Bachelor of Occupational Therapy
Working with people is at the very heart of this highly-regarded programme and you'll do five placements across a wide range of community health and rehabilitation settings to gain vital practice experience. When you graduate, you'll be able to register as an Occupational Therapist in New Zealand - this degree is also recognised by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists.
Domestic
Hamilton
About the programme
Make a difference in people's lives. Become an occupational therapist and help people achieve independence, meaning and satisfaction in their daily activities.
As an occupational therapist, your focus will be on ensuring individuals, groups and populations within the community can do the things that are important to them. You will work with people who have had illness, injury, or a disability, and with a range of ages from the newborn to older people.
During this degree, you'll gain high-quality skills through a blend of online learning, face-to-face teaching, real-life scenarios and interactive group/community experiences. You'll do five fieldwork placements in a wide range of settings so you can develop your practice ability to a high standard by working with people.
When you graduate, you'll be able to register as an Occupational Therapist in New Zealand - this degree is also recognised by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists.
Exactly the same programme is delivered from both our Dunedin Campus and the Wintec City campus in Hamilton so you can enrol in the campus of your choice.
Studying part-time
We know that full-time study isn't always possible. We offer a part-time option studied over six years (this is only available after you've had a chat with us to make sure it's the right option for you). We also offer the chance for learners to complete two, year one courses part-time starting in July each year.
International
Hamilton
About the programme
Make a difference in people's lives. Become an occupational therapist and help people achieve independence, meaning and satisfaction in their daily activities.
As an occupational therapist, your focus will be on ensuring individuals, groups and populations within the community can do the things that are important to them. You will work with people who have had illness, injury, or a disability, and with a range of ages from the newborn to older people.
During this degree, you'll gain high-quality skills through a blend of online learning, face-to-face teaching, real-life scenarios and interactive group/community experiences. You'll do five fieldwork placements in a wide range of settings so you can develop your practice ability to a high standard by working with people.
When you graduate, you'll be able to register as an Occupational Therapist in New Zealand - this degree is also recognised by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists.
Exactly the same programme is delivered from both our Dunedin Campus and the Wintec City campus in Hamilton so you can enrol in the campus of your choice.
Studying part-time
We know that full-time study isn't always possible. We offer a part-time option studied over six years (this is only available after you've had a chat with us to make sure it's the right option for you). We also offer the chance for learners to complete two, year one courses part-time starting in July each year.
What You Study
Courses
This is a three year, full-time qualification which consists of two semesters per year. The programme structure is the same for both Dunedin and Hamilton students (although the weekly timetable will be different at each campus) and is comprised of a series of occupational therapy courses. Each course has a credit rating and each credit equates to approximately ten hours of study. In addition, your fieldwork placements occur during the taught weeks of the programme. Please note Year 1 is subject to academic approval.
|
YEAR 1 – whole year |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Course Name |
Credits |
||
|
Human Body and Movement Understand human beings in terms of the key body systems and movement.
|
30 |
||
|
YEAR 1 – Semester 1 |
YEAR 1 – Semester 2 |
|
|
|
Course Name |
Credits |
Course Name |
Credits |
|
Professional Practice Develop and apply professional practice skills in a variety of situations.
|
15 |
Building Cultural Competency in Practice Develop knowledge of culture and its application in a professional context in bicultural New Zealand.
|
15 |
|
Foundations of Occupational Therapy Understand the concept of occupation and explore the fundamental principles of occupational therapy in the context of health and wellbeing.
|
15 |
Human Mind and Behaviour Demonstrate knowledge of psychological theories that are relevant to the practice of occupational therapy.
|
15 |
|
Fieldwork One Explore the role of the occupational therapist in a real-life setting(s) and demonstrate emerging professional skills, behaviours and attitudes.
|
15 |
Fieldwork Two Develop and maintain relationships, participate alongside others, and facilitate occupation within communities.
|
15 |
|
Total Credits Year One |
120 |
||
|
YEAR 2 – Semester 1 |
YEAR 2 – Semester 2 |
||
|
Course Name |
Credits |
Course Name |
Credits |
|
Applied Professional Practice Apply and integrate evidence-informed professional practice skills necessary for both occupational therapy and inter-professional practice.
|
30 |
Fieldwork Three Apply specific occupational therapy skills and knowledge within the practice setting and demonstrate adequate professional behaviours and attitudes.
|
30 |
|
Occ. Therapy: Theory in Practice Use professional reasoning to justify occupational therapy practice.
|
15 |
Informing Practice: Occupation Critically analyse the multifaceted nature of occupation and how occupational therapists use occupation in practice.
