I&#x27;m an Occupational Therapy student, ask me anything

Original post by linaliali

What made you choose the course ? would you get a job ? is it worth it ? what are your options once graduated work wise ? different routes ?
the money / wages is it good ? thank you

Hi @linaliali ,

Hope you're well 🙂

I chose the course as I knew it was healthcare related and included making a difference to people's lives. I was sure I didn't want to study nursing for example, or social work, and when reading about OT, it did appeal to me.

In terms of job prospects, there is an increased demand for OT services within the UK - so OT's are needed and I would love to get a job once graduated.

Work as an OT can be extremely varied - you can choose to work in an inpatient acute setting or community based. You can work in schools, prisons, community centre's, hospital's, office's etc - and as time goes on the job demand is also increasing.

In regard to wages, in the UK when graduated as a Band 5 OT the wage begins at £28,407 and increase with the amount of years' experience as well as progressing up to Band 6, 7 and 8 etc.

It definitely is a career path to consider which is extremely rewarding and unique. If you have any further questions do let me know!

~Zaynab
University of Bradford

Reply 3

hayfever32

Hi, do you have any admission interview advice?
I have an online interview for BSc OT coming up soon and I'm just trying to prep the best I can :smile:

Reply 4

Hi @hayfever32,

Congrats on getting an interview! That's great news 🙂

•

For preparation, do make sure to pay a visit to the RCOT website and have a general look round at the values and responsibilities an OT holds. This would help to increase your knowledge of an OT according to the national standards within England. As well as this, it's always great to know the 6 C's - now I know they are central to nursing and midwifery roles however, they are applicable to all healthcare staff and we can also use them in our practice.

•

Make sure to learn the difference between a Physiotherapist and an Occupational Therapist. Now it may seem weird however you'd be surprised that many get confused and it is important to know the difference and that our role is completely unique in itself.

•

Think about why you want to study Occupational Therapy, what interests you about the profession (eg- is it the uniqueness of the job, do you find it rewarding, have you had personal experiences)

•

Why have you chosen the University you have applied to - (eg - do they have good facilities, a good ranking for OT, modules that appeal to you, multiple placements etc) have some knowledge regarding the University

•

What skills and strengths do you have as an individual that would assist you in becoming an OT. (eg - is it adaptability, is it communication?)

•

Get ready to showcase yourself - what experiences you have had and how they would again help you in becoming an OT - eg; experience in a hospital working alongside a multidisciplinary team.

These are just some brief tips but if you need anything further, do let me know! Make sure to prepare with family/friends so you can talk through your answers and brainstorm everything. Best of luck 🙂

~Zaynab
University of Bradford

Reply 5

randomuser583838

Original post by BradfordRep

Any questions you have about Occupational Therapy in general, or about studying at the University of Bradford - let me know!! :smile:

Hi, just wondering what Alevels did you take to get into OT and what alevels do you recommend?

Reply 6

Volunteer Section Leader, Clearing and Applications Advisor

Original post by randomuser583838

Hi, just wondering what Alevels did you take to get into OT and what alevels do you recommend?

Different unis have different entry requirements. Search for OT courses using the following course finder and then read through the entry requirements for at least five unis to get a good idea of what will be accepted:

https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/career-planning/course-finder

Reply 7

Azzy88

If I do a conversion course for this as an international individual, are there any job prospects for such a degree in this field?
With respect to job opportunities, where does this field stand as compared to other health related fields?

Reply 8

Volunteer Section Leader, Clearing and Applications Advisor

Original post by Azzy88

The NHS is the biggest employer in the UK and the job opportunities are the same as for other Allied Health Professionals:

https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/search/results?keyword=occupational%20therapist&language=en

There are no conversion courses for OT. You train by taking either an undergraduate three-year degree or a two-year pre-registration masters. Some unis don't allow international students to apply for healthcare courses.

Reply 9

Azzy88

Original post by normaw

The NHS is the biggest employer in the UK and the job opportunities are the same as for other Allied Health Professionals:
https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/search/results?keyword=occupational%20therapist&language=en
There are no conversion courses for OT. You train by taking either an undergraduate three-year degree or a two-year pre-registration masters. Some unis don't allow international students to apply for healthcare courses.

Thanks for clarifying. However, will employers higher an international individual if I go for other accredited health related conversion courses?

Reply 10

Cammy1982

What was the medical in the application process like ?

Reply 11

Original post by randomuser583838

Hi, just wondering what Alevels did you take to get into OT and what alevels do you recommend?

Hello there @randomuser583838 ,

I personally took a mix - with 2 A-Level's in Sociology and Religious Studies, and a BTEC in Health and Social Care. It was a good balance as BTEC's are not typically laid out the same way and are not as demanding.

In terms of what I would recommend - I would genuinely say whatever you like! Reason being is, you'll spend 2 years studying those subjects, the last thing you'd want is for them to be subjects you have no interest in or don't enjoy.

For each University there may be a different requirement - to either study a Social Science or a Core Science to help get into Occupational Therapy - so have a browse. For me, I knew Science subjects are not for me, so I went for a Social Science (Sociology).

Hope this helps :smile:

~Zaynab
University of Bradford

Reply 12

Original post by Cammy1982

What was the medical in the application process like ?

Hi @Cammy1982 ,

In regards to the above question, please could you clarify further what you mean? 🙂

~Zaynab
University of Bradford

Reply 13

Original post by Azzy88

Thanks for clarifying. However, will employers higher an international individual if I go for other accredited health related conversion courses?

Hi @Azzy88 ,

Hope you're well!

The NHS hire individuals from all backgrounds and races, please be ensured that the NHS workforce is extremely extremely diverse and being from a country outside the UK does not put you at a disadvantage at all 🙂 So long as individuals hold the correct essential criteria to apply for jobs, this is what is assessed.

~Zaynab
University of Bradford

Reply 14

Azzy88

Original post by BradfordRep

Hi @Azzy88 ,
Hope you're well!
The NHS hire individuals from all backgrounds and races, please be ensured that the NHS workforce is extremely extremely diverse and being from a country outside the UK does not put you at a disadvantage at all 🙂 So long as individuals hold the correct essential criteria to apply for jobs, this is what is assessed.
~Zaynab
University of Bradford

I am grateful for the response however, I was interested in knowing about the sponsorships/right to work thing. Do the employers provide it or the international individual have to have it in the first place?

Reply 15

Volunteer Section Leader, Clearing and Applications Advisor

Original post by Azzy88

This is a good place for you to start your research:

https://www.gov.uk/health-care-worker-visa

Reply 16

ymching

Would you please kindly recommend a reading list before OT application. Thanks.

Reply 17