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The University of Northampton · Undergraduate
BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy Bachelor's degree at Northampton
BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy at Northampton is accredited by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, ensuring graduates meet professional standards.
BSc (Hons)
Award
3
Years
Full-time
Study mode
95%
in work/study (15m)
About this course
The University of Northampton’s Occupational Therapy BSc degree, equips you with the skills to change people’s lives. Apply Now! From the provider’s course page.
BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy is a Bachelor's degree (BSc (Hons)) at Northampton, based in Waterside Campus, University of Northampton. It runs 3 years, studied full-time.
For Counselling, psychotherapy and occupational therapy graduates from this provider, 95% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 90% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £28,500. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Nursing & Health, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
9.0
/ 10
Excellent
3 of 3 official measures
Student satisfaction
What students say in the National Student Survey
Excellent89
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Graduate outcomes
In work or further study 15 months after graduating
Exceptional95
Limited evidence Published sample: 20; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 95% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Continuation
Students who continue past their first year
Excellent85
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 85% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year 1 6 modules
- Exploring Professional Perspectives of OccupationCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the meaning and purpose of occupation and models of occupation. Students will develop their understanding of person centred practice and occupation theory.
- Understanding Health and Well-beingCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to enable students to understand and explore the anatomical and psychological components of the human body and mind which may contribute to everyday functional activity. Students will develop an understanding of how individuals at different life-stages function within their environments.
- Health and Well-being: Understanding Impact on the IndividualCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to enable students to explore how daily life is affected by a range of conditions that impact health and wellbeing. Students will develop an understanding of how individuals will participate in occupations in relation to the disease process.
- Core Skills for Occupational Therapy PracticeCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to develop a range of core skills essential to Occupational Therapy practice with a framework of a model of occupation. Students explore these skills through practical workshops within the occupational therapy specialist facilities.
- Enabling Engagement in OccupationCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to understand the occupational therapy process and its components. Students will build on developing core skills and applying theory to practice through the use of case studies.
- Placement 1Compulsory20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to enable the student to engage in occupational therapy practice. The module will provide the student with opportunity to develop knowledge, core skills and behaviours required for professional practice.
Year 2 6 modules
- Exploring Evidence to Inform PracticeCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to enhance students' academic research skills through critiquing local, national and/or international evidence related to socio-cultural issues relevant to occupational therapy. Students will develop a proposal for research.
- Exploring Inequalities and Inclusive PracticeCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to expand students thinking to consider a wide range of perspectives within occupational therapy to enhance best practice. Students will understand and be aware of inequalities and demonstrate inclusive practice.
- Placement 2Compulsory20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to enable the student to engage in occupational therapy practice. The module will provide the student with opportunity to enhance their knowledge, therapeutic skills and behaviours required for professional practice.
- Placement 3Compulsory20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to enable the student to engage in occupational therapy practice. The student will have the opportunity to develop skills in service delivery, collaborative working and leadership.
- Principles Informing PracticeCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is for students to develop their knowledge of theoretical frameworks and skills in professional reasoning. Students will consider the impact of occupational disruption which occurs through illness or disability.
- Rehabilitation SkillsCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to develop skills in a range of occupational therapy practice settings. Students will be able to justify the selection of assessment and intervention using appropriate occupational therapy theory.
Year 3 4 modules
- Becoming an Autonomous PractitionerCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to enable students to develop knowledge and a range of skills in specialist practice areas of personal interest. This module will provide students the opportunity to focus on employability skills ready for their first post. This module prepares students to become an autonomous practitioner and ready to work in a variety of practice settings.
- Developing Creative Practice in CommunitiesCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to enable students' to broaden their perspectives of occupational practice. Students will evaluate current occupational therapy services and design a service which aim to meet the occupational needs within a community.
- Placement 4Compulsory40 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to enable the student to engage in occupational therapy practice to become an autonomous practitioner. The module will provide the student with opportunity to consolidate knowledge, specialist skills and behaviours required for professional practice.
- Embedding Evidence to Inform PracticeCompulsory40 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to enable students to use academic research to enhance current practice. Using evaluation and synthesis of local, national and/or international evidence related to socio-cultural issues relevant to occupational therapy. Students will follow a research process, participate in and evaluate, in order to present the findings of their research project.