|
15 |
|
Informing Practice: Person Critically analyse the multifaceted nature of people and how occupational therapists work with them to find meaning and purpose as occupational beings.
|
15 |
Informing Practice: Environment Critically analyse the multifaceted nature of environments and how occupational therapists work with and within environments.
|
15 |
|
Total Credits Year Two |
120 |
||
|
YEAR 3 – Semester 1 |
|
YEAR 3 – Semester 2 |
|
|
Course Name |
Credits |
Course Name |
Credits |
|
Professional Reasoning Apply professional reasoning to complex situations.
|
15 |
Fieldwork 4 Demonstrate competence through consistent application of occupational therapy skills and knowledge, within the practice setting, sustaining professional behaviours and attitudes at a consistent level.
|
30 |
|
Complexity in Practice: Person Implement occupational therapy intervention and consolidate their professional reasoning in relation to a person’s concept of self.
|
15 |
Fieldwork 5 Apply occupational therapy knowledge and skills and sustain professional behaviours and attitudes at a consistent level.
|
15 |
|
Complexity in Practice: Occupation Use your professional reasoning to justify and implement occupation in complex situations.
|
15 |
|
|
|
Complexity in Practice: Environment Critically evaluate how complex environments inform their professional reasoning.
|
15 |
||
|
Select one elective in Semester Two from either: |
|||
|
Elective 1 |
Transition Negotiated Learning Undertake individualised study, which focuses in-depth on a selected topic in occupational therapy.
|
15 |
|
|
Elective 2 |
Transition Showcase Be competent, reflective occupational therapy practitioners transitioning into entry level occupational therapist roles in bicultural New Zealand.
|
15 |
|
|
Total Credits Year Three |
120 |
||
|
TOTAL CREDITS FOR PROGRAMME |
360 |
||
Fieldwork placements
Working with people is at the very essence of occupational therapy and a mandatory part of the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy qualification. During this qualification, you will undertake five fieldwork placements in order to ensure you meet the competency levels for registration to practise as a New Zealand occupational therapist. Clinical experiences will be offered in a wide range of community health and rehabilitation settings and you will be required to complete a minimum of three placements outside of the Dunedin or Hamilton area. See more information relating to fieldwork below.
Declaration and police check
Fieldwork providers request that a police check be carried out prior to you going on placement. In addition, the New Zealand Occupational Therapy Board requires a declaration about convictions and a police clearance from all applicants for registration. If you have a police record, you are encouraged to discuss your circumstances with a lawyer who may be able to advise you of the implications of your record on your ability to work with vulnerable persons.
Risks
While on fieldwork placements, the risks you are exposed to will be those commonly associated with the health services. These are broad and range from physical/psychological risks to your person (such as back injury or infectious diseases, psychological distress) through to causing potential harm to service users which may be reported to the Health and Disability Commissioner.
Fieldwork placement aims
Performance criteria for each placement follow a carefully ordered sequence where you will be expected to take increasing responsibility for personal study and initiative. Fieldwork placement supervisors will move from directing the experience to allowing you to direct it; that is, from “supervisor-oriented” to “student-oriented” experience.
The five areas of competence identified by the Occupational Therapy Board of New Zealand (OTBNZ) will be assessed at each level.
Year one
Fieldwork 1 – Placement
30 on-site hours and 5 study hours per week for 4 weeks (140 hours)
Explore the role of the occupational therapist in placement setting(s) and demonstrate emerging professional skills, behaviours and attitudes.
When you finish this placement, you'll be able to:
1. Discuss the role of the occupational therapist and occupational therapy within the local context.
2. Demonstrate the ability to practice occupational therapy at an emergent level* across identified areas of competence within the placement(s) setting.
Fieldwork 2 – Placement (Dunedin or Hamilton only)
6.5 on-site hours per week for 14 weeks (91 hours)
Develop and maintain relationships, participate alongside others, and facilitate occupation within communities.
When you finish this placement, you'll be able to:
1.Discuss the occupational identity of self and others within communities.
2.Demonstrate participation in and facilitation of occupations that meet need(s) within a placement setting.
3.Explain how the placement setting sustains a sense of place and community within bicultural New Zealand.
4.Demonstrate communication and relationship building skills in diverse populations.
Year two
Fieldwork 3 – Placement
30 on-site hours and 5 study hours per week for 8 weeks (280 hours)
Apply specific occupational therapy skills and knowledge within the practice setting and demonstrate adequate professional behaviours and attitudes.
When you finish this placement, you'll be able to:
1.Justify occupational therapy practice within the local context using evidence-informed practice.
