1. The programme leading to the part-time degree of Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy shall be of four years' duration. The maximum period of registration shall normally be six years. This period of registration will incorporate periods of suspension of studies.
   
   
2. Candidates for admission must satisfy the Regulations for Admission to Degree Courses as specified in Section IV of the General Regulations. They must normally offer at least two A level passes and, additionally, at least five GCSE passes at Grade C or above. English Language, Mathematics and a science subject must be offered either at A level or GCSE. Mature candidates or candidates with other academically equivalent qualifications are considered on their merit.
   
   
3. Admission to, and continuation on, the programme is subject to specific health requirements (consistent with the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act, 1995). This is to comply with statutory requirements laid down by the Health Act (1999) and the Health Professions Council. Prospective students are required to inform the Head of Programme of any health problems relevant to their future employment as a health professional. All students will be subject to an occupational health check.
   
   
4. Admission to, and continuation on, the programme is subject to consideration of any criminal convictions. The programme is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1986). This is to comply with statutory requirements laid down by the Health Act (1999) and the Health Professions Council. Prospective students are required to inform the Head of Programme of all criminal convictions. All students will be subject to an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check.
   
   
5. Students holding a professional qualification in Occupational Therapy may register for individual modules and, on satisfactory completion of that module, may be awarded the appropriate credit.
   
   
6. All candidates registered for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy shall be candidates for an Honours degree since this is the minimum level of attainment laid down by the professional body as a pre-requisite for registration as an occupational therapist.
   
   
7. In order to qualify for the award of the degree of Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy, candidates must:
   
   
   1. have satisfied the entry requirement;
      
   2. have followed the four-year curriculum and passed all the required assessments and examinations;
      
   3. have completed to pass-level all practical work, clinical placements and other coursework as required;
      
   4. be judged as of good character and worthy of admission to the Health Professions Council's register.
      
      
8. Exceptionally, students who have not been successful at all assessment but are unable to resit/recoup those assessments before the beginning of the next academic level shall be allowed to proceed without progressing. Earlier level assessment should be completed, however, before the next level of assessment is undertaken.
   
   
9. Exceptionally, students who have been unable to successfully complete assessment because of illness or other force majeure shall be allowed to proceed without progressing. Earlier level assessment should be completed, however, before the next level of assessment is undertaken.
   
   
10. Progress from one level of the programme to the next will depend upon the successful completion of the appropriate examination and coursework requirements, and the satisfactory completion of clinical work and placements.
    
    
11. The first level of the curriculum shall extend over three semesters and comprise of the following units of study:
    
    
    • Foundations of Study
      
    • Professional Practice - Communication
      
    • Professional Practice - Collaborative Learning
      
    • Professional Practice - Moving and Handling
      
    • Professional Practice - Methods of Enquiry
      
    • Occupational Therapy Practice - Life Stages
      
    • Occupational Therapy Practice - Therapy Skills
      
    • Occupational Therapy Practice - Principles and Practice of Occupational Therapy
      
    • Occupational Therapy Practice - Placement 1
      
      
12. Students who are successful at all level one assessments but are unable to complete their full degree studies shall be eligible for the exit award of a Certificate of Allied Health Studies.
    
    
13. The second level of the curriculum shall extend over three semesters and comprise the following units of study:
    
    
    • Professional Practice - Practising Ethics
      
    • Professional Practice - Methods of Enquiry
      
    • Professional Practice - Interprofessional Team Working
      
    • Professional Practice - Health Promotion
      
    • Occupational Therapy Process - Physical Rehabilitation Context
      
    • Occupational Therapy Process - Mental Health Context
      
    • Occupational Therapy Process - Learning Disabilities Context
      
    • Occupational Therapy Practice - Placement 2
      
    • Occupational Therapy Practice - Placement 3
      
      
14. Students who are successful at all level two assessments but are unable to complete their full degree studies shall be eligible for the exit award of a Diploma of Allied Health Studies.
    
    
15. The third level of the curriculum will extend over two semesters and a period of practice placement and will comprise:
    
    
    • Professional Practice - Professional Development
      
    • Professional Practice - Methods of Enquiry
      
    • Professional Practice - Enabling Change in Practice
      
    • Professional Practice - Interprofessional Problem Solving
      
    • Occupational Therapy Process - Therapeutic Dialogue
      
    • Occupational Therapy Process - Options
      
    • Occupational Therapy Practice - Placement 4
      
      
16. Students who only accrue sufficient credit for the award of an ordinary degree will be eligible for a BSc in Allied Health Studies. The award cannot be named as BSc (Hons) in Occupational Therapy since the term 'occupational therapy' is a title protected under the Health Act (1999) for those who are fully qualified and registered as occupational therapists.
    
    
17. Any student who experiences grave or terminal illness/injury which prevents them from continuing on their programme of study and achieving qualification, and who would have been expected under normal circumstance to have successfully achieved the Honours award, may be eligible for a posthumous or aegrotat degree named BSc with Honours in Allied Health Studies.
    
    
18. The outline of the content of each unit shall be specified in the Unit Profiles and made available to students in the programme handbooks.
    
    
19. In each year, students shall be examined by means of in-programme assessments, practice-based assessments and formal examinations. A candidate who fails to satisfy the examiners will normally be re-examined during the second semester or the following summer vacation. Failure at re-examination will normally result in a recommendation for termination of programme. Under normal circumstances, only one opportunity to re-take assessment will be permitted.
    
    
20. In order to progress from one level of the programme to the next, students must successfully complete the appropriate examination and coursework requirements, practice placement and other practical work in the particular level of study.
    
    
21. Any student who fails more than 50% of the programme unit assessments in an academic level will require the permission of the Examinations Board to resit/recoup those assessments.
    
    
22. Failure of more than one practice placement in any one calendar or academic year will normally result in a recommendation for termination of the programme.
    
    
23. In exceptional circumstances, the Board of Examiners may allow the retake of an entire academic level, although this opportunity will be permitted on only one occasion and is subject to the payment of fees through the normal contract arrangements.
    
    
24. Where a fail mark has been recorded by the Board of Examiners, and where medical or other exceptional and substantial circumstances have affected a candidate's performance, the candidate may be granted a concessionary attempt at the examination or part thereof without recording the previous attempt.
    
    
25. To graduate from the programme, students must have satisfactorily completed all components including the required practice placement hours.
    
    

Submitted by the Secretariat
Last reviewed: 04-Feb-2008
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