Occupational Therapy (Pre-registration) MSc



Gain professional knowledge and skills required for registration as an Occupational Therapist with the Health and Care Professions Council

Overview

This innovative programme is designed for graduates who wish to qualify as an Occupational Therapist, with eligibility for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). It offers an accelerated two-year route of study.

This unique MSc (pre-registration) Occupational Therapy degree programme best prepares you as a future occupational therapist to work effectively within the complex and rapidly evolving environment of health and social care. Being both intellectually challenging and practical, this programme will ready you for the real world of occupational therapy at a local and global level. You will enter the workplace as a confident, competent, and autonomous occupational therapist equipped to lead the delivery of personalised and responsive services, which place individuals and families at the centre of their care and support. 

As well as undertaking discipline-specific modules, you’ll undertake collaborative inter-professional modules, where you’ll work closely with students from the other disciplines in health and social care to develop your skills in communication, innovative thinking, clinical reasoning and team working. 

The outstanding Simulation and Clinical Skills Centre provides the facilities to further develop your skills in realistic settings including the home environment.

Edinburgh Napier University is a unique place to study Occupational Therapy

Edinburgh and its surrounding areas have been a significant location for occupational therapy professional development over the past century. During the First World War, our Craiglockhart campus was a military psychiatric hospital for officers suffering from ‘shell shock’. The internationally renowned War Poets Siegfried Sassoon and Wilfred Owen were patients there. The hospital was known for its ‘work cure’, elements of which can be traced to the development of occupational therapy as we know it today. The embryonic profession of occupational therapy was later established at the Astley Ainslie Hospital and the Council Meeting of the first ‘World Federation of Occupational Therapists’ was held in Edinburgh in 1954 and again in 1992.  At Edinburgh Napier University we aim to continue this tradition of occupational therapy professional development.

Edinburgh Napier University is recognised as a University that is professional, ambitious, innovative, and inclusive, values that are embedded into the teaching of the programme. 

Typical entry point to this course is in January. Please enquire for more information. 

 
Three Occupational Therapy students paddle boarding on a river.

Mode of Study:

Full-time

Duration:

2 years

Start date:

Jan

Placement:

Yes

Meet our academic team

Course details

From the beginning of the programme, you will undertake discipline specific modules where you will develop your Occupational Therapy knowledge and skills.  This will include research modules, where the theoretical content and methods are considered within the context of occupational therapy, with an opportunity to apply this knowledge to the profession through the dissertation module. 

One of the unique benefits of this programme is that you will be able to participate in shared aspects of learning with inter-disciplinary students.  This will allow you to develop a deeper understanding of the roles of others and enhance your skills in communication and partnership working.

In the final term of each year of the programme you will undertake two periods of assessed practice in work settings (practice placements*), and you will undertake preparation for your first placement (preparation for practice) throughout the term 2 of the first year of study. 

Year 1: The Developing Practitioner – The Doing and Being of Occupational Therapy  

Year 1 of the programme introduces you to foundations of Occupational Therapy and provides an opportunity to develop, explore, and critique the core occupational concepts, contexts, and skills of the profession.  Furthermore, it offers you the opportunity to work with physiotherapy and other student groups within the school who are key partners in delivering health and social care with times to learn and work together across the two years.   

Applying and evaluating policy and research in practice is essential for Occupational Therapists, who are required to adopt evidence-informed practice. Therefore, from the onset of the programme, how policy and research impacts on practice and service provision is explored through core modules. In Year 1, you will undertake a Developing Professional Practice Skills in Occupational Therapy module which supports preparation to undertake two practice education placements (one seven-week placement and one eight-week placement*).  This module will introduce and consolidate your professional and practice skills. This arrangement with placement modules prior to the commencement of academic study in Year 2 facilitates your practice experience, understanding of people’s lives when faced with occupational issues, evidence-based decision making, and professional and communication skills. 
  
Year 2: The Capable Practitioner - Becoming and Belonging as an Occupational Therapist 

Year 2 of the programme provides you with a more advanced examination of 
Occupational Therapy practice, philosophical underpinnings, theories, and profession. You will acquire mastery in critical core knowledge and evaluation of key issues on professional practice as well as critical analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of theoretical concepts central to Occupational Therapy from national and global perspectives. In addition, learning will enable an in-depth consideration of a community in the context of developing team working, leadership, and entrepreneurial skills. Your research experience is enhanced in Year 2 and culminates in the production of a dissertation related to occupational therapy. Like Year 1, in Year 2, two practice education placements* will be undertaken of seven and eight weeks, which consolidates your professional and practice skills and your transition into the workplace as a competent, autonomous practitioner. 