2.Demonstrate the ability to practice occupational therapy at an *adequate level across identified areas of competence within the placement(s) setting.
Year three
Fieldwork 4 – Placement
30 on-site hours and 5 study hours per week for 8 weeks (280 hours)
Demonstrate competence through consistent application of occupational therapy skills and knowledge, within the practice setting, sustaining professional behaviours and attitudes at a consistent level.
When you finish this placement, you'll be able to:
1.Critique the role of the occupational therapist and occupational therapy using evidence informed practice within the local context.
2.Practice occupational therapy at a consistent level* across identified areas of competence within the placement(s) setting.
Fieldwork 5 – Placement (Dunedin or Hamilton only)
17.5 on-site hours per week for 8 weeks (140 hours)
Apply occupational therapy knowledge and skills and sustain professional behaviours and attitudes at a consistent level.
When you finish this placement, you'll be able to:
1.Justify an occupational focus to selected health, well-being and community development initiatives.
2.Promote the role of the occupational therapist and the profession’s domain of concern using evidence informed practice within the local context.
3.Practice occupational therapy within a defined population at a consistent level* across identified areas of competence.
Meet the fieldwork team
Annette Jensen, Narinder Verma and Huhana Whautere assist with the preparation, allocation and support of students and supervising occupational therapists for the range of placements offered.
Please contact the Fieldwork team if you have any questions.
Freephone number 0800 800 583.
- Tiffany can be contacted by phone on 021 735 662 or email tiffany.brooke@op.ac.nz
- Narinder can be contacted by phone on 021 735 236 or email narinder.verma@op.ac.nz
- Huhana can be contacted by phone on 021 735 662 or email huhana.whautere@op.ac.nz
- Kristy can be contacted by phone on 039727141 or email kristy.richards@op.ac.nz.
Fieldwork Administration
Further study options
Increase your career prospects with any of our postgraduate Occupational Therapy programmes. Students who achieve a B grade average in the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy degree are eligible to complete a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours).
Workload
Your workload
This is a three year, full-time qualification which uses a variety of teaching methods including the blended learning approach.
This approach incorporates face-to-face lectures and tutorials, real-life scenarios, interactive groups, community experiences and online learning.
You'll need to study for about 20 hours on campus per week between 8am and 5pm weekdays, and the expectation is that you will participate in a further 20 hours of self-directed learning. You will identify your learning requirements and find the best ways to meet these needs, with the support of academic staff and your peers.
During this qualification, you will undertake five fieldwork placements in order to ensure you meet the competency levels for registration to practise as a New Zealand occupational therapist.
Entry
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
There are three options for achieving the entry criteria:
1. NCEA Level 3 including:
- 14 credits at Level 3 or above in each of three NZQA approved university entrance subjects, and
- 10 Literacy credits at Level 2 or above, made up of 5 credits in reading and 5 credits in writing, and
- 10 Numeracy credits at Level 1 or above, made up of:
- specified achievement standards available through a range of subjects OR
- package of three numeracy unit standards (26623, 26626, 26627 - all three required)
Changes to NCEA and UE due to Covid-19Due to the disruption caused by Covid-19, changes to the number of NCEA credits you need to achieve University Entrance (UE) have been put in place for those studying during 2022. You can find out the details of the changes here. If you completed your NCEA Level 3 during 2021, please visit this page on the NZQA website. There are different adjustments depending upon which part of New Zealand you studied in. |
2. A Level 4 qualification on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) equalling at least 60 credits completed in one year.
3. Successful completion of university courses/units equalling at least 50% of a first-year student workload completed in one year.
Other requirements
An elementary understanding of occupational therapy practice in Aotearoa/New Zealand, gained through observation or contact with and/or reading about occupational therapy.
You need to supply contact details for two referees, a health declaration, a medical examination and a conviction declaration. See more info in Completing your Application section below.
If accepted, you'll need to provide your immunisation status (see more info in Immunisation status section), obtain a Level 2 Comprehensive First Aid Certificate (including unit standards 6400, 6401 and 6402) that is valid for at least semester one of your programme, and complete the requirements of the Children's Act 2014 (including a police check).
Provisional entry
Any applicant who does not meet all of the entry criteria may be given provisional entry to year one at the discretion of the Head of School.
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.
Selection process
To be accepted, you must meet minimum academic standards and all other criteria. You may be required to attend an interview to provide clarification of issues raised within the application. All acceptable applicants will be allocated places on the basis of prior academic success and diversity of life experiences. 15% of preferred entry places in this programme are reserved for both those who identify as Māori, and males.
Note: There is a limited number of places on this programme and successful applicants must prioritise their study. It is your responsibility to ensure that you do not organise employment or other study that will conflict with the timetabled activities involved in this programme.
