Students on this broad and varied Occupational Therapy course study psychology, anatomy and physiology, as well as occupational therapy theories, assessment and treatment approaches and evidence-based practice.

The UCC course stands out from other occupational therapy courses in its focus on your development – both personal and professional – which is interwoven throughout academic and practice-based modules. 

Learning is different at UCC too. Complex task-based learning (TBL) is the medium through which you will study, with a lot of self-directed individual and group work. Emphasis is placed on being able to talk about what you are doing and thinking. Your knowledge, skills and abilities will be developed in a logical sequence over the course of the four years.

At UCC, we place equal emphasis on learning to work with children/young people and adults/older adults and on developing expertise in the areas of physical and mental health.

On our course, we want to educate future practitioners who possess the knowledge, skills and attitudes to deliver traditional occupational therapy and are prepared to be leaders in policy development and emerging areas of practice.

Year 1 Modules:

AN1060  Topographical Anatomy (5 credits);

AP1249  Introduction to Developmental and Social Perspectives on Psychology (5 credits);

OT1001 & OT1002  Person Environment Occupation I & II (15 credits each);

OT1004  Becoming a Healthcare Professional (5 credits);

OT1005 Creative Occupations and Health (5 credits);

OT1006 Practice Education I (5 credits);

PL1025 Fundamentals of Physiology (5 credits)

Year 2 Modules:

Developmental Neuro-anatomy for Occupational Therapy;  Advanced Developmental Psychology;  Introduction to Research Methods;  Person Environment Occupation;  Becoming a Professional Practitioner;  Practice Education;  Personal Professional Development

Year 3 Modules:

Applied Neurology for Occupational Therapy;  Applied Developmental Psychology II:   The Psychology of Ageing;  Advanced Research Methods;  Personal Professional Development; Becoming a Professional Practitioner;  Person Environment Occupation;  Practice Education

Year 4 Modules:

Integrated Professional Practice;  Practice Education;  Research-Based Project;  Personal Professional Development.

On successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

• promote health and wellbeing through participation in occupation across the lifespan
• practise occupational therapy in accordance with the World Federation of Occupational Therapists Revised Minimum Standards for the Education of Occupational Therapists (2002) ensuring your practice is occupation-based, evidence-based, person-centred and culturally sensitive
• apply the occupational therapy process to individuals, groups and communities of all age groups in context, based on strong theory and evidence
• practise in adherence with legal, ethical and best practice guidelines
• establish and maintain therapeutic and professional relationships in a range of practice settings
• demonstrate professional reasoning skills and reflective practice in a broad range of practice settings
• value the context of professional practice, demonstrating a critical awareness of health and social policies and legislation
• demonstrate a commitment to continuing professional education and lifelong learning, for yourself and others
• engage in research to advance knowledge and practice development in occupational science and occupational therapy.

See the College Calendar for more detailed information on the programme and the Book of Modules for a more detailed description of programme modules.

Leaving Certificate entry requirements: 

H5 in two subjects, and O6/H7 in four other subjects in the Leaving Certificate from Irish, English, another language, Mathematics, one Laboratory Science subject (i.e. Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Physics with Chemistry (joint) or Agricultural Science)and one other subject recognised for entry purposes.

Special Entry Requirement:  H4 in a Laboratory Science subject.  Students presenting with a 2016 (or previous) Leaving Certificate must present with a HC2 in a Laboratory Science subject.

Mature students: Applicants should apply directly through the CAO (www.cao.ie), include a statement of interest and may be called for interview. A H4 in a Laboratory Science subject in the Leaving Certificate, or equivalent, is required (A HC2 if presenting a pre-2017 Leaving Certificate).  Approximately five mature student places are available.

International Students should visit the International Education website.

Fitness to Practise
This programme is now subject to UCC's Fitness to Practise Policy – full details may be found here

Student Vetting
All students on this programme will come into contact with the public and assume positions of trust through educational and training opportunities. To ensure the protection of the public, and to justify public trust and confidence, UCC is committed to ensuring that only suitable candidates are allowed to undertake this programme.

Vetting is carried out by the Admissions Office in UCC once a student has accepted their place on the programme. It involves a police check to establish whether the individual being vetted has had criminal convictions in the past or whether any criminal proceedings are pending. The Garda Siochána provide this information for students who have resided in Ireland for a period of six months or more (including permanent residence).

All students who have resided outside Ireland for a period of six months or more must furnish a Police Clearance Certificate from their country or countries of residence. This certificate should state that the student has had no convictions recorded against them while residing there.

EU Applicants: Application to Year 1 of the degree programme is made directly through the Central Applications Office (CAO). Applicants should apply online at www.cao.ie. The normal closing date for receipt of completed applications is 1st February of the year of entry. 

Non-EU Applicants

Mature Applicants:  Application is made through the CAO (www.cao.ie) and the closing date for receipt of completed applications is 1st February of the year of proposed entry.

Our students experience a range of teaching methods including lectures, simulations, workshops, seminars, tutorials and study groups. You are expected to be readers, integrators and investigators with regard to knowledge in the field of occupational therapy. We believe that learning comes from all areas of life, not only from textbooks. You will find you learn from the task experiences themselves, your peers, your friends, published work and the experienced staff.

You will be expected to practice professional behaviours and manage a busy timetable and workload across the academic year, just as you will have to do when you are a practising therapist.

Fitness to Practise
This programme is subject to UCC's Fitness to Practise Policy – full details may be found here. 

Written exams will take place before Christmas and in May.  Not all modules will have formal examinations.  Many modules use other types of assessment to give our students multiple and varied opportunities for learning and students are assessed in a variety of ways on their acquisition of knowledge, skills and abilities.

We use varied methods of assessment in recognition of the different learning styles of students e.g. oral presentations, poster presentation, group projects, reflective papers, research reports, self- and peer-assessment.

Detailed written feedback is provided to each student on each element of assessment. We use continuous assessment so you can use this feedback to improve your learning for subsequent assignments within each year.

We have a diverse, committed and enthusiastic staff group who have worked locally, nationally and internationally, including in the UK, Europe, the Seychelles, Los Angeles, Saudi Arabia and Australia.

We have clinical expertise in working with people of all ages and health conditions.

Four of our staff have received the UCC President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. We have published internationally and maintain active links with colleagues around the world.

We have hosted three major international conferences, including one in September 2013 to mark our 10th birthday.