Programme structure
The Occupational Therapist Degree Apprenticeship programme is a four-year, part-time degree. You will attend classes on campus two days per week, 32 weeks per year. Within those 32 weeks you will also complete seven or eight weeks of full-time practice placement in each year of the degree. You should also expect to spend 20 hours per week (on average) on degree-related independent study during term time.
As part of the requirements for professional registration the apprentice will undertake a minimum of 1,000 hours of clinical placement as an apprentice occupational therapist, returning to their normal employed role outside of university time.
Alongside their scheduled clinical placement and set academic work on the course, apprentices work with their work-based mentor to make full use of the opportunities to learn within their employed job role.
As a student on this professional course you’ll be required to adhere to the and . You will be assessed to meet these standards through a combination of essays, presentations and group work. You will also be required to learn about research methodology.
As a student on this course you’ll also get to participate in - hour-long sessions where students come together to listen to stories and share reflections in a supportive and confidential environment. The sessions offer the opportunity to reflect on the emotional aspects of clinical practice and are designed to support students and recent graduates working in complex settings.
Core skills
Upon completion of the programme, apprentices will be equipped to:
- use occupation-based assessment techniques to identify health and social care needs
- uphold and promote the rights of individuals which influence the therapist's roles
- use information provided by other professionals to plan strategies for meeting occupational health needs
- formulate specific and appropriate management plans, and maintain records appropriately
- plan and carry our therapeutic activities skilfully and in accordance with evidence-based practice
- critically analyse changing structures and philosophies of care
- explore areas outside traditional working environments in which people with occupational needs may be found
- promote the principles of occupational science, and the use of activity as a means for facilitating change
- develop, influence and respond to new models of service provision.
Teaching and assessment
Tuition on the programme is provided by experts based within the university, visiting occupational therapists and others based within public and private healthcare organisations, as well as those with lived experiences as experts in the teaching. This contributes to ensuring the relevancy and currency of the curriculum.
The innovative curriculum uses a problem-based learning approach, where apprentices examine real-life scenarios together in small groups with a tutor. This type of education reflects the ideas of pragmatism and active learning on which occupational therapy itself was founded.
A variety of therapeutic skills are also practised, for example in arts and crafts, cooking, ceramics, technology and horticulture, considering how these may be adapted for people with different needs. In order for apprentices to be aware of their responsibilities during these sessions, they are asked to sign a statement of consent agreeing to act in client-role-playing as well as practitioner roles in classes.
A range of summative assessment methods that reflect tasks an occupational therapist might encounter in practice are used throughout the programme. These are related to module aims and learning outcomes, allowing apprentices with a range of abilities to succeed, and include:
- practice placements
- individual and group presentations
- written reflections
- patient treatment plans
- vivas.
Employer and apprentice commitments
In order to deliver the programme, the employer undertakes to:
- conduct a workplace induction and set out a contract of employment
- provide an appropriately qualified workplace mentor to support the apprentice
- attend apprentice's progress review (four a year)
- ensure that an Occupational Health Screening and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check has been undertaken by the employer
- release apprentice for scheduled off-the-job training
- have an Apprenticeship Agreement in place from the start of the programme
- provide the apprentice with work-based opportunities to develop their knowledge, skills and behaviours in alignment with the apprenticeship standard.
Throughout the programme, apprentices will:
- attend the workplace for the agreed pattern as set out in the employment contract
- record all training sessions and off-the-job learning in a timely manner
- attend scheduled university learning sessions and complete all assessments as required by the university and End Point Assessment Organisation
- behave in a safe and responsible manner at the workplace and university
- engage with regular progress reviews
- complete, throughout the apprenticeship, a professional development portfolio.
Fees and funding information for apprentices
Course fees
As an apprentice the cost of your learning programme is covered by your employer through their Digital Apprenticeship Service (DAS) account.
Student finance
Higher and degree level apprentices are not eligible for any element of student finance. This is because they receive a salary instead of the student loan package. However, if you are experiencing any financial difficulties, please contact the Student Advice Service on 01273 642 888.
Learning support
Apprentices studying at Higher and degree level may be able to access funding in relation to additional support but this is available through the university and not Disabled Students Allowance. Apprentices may also be able to apply for funding for work-based equipment and software. Please contact the Disability and Learning Support team on 01273 643 799.
Living costs and benefits
Higher and degree level apprentices must fulfil the standard eligibility criteria in order to apply for means tested benefits such as Universal Credit, Child Tax Credit and Housing Benefit. If you have any questions about entitlement to benefits, please contact the Student Advice Service on 01273 642 888.
Higher and degree level apprentices who are undertaking a full-time mode of study can be treated as being exempt from paying . Although some programmes require study on a day-release arrangement, this can still be classed as full-time study. You will need to obtain a letter from the Student Information Desk at any campus and send this to your Council Tax department when you enrol on the programme.
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