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
This degree equips you with the practical and theoretical skills to work as an occupational therapist. A course like this typically moves from foundations, core clinical skills, anatomy and physiology, and supervised placement experience, through to specialist study of acute and long-term care, medicines management, and broader healthcare settings. In your final year, you'll usually progress to complex care, leadership and evidence-based practice, culminating in a final placement that consolidates your competence for professional registration. Throughout all 3 years, placements run alongside taught modules, giving you continuous exposure to real clinical environments. Specialisation options such as adult nursing, mental health, children's nursing, community and primary care, and leadership help you tailor your learning towards your chosen field.
Who it's for
This course suits those committed to a healthcare career in occupational therapy. Most accepted students held A-levels or equivalent; typical entrants had a UCAS tariff of 144–159 points. You'll study in English and complete your degree over three years full-time.
University & format
The University of Northampton is a university located in Waterside Campus, Northampton. The BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy is a full-time, 3-year degree taught in English. It is accredited by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT), ensuring graduates meet professional standards for practice. The University of Northampton holds Silver for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023 and is recognised as a UK degree-awarding body; your degree is nationally recognised.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
Application timelineWhat happens next
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Published entryBBC at A Level typical offer
Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.
AccreditationHCPC
Names detected beside accreditation or recognition copy on the provider course page; verify the route and intake.
Open daysOpen Days
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
Entry & how to get in
Typical offer (from the provider)The university’s course page lists a typical A-level offer of BBC. Always check the provider for the current offer and subject requirements.
Most entrants held A-levels or equivalent55% of accepted students came in with A-levels or equivalent (entrants over recent years).
Typical UCAS tariff: 144 - 159 pointsThe most common UCAS tariff band among accepted students. This is what entrants had, not a stated requirement.
Professionally accreditedAccredited by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) for the purpose of ensuring graduates are fit for the profession
Entry requirements are set by the universityGrades, subjects and contextual offers vary. Check Northampton's official course page for the current offer.
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 55% |
| another higher-education qualification | 20% |
| a previous degree | 15% |
| an Access course | 5% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Competitive entry
Accepted students typically held strong UCAS tariffs. Check how your predicted grades compare and whether a contextual offer applies.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Your UCAS points0
▾
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Add your grades to see where you land
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
Apply by13 January 2027, 18:00 UK timefor this course
Typical gradesA*AAA-level equivalent admitted students held
UCAS codeB930quote this on your application
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course (code B930). One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
💡 Many universities make a contextual (reduced-grade) offer, for example based on your school’s results, time in care, or where you live. Ask Northampton whether you’re eligible before you apply; it can lower the grades you need.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Home£9,790 / yr
International£18,000 / yr
Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).
Check fees at Northampton →For students who normally live in England
illustrative Maintenance Loan per year
£9,790tuition used per year, published course home fee
illustrative borrowing over 3 years
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Funding matched to this course
All Northampton funding →Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
Named awards published by the university. Compare the eligibility and application route before budgeting for one.
National funding for this subject
- NHS Learning Support Fund: Eligible nursing, midwifery and allied-health students can receive a non-repayable training grant. Official guidance
Amounts, exclusions and deadlines can change. An award is not guaranteed unless the university confirms it.
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Career quizApplication walkthroughSalary & CV check
Careers & earnings
What Nursing & Health graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £28,500 | £28,000 – £33,000 | 20 |
| 3 years after | £25,500 | £19,000 – £29,500 | 55 |
| 5 years after | £30,500 | £23,000 – £33,000 | 50 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Limited evidence. Published sample: 20; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
95%
in work or further study 15 months on
90%
in highly skilled work or study
85%
continue past their first year
75%
find their work meaningful
75%
say work fits their future plans
- 1Newly Qualified PractitionerPreceptorship / first post · 0–2 yrs
- 2Registered PractitionerAutonomous practice · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / SpecialistSpecialist or team lead · 5–10 yrs
- 4Advanced / Consultant PractitionerAdvanced practice or management · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Nursing & Health nationally
Starting (15 months) HESA GO
£28,500
£27,000 – £30,500After 3 years LEO
£25,500
£23,800 – £33,600After 5 years LEO
£30,500
£27,200 – £38,400national rangethis course’s medianaxis £22,500 – £39,500
National figures for Nursing & Health graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
95 of 100
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
85% working10% working and studying0% in further study90% in highly skilled work or study
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Limited evidence. Published sample: 20; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Nursing & Health courses at the same study level.
