Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy is the healthcare profession concerned with enabling people to participate in the activities and occupations that give their lives meaning, following illness, injury, disability or the effects of ageing. Occupational therapists assess how physical, psychological, cognitive and environmental factors affect a person's ability to do the things they need or want to do, and they design and implement interventions to improve that participation. The range of conditions and contexts in which they work is extraordinarily broad, from helping someone with a brain injury relearn daily living skills to supporting a person with mental health difficulties to return to work, or adapting a home environment for an older person with mobility problems.

At the University of East Anglia this three-year full-time programme leads to qualification as an occupational therapist and eligibility for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council. You will study the biological, psychological and social sciences that underpin occupational therapy practice, alongside the theoretical frameworks and evidence base of the profession itself. Clinical placements run throughout the degree, giving you direct experience of working with clients across a range of settings, including hospitals, community health services, mental health services, social care, schools and voluntary organisations.

UEA's strong health professions programmes and its connections with NHS trusts in the East of England provide a rich and varied clinical learning environment.

Occupational therapy graduates are in consistent demand within the NHS and independent sector. Experienced occupational therapists can specialise in areas such as neurological rehabilitation, paediatrics, mental health, hand therapy, dementia care or assistive technology, and many move into management, education or research over time. Postgraduate study in advanced occupational therapy practice or related health sciences is also available.

The degree is a qualifying pathway into a profession that is both intellectually demanding and deeply committed to improving the quality of people's everyday lives.