BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy (Apprenticeship)

Learn about the philosophy, theory, and research that supports occupational therapists as practitioners. Work with people of all ages to enable participation in the occupations that they want and need to do. Graduate to work in a structured career path with good long-term prospects.

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An occupational therapy lecturer helping a student with a knitting occupations exercise during a class

Start date/study mode:

Course codeCID1428

Duration2 years

Fee(s)View fees

LocationOn campus

Course summary

The BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy apprenticeship prepares you to support people of all ages to engage in the activities that are meaningful to them. Grounded in the belief that occupation and wellbeing are closely linked, the course develops your ability to use occupation both as a goal and as a key tool for intervention. You’ll learn how to enable participation by promoting new skills, adapting environments, and modifying occupations to meet individual needs.

As an apprentice, you’ll spend 80% of your time learning in the workplace, with the remainder spent at university or on practice placements. You’ll be taught by experienced academic staff who maintain professional practice through honorary contracts with local health and social care providers.

People with lived experience of health and social care services are fully integrated into teaching, learning, and assessment, providing valuable insights and perspectives throughout the course.

You’ll also benefit from interprofessional learning alongside students from nursing, physiotherapy, pharmacy, paramedic science, social work, and other disciplines, supported by advanced simulation facilities that replicate real clinical environments.

The application deadline for this course is 7 June 2026.

Accreditations and approvals

My apprenticeship has influenced my role at work by consolidating my knowledge of why we do what we do in the workplace.
Emma Fail
Read Emma Fail's story

What you'll study

Many of our courses include a range of modules you can choose from. Some of these options may only be available if you’ve already studied specific required modules. If you’re not sure what you need before picking a module, your course leader can help.

Undergraduate module credits should total 120 credits per academic year. If optional modules are available alongside core modules on your course, you should choose an amount that totals 120 credits.

How you'll learn

You'll be taught on campus by a highly skilled and motivated team of lecturers and visiting practitioners from across the world. Teaching methods include lectures (online, live, and recorded), seminars, workshops, and practical sessions, where problem-based learning activities are used. You'll have the opportunity to work with apprentices from a range of courses across the whole university.

You'll be assessed through written assignments, presentations, practical demonstrations, and via practice placements. You'll need to successfully complete all modules to progress through the course and achieve at least 1,000 hours of successful placement.

During your placement, you'll benefit from the supervision of a practice placement educator, as well as support from academic staff. You may be required to work an altered shift pattern and/or work weekends. Placements can take place anywhere in the north-east region and some placements (especially any resits) take place outside of the normal university calendar.

Entry requirements

You should discuss your plan to undertake this apprenticeship with your line manager to ensure that you meet your employer’s requirements prior to applying. The admissions tutor is also available to discuss the academic requirements with you.

Our typical offer is 120 UCAS Tariff points or BBB, from a minimum of two A Level passes or equivalent, which must include a health or science-related subject. Please note, we don't accept General Studies AS or A Level and you must show evidence of recent academic study within the last four years at entry level. If your points fall outside of this time, the admissions tutor can advise you on a short course to demonstrate that you're still able to study at entry level.

We also require at least five passes at GCSE grade C/4 or above, including maths and English language at a minimum of grade C or numerical grade 4 to 9 (or equivalent).

BTEC Extended National Diploma (sport and exercise science, health science, and applied science preferred) DDM. Other BTEC National Diplomas may be considered with AS or A2 biology/human biology/PE at grade B.

We accept Access to Higher Education Diplomas and ask for 120 UCAS points from your level 3 units, which must be related to health and social care or science.

Your completed application form will be reviewed by our Admissions Team to ensure that you have the required entry qualifications.

Recognition of prior learning can be discussed with the admissions tutor in collaboration with your employer.

You'll be working and studying simultaneously and will have the support of a work-based mentor and an academic personal tutor.

Values-based interview

Your employer will have undertaken a values-based interview with you when you joined the organisation or when you approached them to become an apprentice.

An interview for your university place will be undertaken in April.

Fitness to practise

Medical assessments of your mental and physical health and disclosure of criminal convictions apply to all occupational therapy courses and are based on current HCPC requirements. Occupational therapists are registered healthcare professionals and the ability to practise safely, effectively, and professionally is essential, so all applicants are required to follow our fitness to practise procedures.

Your employer will undertake a DBS check and occupational health assessment. Please refer to the HEOPS occupational therapy student fitness standards(opens in new tab).

Personal qualities

We select apprentices based on their knowledge, motivation, experience, values, and behaviours, not just academic ability. You need to demonstrate an ability to:

Study academic subjects at the course level
Debate topics and issues
Draw on conclusions from written material
Study independently and as part of a group
Use computers and technology associated with teaching, learning, and assessment
Interact with people in an appropriate manner demonstrating the values of the health and care professions
Demonstrate an understanding of, and commitment to, the course.

Please note, completing an approved course doesn't guarantee you'll become registered as an occupational therapist with the HCPC. It shows you meet the minimum professional standards and are eligible to apply for registration. The HCPC will request additional information from you to verify your eligibility. Further details may be found on the Health and Care Professions Council website(opens in new tab).

You must be able to demonstrate you meet the professional standards for practice, as well as the ethical and professional conduct expectations of our profession, throughout your training

Find out how many points your qualifications are worth using the UCAS Tariff calculator(opens in new tab).

Fees and finance support

Larger organisations can use their apprenticeship levy and government top-up to pay tuition and professional fees of higher apprenticeships. For smaller employers, the government pays 95%, with the remainder co-invested by the business.

For a discussion around your specific requirements please call 0191 515 3361(opens in new tab) or email apprenticeships@sunderland.ac.uk(opens in new tab).

Apply now

Start date/study mode:

To apply for a higher or degree apprenticeship, you must have an employer in place to support you on the course. If you're interested in applying and have an employer in place, please email apprenticeships@sunderland.ac.uk(opens in new tab) and we'll send you the relevant application link.

To search for apprenticeships offered by employers in your area go to: gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship(opens in new tab).

For a discussion around your specific requirements, or if you're an employer interested in creating a vacancy, please call us on 0191 515 3361(opens in new tab) or email apprenticeships@sunderland.ac.uk(opens in new tab).

Disclaimer

We want to make sure you have clear and accurate information about our courses. Our website always shows the latest updates. If you’ve applied and been offered a place, we’ll contact you in writing if anything important changes.

View our programme specifications(opens in new tab) for further information about what the course covers, learning outcomes and the skills you'll gain when you graduate.