Occupational Science

This course is subject to validation. You can still apply for this course while it is being approved.

Overview

This new MSc in Occupational Science is the only programme of its kind in the UK.

Occupational science is the scientific study of humans as occupational beings. Occupational scientists study the impact of culture, environment and society on health and well-being. Whilst occupational science is not occupational therapy, it is the academic discipline that informs and shapes occupational therapy practice. This program has been designed to meet the demands of an evolving healthcare system and to provide a deeper understanding of occupation and its application to society.

Occupational therapists are increasingly working in multi-disciplinary teams, with traditional, diverse and emerging populations. The specialism of occupational therapy and the use of occupation as a framework for assessment, treatment and review of service user need has a key role in meeting current and emerging 21^st Century challenges. A sound understanding of occupation and its application to phenomena, populations, communities, cultures, environments, disorders, disabilities and illness is therefore needed to support and guide the developing occupational therapy workforce.

This programme is primarily designed for students with an undergraduate qualification in occupational therapy, but is also available for humanities, public health and social policy graduates who wish to study at MSc level in a specialist subject that has practical applications and relevance outside of occupational therapy.

The programme provides opportunities for existing and experienced staff to develop higher levels of mastery in their profession, providing modular content which can be tailored specifically to areas of specialism. The program provides modules that align with the pillars defined in the Advanced Clinical Practice Framework, including modules to develop clinical practice, leadership and management through core and optional elements, and the inclusion of research activities during the program, culminating in a research activity which will relate to clinical practice enhancement.

A blended learning approach will be adopted for this programme, including face-to-face on-campus delivery and aspects of distance learning. It is also available as a part-time programme. Our undergraduate Occupational Therapy programme is currently ranked third in the UK and has a well-established reputation for innovation and entrepreneurship.

Entry requirements

Applicants will be required to have either an undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in Occupational Therapy or a social or applied sciences subject at a 2:2 classification or above.

Applicants who have already achieved a Masters qualification (MA/MSc) or equivalent will also be considered for the programme.

Prior work experience is not mandatory for this programme. However, candidates who have relevant work experience will be assessed on an experiential basis.

Candidates with appropriate PG qualifications will have their qualifications mapped to ensure that the learning outcomes map from the achieved qualification to the Masters programme.

English language requirements

Applicants should also have a GCSE English Language qualification (or equivalent) at Grade C/4 or have achieved IELTS 6.0 or above (with no subtest less than 5.5).

If you do not meet the IELTS requirement, you can take a University of Bradford pre-sessional English course. See the Language Centre for more details. For further information on English Language requirements please see the dedicated international entry requirements page.

What you will study

The MSc in Occupational Science will follow a modulated format and will enable students to build a personalised MSc route, including modules from the Faculty of Health Studies CPD provision, as well as from other faculties at the University of Bradford. The programme structure allows students to choose different modules in order to develop a personalised plan relative to their own particular areas of interest and aspects of employment.

The proposed curriculum (subject to validation) includes the study / undertaking of:

Applied Occupational Science
Managing People in Health and Social Care
Leadership for Advanced Practitioners
Preparing for / Pursuing Primary Research
Preparing for / Pursuing a Systematic Review
Management Project

Fees, finance and scholarships

Tuition fee 2021

Home: £7,370

International: £17,682

Additional costs

There may be additional costs that you may incur as a student. Though these are not essential to your programme of study you need to be aware of them as a student of the University. A list of the sort of costs you might expect can be found on our fees and finance section.

Financial support

See our fees and financial support section.

Scholarships

Every year we award numerous non-repayable scholarships to UK, EU and international students on the basis of academic excellence, personal circumstances or economic hardship. For full details, visit our scholarships section.

Career support

The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance employability and this is an integral part of many programmes. Specialist support is available throughout the course from Career and Employability Services including help to find part-time work while studying, placements, vacation work and graduate vacancies. Students are encouraged to access this support at an early stage and to use the extensive resources on the Careers website.

Discussing options with specialist advisers helps to clarify plans through exploring options and refining skills of job-hunting. In most of our programmes there is direct input by Career Development Advisers into the curriculum or through specially arranged workshops.

Career prospects

Occupational therapists are now expected to not only be competent in understanding research but to engage in primary research to develop the evidence base for occupational therapy. This has created increasing demand for postgraduate training.

A review conducted by The NHS England and NHS Improvement board (2019) recognised that career progression opportunities for allied health professionals tended to have a singular focus via clinical specialism, research pathway, educational roles, or leadership and management. However, high numbers of the workforce felt that if they chose managerial and leadership roles, they would be forced to give up on clinical specialism and practice. Because of this many allied health professionals did not step into management posts because they felt they had worked hard to attain the levels of specialism they had and did not want to give up these aspects of their career. The review proposed that allied health professionals should be encouraged to retain their clinical expertise and practice as well as being supported into leadership roles. This MSc programme maps onto these proposals, enabling practitioners to enhance clinical knowledge whist also engaging in leadership and managerial development.

The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (2019) RCOT research and development strategy 2019–2024 aims to support the development of research confidence, capability and capacity within the occupational therapy workforce. The strategy supports the need for occupational therapists to engage in research to further develop the evidence base which underpins OT practice. This requires all occupational therapists to actively engage in research activities. However, the strategy recognises that many existing occupational therapists lack the skills to do so and require further training. In addition many occupational therapists prioritise their roles as clinical practitioners thus find it challenging to envisage or engage in research activities. The MSc program includes specific research modules as core requirements, thus supporting practitioners understanding of research and the value of it in clinical practice. The final year dissertation module requires students to actively pursue primary research or a systematic review that may or may not relate to their practice. Additionally other modules within the program develop studentsunderstanding and confidence in appreciating and using evidence and research, thus familiarising students with research concepts and principles of practice. Students will be encouraged and supported to publish their work.

Study support

Our comprehensive support services will help you to achieve your full potential – both academically and personally.

We provide all you need to make the very best of your time with us, and successfully progress through your studies and on into the world of graduate employment.

Our support services include:

Personal tutors
Disability services
Counselling services
MyBradford student support centres
The Students’ Union
Chaplaincy and faith advisers
An on-campus nursery
Halls wardens

We have well-stocked libraries and excellent IT facilities across campus. These facilities are open 24 hours a day during term time, meaning you’ll always find a place to get things done on campus.

Our Academic Skills Advice Service will work with you to develop your academic, interpersonal and transferable skills.

Research

Students will have the opportunity to review current practice through analysis of service provision data and develop evidence-based practice through qualitative and quantitative research.

Occupational therapy academics at the University of Bradford are research active, undertaking occupational science scholarship and funded research. Research areas include the exploration of hoarding as an occupation, with the aim of informing new and more effective interventions to support hoarders, and investigating occupational poverty of teen and retiring professional footballers with the aim improving health and welling via occupational balance.

Martin Fitzgerald
Programme Leader. Occupational Therapy Lecturer

This is the current course information. Modules and course details may change, subject to the University's programme approval, monitoring and review procedures. The University reserves the right to alter or withdraw courses, services and facilities as described on our website without notice and to amend Ordinances, Regulations, fees and charges at any time. Students should enquire as to the up-to-date position when applying for their course of study.