Course

Bachelor of Occupational Therapy

Approved Abbreviation: BOT

Western Sydney University Course Code: 4711.1

AQF Level: 7

CRICOS Code: 086212K

Occupational therapy is a highly regarded field in which you can apply your knowledge and skills to provide therapy for people who, because of illness, injury or circumstances, are limited in their ability to perform everyday tasks. The program promotes the value of human diversity, fundamental human rights and the dignity and worth of every client. Occupational therapists find employment in public and private hospitals, rehabilitation centres, insurance companies, schools and large corporations.

The course in occupational therapy is offered as a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy. The first two years of the program combine studies in occupational therapy with a broad understanding of biomedicine and various health science fields to develop the professional competencies important for ethical and safe practice and high quality care and the skills to work in multidisciplinary teams. The final two years focus predominately on occupational therapy practice skills, practical experience and specialised areas. Evidence-based practice is one of the most important trends in healthcare today and a strong feature of the program.

An honours stream is available for high performing students. Students may also exit after Year 3 with a Bachelor of Health Science degree but are unable to practice as an occupational therapist.

Study Mode
Four years full-time

Accreditation
This program is accredited by the Occupational Therapy Council as an approved program of study in Australia and graduates are eligible for professional registration by the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA)

Admission

Assumed knowledge: any 2 units of English.

Recommended studies: Physics, Chemistry, Biology and/or Personal Development Health and Physical Education.

To be eligible to undertake fieldwork or practice placements, students must also comply with the NSW Health Records and Information Privacy Act (2004) and complete a relevant declaration.

Applications from Australian and New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent resident visas must be made via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). Use the links below to apply via UAC or Western Sydney University. Applications made directly to Western Sydney do not have an application fee.

Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local and International applicants who are applying through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on the UAC website. Local applicants applying directly to the University should also use the information provided on the UAC website.

http://www.uac.edu.au/

https://westernsydney.uac.edu.au/ws/

International applicants must apply directly to Western Sydney University via the International Office. International students applying to The University through the International Office can find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on their website.

International Office

Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and Western Sydney University.

Special Requirements Prerequisites
To be able to enrol in the first year Spring unit 400907 Occupational Therapy Practice 1 and subsequent occupational therapy fieldwork units, all students must have a National Police Certificate, a Working with Children Check Student Declaration and a First Aid Certificate (including cardiopulmonary resuscitation). To be eligible to undertake fieldwork placements in public hospitals, students must comply with NSW Health vaccination requirements and be prepared to submit a completed Adult Immunisation Card to placement institutions. Details of necessary vaccinations are available from NSW Health. To meet NSW health requirements for clinical placements, students will be required to attend a ‘bulk compliance’ appointment to have their special requirements verified by NSW Health staff.

Work Integrated Learning

Western Sydney University seeks to enhance student learning experiences by enabling students to engage in the culture, expectations and practices of their profession or discipline. This course includes a placement or other community-based unpaid practical experience.

There is a mandatory work component required for completion of this course. Please contact the Course Advisor listed above for information.

International students should also refer to the 'Work Integrated Learning (WIL) for international students' website for more information and a link to the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) for international students

Course Structure

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 320 credit points which include the units listed in the recommended sequence below.

Recommended Sequence

Full-time

Year 1

Autumn session

400870

Population Health and Society

400868

Human Anatomy and Physiology 1

400160

Introduction to Occupational Therapy

400871

Professional Health Competencies