Why I Chose Occupational Therapy | Student Blog

Hey everyone! My name is Zaynab, and I’m currently in my second year of BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy.
How did I decide to study occupational therapy?
Post-lockdown, like many of my peers, I was unsure of where I wanted to go with my further studies.
I’ve always been someone who loves assisting people around me in any way. However, I knew I didn’t have an interest in healthcare courses like nursing, dentistry, or medicine. Then I came across occupational therapy and something clicked.
You could say initially I went into the course blindly, only knowing that I’d be ‘helping people’. But I thought to trust the process and have faith while submitting my UCAS application and thankfully, I haven’t looked back since!
My fave things about the course
I can’t pick one single favourite so here are two:
The range of assessment methods: Rather than having exams twice a year, we have various methods of being examined such as presentations, assignments, and group work. This is pure bliss in my opinion - when everyone else is stressed, I don’t have that worry.
Placements: Alongside the theory aspect, we’re also able to experience the hands-on aspect of the course by working as an occupational therapist. The placements could be in an inpatient or community setting, working in both physical and mental health settings. I look forward to my placement all year round as it gives you a real feel for what you’re working towards!

What I hope to do with my degree after graduating
Initially, before having practical experience, I was set on working in the paediatrics discipline. This idea came from my personal experience of coming from a family that fosters children. I really enjoy looking after children and being able to put a smile on their faces.
However, after being able to work in A&E, as well as the rehabilitation wards – I’ve definitely concluded that I would love to work in an inpatient setting. An inpatient mental health setting is where my interest lies as of now, so I hope I can take that further once graduating!

Be of help to those who need it
Ultimately, as an occupational therapist, you’re always striving towards being a facilitator in the betterment of patients, service users and families' lives. As a Muslim, this aligns with my beliefs and values very closely as it is what the prophet Muhammad taught and emphasised too: to be of help to those who need it.
Being on placement with the elderly has been a huge motivator for me. Knowing that I have the chance to make a patient smile and interact with them when they need it most has certainly firmed my decision to stay on the course. It makes me realise how fortunate I am, and what positive difference I can make to the world – so why not take that chance in life?
If you’re considering working professionally with a holistic, thoughtful, and innovative approach, then BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy is certainly something you should look into!

Hi, I am really interested in becoming an OT and would like to know more. Is there any more information you could share about the job and corse?
Thank you! 😁

Hi Issy2025,
Hope youre well!
Im glad to hear youre interested in OT, its always lovely to hear someone's eager. If there's something further you'd like to know aside from what I mention feel free to ask questions and reply
In terms of the job, its super varied once qualified! You can choose to work in all sectors, like the NHS so an acute setting, or even in a Health and Social Care setting, like your Local Authority. You can work in multiple specialities as a qualified Occupational Therapist - for example, in Stroke, Neuro, Hand Therapy, Learning Disabilities, Elderly, Mental Health etc.
That is completely up to you once qualified, and most people choose whether they'd like to work static in one job post, or on rotations in a Trust/Organisation. That would basically consist of spending upto 6 months in one speciality/team, then rotating to other teams in the Trust. Its great exposure and you learn lots while on rotation. It also opens your eyes as to how varied OT can be - because we can literally work in most places!
In terms of the course - there are multiple Placements you go on, especially here at Bradford. By the end of the 3 years you have the experience of 4 Placement's where you will be put into both inpatient and community settings - with both a mental and physical health aspect. It's great because you get lots of exposure and can then decide what appeals more to you, which helps for job searching.
With the theory aspect of the course, at Bradford we have a range of assessment methods to test our knowledge and skills. It's great as it is not entirely exam based, which isn't everyone's forte. We have a range such as presentations, assignments, reflections, and are given choice whether you'd like to do, for example, a written assignment or a presentation (in certain modules).
By the end of the three years you learn lots of valuable skills to help you become quite flexible and adaptable to all approaches of assessments, which helps for when you qualify. In general, the theory aspect of OT can be very long - but when you go onto Placement and experience being around other professionals, it all makes sense.
If you have any other questions, let me know

Thank you, thats very helpful and inspiring. What gcse/A-level qualifications do you need?

Search for courses using the NHS course finder and then check the Entry Requirements section on the the uni websites course pages - requirements can vary a lot:
https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/career-planning/course-finder

Hii, im glad I've come across this post! Im planning on doing OT as well, and im not very familiar with it, except i would like to work in a healthcare environment but not as a nurse or anything else, and OT really caught my eye. May i ask what your placement hours are like? What would an OT normally do in A and E? Also, what is the downside of studying or working as an OT? Not to put me off, but i would like to be prepared.

Hi @Issy2025 ,
These are the requirements at the University of Bradford:
It's 120 UCAS Points for the BSc Course, and if you get entry in from the Foundation Year, the offer is at 88 UCAS Points.
To help you, usually a science at A-Level is great to give you a knowledge base for Occupational Therapy. Alternatively, a social science such as Psychology or Sociology are helpful subjects to study and do help too!
Hope that helps
~Zaynab
University of Bradford

Hii, im glad I've come across this post! Im planning on doing OT as well, and im not very familiar with it, except i would like to work in a healthcare environment but not as a nurse or anything else, and OT really caught my eye. May i ask what your placement hours are like? What would an OT normally do in A and E? Also, what is the downside of studying or working as an OT? Not to put me off, but i would like to be prepared.

Hi @Shima89,
Hope you are well!
Great to hear you've shown interest in OT 😁 So, placement hours really do depend where you're allocated and what service it is. So as an example, in the A&E department I worked in- my hours were 8am - 4pm, but some days 12pm - 8pm. I have also worked in an office based service, and those hours were 9am - 5pm, so it really does depend.
Usually, you take on the hours of your supervisor, but when beginning Placement its always best to have a chat with your supervisor to communicate what works best for both of you and how you can best meet your learning needs.
In terms of working in A&E, the main focus was discharging patients if need be, or admitting them in to wards for further rehab. It is a very fast paced environment, so sometimes you can see 5+ patients a day, and the aim is to see what abilities have they got, what are they not able to do etc. Majority of patients were old, and so had impaired mobility in some way. Our job as OT's was to conduct mobility assessments, stairs assessments, and to observe seated/chair transfers. However, this was my experience in 1 A&E, and I'm sure procedures will differ in other locations of the UK.
Downside of studying as an OT, generally I can't comment as everybody's experiences are subjective and personal to them of course. But for me, I think the downside can be Placements. (They are the best and worst part)
You learn the absolute most, and it really is what makes you want to practice as an OT. But on the flip side, sometimes you may be placed with supervisor's who are not understanding of your needs. This can be extremely difficult when you are required to spend weeks in a setting, as a student, with little experience, and you are required to pass.
There can be times when you clash, and its a difficult position to be in as a student because you aren't sure whether to raise issues to your university academics, or whether to stick it through. However, it also is good experience as it gives us an insight to workplaces and what we will work in as we graduate and find jobs 😆
I hope I didn't put you off too much there😅 Any other questions feel free to ask!
~Zaynab
University of Bradford

Also, anything information would be highly appreciated on how to be prepared with year 1

Thank you that's really helpful and has reassured that I am able to do it. It also helps ti have an idea of what A-levels to choose.

Thank you so much. Highly appreciated!! Im really excited to start. Any textbooks you would recommend worth purchasing?