Occupational Therapy

Make a difference to the lives of people with health and social difficulties. You’ll enable and empower clients to engage in life enriching activities.

Through a combination of teaching, group work and 1,000 hours of placement experience in a variety of health and social care settings, this course will challenge your problem-solving and practical skills.

As part of this course, you'll:


• Develop the skills and knowledge to deliver occupational therapy assessments



• Devise interventions to help your clients enjoy an optimal quality of life



• Learn the soft skills, attitudes and behaviours to enable you to communicate effectively



• Develop a therapeutic relationship with the people you help



• Join a research-led academic community in the subject area of therapeutic and rehabilitation sciences



This course is accredited by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists and is a World Federation of Occupational Therapists Approved Education Programme. Your curriculum will reflect the standards required by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists.

Occupational Health clearance and compliance with standard NHS immunisations requirements is mandatory and essential for placement attendance. Please click “find out more” in the fees and funding section on our course page for full details of any extra costs relating to your course.

As an Occupational Therapist, you'll support people to manage a range of health and social challenges. These can include enabling someone to go back to work following a period of depression, play sport following a head injury, or helping children with autism play games.

Multi-disciplinary settings
You’ll learn in a multi-disciplinary environment, which replicates the challenges of real-life clinical practice. You’ll apply what you’ve learned in a variety of settings, thanks to our strong partnerships with local placement providers, which include teaching hospitals and mental health trusts.

Employment opportunities
There are opportunities for a placement where traditionally there is no provision of occupational therapy services, allowing you to analyse the setting and apply your expertise independently, which could open up new employment opportunities.

Expert practitioners
You’ll learn from an experienced teaching team who come from a range of clinical and research backgrounds. Some have worked with young children with mental health difficulties while others have specialised in working with adults with motor neuron disease. You’ll also be able to gain clinical insight and experience from our guest speakers, who include specialists in treating spinal injuries and therapeutic practitioners.

Upon graduation, you’ll be eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council as an occupational therapist.

Why study the BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy course at Leeds Beckett University?
• Professionally accredited - by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists and approved by the Health and Care Professions Council



• Fantastic placement opportunities - through strong regional partnerships, that will enhance your real-world experience



• Access to specialist facilities - develop your practice in our clinical skills suite and simulation room



• Expert supervision - provided by lecturers and staff who are industry professionals and researchers



• Access to guest speakers - you'll learn from practising occupational therapists who work across a range of industries

Curiosity needs thinkers, makers, and dreamers. It needs you!

Leeds Beckett believes that when unlike minds come together, incredible things happen. That’s why they don’t just teach; they collaborate, challenge and inspire.

Their courses are meticulously designed, combining practical experience through work placements with a vibrant location at the heart of one of the UK’s largest student communities. Boasting a top 10 UK ranking for both course quality and student life (Uni Compare 2026) and a prestigious five-star QS rating, LBU sets the standard for excellence.

The university prioritises student wellbeing and stands among just seven universities nationwide to earn the University Mental Health Charter Award - proof of their unwavering commitment to advancing mental health and wellbeing.

All of this is why 98% of Leeds Beckett students and graduates would recommend studying at the university to a friend (Uni Compare, 2026 reviews).