>

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.

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.

This degree is accredited by the Occupational Therapy Board of New Zealand, this means that on completion you are eligible to apply for registration as an occupational therapist to work in Aotearoa New Zealand. This degree is approved 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 

Six year option

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.

Three and a half year option

We also offer the chance for you to complete one or two, year one courses part-time starting in July each year. This will mean that you will complete your degree in three and half years.

Please note: Studying part-time can impact on your loan/allowance from StudyLink. Please make sure you check this with them before beginning your study with us. 

Courses 

This is a three year, full-time qualification which consists of two semesters per year. The total credits for the programme are 360.

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.

Year one

Total credits = 120 

Year one, semester one
Course name Summary Outcomes

Foundations of Occupational Therapy

(15 credits)

This course enables ākonga | learners to understand the concept of occupation and explore the fundamental principles of occupational therapy in the context of health and wellbeing.

Discuss the significance of occupation to health and wellbeing.

Articulate the whakapapa | genesis of whakaora ngangahau | occupational therapy practice in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Discuss the application of selected occupational therapy models/frameworks to simple scenarios.

Apply the concepts of the occupational therapy process to simple scenarios.

Professional Practice 

(15 credits)

 

This course enables ākonga | learners to develop and apply foundational professional practice skills in a variety of situations.

Apply effective communication skills and therapeutic use of self to develop whānaungatanga | relationships.

Analyse the components and demands of an occupation and grade and adapt it effectively.

Apply reflective models to enhance professional practice skills.

Human Body and Movement 1

(15 credits)

 

This course enables ākonga | learners to develop foundational knowledge in key body systems and movement.

 

Identify and explain relevant structures and functions of the human musculoskeletal system.

Explain foundational concepts of kinesiology and biomechanics as they apply to purposeful movement and occupational performance.

Identify and explain the skills and processes required to assess purposeful movement. 

Fieldwork 1 

(15 credits)

 

This course enables ākonga | learners to explore and discuss the role of the kaiwhakaora ngangahau | occupational therapist in placement setting(s) and demonstrate emerging professional skills, behaviours and attitudes.

 

Discuss the role of the kaiwhakaora ngangahau and whakaora ngangahau | occupational therapy within the local context.

Demonstrate the ability to practise whakaora ngangahau at an emergent level across identified areas of competence within the placement(s). 

Year one, semester two 
Course name Summary Outcomes

Human Mind and Behaviour

(15 credits)

This course enables ākonga | learners to demonstrate knowledge of psychological theories that are relevant to the practice of whakaora ngangahau | occupational therapy.

Analyse a range of psychological theories and the core beliefs underpinning occupational development and functioning.

Recognise and apply psychological concepts in relation to self and others in an occupational context relevant to Aotearoa New Zealand.

Human Body and Movement 2 

(15 credits)

 

This course enables ākonga | learners to demonstrate an understanding of key body systems and relate them to occupational performance and participation.

 

Identify and explain structures and physiological functions of identified human body systems and senses.

Explain the impact of system dysfunction on human health, purposeful movement, and occupational performance.

Fieldwork 2 

(15 credits)

 

This course enables ākonga | learners to develop and maintain relationships, participate alongside others, and facilitate occupation within communities.

 

Discuss the occupational identity of self and others within communities.

Demonstrate participation in and facilitation of occupations that meet the need(s) of people within a placement setting.

Explain how the placement setting sustains a sense of place and community within Aotearoa New Zealand.

Demonstrate communication and relationship building skills in diverse populations.

Te Puāwaitanga 

(15 credits)

 

This course enables ākonga | learners to develop their learning of culture and reflect on how kawa whakaruruhau | cultural safety can be demonstrated as a kaiwhakaora ngangahau | occupational therapist in an Aotearoa New Zealand context.

 

Reflect on cultural identities and how these inform whakaora ngangahau practice.

Discuss the importance of culturally safe practice within whakaora ngangahau.

Apply tikanga practices appropriately in a mārae or equivalent wānanga setting.

Year two 

Total credits = 120 

Year two, semester one 
Course name Summary Outcomes

Applied Professional Practice 

(30 credits)

 

This course enables ākonga | learners to apply and integrate evidence-informed professional practice skills necessary for both whakaora ngangahau | occupational therapy and inter-professional practice in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Apply an occupational therapy process that is responsive to Te Tiriti o Waitangi in the Aotearoa New Zealand context.

Justify and demonstrate core occupation centered practice skills used by kaiwhakaora ngangahau | occupational therapists.

Critically reflect on interprofessional practice and collaboration skills relevant to whakaora ngangahau practice in the Aotearoa New Zealand context.

Occupational Therapy: Theory in Practice 

(15 credits)

This course enables ākonga | learners to develop and apply professional reasoning strategies to justify whakaora ngangahau | occupational therapy practice decisions.

 

Apply relevant inquiry methods to support evidence-informed whakaora ngangahau practice.

Justify the use of appropriate occupation-based models and frames of reference in practice scenarios.

Apply professional reasoning strategies to support whakaora ngangahau decision making.

Informing Practice: Person

(15 credits)

 

This course enables ākonga | learners to critically analyse the multifaceted nature of people or collectives, to identity needs, strengths and challenges which impact participation in meaningful occupations.

 

Critically evaluate the impact of illness, injury disability and/or life stage or circumstances, in relation to a person, whānau, or community and their occupations and environments.

Analyse a person’s capability to meet the demands of environments and occupations.

Justify occupational therapy practice that enhances a person’s occupational participation. 

Year two, semester two 
Course name Summary Outcomes

Informing Practice: Occupation 

(15 credits)

 

This course enables ākonga | learners to critically analyse the multifaceted nature of occupation and how occupational therapists use occupation in practice.

