study OT

want to study OT, which university do you recommend?

want to study OT, which university do you recommend?

Hey Jenny, I am a current Occupational therapy (BSc) student who is studying at the University of Essex and I believe I will be able to provide some information which help you to decide which university is suitable for you! OT is a programme offered at many great universities so it is worth considering factors:
1️⃣Program’s accreditation 👍🏻
The Occupational Therapy program at the University of Essex is fully accredited by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) and approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). This means the course meets the professional standards required in the UK, and graduates are eligible to register as occupational therapists with the HCPC. The accreditation ensures the program is designed to provide the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the field, with a strong emphasis on both academic learning and practical experience through placements. It is very important to check whether the program is accredited so you are able to get the qualifications once you completed the course!!
2️⃣Diverse clinical background of lecturers 🤓
Occupational therapists are able to work in diverse clinical backgrounds and I found it helpful to be taught by lecturers with different clinical experiences. Our lecturers come from a variety of clinical backgrounds, which is amazing because it gives us a really broad perspective on the field. They share insights from their own experiences in areas like paediatrics, mental health, physical rehabilitation, and more, which helps us understand how diverse and dynamic occupational therapy can be.
3️⃣Facilities provided 🌿
There are dedicated spaces like nursing ward and practical rooms designed to mimic real-life clinical environments, where we can practice and develop our hands-on skills. The campus also has excellent library resources, including access to a wide range of OT-related journals, books, and online materials. OT is a course with a mixture of academic study and practical experience, we often learnt by practising scenarios, placements and exposures to different cases. Always remember to check out whether the university provide range of facilities to support your learning!
4️⃣Placement opportunities 🫶🏻
You are expected to complete 1000 hours of placement to be eligible to be qualified. Our university has a dedicated placement team to manage our placements so you dont need to worry about finding your own placement by yourself. There are placement opportunities to help us gain hands-on experience in real-world settings. Our placement team aims to provide at least one mental health setting and community settings to students, which provides a well-rounded view of the profession. These placements are a key part of the course and help us apply what we’ve learned in lectures to actual practice, while also building confidence and professional skills. The university has strong links with local healthcare providers, ensuring a range of quality placement options. I personally have my placement in hospital, county council, mental health clinic and community garden! You can imagine the experiences and they all widen my horizons about how an OT work in different settings as well as helping people in stage of life and different challenges in life.
You are always welcome to visit our website to find out more information and even talk with a current student! I hope the information are helpful and I wish you all the best for your study! 🍀
Claudia (Year 3 occupational therapy student) 🩵
University of Essex 🌱