Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy

NFQ Level 8 major Award Honours Bachelor Degree
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Course code
LM104
Duration
Four Years
Fees
See what fees may apply to students
Subject area
Health Sciences
Course Director
Dr Katie Robinson
Email
Katie.Robinson@ul.ie
Tel
+353 61 213370
Admissions:
Tel
+353 (0)61 233755
Queries
Contact the Academic Registry
Apply Now for September

Why study occupational therapy at UL?

A graduate entry MSc program in occupational therapy has been offered at the University of Limerick for many years. This new BSc in occupational therapy program due to commence in 2024 is designed to prepare graduates who will be competent, reflective and evidence- based practitioners. Interprofessional education is incorporated throughout the programme and there will be opportunities for you to engage in shared learning with other allied health students at the University of Limerick.

Please note that this programme will make an application for approval by Occupational Therapists Registration Board, CORU. There is no guarantee that the programme will be approved.

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What you will study

The Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy is a four-year degree programme which includes a total of 1000 hours of practice education placement completed at various sites. In the first year of the program you will study anatomy and physiology related to human performance and human development across the lifespan. Later years include modules on occupational therapy services for children and young people, people living with mental health difficulties, musculoskeletal disorders, chronic and neurological conditions and older adults. Students will have opportunities at all stages of the program to develop professional skills including communication and advocacy skills, clinical reasoning skills and skills

in the use of evidence in practice. In the final year of the program students will learn about leadership and management in health and social care and will complete a research project.

Pre-placement Health Screen and Vaccination check

On practice education placement you will be considered a category A Health Care worker and must therefore fulfil vaccination requirements. Successful completion of the health screening, vaccinations certification and CPR certification are programme requirements for this degree. Health screening/vaccination certificates and the purchase of uniforms for placements will incur costs to the student.

Please note that practice education placements take place at a variety of sites nationally and will incur additional costs for students of travel and accommodation.

Occupational therapy is a wide-ranging and varied profession, and you are strongly encouraged to seek some work experience in a setting where occupational therapists work (e.g. primary care, hospital, mental health services, older adult services) to help inform your decision.

You can read more about occupational therapy here

Initially there will be 20-25 places available, which includes 1-3 places for mature entry students.

Students are required to complete a minimum of 1000 hours on practice education placement as part of the degree programme. There are 4 practice education placements embedded through the programme which take place in a variety of sites nationally as required, to ensure that all students have a breath of experiences.

The School of Allied Health is a leader in developing and delivering innovative, inter-professional learning on our programmes in Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, and Nutrition and Dietetics. This progresses from learning with, from and about each other in modules, to working collaboratively in teams both within university and practice education settings.

Entry requirements

Minimum grades

Min requirements: 2 H5 & 4 O6/H7

Maths: F6/O6/H7

Note: Grade F6 in Foundation Mathematics also satisfies the minimum entry requirements. Foundation Maths is not reckonable for scoring purposes.

English: O6/H7

2nd language: O6/H7

Science: O3/H7 in any one of the following: Physics, Chemistry, Physics with Chemistry, Biology, Physical Education, Agricultural Science
Subject requirements

Additional Information:

  • Student Vetting
  • Fitness to Practise
Additional considerations

Min requirements: 2 H5 4 O6/H7

Maths: F6/O6/H7

Note: Grade F6 in Foundation Mathematics also satisfies the minimum entry requirements. Foundation Maths is not reckonable for scoring purposes.

English: O6/H7

2nd language: O6/H7

Science: O3/H7 in any one of the following: Physics, Chemistry, Physics with Chemistry, Biology, Physical Education, Agricultural Science

Mature Students

 

Applications are especially welcome from Mature Students. Mature applicants must apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO) by 1 February.

Application information for mature student applicants
Non-EU Entry Requirements

How to apply

 

Where are you applying from? How to Apply
Ireland Irish students must apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found here. 
The UK  Students who have completed their A-Levels can apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found on the Academic Registry website. 
The EU EU Students can apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found on the Academic Registry website.
Non-EU country If you are outside of the EU, you can apply for this degree here.

Fees and funding

Student course fees are broken into three components - Student contribution, Student Levy and Tuition Fees.

A number of illustrative examples of fees for this course based on the current fee levels have been set out in the tables below.

An explanation of the components, how to determine status and the criteria involved is provided below the examples as is a list of possible scholarships and funding available.

EU Students with Free fees status in receipt of a SUSI grant

HEA pays Tuition Fees €4,262
SUSI pays Student contribution €3,000
Student pays Student Levy €100
€7,362

EU Students with Free fees status not in receipt of a grant

HEA pays Tuition Fees €4,262
Student pays Student contribution €3,000
Student pays Student Levy €100
€7,362

Students with EU fee status not in receipt of a grant

Student pays Tuition Fees €4,262
Student pays Student contribution €3,000
Student pays Student Levy €100
€7,362

Non-EU Students

Student pays Tuition Fees €20,542
Student pays Student Levy €100
€20,642

Student course fees are comprised of the following components:

Student Contribution

Annual charge set by the government for all full-time third level students. All students are liable unless they have been approved for a grant by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). Please refer to https://www.studentfinance.ie to determine your eligibility for a grant and for instructions on how to apply. The current student contribution is set at €3000.

Student Levy

All students are liable to pay the Student Levy of €100. Please note the Student Levy is not covered by the SUSI Grant.

Tuition Fees

These are based on Residency, Citizenship, Course requirements.

Review the three groups of criteria to determine your fee status as follows

  1. Residency
    • You must have been living in an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland for at least 3 of the 5 years before starting your course
  2. Citizenship
    • You must be a citizen of an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland or have official refugee status
  3. Course Requirements (all must be met)
    • You must be a first time full-time undergraduate (Exceptions are provided for students who hold a Level 6 or Level 7 qualification and are progressing to a Level 8 course in the same general area of study).
    • You must be undertaking a full-time undergraduate course of at least 2 year’s duration
    • You cannot be undertaking a repeat year of study at the same level unless evidence of exceptional circumstances eg serious illness is provided (in which case this condition may be waived)

Depending on how you meet these criteria your status will be one of the following -

  • Free Fee Status: You satisfy all three categories (1, 2 and 3) and therefore are eligible for the Higher Education Authority’s Free Fees scheme.
  • EU Fee Status: You satisfy both the citizenship and residency criteria but fail to satisfy the course requirements and are liable to EU fees.
  • Non EU Fee Status: You do not meet either the citizenship or residency criteria and are therefore liable to Non EU fees.

More information about fees can be found on the Finance website

These scholarships are available for all courses