 

Justify the purposeful use of occupations in a range of whakaora ngangahau | occupational therapy practice settings.

Apply the concepts of occupational science to people and populations within Te Tiriti responsive Aotearoa New Zealand.

Informing Practice: Environment 

(15 credits)

 

This course enables ākonga | learners to critically analyse the multifaceted nature of environments and how occupational therapists work with and within environments.

Justify whakaora ngangahau | occupational therapy practice in the analysis, use, adaptation, and modification of environments and/or equipment.

Critically evaluate a range of environments, social, cultural, institutional, and physical to promote occupation.

Fieldwork 3

(30 credits)

 

This course enables ākonga | learners to apply specific whakaora ngangahau | occupational therapy skills and knowledge within the practice setting and demonstrate appropriate professional behaviours and attitudes.

Justify the role of the whakaora ngangahau | occupational therapy within the local context using evidence-informed practice.

Demonstrate the ability to practise whakaora ngangahau at an appropriate level across identified areas of competence within the placement(s) setting.

Year three

Total credits = 120 

Year three, semester one 
Course name Summary Outcomes

Professional Reasoning 

(15 credits)

 

This course enables ākonga to apply professional reasoning to complex situations.

 

Critique and evaluate a range of sources of evidence to justify practice decisions.

Critically analyse the inter-relatedness of occupational therapy practice within complex practice situations.

Justify and negotiate ethical dilemmas within whakaora ngangahau | occupational therapy practice in Aotearoa New Zealand.

 

Occupational Participation: Long-term Wellbeing 

(15 credits)

 

This course enables ākonga | learners to work collaboratively with people who experience long-term hauora | wellbeing needs, drawing on trauma-informed approaches for equitable and sustainable occupational participation within Aotearoa New Zealand.

 

Critically analyse and justify a whakaora ngangahau |occupational therapy approach with people who experience long-term hauora | wellbeing needs, to enable participation in occupations.

Critically justify professional reasoning which considers the influence of contextual factors, and an occupational justice perspective when working with people who experience long-term hauora | wellbeing needs.

 

Occupational Participation: Neurological Rehabilitation 

(15 credits)

 

This course enables ākonga | learners to work collaboratively with people who experience neurological challenges, drawing on occupation-based and neurological approaches for equitable and sustainable occupational participation within Aotearoa New Zealand.

 

Critically analyse and justify a whakaora ngangahau | occupational therapy approach with people who experience neurological challenges, to enable participation in occupations.

Critically justify professional reasoning which considers the influence of contextual factors and an occupational justice perspective when working with people who experience neurological challenges.

Occupational Participation: Ageing Well 

(15 credits)

This course enables ākonga | learners to work collaboratively with the older population to age well, drawing on occupation-based approaches for equitable and sustainable occupational participation within Aotearoa New Zealand.

 

Critically analyse and justify a whakaora ngangahau | occupational therapy approach with older people who experience age-related changes and comorbidities, to enable participation in occupations.

Critically justify professional reasoning which considers the influence of contextual factors and an occupational justice perspective when working with people to facilitate ageing well. 

Year three, semester two
Course name Summary Outcomes

Fieldwork 4 

(30 credits)

 

This course enables ākonga |earners to demonstrate professional competence through consistent application of whakaora ngangahau | occupational therapy skills and knowledge, within the practice setting, sustaining professional behaviours and attitudes at a consistent level.

 

Critique the role of the kaiwhakaora ngangahau | occupational therapist and whakaora ngangahau using evidence informed practice within the local context.

Practise whakaora ngangahau at a consistent level across identified areas of competence within the placement(s) setting. 

Fieldwork 5 

(15 credits)

 

This course enables ākonga | learners to apply whakaora ngangahau | occupational therapy knowledge, skills and values, to collaboratively develop and implement a project that meets an identified community need, while sustaining professional behaviours and attitudes at a consistent level.

Identify and justify a community project to meet an occupational need.

Use evidence-informed practice to develop and implement a sustainable community-based project, in collaboration with a community partner.

Practise whakaora ngangahau | occupational therapy within a community setting, at a consistent level across identified areas of competence.

Future Practice: Negotiated Learning 

Elective 

(15 credits)

 

This course enables ākonga | learners to undertake individualised study, which focuses in-depth on a selected topic in whakaora ngangahau | occupational therapy.

 

Critically evaluate literature on a selected topic relevant to whakaora ngangahau therapy practice and discuss its significance to Aotearoa New Zealand.

Critique aspects of occupational therapy practice for a sustainable future within Aotearoa New Zealand.

Apply appropriate tikanga of the marae or equivalent wananga setting.

Critically reflect on cultural safe whakaora ngangahau practice.

Future Practice

Elective 

(15 credits)

 

This course enables ākonga | learners to become competent, reflective, sustainable future kaiwhakaora ngangahau | occupational therapy practitioners in Aotearoa New Zealand.

 

Critically evaluate literature on a selected topic relevant to whakaora ngangahau | occupational therapy practice, demonstrating responsiveness to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Develop and critique aspects of occupational therapy practice for a sustainable future within Aotearoa New Zealand. 

Apply appropriate tikanga of the marae or equivalent wānanga setting. Critically reflect on cultural safe whakaora ngangahau practice.

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.

Placements

Year one

Fieldwork 1 – Placement

30 on-site hours and 5 study hours per week for 4 weeks (140 hours + 10 hours preparation)

Summary

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)

Summary

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 + 20 hours preparation)

Summary

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 + 10 hours preparation)

Summary 

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)

Summary 

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

The Fieldwork team are here to 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 0800 800 583 or email otfieldwork@op.ac.nz.

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).