Occupational Therapy with foundation year
Occupational therapy is a health profession grounded in the idea that being able to engage in meaningful activity is fundamental to human wellbeing. Occupational therapists work with people across the full lifespan, from children with developmental difficulties to older adults managing the effects of illness or injury, supporting them to participate in the daily occupations that give their lives structure, purpose, and satisfaction. The discipline draws on knowledge from health sciences, psychology, and social science to understand how physical, cognitive, and environmental factors affect what people are able to do.
This four-year full-time programme at Coventry University includes a foundation year at the start, providing an accessible entry point and ensuring you build the scientific and professional knowledge you need before progressing to the full degree. Throughout the programme you will study the theory and practice of occupational therapy, learning to assess the needs of individuals, design appropriate interventions, and work collaboratively with other health and social care professionals. You will spend significant time in practice placements, working directly with clients in a range of settings and building the clinical judgement that characterises a confident and competent practitioner.
The programme prepares you to work with people of all ages and across a wide variety of conditions.
On graduating, you will be eligible to apply for registration as an occupational therapist with the Health and Care Professions Council, which is required to practise in the UK. Occupational therapists work in NHS hospitals and community health services, social care, schools, prisons, mental health services, and the private and charitable sectors. The profession offers a broad range of specialisms, and many practitioners develop expertise in areas such as neurological rehabilitation, mental health, paediatrics, or hand therapy.
Postgraduate study and continued professional development are encouraged throughout the career.