Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours)
Are you keen to deepen your understanding of occupational therapy practice and develop your research skills? Enhance your professional practice and increase your employment potential with this postgraduate qualification that will prepare you for jobs in research-focused positions or higher-level practice roles. If you want to pursue an academic career, this honours degree provides a pathway to take you to the top of your field.
Domestic
About the programme
Are you keen to deepen your understanding of occupational therapy practice and develop your research skills?
Enhance your professional practice and increase your employment potential with this postgraduate qualification that will prepare you for jobs in research-focused positions or higher-level practice roles. If you want to pursue an academic career, this honours degree provides a pathway to take you to the top of your field.
You'll achieve a significant understanding of professional and practice issues in terms of their social, political, cultural and historical contexts, and analyse professional and practice issues from a sound theoretical basis. You'll critically evaluate research in professional literature and gain the confidence to engage in evidence-based practice. You'll also conduct small-scale research projects.
Take advantage of the online, flexible delivery that enables you to fit study around other commitments, and enjoy the chance to meet fellow students and staff at four compulsory block courses held in Dunedin (two to three days each).
International
About the programme
Are you keen to deepen your understanding of occupational therapy practice and develop your research skills?
Enhance your professional practice and increase your employment potential with this postgraduate qualification that will prepare you for jobs in research-focused positions or higher-level practice roles. If you want to pursue an academic career, this honours degree provides a pathway to take you to the top of your field.
You'll achieve a significant understanding of professional and practice issues in terms of their social, political, cultural and historical contexts, and analyse professional and practice issues from a sound theoretical basis. You'll critically evaluate research in professional literature and gain the confidence to engage in evidence-based practice. You'll also conduct small-scale research projects.
Take advantage of the online, flexible delivery that enables you to fit study around other commitments, and enjoy the chance to meet fellow students and staff at four compulsory block courses held in Dunedin (two to three days each).
What You Study
Courses
This degree is made up of two 30 credit Level 8 courses (Research for Practice, and Research Design) and a 60 credit dissertation. In order to gain the qualification, you'll need to pass both courses and the dissertation on your first attempt.
|
Course Title |
Level |
Credit |
|---|---|---|
|
Compulsory |
|
|
|
Research for Practice |
8 |
30 |
|
Research Design |
8 |
30 |
|
Dissertation |
8 |
60 |
|
Total |
|
120 |
Further study options
Advance your skills and increase your career prospects with our Master of Occupational Therapy. If you achieve a first class honours degree, you may also be able to progress straight into a doctoral programme.
Workload
Your workload
You'll need to allocate about 36-40 hours per week for study.
These hours cover attendance at fortnightly web-based sessions, online discussions and reading, as well as research for your assessments for each course.
In the first semester, you will work on your proposal and then ethics application (if required).
In the second semester, you will undertake the research project.
The average hours per week for semester two are harder to stipulate as the process of completing a dissertation is based very much on the individual.
Entry
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
- You must have successfully completed a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy with a grade point average of 5.0 or less across the three years of study OR equivalent.
- You must commence the honours programme within three years of completing the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy.
- International students will be individually assessed to ensure they meet the entry requirements.
English Language requirements
- If English is not your first language, you must provide:
- New Zealand University Entrance OR
- Overall Academic IELTS 6.5 with no individual band score lower than 6.5 (achieved in one test completed in the last two years), OR
- Acceptable alternative evidence of the required IELTS (see here for NZQA proficiency table and here for list of recognised proficiency tests).
If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.
Covid-19 vaccination requirements
You don’t need to supply evidence of your Covid-19 vaccination status to apply for this programme. However, most placement providers will require evidence from you that you are fully vaccinated before allowing you to complete a placement at their organisation. Placements are an integral part of this programme and you’ll need to complete these to be able to successfully achieve your qualification.
Selection process
Applicants who meet the entry requirements will be accepted into the programme. Should the number of suitable applicants exceed the available places, applicants will be placed on a waiting list in date order.
Those applicants already enrolled at Otago Polytechnic will apply for the honours programme by confirming their intention with the Honours Programme Coordinator. Special circumstances can be considered on application by the student to Postgraduate, Research & Innovation Team.
Want your existing skills recognised?
If you have extensive knowledge and skills due to practical experience in this area, please ask us about our recognition of prior learning process. You may have already gained credits towards this qualification and could achieve it in a shorter timeframe. Please email info@op.ac.nz or call 0800 762 786.
Fees
Domestic fees
International fees
Additional costs
As this programme is taught via extensive online resources, you must budget for internet access as well as for printing of readings/course materials.
There are also compulsory block courses and you'll be responsibly for all associated costs including transport, accommodation and meals.
Tuition fees
The tuition fees shown above are approximate only. There may be a slight fee increase per year once Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) rules and guidelines are applied. These fees also don’t include additional costs or living costs.
Studylink
Domestic full-time students can apply for a student loan through Studylink.
Some support may be available for domestic part-time students.
Apply at the same time as you apply for your course (you can withdraw your application anytime).
Student Services Fee
For most students, your tuition fee shown above includes a Student Services Fee – also known as the Student Levy. This compulsory fee covers your access to the student services we offer. This cost is tailored depending on how you're studying.
The international tuition fee does not include your Student Levy. This will be calculated when you enrol with us.
Click below to find out more about the Student Levy costs and services provided.
Fees Free
The Government has announced that Fees Free for the first year of study or training will finish at the end of 2024. A final-year Fees Free policy will replace it, starting from 1 January 2025.
If you are a first-time tertiary learner in 2025, you may be able to get Fees Free for your final year of study or training. If you are eligible, you will need to apply for your entitlement through IRD from 2026 onwards.
For more information about the transition from first-year Fees Free or the final-year Fees Free policy, visit FeesFree.govt.nz.
