Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours)

City East(Adelaide)

 

INTAKE: February

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) program at the University of South Australia prepares students for careers as occupational therapists, focusing on helping individuals of all ages participate in meaningful activities and occupations. This program emphasizes a client-centered approach, equipping students with the knowledge and skills to assess clients' needs, develop personalized intervention plans, and promote health and well-being through occupation-based practice. Through a combination of coursework, fieldwork placements, and research opportunities, graduates emerge ready to work in diverse healthcare settings, schools, community organizations, and private practice.

Curriculum: The curriculum of the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) program covers foundational knowledge in occupational therapy theory, practice, and evidence-based interventions. Core courses include human anatomy and physiology, psychology, occupational therapy assessment and intervention, lifespan development, occupational science, and professional ethics and standards. Students also have the opportunity to specialize in areas such as mental health, pediatric therapy, gerontology, or rehabilitation, through elective courses and fieldwork experiences. The program emphasizes hands-on learning, critical thinking, and interprofessional collaboration to prepare students for professional practice.

Research Focus: UniSA encourages students to engage in research and inquiry as part of their education. The Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) program provides opportunities for students to explore research topics relevant to occupational therapy practice and contribute to the evidence base in the field. Students have the opportunity to undertake research projects, literature reviews, or program evaluations under the supervision of faculty members or industry partners. Through research-focused coursework and honours projects, students develop research skills, critical analysis abilities, and an understanding of research ethics in occupational therapy.

Industry Engagement: The University of South Australia has strong connections with healthcare providers, community organizations, and industry partners, offering students numerous opportunities for industry engagement and professional development. The Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) program integrates fieldwork placements, internships, and clinical projects, allowing students to gain hands-on experience working with clients in diverse occupational therapy settings. Students also benefit from guest lectures, workshops, and networking events with occupational therapists and healthcare professionals, gaining insights into current practices, trends, and career opportunities in occupational therapy.

Global Perspective: In today's interconnected world, a global perspective is essential for occupational therapists. UniSA promotes diversity and internationalization, welcoming students from diverse cultural backgrounds and offering opportunities for global learning and collaboration. The Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) program incorporates discussions on global health issues, cultural competence, and international models of occupational therapy practice. Students are encouraged to explore global perspectives on occupation, health, and disability, preparing them for careers in diverse cultural and international contexts.

Pollster Education

Location

City East(Adelaide)

Pollster Education

Score

IELTS 7

Pollster Education

Tuition Fee

AUD 41700

Undergraduate Entry Requirements

Academic Qualifications: Applicants for undergraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 75% or above in their previous academic qualifications.

English Language Proficiency:

  • IELTS: Overall band score of 7.0 with a minimum of 7.0 in each component.
  • TOEFL: Overall score of 79 with a minimum of 18 in each section.
  • PTE (Pearson Test of English): Overall score of 65 with a minimum of 65 in each section.

Students must provide:

  • academic marksheets & transcripts
  • letters of recommendation
  • a personal statement - SOP
  • passport
  • other supporting documents as required by the university.

It's important to note that entry requirements can vary by program and may change over time. Additionally, some programs may have additional requirements, such as interviews, portfolios, or work experience.

The University of South Australia (UniSA) is dedicated to promoting diversity and academic excellence by offering a range of scholarships to international students.

Vice Chancellor's International Excellence Scholarships: These scholarships are aimed at high-achieving international students who demonstrate academic excellence. They offer financial support for tuition fees, and in some cases, a living allowance. Eligibility is based on academic merit.

International Merit Scholarships: UniSA's International Merit Scholarships are designed to reward outstanding academic performance. These scholarships are available for undergraduate and postgraduate coursework students. Eligibility criteria are based on academic results.

UniSA Study Grants: UniSA Study Grants provide partial tuition fee waivers for international students, making quality education more accessible. The eligibility criteria may include academic performance and the chosen course of study.

Destination Australia Scholarships: These scholarships are funded by the Australian Government to support international students studying in regional areas. UniSA participates in this program, offering scholarships to eligible students.

