Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours)

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 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.

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.