Subjects Include

Year 1

  • Humans as Occupational Beings (HSC11128; OT specific)
  • Contemporary Health and Social Care Contexts for Occupational Therapists (HSC11129; OT & PT)
  • Developing Professional Practice Skills in Occupational Therapy (HSC11131; OT & PT)
  • ‘Doing’ Occupational Therapy in Practice (HSC11130; OT specific)
  • Occupational Therapy Research Questions and Methodology (HSC11132; OT specific)
  • Practice Education 1 and 2

Year 2

  • Becoming and Belonging as an Occupational Therapist (HSC11133; OT specific)
  • Occupational Therapy Dissertation (HSC11134; OT/SW/PT)
  • Leading Innovations in Health and Social Care: Occupational Therapy (HSC11135; OT & PT)
  • Practice Education 3 and 4
General enquires regarding the MSc Occupational Therapy (Pre-Registration) programme can be made to:
  • calendar

    How you’ll be taught

    This is a full-time course, split into three trimesters.

    The programme starts in January. A student-centred, active learning approach will be used throughout the programme making use of a range of teaching and learning methods. Examples of these include online and classroom lectures, tutorials, practical classes, group work, use of practical simulation, and guided and independent study activities. 
  • note and pen

    Assessments

    A range of formative and summative assessment approaches are adopted throughout the course. These will include practical examinations, written essays, reflective activities and presentations.
  • briefcase

    Work placement

    Each year you will undertake 4 full-time placements which are situated between August and December. 

    * Practice Placements

    Year of study

    Placement

    Start date

    Finish

    Flexible catch up

    1/2/3/4

    From January 2026

    March 2026

    1st Year

    1

    11 August 2025

    26 Sept 2025

    1st Year

    2

    13 October 2025

    5 Dec 2025

    2nd Year

    3

    11 August 2025

    26 Sept 2025

    2nd Year

    4

    13 October 2025

    5 Dec 2025

    On completion of the programme you’ll have undertaken more than 1,000 hours of clinical practice in a range of health and social care settings. 
  • library

    Facilities

     The facilities provided by the Simulation and Clinical Skills Centre offer highly realistic environments within which to develop your communication and engagement skills and to integrate theory with practice in a range of situations including visiting people in their own homes.

Modules

Modules that you will study* as part of this course

'Doing' Occupational Therapy in Practice ( HSC11130 )

This long module incorporates theoretical and placement components, the module facilitates a critical understanding of the theory and practice of human performance in occupational therapy. During the module, you will develop appreciation of the Occupational Therapy Process, underpinned by professional reasoning. This will include an ability to justify and critique methods of evaluation, goal setting, treatment planning and implementation, analysis of outcomes in relation to person-centred care. Content will also include how and in what way professional reasoning influences the design and delivery of the occupational process, including relevant theories applied through an occupation-focused lens.
Your learning will be facilitated by studying the following components:
• Occupational therapy models, professional reasoning and decision-making processes, outcomes measures/methods, and assessment principles (e.g., occupational formulation, occupational profile).
• Considerations of psychometric properties of assessment tools and their ethical use whilst in practice
• Environmental evaluation, including the role of assistive devices, equipment, and technology and socioeconomic and cultural factors
• Critically analyse and apply occupation-based interventions that align with the values of people and communities.
• To critique and evaluate the role of current legislation and influence on professional practice
• Two placements (265 (7 wks) and 300 hrs (8 wks)) Total 565 hrs where you will demonstrate abilities to apply theories and understanding to practice, working with service users and staff; which will consolidate/expand knowledge and skills from this module.

