Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours)

Registered occupational therapists assist people in managing constraints caused by injury or illness, as well as emotional, developmental, environmental, societal, age-related and psychological limitations.

They help people of all ages achieve their goals, optimise their lifestyles and actively participate in society irrespective of limitations.

This degree is designed to ensure you graduate with the knowledge, skills and attributes needed to become an innovative and competent occupational therapist.

With a strong focus on practical skills, you will complete more than 1,000 hours of field placements in settings such as community agencies, kindergartens and aged care facilities, providing valuable hands-on experience that will enable a seamless transition from study to the workforce.

What you'll need Students who undertake activities where interaction with patients/the public is required for their degree, such as field or clinical placements/visits and in University clinics and gyms, must demonstrate they meet mandatory pre-placement conditional requirements.

These include criminal history clearance, a Working with Children Check and immunisation requirements.

Please visit the Clinical Placement Unit for information on key requirements, and to access the full student checklists.

All students enrolled in a program leading to professional registration must be registered with the relevant National Board.

The registration process is undertaken by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) with the University providing notification to AHPRA following enrolment in the program.

Entry requirements

Admission criteria

The admission criteria have been grouped to assist you to easily find the information most relevant to your circumstances. However, you may fit into more than one and the university will consider applicants against each of the relevant criteria.

Certain conditions apply. For more information refer to Appendix 4 of the University's Selection and Entry policy.

Applicants are required to meet one of the following criteria with a competitive result, and demonstrate that they fulfil any prerequisite requirements and essential requirements for admission:

Recent secondary education Meet any prerequisite requirements with a minimum grade of C- or equivalent AND

• Qualify for the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), and achieved a competitive Selection Rank (ATAR), or
• Complete secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE, or
• Complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum score of 24 points

Applicants who have not achieved the Selection Rank required for automatic selection may be selected for any remaining places based on the grades of their year 12 subjects.

Recent secondary education ATAR profile

OR Higher education study

• Complete or partly complete a recognised higher education program at a recognised higher education institution, or
• Complete at least four Open Universities Australia (OUA) courses at undergraduate level or above

OR Vocational Education and Training (VET)

• Complete an award from a registered training organisation at Advanced Diploma level or above

OR Work and life experience

• Qualify for Special Entry, or
• Complete a UniSA Foundation Studies program or equivalent, or
• Hold completed secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE obtained more than 2 years in the past

Essential requirements for admission

Prerequisites

Assumed Knowledge

Deferment

This degree is available for deferment. This option is made available by responding to your offer during the application process via the SATAC website. Applicants who receive an offer into a midyear degree are eligible to defer for six months.

Students who undertake activities where interaction with patients/the public is required for their degree, such as field or clinical placements/visits and in University clinics and gyms, must demonstrate they meet mandatory pre-placement conditional requirements. These include criminal history clearance, a Working with Children Check and immunisation requirements. Please visit the Clinical Placement Unit for information on key requirements, and to access the full student checklists.

All students enrolled in a program leading to professional registration must be registered with the relevant National Board. The registration process is undertaken by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) with the University providing notification to AHPRA following enrolment in the program.

During the first two years of this degree you will study the basics needed to gain a clear understanding of the links between human occupations, health, development, illness and disability. The topics covered in these early stages include:

• human anatomy
• human physiology
• human neurosciences
• growth and lifespan development
• psychology
• occupational science
• sociology
• group work.

Second and third years focus on application specific courses, including mental health, occupation rehabilitation, chronic conditions, community focus, primary health care and health promotion, as well as participatory community practice.

Practical learning is a strong focus, particularly during your second, third and fourth years when you will practice your skills in a variety of settings during extensive field placements. You will also attend workshops in a variety of industry settings such as Guide Dogs SA, Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre, and Independent Living Centres.

Knowledge and skills in problem solving, communication, lifelong learning, ethical action and valuing difference are emphasised and developed throughout the degree.

For each course you study, you will need to allocate time for various classes such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Plus you will need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects and contribute to online discussion forums (independent study). So as a general rule, if you are studying full-time you would need to allocate 12 – 26 hours of study when at university and 14 – 28 hours of independent study per week.

Your studies at UniSA will incorporate practical, professionally focused and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. You can expect them to include:

All of our teachers are registered occupational therapists and accomplished researchers, which means you are not only offered exceptional learning opportunities but also valuable industry contacts. During your practice placements you will develop relationships and networks to prepare you for entering the workforce once you’ve graduated.

You will also work alongside experienced researchers when you complete a research project and thesis during your final year of study. This affiliation not only provides exceptional learning opportunities but is also an important networking opportunity.

We also host regular University-wide employee master classes and employment expos, and alumni events in Australia and overseas.

Your career

A successful occupational therapist is practical, logical, attentive and observant. You will enjoy working with people and be mentally and physically capable. This field of work is immensely rewarding and can offer exciting challenges, assisting people of all ages to overcome physical and mental barriers in their life.

As an occupational therapist you can gain employment in a range of settings across the various health, disability and community sectors, working with people across the lifespan including:

• hospital and acute services
• private practice
• community mental health services
• ambulatory and rehabilitation services
• aged care facilities
• community services
• home care programs
• local council services
• government departments
• schools
• not for profit and non-government sector
• primary health networks.

There are also opportunities to work with both children and their families, to assist with the child’s development of functional skills and strategies to build their motor skills, social skills and self-care.

The degree prepares you for working overseas, as the qualification is recognised in most countries.

You may also choose to pursue a career in research – graduates with honours degrees are highly sought after by prospective employers, particularly within academia and research settings.

Applying to study with us:

• go to the top of this page and make note of the SATAC code, then click Apply
• you will be redirected through to the SATAC website to continue your application

Please note that all pathways are competitive and no guaranteed due to limited places. A competitive Grade Point Average (GPA) and other entry criteria (including prerequisites) apply. For more information, visit unisa.edu.au/study or contact our Future Student Enquiries Team at unisa.edu.au/enquire or on (08) 8302 2376.

Our campuses have fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and areas that simulate real work environments. But you’ll also discover that your journey at UniSA is about social experiences, healthy living and getting involved. You’ll find student sports and fitness facilities, community clinics, tech zones and chill-out spaces. There are campus sport activities to keep you active, and if you are keen to explore the social side of university life, there are movies, cooking demonstrations, parties and loads more.

Adelaide has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation or private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages for plenty of options. If you need somewhere to live, our new student accommodation by urbanest is on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, an ideal perfect location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.

Our student support services will make your life at university easier. We want you to be successful, and if you need help, we're here to assist. We provide a full range of support services, including:

• academic counselling
• personal counselling
• social support services, including family support and nearby childcare

We have six campuses in metropolitan and regional areas, each with advanced facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, laboratories, and areas that simulate real work environments.

As an occupational therapy student, you will have access to:

• Occupational therapy teaching rooms
• Anatomy laboratory
• Physiology laboratory.