This course £30,500Peer median £31,500Middle 50% £28,000–£34,000
39th percentile
Compared with 1,506 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
Birmingham City UniversityBSc (Hons) Nursing - Child (January intake)£30,500Birmingham City UniversityBSc (Hons) Nursing -Child (September intake)£30,500Birmingham City UniversityBSc (Hons) Nursing - Child with Foundation Year (January intake)£30,500Birmingham City UniversityBSc (Hons) Nursing - Child with Foundation Year (September intake)£30,500
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Therapy professionalsSOC 2020 222 · 85% of published destinations · ASHE median £37,338
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 45; response rate: 75%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Is BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy worth it?
It depends. BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy adds about +£35,630 over the first ten years vs. going straight to a job, but on these earnings the payoff is slower than average.
Mixed payoff: a longer-than-average break-even for this course
Cumulative earnings vs. going straight to work at 18, counting tuition and 3 years of wages given up while studying. The line clears zero around year 19.7. This is a simplified gross-earnings comparison, not a forecast of cash loan repayments.
+£35,630
10-year payoff
extra earnings over the first decade, after the fees you pay
2.2×
Return on investment
extra earnings over 10 yrs per £1 of fees
£29,370
Tuition over the course
£9,790/yr × 3 yrs (published course home fee)
£30,500
Grad earnings, 5 yrs on
£6,500 above a non-graduate (£24,000)
Model: this course’s own median graduate earnings (Graduate Outcomes / LEO) above the £24,000 non-graduate baseline (ONS), net of £9,790/yr over 3 years (published course home fee). Eligible England-domiciled students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan; repayments are 9% only on income above the threshold, with anything left written off after 40 years. That makes the cash flow different from conventional commercial debt. Opportunity cost assumes £18,000 gross earnings forgone in each study year; figures are nominal and exclude tax, living costs, investment returns and loan interest. A simplified estimate. Earnings and actual fees vary by graduate, provider, fee status and UK nation.
Job market & outlook
How Nursing & Health graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
90%
in work or further study 15 months after graduating, across Nursing & Health courses nationally.
Graduate Outcomes87%
of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study.
highly skilled85%
of students continue past their first year (still enrolled or completed).
continuationHow AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine documentation and triage support
- Scheduling and records admin
- First-pass risk flags from data
- Standard reference look-ups
More human than ever
- Hands-on, compassionate care
- Clinical judgement and accountability
- Communicating with patients and families
- Ethics and safeguarding decisions
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Nursing & Health graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- NHS trusts
- Private healthcare
- Care providers
- Community & mental-health services
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Nursing & Health graduates.
Nursing Home ManagerJarrodean Healthcare RecruitmentSenior Charge Nurse Uist Community Nursing teamNHS National Services ScotlandCare Assistant - Nursing Home | Flexible Hours, Weekly PayMpa RecruitmentCare Assistant (Nursing) - Nightshift - RatheaneMacklin Care Homes LimitedSenior Support Worker: Meaningful Care & Flexible ShiftsPotens GroupDental NurseBupa Dental CareLive from the StudySmarter job board · as of 2026-08-01.See all matching jobs
Is this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
💷
Student finance
Published home tuition is £9,790/year for this course. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.
📈
Where graduates go
95% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £28,500. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
🎯
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
⭐
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 9.0 out of 10: NSS 88.9% · in work or study 95% · continued 85%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
The University of Northampton
All students13,505
International16.4%
Aged 25+34.8%
Subjects allied to medicine across the UK
Students360,360
Aged 25+51.5%
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around Waterside Campus, University of Northampton
2,220 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Violent Crime 679Anti Social Behaviour 509Shoplifting 183Public Order 163Other Theft 143
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Nursing & Health right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to Northampton from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £18,000 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check Northampton’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with Northampton and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at Northampton
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
Entry is competitive. Accepted students typically held strong UCAS tariffs. The most common tariff band among recent entrants was 144 - 159 UCAS points. Use the calculator on this page to see where your predicted grades would put you; many universities also make lower contextual offers.
What are the entry requirements?
Set by Northampton. Most accepted students held A-levels or equivalent. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
What do graduates go on to do?
For Counselling, psychotherapy and occupational therapy graduates from this provider, 95% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 90% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £28,500. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
What will it cost me?
The published home tuition is £9,790 per year for this course. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years. See Fees & funding on this page to work out your numbers.
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