Further information

Becoming and Belonging as an Occupational Therapist ( HSC11133 )

This long module has two components theoretical and placement components 3 and 4 and intends to further build and advance knowledge and understanding of the health-giving power of occupation with people, their communities, and across populations. Part 1 will also include discussion of how the profession can envision future practice that takes into consideration the changing needs of communities. This will include the influence of sustainability and environmental change impacting local, national, and international contexts. A translational approach between knowledge informed practice, and practice-informed research and evidence, inclusive of the lived experiences of people, will be considered. In mobilising research and evidence with and between practice, non-Western concepts of health, well-being, and ways of knowing will be explored. In addition, global narratives influencing the design and delivery of health and social systems of care such as person-centred practice and human rights will be introduced and critically considered. The concept of the dignity of risk, influenced by a person-centred, rights-based approach to practice will include engagement with the expectations of ethical and professional conduct. This will include how the profession can adopt diverse methods of communication to support clear articulation of the meaning and purpose of the profession, for example, through written means (such as educational leaflets), social media (such as blogs, tweets), and engagement with professional peers (scientific reports, presentations). Your learning will be facilitated by studying the following components: Ideas of healthfulness and collective occupation influencing the design and delivery of occupation-focused public health interventions. Frameworks and mechanisms of knowledge translation, including developing a responsibility towards lifelong learning and a growth mindset. Occupational consciousness and justice and other concepts related to decolonising occupational therapy practice Person-centred theory such as personhood and person-centred practice, human rights in practice including the PANEL principles, Principles of sustainability related to the contribution of occupational therapy to mitigate the impact of environmental and climate change. Consider the relevance and importance of the tools of communication available to the profession that can be adopted with a range of stakeholders e.g., written methods (educational leaflets), social media (blogs, tweets), scholarly outputs (posters, report)Two placements (300 hrs x 2) Total 600 hrs where you will demonstrate abilities to apply theories and understanding to practice, working with service users and staff; which will consolidate/expand knowledge and skills from this module.Students are expected to attend 100% of the time allocated to the practice education component of this module. However approved absences (e.g. ill health) of up to 7 days can be authorized, in order to be eligible.to pass the learning outcomes of the practice education component(s).”

Further information

Contemporary Health and Social Care Contexts for Occupational Therapists ( HSC11129 )

You will explore, examine and identify topics which may include:
Personal identity, empathy and sense of self Reflection on own life experiences
Unconscious bias
Health and well-being monitoring
Resilience building
Human development across the lifespan Ecological frameworks and social processes for individuals and communities including health inequalities, equity, diversity, and inclusion Relationships between social processes, disadvantage, and social divisions.
Different communities and their respective strengths and limitations
Developing community profiles Understanding of who service-users might be Voluntary, private, and statutory organisations working with service-users and communities Local, national, and global contexts of health and social care – policy drivers, standards and practices Professionals’ roles in supporting individuals and families in different community setting to overcome inequalities in health and social care through universal services, community resources and resilience

Further information

Developing Professional Practice Skills in Occupational Therapy ( HSC11131 )

This module will give you the opportunity to develop and practise communication skills (verbal, non-verbal, and symbolic) and to develop skills in self-awareness, self-reflection, and personal resilience. Recognising that you are continuing to develop your professional identity as an occupational therapist and an understanding of your own and others? roles. This will include reflecting on your personal values and motivations and how these relate to occupational therapy values: including use of self and issues of power and difference with service users and between practitioners within multi-disciplinary teams. You will explore several theories and methods of communication and you will learn how to judge the appropriateness of different approaches. You will consider working with service users in groups as well as individually, and you will also explore the nature, purpose and dilemmas involved in the recording and sharing of information generated by inter-personal interactions. In this module you will also develop your knowledge and understanding of clinical competence requirements before undertaking your first practice placement. These are essential when in practice and you will be expected to continually develop your skills and knowledge throughout the programme. These basic competencies will include the following topics:• Professionalism and ethical behaviour• Public protection awareness (adult and child)• Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression (de-escalation of violence and aggression)• Moving and Handling• Health Acquired Infection Control• Hand Hygiene • Information Governance • Data Protection• IT Security• Fire Safety• Basic Life Support• Whistleblowing policy and guidance • Suicide Prevention

Further information

Humans as Occupational Beings ( HSC11128 )

This module allows you to examine and critique the central values and philosophy of Occupational Science and relate to the development of occupational therapy as a profession. The module will develop your critical understanding of, and your ability to evaluate, the importance of ‘occupation’ to humans, across the lifespan. It will also develop your knowledge of the importance of occupation to health and well-being, and to consider concepts of occupational justice in relation to occupational choices and opportunities for people and their communities. As part of the module, you will critically analyse occupations by participating in, and analyzing, the ways in which we occupy our time influencing health and well-being. This will allow you to justify occupation as an intervention.
Your learning will be facilitated by studying the following components of occupation as a construct:
• Occupation and its relationship to health and well-being, including ideas of neutral occupations and occupational possibilities.
• Defining occupation and related constructs.
• The dynamic nature of occupation.
• Humans as occupational beings across the lifespan emphasizing life transitions, social and cultural diversity, and identity
• Occupational justice: a history of occupation in societies, including the institutional, socio-political and cultural influences on occupation
• The relevance of the history of occupational therapy in relation to the future of the profession and your own professional development

