Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy is a health profession concerned with enabling people to participate in the activities that matter to them, despite the challenges posed by illness, disability, mental health conditions, or the effects of ageing. Occupational therapists work with people across all stages of life, in hospitals, community settings, schools, and care homes, helping them develop, recover, or maintain the everyday skills and roles that give life meaning and structure. At Wrexham University, the BSc Occupational Therapy is a three-year full-time programme that leads to eligibility for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council, which is required for practice as an occupational therapist in the UK.

As the current programme description notes, the programme builds a strong foundation in occupational therapy principles from the outset. The concept of occupation, meaning any purposeful activity a person engages in, is central to the discipline, and you will develop your understanding of human function through occupation across physical, cognitive, psychological, and social dimensions. Self-awareness and professional ethics are emphasised throughout, reflecting the deeply relational and values-driven nature of occupational therapy practice.

Practical placements begin early in the programme, taking you into real healthcare and social care environments where you apply theoretical knowledge under the supervision of qualified practitioners and develop the clinical reasoning and professional judgment that the role requires.

Occupational therapists work across the NHS, local authority social services, independent healthcare providers, charities, schools, and private practice. Areas of practice include physical rehabilitation, mental health, learning disabilities, paediatrics, care of older adults, hand therapy, and vocational rehabilitation. The profession is registered and regulated, and the BSc qualification provides the academic and clinical foundation for initial registration.

Some graduates go on to postgraduate study in specialist areas of occupational therapy, health research, or related disciplines. Others progress into clinical leadership, management, or academic roles. The combination of scientific knowledge, clinical skill, and commitment to enabling human participation that Wrexham's programme develops prepares graduates for a career in one of the most person-centred of the health professions.