Menu Log in Search Search You are here HomeAbout occupational therapyBecome an occupational therapistCareer FAQs Career FAQs Answers to key questions on occupational therapy. Becoming an occupational therapist: Six key questions answered 1. How can I become an occupational therapist? Occupational therapy is a degree-level profession, so you would need to complete a programme of study at one of the which offer occupational therapy courses in the UK. At the end of the study programme you are required to register with our regulator the (HCPC) to be able to practice as an occupational therapist. 2. Please can you advise me about work experience? We do recommend that potential occupational therapy students seek some work experience before enrolling on a programme of study and some programmes (not all) like to see evidence of time spent with an occupational therapist to be able to demonstrate insight into the work of the profession. While the Royal College is unfortunately not in a position to locate these opportunities on behalf of potential occupational therapy students, we can offer the following suggestions: 3. Where can I find information on fees/bursaries/financial support? Funding Information 4. Will I be able to work alongside studying? The course design is very intense and in the first year in particular, you may find you are expected to be on campus four days per week in addition to self-directed study. When you go on placement, these are full time, often 37 hours per week so, especially during the placements, we would encourage you not to take additional paid work if at all possible. 5. I am over 21 and have not studied for a long time. Do you have any advice for me? All programmes welcome applications from adult learners. The individual universities will advise you on how to prepare for study. Some adult learners prefer or are required to do a foundation degree or access course in a related field, such as health and social care, to help prepare them for a return to academic study. 6. What about employment prospects for new occupational therapy graduates? How much do occupational therapists earn? Employment prospects for new occupational therapists are generally good, although competition for jobs can vary across the UK. Ensuring your application stands out from the crowd is increasingly important and this can be achieved simply by preparing a really thoughtful application and demonstrating a commitment to the profession. Unlike graduates with qualifications that are not specifically career-orientated, new occupational therapy graduates generally have the advantage of a structured career path with good long-term prospects. I want more information about qualifying as an Occupational Therapist Can I practice as an occupational therapist without a degree? No, all new occupational therapists in the UK are required to register with the in order to practice, and graduation from a validated degree course is a pre-requisite for registration. Can the Royal College recommend a particular degree programme? No, there is no league table for occupational therapy degree programmes in the UK. All occupational therapy programmes have to be approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), the independent regulatory body. All programmes are currently also accredited by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) and the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) which ensures that graduates are fit for practice and have the skills to take the profession forward. What is the difference between in-service programmes and part-time programmes? Some programmes are designed to provide access to professional qualifications for support workers or technical instructors working in health and social care, and these are termed 'in-service'. I already know I want to work with a specific group of service users. Do I still have to complete practice placements in other practice settings? Yes. You will need to complete a range of practice placements that provide you with experience in a variety of different settings. So although you may develop a preference to a particular area of occupational therapy practice during your time as a student you will be expected to complete placements in a range of different environments. I want to know how my personal circumstances could affect my studies I already have a degree, is there a fast track route to becoming an occupational therapist? A pre-registration Postgraduate Diploma or Masters degree (MSc pre-registration) is aimed at allowing people who already have a Bachelors degree to study to become occupational therapists. Some universities will ask that you have a bachelor’s degree in a specific subject relating to occupational therapy and that your degree has a certain classification. You still may be required to have certain grades for specific GCSE subjects. Check the university’s website for information on this or contact the university directly. I am a student with disabilities. How will I be supported on a degree programme? All universities have special provision for students with disabilities (including unseen disabilities such as dyslexia or diabetes). For further information contact the university directly. Will I need to have a health check before starting the degree programme? All students will be required to undertake a health check, and you may have to pay for certain inoculations before going on a placement. Do the universities check for criminal records? Disclosure and Barring Checks (DBS, previously CRB) will be requested by the university after you have been provisionally accepted, and before your first practice placement. Can I study occupational therapy through distance learning? No, to train as an occupational therapist you need to attend university. The only distance learning programmes available are aimed at support workers (e.g. HNC offered at Glasgow Clyde College). I am an international student or an occupational therapist with a qualification from overseas I qualified as an occupational therapist overseas; can I work in the UK? To practice in the UK, occupational therapists must be registered with the . Prospective employers of overseas occupational therapists could also check whether the awarding body/university is recognised by the . I am an international student and I would like to do a practice placement in the UK. Make direct contact with occupational therapy departments in hospitals to find out if they are able to supervise an overseas student. Priority will always be given to UK students, but some services may have the capacity to take additional students. Legal agreements need to be set up with the department/service and the student’s university. I am an international student - can I still study occupational therapy in the UK? The Council for International Education (UKCISA) produces guidance notes for international students wishing to study in the UK. Visit or write to UKCISA, 9-17 St Albans Place, London N1 0NX, or call Student Advice Line on +4420 7788 9214 between 1pm and 4pm (UK time). I am considering studying or practising abroad Can I work overseas after completing my occupational therapy training? Yes. All RCOT accredited occupational therapy training programmes are currently recognised by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists Information on working in all countries affiliated to WFOT can be found on their website, under the individual country entries. Another helpful document can be downloaded from the resource centre ‘Working as an Occupational Therapist in Another Country revised 2015’. Are there opportunities to study abroad whilst completing a UK based degree programme? Some universities have international links, giving students the opportunity to study abroad as part of their degree programme. Please contact the university directly for further information. I have a question about something else How can I become an occupational therapy support worker? There are no specific requirements to becoming a support worker as this is not a regulated profession. However, some employers may ask for experience in a health setting. The will provide useful information on the experience employers are looking for. Are there any other resources you can recommend to help me find out more about occupational therapy? As well as the Handbook linked below, you may find these two books useful: Download the RCOT Career Handbook RCOT Career Handbook 2021-22 (PDF, 2.37MB) Share Occupational therapy jobs Website terms and conditions Privacy Policy RCOT and GDPR Compliments and complaints Get in touch Royal College of Occupational Therapists 106-114 Borough High Street London SE1 1LB T: 020 3141 4600 Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Twitter YouTube The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (or 'RCOT') is a registered charity in England and Wales (275119) and in Scotland (SCO39573) and a company registered in England (No. 1347374). VAT Reg. No. 242 7829 47. © Copyright 2019 Royal College of Occupational Therapists. All rights reserved. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. 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