Further information

Leading Innovation in Health and Social Care – Occupational Therapy ( HSC11135 )

This module aims to introduce you to key concepts relating to the management and delivery of services as well as allowing you to develop a personal development plan for your transition into professional life. The module addresses the core themes of leadership and entrepreneurship, looking for you to consider innovative solutions to challenges faced within communities and consider how appropriate services might be implemented. In doing this, the module aims to equip you with the knowledge and skills to lead change in the future.Topics will include:• Leadership and management – theory and practice• Conflict management and resolution • Organisational aims, strategy, and values• Audit and quality assurance• Entrepreneurship• Social enterprise• Implementing and managing change within services and communities• Service-user and stakeholder involvement in service design and implementation• Project management and resource management• Global perspectives• Sustainability of services• Justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion • Healthcare technologies. • Occupational performance, participation, and occupational science to support communities

Further information

Occupational Therapy Dissertation ( HSC11134 )

This module offers the student an opportunity to lead and conduct a detailed research study in a topic relevant to occupational therapy. Building on the research protocol submitted in year 1, this module involves collation and critical evaluation of primary or secondary data, discussion and conclusion of findings, including a reflection on the research limitations, culminating in presentation and synthesise of evidence-based arguments to inform occupational therapy practice, education or policy. The module submission will be in a format analogous to a research paper, developing the skills required to synthesise the work to the scope and length of a potential publication (British Journal of Occupational Therapists) facilitates the student to meet all the learning outcomes.

Further information

Occupational Therapy Research, Questions and Methodologies ( HSC11132 )

In the era of evidence-based health and social care it is vital to be able to evaluate the research evidence that underpins existing practice and the emerging information that shapes service change. On this module, you will learn to critically explore research evidence in occupational therapy practice and to synthesise, integrate and apply knowledge of the research process to this. In this module, we will use real-life examplesfrom local, national and international researchers to develop your knowledge and skills to be able to find and interpret gaps in the existing body of evidence and to askappropriate and relevant research questions with an aim of filling these. The work done in this module will develop the subsequent dissertation that you undertake in year-2 of the course. By promoting evidence-based research this module will encourage workingto high professional standards, providing shared governance and accountability ofhealth and social care practice. The module will include the following content: 1. Anoverview of the research process. 2. Critical appraisal of the research evidence toassist in the development of research ideas relevant to practice. 3. Evaluation ofresearch designs including quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods approaches. 4.Exploration in the importance of research governance and ethics.

Further information

* These are indicative only and reflect the course structure in the current academic year. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Disclaimer

Study modules mentioned above are indicative only. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Full information is available in our disclaimer.

Dr Fiona Maclean

Dr Fiona Maclean is an occupational therapist with over 30 years’ experience of working in practice, education and policy, with a particular interest in working with older people.

Entry requirements

What are the entry requirements for Occupational Therapy?

A Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) with honours at a minimum of 2.1 or above in a relevant subject area e.g. Health, Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, Social Sciences, Education or Humanities. Evidenced study in the area of human anatomy and physiology is desirable. Applicants applying with a 2.2 with relevant recent experience may also be considered.

Applicants with a distinction award in a Bachelor’s degree where honours study was not an option in a relevant health and social care professional will be considered for selection where they can evidence experience of engagement with research evidence. Applicants will be directed to undertake study at SCQF Level 10 as a condition for entry in the form    of a bridging module identified by the programme team.

Candidates must also have demonstrated commitment to, and knowledge of, Occupational Therapy as a career. Candidates will be able to evidence to Admissions through their application form and personal statement they have  met with/shadowed a range of Occupational Therapists in diverse settings while being able to compare and      contrast/discuss these different ways of working. 

Competition for places varies from year-to-year and achievement of the typical minimum entry requirements does not always guarantee shortlisting for interview or a place on the course.