Immunisation status
Covid-19 vaccination information
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.
Immunisation status
If you are accepted for the programme, you will be notified that you must have current evidence of your immunisation status. You are encouraged to be immunised against Hepatitis B, Tuberculosis, and Varicella. Not having current immunisation will affect your ability to proceed to some specific fieldwork placements which might affect your progression within the programme. Clearance for Methicillan Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) is a requirement of fieldwork placement providers.
Don't meet the entry requirements?
If you don't have the academic qualifications required to enter the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy, our one year health bridging certificate can help you meet the minimum academic criteria for application. It consists of two separate Certificate qualifications - the New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 3) and the New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 4). You will be enrolled in both of these qualifications at the beginning of the year.
Please note: Due to the high demand for places, successful completion of our health bridging certificate will not automatically guarantee entry to this degree.
Want your existing skills recognised?
We will give credit in recognition of prior Learning (RPL) to the taught elements of the programme, in accordance with our RPL Academic Policy. You can't be granted Recognition of Prior Learning for any Year 2 or 3 courses. An application for RPL can be made anytime after you have been accepted on to the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy programme. Talk to us about this option if you want more information. Email info@op.ac.nz or phone 0800
Fees
Domestic fees
International fees
Fees Free
If you’re a domestic student and this is your first time doing tertiary study in New Zealand (over 60 credits at Level 3 or higher), you may be able to get your first year of tuition fees for free.
All the details and criteria are on the Fees Free website and you can check whether you’re going to be able to access funding by entering your National Student Number.
If you can access it, we’ll organise your fees with the Tertiary Education Commission when you’re enrolled to study with us. This funding doesn’t include additional costs or living costs.
Additional costs
Immunisation blood test screening costs approximately $300.
Polo shirt or fieldwork placement costs approximately $30.
First aid certificate costs $200-$300.
You will undertake five fieldwork placements during this qualification and will need to budget for these accordingly; associated costs may include but are not limited to travel to and from the placement, accommodation and the cost of meals.
You will need to buy your own stationery and cover the cost of printing reading/course materials.
You will also need to have access to a suitable computer or laptop. We use Moodle, an intranet website, to communicate with students and supply course material (handbooks, lecture notes etc), you will be supplied with log in details on your arrival. We also recommend you have the Microsoft Office package on your computer.
You may want to purchase textbooks from our recommended book list found here. However, our library will hold all the books on the list to borrow when required.
Multi-year 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.
Application
Completing your application
Before you apply, please make sure you understand the application process and all the requirements you need to meet.
You can enter information and upload documents directly into the application form. You may wish to prepare some of the required documents beforehand.
To begin your application, click the Apply button at the top of this page.
You will need to provide:
- Your academic record
- Written statements about your reasons for wanting to study this programme
- Contact details for two referees - (one academic and one employer or community representative.)
- A health declaration
- A Medical Examination
- A Fieldwork Agreement
- Proof of identity
- Evidence of your Covid-19 vaccinations
During the application process, you will also be asked to make a declaration regarding criminal convictions and asked whether you consent to police vetting.
Once you have been accepted into the programme you will need to provide:
- Evidence of your current immunisation status (this requires a blood test). You are encouraged to be immunised against Hepatitis B. Not having this immunisation will impact your access to some clinical placements, which could affect your progression in the course.
- Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) clearance is a requirement of a number of clinical placement providers. You may be tested for MRSA during your study. A positive result for MRSA may delay your progression in the programme as you will be unable to attend your clinical placement until you have clearance.
- A current Comprehensive Level 2 First Aid Certificate (Units 6400, 6401 and 6402).
- Completed Police Vetting form (please note: we also require a copy of a Criminal Clearance Report from every country you have lived in, for six months or more, since the age of 17. You can do this by contacting the embassy of the country directly or you could use a company such as Fit to Work (https://www.equifax.com.au/fit2work) to source these international police reports for you for a cost).
A change for 2023 enrolments
When you apply to study with Otago Polytechnic in 2023, you will be enrolled with Te Pūkenga, the new national network of vocational and applied education in Aotearoa New Zealand. You will learn in the same way, in the same place, and with the same people, and you will graduate with a Te Pūkenga qualification.
Disclaimer
While every effort is made to ensure that this sheet is accurate, Otago Polytechnic reserves the right to amend, alter or withdraw any of the contained information. The fees shown in this document are indicative only. Both domestic and international fees are subject to change and are dependent on the development and implementation of Government policies. Please note that additional fees may from time to time be required for external examination, NZQA fees and/or additional material fees.
