PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE 3 (OCCU278)	15
PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE 4 (OCCU279)	15

Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.

Year Three

The aims of year three are to provide you with the opportunity to:

Consolidate an understanding of the relationship between person, occupation, environment and wellbeing
Demonstrate creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship through the application of technology to practice
Demonstrate competent acquisition of the basic professional skills
Make explicit the acquisition of professional standards of practice.

It may be possible to undertake a placement overseas as an elective personal choice in year three.

Modules

Compulsory modules	Credits
IMPROVING OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY SERVICES (OCCU373)	30
EVIDENCE FOR PRACTICE IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 4 (OCCU374)	30
OCCUPATIONAL JUSTICE IN CONTEXT (OCCU376)	30
PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE 5 (OCCU378)	15
PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE 6 (OCCU379)	15

Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.

Teaching and assessment

How you'll learn

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.

How you're assessed

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.

Liverpool Hallmarks

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:

Digital fluency
Confidence
Global citizenship

Our curriculum is characterised by the three Liverpool Hallmarks:

Research-connected teaching
Active learning
Authentic assessment

All this is underpinned by our core value of inclusivity and commitment to providing a curriculum that is accessible to all students.

Course options

Studying with us means you can tailor your degree to suit you. Here's what is available on this course.

Global opportunities

University of Liverpool students can choose from an exciting range of study placements at partner universities worldwide.

Summer abroad

Spend a summer abroad on a study placement or research project at one of our worldwide partner institutions.

Spend a summer abroad in addition to your degree programme
Study abroad without adding an extra year
Choose any summer between your first and final year of study
Get the chance to study subjects outside your discipline

Where can I spend a summer abroad on this course?

Hong Kong
Japan
South Korea

More about taking a summer abroad

Language study

Every student at The University of Liverpool can study a language as part of, or alongside their degree. You can choose:

A dedicated languages degree
A language as a joint or major/minor degree
Language modules (selected degrees)
Language classes alongside your studies

Your experience

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.

Explore where you'll study

The courtyard of the Greenbank Halls of residence. — Accommodation

Cyclist passing the Liverpool Guild of Students — Liverpool Guild of Students

Health Sciences students undertaking practical work — Practical learning

North Campus view of the Victoria Gallery and Museum — The Quadrangle behind the VGM

A day in the life of Allied Health Professions and Nursing student Charmain Yip

Virtual tour

Supporting your learning

From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:

Careers and employability support, including help with career planning, understanding the job market and strengthening your networking skills
A dedicated student services team can help you get assistance with your studies, help with health and wellbeing, and access to financial advice
Confidential counselling and support to help students with personal problems affecting their studies and general wellbeing
Support for students with differing needs from the Disability advice and guidance team. They can identify and recommend appropriate support provisions for you.

An exciting place to study

Major centre for education and research in health sciences
State-of-the-art facilities
Opportunities for in-depth study and development of advanced clinical skills
Flexible programmes for postgraduate study
Active research environment
Provides specialist training with taught and clinical placement components.

It's amazing how quickly the practicals come into play, within the first two weeks we were talking with patients and out on placements. I am loving the course, I think it's fantastic. I know that I'm going to get a job at the end of it. Liverpool offers an amazing place to study and a wonderful city to come to.

Sharon Coyle, BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy

Chat with our students

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Chat with our student ambassadors and ask any questions you have.

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Careers and employability

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.

Your qualification allows opportunities to build a career in the NHS, Social Services, and independent third-sector employers.

Successful completion of the programme will allow you to work in a range of specialist services with people of all ages to support them to address the psychological, physical, cognitive, social, and environmental challenges that impact their day-to-day functioning.

You can work in a variety of settings including:

hospitals
schools, higher and further education
community centres
prisons
clients’ homes.

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.

Fees and funding

Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.

Tuition fees

UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland)

Full-time place, per year - £9,790
Year in industry fee - £1,955
Year abroad fee - £1,465 (applies to year in China)

International fees

Full-time place, per year - £32,000
Year in industry fee - £1,955
Year abroad fee - £16,000 (applies to year in China)

The fees shown are for the academic year 2026/27. Please be advised that tuition fees may increase each year for both UK and international students. For UK students, this will be subject to the government’s regulated fee limits.

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.

Additional costs

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

In years two and three, students may be required to purchase materials for group work (approximately £25 per year)
Students are advised to purchase a USB pen drive to use when carrying out presentations (£10).

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).

Vaccination costs apply if going abroad to certain countries and vary from £10-£50 approx.
Visa fees apply in certain countries costs vary
To travel abroad student must be a member of professional body approximately cost £12 per month
First aid course is required to complete a placement in Australia £30
Australian Police checks are required to complete a placement in Australia $46.90
Food, travel and accommodation costs up to £3,000 for a six week elective placement in Australia.

*Home students are able to apply for reimbursement of travel/accommodation costs in relation to placement from the NHS Business Services Authority.

Find out more about additional study costs.

We’re showing the scholarships available to students from United Kingdom.

Scholarships and bursaries

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that could help pay your tuition and living expenses.

The Liverpool Bursary

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.

Care Leavers’ Opportunity Bursary

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.

Cowrie Foundation Scholarship

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.

Estranged Students Bursary

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.

Genesys Life Sciences Scholarship

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.

Nolan Scholarships

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.

Rigby Enterprise Award

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.

ROLABOTIC Scholarship

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.

Sport Liverpool Performance Programme

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.

Technetix Broadhurst Engineering Scholarship

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.

The Holt Award

Joining a Nursing, Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy degree? If you’re a UK student with a Merseyside connection and a household income below £25,000, you could be eligible to apply for a £2,500 payment for each year of your course. Six awards are available per year.

Young Adult Carer’s (YAC) Bursary

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.

Discover our full range of scholarships and bursaries.

My qualifications are from United Kingdom.

Entry requirements

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 to include at least one Science subject from Biology, Health & Social Care, Psychology, Sociology or 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: Foundation to Occupational Therapy (Year 0) BSc (Hons)
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 the GCSEs outlined above. 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 overall with no score less than 4 or pass the IB Diploma plus 5,5,5 in 3 HL subjects. Biology must be offered at a minimum of a Grade 5.
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 A minimum of 5Bs from any combination of Higher levels and advanced Higher levels. Consideration will only be given to advanced highers in different subjects to those of highers. All grades offered must be at least B.
Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced	B plus BB at A Level
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.

Alternative entry requirements

If your qualification isn't listed here, or you're taking a combination of qualifications, contact us for advice
Applications from mature students are welcome.

English language requirements

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.

Qualification	Details
IELTS	7.0 overall, with no component below 6.5
International Baccalaureate English A: Literature or Language & Literature	Grade 6 at Standard Level or grade 6 at Higher Level
International Baccalaureate English B	Grade 7 at Higher Level

Contact us

Have a question about this course or studying with us? Our dedicated enquiries team can help.

Send us a message Phone: +44 (0)151 795 6000

Last updated 5 February 2026 / / Programme terms and conditions