Occupational Therapy Degree Apprenticeship
Apply onlineThe BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy Degree Apprenticeship programme is a combination of workplace learning alongside studying at a university allowing for employers to retain and grow their existing workforce.
Course overview
The programme’s philosophy has been co-produced with current apprentices, local and national therapists, as well as service users. At Winchester, our apprentices will be:
- Confident and capable of fostering a culture of research engagement and innovation at every stage of their careers.
- Committed to interprofessional working, recognising the value of wider workforce roles such as support workers, social
prescribers, work coaches, care staff, and housing officers.
- Knowledgeable, creative, committed and confident in driving innovation and demonstrating the impact of occupational
therapy.
- Proficient in understanding the role of AI and technology enabled care in occupational therapy.
- Compassionate and inclusive leaders.
- Change-makers within occupational therapy practice.
- Advocates for equitable health outcomes, addressing social determinants of health and challenging structural barriers to
health, well-being, and occupation.
Professional in practice and understand self-limitations for safe and effective practice. Both the BSc and MSc courses are embedded within work place learning will be delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops, online learning and employer-led
projects, as well as through the full-time placement experiences and on-the-job training within the workplace.
Apprentices will attend the University of Winchester one day per week, alongside one day per week of guided independent
learning. Apprentices on both the BSC and MSc will also undertake three full-time placements outside the usual workplace.
This programme has received University approval for curriculum development and is now in the final stages of the validation process. Some elements of the curriculum could be altered at this stage such as inclusion of optional module content, assessment types, module names and indicative curriculum content.
What you need to know
Course start date
January 2025
Location
On-Campus and placement
Course length
3 years full-time
Apply
Apply online
Typical offer
See Entry Details
Fees
No Tuition Fees
Course features
- Focus on inequality, diversity, inclusion and belonging. Learning with persons with lived experience.
- Courses fit for the future with specific focus on public health, leadership, contemporary practice in occupational therapy.
- Support from employers who are committed to supporting and employing apprenticeships.
- Commitment to interprofessional working with a focus on person-centered working, integrated care, professional
development and digital literacy. - Embedding research is critical for evidence-based practice and this course will give you the opportunity to develop your
research skills. - Strong ties with health and social care providing integrated work-based learning.
- Authentic learning environment to produce confident, committed, caring, reflective and courageous therapists.
- A course focused to produced therapists grounded in the therapeutic use of occupation.
- Masterclasses to learn alongside external practitioners and partner agencies.
Course details
Work placements
Work placements are a core part of this course and account for approximately 50% of the programme.
Learning and teaching
Our aim is to shape 'confident learners' by enabling you to develop the skills needed to excel in your studies here and as well as onto further studies or the employment market.
You are taught primarily through a combination of lectures and seminars, allowing opportunities to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures in smaller groups.
In addition to the formally scheduled contact time such as lectures and seminars, you are encouraged to access academic support from staff within the course team and the wide range of services available to you within the University.
Digital Literacy
Digital and technological literacy is a requirement for entry to all Midwifery programmes. In healthcare it is now seen as a vital tool and is used for managing patient records, assessment, research and education. It is also the most common and the preferred way we communicate with students on our programmes.
Students will be supported in the university to access learning opportunities using online and blended learning, as well as utilising digital platforms to prepare for and submit assignments. The University of Winchester provides 24 hour access to its library and IT facilities and all students will be allocated a university email address. Further support and information can be found via the student handbook.
Independent learning
Over the duration of your course, you will be expected to develop independent and critical learning, progressively building confidence and expertise through independent and collaborative research, problem-solving and analysis with the support of staff. You take responsibility for your own learning and are encouraged to make use of the wide range of available learning resources available.
Overall workload
Your overall workload consists of class contact hours, independent learning and assessment activity. The following information gives an indication of how much time you will need to allocate to different activities at each level of the course.
Location
Taught elements of the course take place on campus in Winchester and on placement.
Student Support
Click here to find out more about the support available.
Timetabled teaching and learning activity
Year 1 (Level 4):
Teaching, learning and assessment: 378 hours *
Independent learning: 409.5 hours**
Placement: 750 hours
Year 2 (Level 5):
Teaching, learning and assessment: 378 hours
Independent learning: 409.5 hours**
Placement: 750 hours
Year 3 (Level 6):
Teaching, learning and assessment: 357 hours
Independent learning: 370.5 hours**
Placement: 810 hours
*Please note these are indicative hours for the course.
**Apprentices are allocated 11 employer weeks per year. They are able to take their contracted annual leave, usually 262.5 hours (7 weeks) leaving an additional 150 hours where they are able to make up theory or placement hours or be available to their employer.
Teaching hours
All class based teaching takes places between 9am – 6pm, Mon to Fri during term time. Wed afternoons are usually free from timetabled teaching for personal study time.
Assessment
Our validated courses may adopt a range of means of assessing your learning. An indicative, and not necessarily comprehensive, list of assessment types you might encounter includes essays, portfolios, supervised independent work, presentations, written exams, or practical performances. We ensure all students have an equal opportunity to achieve module learning outcomes. As such, where appropriate and necessary, students with recognised disabilities may have alternative assignments set that continue to test how successfully they have met the module's learning outcomes.
