Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours)
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours)
This programme falls under School of Life Sciences and Allied Health Professions (SLAHP)
Department of Rehabilitation Sciences
Course Description
Why (study) the programme
The occupational therapy programme aims to cultivate a dynamic learning environment that fosters innovation, entrepreneurship and excellence. We aim to equip students with the knowledge, attitudes, skills and ethical grounding necessary to become compassionate and competent Occupational Therapists. Students will be fully conversant with the occupational therapy process for the management and rehabilitation of patients in all areas of impairment or disability including physical, mental, emotional and psychosocial areas of well-being.
Programme structure
This Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) programme is a four-year full time study programme.
Students joining straight from secondary education are required to complete a one-year foundation programme where they will learn pre-medical sciences prior to joining first year of occupational therapy.
The first year of the occupational therapy programme will cover basic medical sciences which are taught in conjunction with other health sciences students by the Divisions of Basic Medical Sciences and Pathology.
From second year to fourth year the core subjects of occupational therapy will be taught. Clinical placements are a vital part of the curriculum and students will be placed in varied settings including but not limited to: hospitals including mental hospitals, community settings, prison service, police, corporate settings, different Ministries etc. Students will gain hands-on experience under the supervision of assigned tutors or supervisors.
The mature entry Bachelor of occupational therapy programme is a two-year full time study programme for students who already have a Diploma in occupational therapy (NOT occupational therapy technician – OTT)
The entry point is third year due to their previous learning and working experience. The third year of the occupational therapy programme will consist of ten theoretical modules which covers their identified learning gaps and one clinical learning module.
The fourth year consists of eight theoretical learning modules in the first semester and four clinical learning modules in the second semester. Clinical work will be conducted through placements at designated settings where the students will have hands-on experience under the supervision of assigned tutors or supervisors.
Career prospects
- Peadiatric occupational therapy– working with children with developmental/ mental/ neurological/ cognitive/movement/congential disorders/ learning difficulties
- Neurology – Working with people disorders of the nervous system
- Orthopeadic – Working with people experiencing difficulties with managing their everyday activities caused by orthopaedic conditions i.e. fractures, traumatic injuries etc
- Refugees/ Prisoners/ Retirees – working with all people who have lost their routines, purpose and general loss of occupations
- Community – working within the community to promote health and well-being for all
- Geriatrics and Mental Health
- Environmental – working to ensure that environments are conducive for employees to work, reducing the risk of falls and harm within working environments etc. Ensuring accessibility for all within the work environment. Adapting environments to ensure that they are fit for the purpose they are intended etc.
- Return to work assessments and management after injuries or any other illness
- Risk management – reducing the risk of pollution, working hours ro minimise the risk of injury caused by over work etc.
- Ergonomics – ensuring that equipment is fit for purpose, adapting equipment, ensuring correct seating etc.
Entry Requirements
a) At Foundation level/Pre-med
To enter the programme at foundation the learner must meet one of the following:
- Candidate must be a holder of MSCE/IGSCE or other internationally recognised qualification comparable to ‘O’ level certificates with at least six credit passes (a minimum of 4 points Biology and Physical Science at MSCE or ‘C’ at IGCSE) including English Language and Mathematics obtained in the current year or the previous 2 years. The following is the interpretation of IGCSE results for admission purposes: A+ (90-100) = 1; A (80-89) = 1; B (70-79) = 2; C (60-69) = 3; D (55-59) = 4; E (49-54) = 5; F (40-48) = 6; G (34-39) = 7; O-8
- Diploma in Occupational Therapy / Rehabilitation Technician with at least two years of relevant work experience and 6 MSCE/O-Level credits including English language, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and/or Physical Science
- A Degree or Diploma in any non-science field plus 6 MSCE or O-Level credits including Biology and Chemistry/Physical Science a third science subject like Physics or Mathematics. Candidates should have a grade of not more than “4 points” or “C” in Biology, Chemistry/Physical Science.
b) At Year 1
To enter the programme at year one the learner must meet one of the following:
- 3 A-Level passes with a grade of at least ‘C’ in Biology, Chemistry and a third science subject like Mathematics or Physics obtained in the current year or the previous 2 years. Further, candidates must have MSCE/O-Level credit passes in English and Mathematics if these two subjects were not done at A-Levels.
- At least an average of 60% in Chemistry, Biology and a third Science subject like Mathematics, Physics or Statistics at the end of second year of a recognised Bachelor of Science/Education Science Degree programme.
- A recognized Bachelor of Science/Education Science Degree majoring in Biology and Chemistry obtained from a recognised institution.
c) Mature Entry
A candidate with a Diploma in Occupational Therapy (NOT Occupational Therapy Technician – OTT) with at least two years of relevant work experience and 6 MSCE/O-Level credits including English language, Biology, Physics, Chemistry and/or Physical Science obtained from an institution recognised by KUHeS shall join the programme at year three.