Interview Requirements

There will be a selection interview and applicants to the programme should meet the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) requirement to be ‘fit to practice’ through having  good health and good character. 

Additional Information

Admission to the Programme is dependent upon a satisfactory Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme (PVG) Check. The cost of the PVG check will be paid by the University.

Successful applicants to the MSc Occupational Therapy (Pre Reg) programme will require an enhanced PVG check. The Edinburgh Napier University terms and conditions of enhanced PVG checks and the policy for Applicants with Declared Criminal Convictions can be found here.

Successful applicants will be required to undergo an Occupational Health check and be immunised for a variety of conditions. If an applicant declares an issue, they will be guided to occupational health for discussion concerning their health need and potential adaptation. Immunisation is advised but cannot be required nor mandatory. Documented evidence of previous immunisations will be required, and students will be guided through this process by Edinburgh Napier University when entering the programme. 

Successful applicants will required to become student members of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists on joining the programme.

Application advice and support connected to Edinburgh Napier University policy for Applicants with a Declared Disability can be found here.

 

Can I make an appointment with an advisor to discuss further about the admission process?

If you want to get more information on the admission process, please get in touch with the Postgraduate admissions team by submitting an enquiry form above.

 

If your first language isn't English, you'll normally need to undertake an approved English language test.  The English Language requirements for this programme are IELTS (Academic) with an overall score of 7.0 with no individual component score of less than 6.5.  For guidance on the acceptability of other English Language tests please contact pgadmissions@napier.ac.uk

Our entry requirements indicate the minimum qualifications with which we normally accept students. Competition for places varies from year to year and you aren't guaranteed a place if you meet the minimum qualifications.
 
We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.
Entry requirements by country

Please note that international students are unable to enrol onto the following courses:
  • BM Midwifery/MM Midwifery
  • All Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

See who can apply for more information on Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

We’re committed to admitting students who have the potential to succeed and benefit from our programmes of study. 

Our admissions policies will help you understand our admissions procedures, and how we use the information you provide us in your application to inform the decisions we make.

Undergraduate admissions policies
Postgraduate admissions policies

Fees & funding

The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you will depend on a number of factors including your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying. We also have a number of bursaries and scholarships available to our students.

Tuition fees
Students from 2024/25 2025/26
Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland £10,300 £10,815
Overseas and EU £19,095 £21,415
Please note, UK offer holders will be asked to pay a non-refundable £200 deposit which is deducted from the fees owed to secure their place on the programme.
Tuition fees are subject to an annual review and may increase from one year to the next. For more information on this and other tuition fee matters, please see our Fees and Funding links above.
You study this course over two academic years, fees listed are per annum.
Please note that the tuition fees liable to be paid by EU nationals commencing their studies from 1 August 2021 will be the Overseas fee rate. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.


Careers

Allied Health scenarios in the Clinical Skills and Simulation Suite.

What can you do with an MSc in Occupational Therapy?

A degree in Occupational Therapy at Edinburgh Napier University offers a fulfilling and versatile career path as an Occupational Therapist with opportunities to make a significant impact on individuals' lives across various settings and specialties.

This degree is the beginning of a lifelong career where you can continue to gain skills, specialise in an area of interest, or pursue advanced degrees such as a doctorate.  Occupational therapists can work in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, schools, nursing homes, and clients' homes, adapting their interventions to meet the specific needs of each client.

What does an Occupational Therapist do?

An Occupational Therapist helps individuals across the lifespan participate in the activities they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of valued everyday activities (occupations). They work with people facing physical, mental, or developmental challenges to improve their ability to perform daily tasks, engage in community participation, and be able to fulfil valued roles to support their quality of life.

Occupational Therapists play a vital role in helping individuals overcome challenges and improve their quality of life through tailored holistic approaches.

Daily tasks and responsibilities in this role may include: 

  • Assessment and evaluation of people’s strengths and challenges to support the development of collaborative goals.
  • Intervention and treatment planning to support occupational participation
  • Environmental modifications in the places where people live, work, study, and engage in the community.
  • Education addressing condition self-management, skill development, and development or modification of habits, role, and routines.

  • Maintaining accurate records and documentation of interactions and progress with people receiving services.
  • Communication and relationship building with service users and their families, members of the multidisciplinary team, and others to support services users meeting their goals.
  • Advocating for removing barriers to participation and inclusion for service users and the community.

 

The Occupational Therapy Team