Percentage of the course assessed by coursework
The assessment balance between examination and coursework depends to some extent on the optional modules you choose. The approximate percentage of the course assessed by different assessment modes is as follows:
Year 1 (Level 4)*:
50% coursework
16% written exams
34% practical exams
Year 2 (Level 5)*:
50% coursework
16% written exams
34% practical exams
Year 3 (Level 6)*:
66% coursework
0% written exams
34% practical exams
*Please note these are indicative percentages and modes for the programme
Modules
Please note the modules listed are correct at the time of publishing. The University cannot guarantee the availability of all modules listed and modules may be subject to change. The University will notify applicants of any changes made to the core modules listed. For further information please refer to winchester.ac.uk/termsandconditions
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Entry requirements
Employment: Applicants must be working full-time in a relevant health care role (37.5 hours) and provide evidence that they meet the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) rules.
A-Levels: 96 UCAS points or non UCAS equivalent
O-Level/GCSE: English Language and Mathematics at grade 4/C or Level 2 Education. Functional Skills at level 2 is accepted as an alternative.
BTEC/CTEC: 3 x M OR 2 x D from BTEC or Cambridge Technical (CTEC) qualifications. National Extended Certificate/ Foundation Diploma/ Technical Diploma/ Extended Diplomas in Applied Science.
International Baccalaureate: 96 UCAS tariff points. To include a minimum of grade 5 in Standard or Higher level English and Maths.
T Level: Pass in a T Level in Health, Healthcare Science or Science
Other relevant non-UK qualifications, such as Irish FETAC/QQI pre-nursing courses will be considered.
Aspiring apprentices who do not have 96 UCAS points, or equivalent, are considered on a case-by-case basis with employer support/ approval.
Applicants have the right to work and study in the UK. Applicants must also be able to evidence an enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) Certificate dated within the previous three months (undertaken by the employer) prior to the commencement of the programme.
Occupational Health clearance by the employer's Occupational Health Provider is required at three months prior to the commencement of the programme and on an annual basis throughout.
Apprentices will be required to confirm their health and character are sufficient to enable safe and effective practice throughout the programme and when submitting the supporting declaration of health and character on completion of the programme.
Apprentices are required to declare immediately any police charges, cautions, convictions or conditional discharges, or determinations that their fitness to practise is impaired.
Relevant Experience
We will look for evidence within your application of a commitment to the midwifery profession and that your personal values align with the NHS Constitution, the NMC Code, and the University.
Application Process
Your must be employed by a NHS Trust who offers the University of Winchester Midwifery Apprenticeship Programme. You should have a conversation with your employer who will check you meet the eligibility criteria. Following this you may be shortlisted for a joint interview with your employer and the University of Winchester. Should you be successful at interview you will then apply directly to the University with the below link:
University of Winchester application link following successful interview.
The University of Winchester will also check your eligibility for the Midwifery Apprenticeship Programme.
O-Level/GCSE: English Language and Mathematics at grade 4/C+ or Level 2 Education and Skill Funding Agency (EFSA) compliant equivalents in English Language and Maths.
Please note: We are unable to accept qualifications such as IELTs for GCSE equivalent.
If English is not your first language - IELTS 7.0 overall is required, with writing at a minimum of 6.5 (no other element below 7.0)
For a full list of the qualifications that we can accept as GCSE equivalents for degree apprenticeships, please see the government guidance. If you have qualifications studied outside of the UK, we highly recommend that you email scans of these to our Admissions Teams (via your employer) before applying for the course so we can check your suitable for entry.
To secure an apprenticeship you will need to apply for a full-time position with one of our partner employers. To gain a place on this programme you will have been successful on application and interview as conducted by the sponsoring business in conjunction with the University of Winchester. Alternatively, you may be seeking career enhancement within your current role. In this case you will need your employer to support you by offering a Degree Apprenticeship with the University of Winchester.
2025 Course Tuition Fees
Costs to Student/Apprentice
- Apprentices are full-time employees and will be entitled to a wage and paid time off to study
- There are no tuition fees
Read What are Degree Apprenticeships? for more information.
Costs to Employers
How much will it cost an employing business per apprentice?
The apprentice will remain employed by their existing employer throughout the programme, who will continue to pay their salary. The funding you are eligible for is determined by the number of people you employ, the annual payroll of your company and the age of the learner.
Read Information for employers for the latest information.
Additional costs
As one of our apprentices all of your teaching and assessments are funded by your employer, including, lectures/guest lectures and tutorials, seminars, laboratory sessions and specialist teaching facilities. You will also have access to a wide range of student support and IT services.
There might be costs you may encounter whilst studying. The following highlights the mandatory and optional costs for this course:
Mandatory:
A full set of uniforms will be provided by the University at the beginning of the program. If you require additional uniforms later on, you may need to pay for these. Indicative cost: £30.
Occupational Health clearance will be carried out by your employer's Occupational Health Provider; however, you may need to pay for immunisations if they are not covered by your GP.
You will need a pair of suitable comfortable shoes while on clinical placement. Indicative cost: £40–£60.
You will need to purchase some of your own clinical items, for instance a stethoscope and fob watch. Indicative cost: £30.
You will need to be able to travel to your placement and will be responsible for covering the costs associated with this .Students may need to arrange accommodation; In some situations, there may be costs incurred.
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance check is required which will be undertaken and paid for by your employer when applicants accept their offer for a place on the course.
Where a module specifies core texts these should generally be available in the library in hardcopy or electronic copy. Some students may choose to buy their own and these can be purchased from any source. Indicative cost is £10-£50.