Industry and Career-Ready Scholarships: UniSA collaborates with industry partners to offer scholarships that provide not only financial support but also work-integrated learning opportunities. These scholarships can be an excellent pathway to a successful career.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) program at the University of South Australia have a wide range of career opportunities available to them in the field of occupational therapy. 

Occupational Therapist: One of the primary career paths for graduates is to become occupational therapists. Occupational therapists work with individuals of all ages who have physical, developmental, social, or emotional challenges that affect their ability to participate in everyday activities. They assess clients' needs, develop personalized intervention plans, and implement therapeutic activities and strategies to improve clients' functional independence, well-being, and quality of life. Occupational therapists work in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, mental health facilities, community health centers, and private practice settings.

Pediatric Occupational Therapist: Graduates may specialize in pediatric occupational therapy, working with children and adolescents who have developmental delays, sensory processing disorders, learning disabilities, or physical disabilities. Pediatric occupational therapists assess children's sensory, motor, and cognitive skills, provide individualized therapy interventions, and collaborate with families, educators, and other professionals to support children's participation in play, self-care, school, and social activities.

Geriatric Occupational Therapist: Graduates may specialize in geriatric occupational therapy, working with older adults who have age-related changes, chronic health conditions, or cognitive impairments that affect their ability to perform daily activities and maintain independence. Geriatric occupational therapists assess older adults' functional abilities, recommend adaptive equipment and environmental modifications, and provide rehabilitation interventions to promote mobility, self-care, and safety in the home and community settings.

Mental Health Occupational Therapist: Graduates may specialize in mental health occupational therapy, working with individuals experiencing mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or substance abuse disorders. Mental health occupational therapists assess clients' strengths and challenges, develop recovery-oriented treatment plans, and facilitate therapeutic groups, skill-building activities, and community reintegration programs to promote mental wellness and social participation.

Rehabilitation Occupational Therapist: Graduates may specialize in rehabilitation occupational therapy, working with individuals recovering from injuries, surgeries, or disabling conditions such as stroke, spinal cord injury, amputation, or traumatic brain injury. Rehabilitation occupational therapists assess clients' functional abilities, provide rehabilitation interventions to improve mobility, strength, and self-care skills, and facilitate community reintegration and vocational rehabilitation to maximize clients' independence and quality of life.

Community Occupational Therapist: Graduates may work as community occupational therapists, providing home-based services, community-based programs, and outreach initiatives to support individuals living in their own homes or community settings. Community occupational therapists assess clients' needs, address environmental barriers, and coordinate support services to promote clients' independence, safety, and social participation in their community environments.

School-Based Occupational Therapist: Graduates may work as school-based occupational therapists, supporting children and adolescents with disabilities in educational settings such as schools, preschools, or early intervention programs. School-based occupational therapists collaborate with teachers, special educators, and parents to develop individualized education plans, implement therapeutic interventions, and promote students' academic, social, and functional skills to facilitate school success and inclusion.

Assistive Technology Specialist: Graduates may specialize in assistive technology, working with individuals who require specialized equipment, devices, or technologies to support their independence and participation in daily activities. Assistive technology specialists assess clients' needs, recommend appropriate assistive devices and technologies, and provide training and support to clients and caregivers to maximize the use and benefits of assistive technology solutions.

Researcher/Consultant: Graduates may pursue careers as researchers, educators, or consultants in academic institutions, healthcare organizations, or research firms, contributing to the advancement of occupational therapy practice, theory, and evidence-based interventions. Researchers investigate topics such as occupational therapy outcomes, intervention effectiveness, or innovative practice models, while educators/trainers provide professional development and continuing education programs for occupational therapists and healthcare professionals. Consultants offer expertise and guidance on program development, policy advocacy, or organizational change initiatives in healthcare and community settings.

Entrepreneur/Private Practitioner: Graduates may start their own private occupational therapy practice or consultancy, offering specialized services, programs, or workshops to clients, families, schools, or community organizations. Entrepreneurs/private practitioners have the flexibility to tailor their services to meet the unique needs of their clients and communities, focusing on areas such as pediatric therapy, mental health, wellness promotion, or vocational rehabilitation.


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