Contemporary Occupational Therapy (post-registration) - 2012 entry

Rosie Hale

I’m working full-time and doing distance learning, so it’s all online.... It’s been really helpful because everyone has been able to post their own experiences and I’ve learnt a lot.

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Course content

Occupational therapists are part of an international community, irrespective of location or culture. E-learning offers accessible, flexible and modern learning methods to meet the expectations of professionals in the 21st century.

The course normally starts in September (Semester 1). In exceptional circumstances, you may be able to start in January (Semester 2). Please contact the Programme Administrator for further information.

All your modules will be delivered electronically using the 'Brookes Virtual Gateway', an online repository of lectures, handouts, information and learning exercises. Three modules are compulsory for all levels of this course:

• Occupational Therapy: New Perspectives will provide you with the opportunity to develop your understanding of current perspectives informing contemporary occupational therapy practice. You will explore established and emerging theory and research in the areas of occupation and occupational performance. You will have the opportunity to further understand the evolving discipline of occupational science, considering the factors that contribute to the health and well being of individuals, groups and communities from an occupational perspective. Through the learning activities you will analyse the contexts and influences on occupational therapy practice now and in the future.
• Mastering Professional Practice aims to extend your understanding of professional practice beyond that of competence to one of mastery. Through examining the nature of professional practice, including the concepts and theoretical perspectives of your own profession, you will be able to blend this knowledge with your own experiences to arrive at a new way of knowing and enacting your occupational therapy role. This module enables you to analyse and debate key theories and issues in the advancement of your professional practice. You will examine developments within occupational therapy and in relation to your own role. You will be supported in the enhancement of self-awareness and personal/professional growth through the use of strategies that include reflective practice and critical thinking. You will be facilitated in analysing and debating real issues from your practice, using student-centred learning approaches such as online action learning and online group discussion.
• Evidence-Based Practice will explore and critique theories, models and strategies for evidence-based practice, and apply these to the health and social care setting. You will examine the purposes, uses and limitations of various approaches to evidence-based practice, with consideration of political and economic dimensions. You will consider the concepts of decision-making from the practitioner, purchaser, provider and consumer perspectives and explore the tools for critical-appraisal and the transfer of evidence to professional knowledge. You will share the work of experts, researchers and the student group for discussion and critique.

In addition, for the PGDip and MSc, the following module is compulsory:

• Advanced Research Design aims to equip you with skills to find, appraise and utilise research, as well as plan and design a piece of research work. It seeks to prepare you to define a suitable research question and to use this as a basis for identifying appropriate research methodologies for a small-scale research project or dissertation. This module is designed to impart the skills to enable you to plan and outline a rationale for a piece of primary research, secondary analysis, literature review or audit. It focuses on research as part of a body of evidence used for health and social care practice, and provides an overview of methodologies and methods commonly used in health and social care policies and working environments.

You will then choose two of the following modules:

• Leadership in Health and Social Care
• Advanced Health Promotion
• Rehabilitation: Theories and Concepts and Practical Applications
• Vulnerable Children and Young People
• Substance Misuse
• Work-Based Learning

To complete the MSc, you will be required to complete a dissertation (triple module) – a 20,000 word research thesis.

Please note: as courses are reviewed regularly, the list of modules may vary from that shown here.

Faculty

Faculty of Health and Life Sciences

Department

Department of Sport and Health Sciences

Course length

Full-time: MSc: 12 months
Part-time: MSc: 3-5 years

Teaching location

Distance learning

Start date

September 2012

UKPASS code

P044866

Entry requirements

Applicants will be selected on the basis of their suitability for the course, their ability to benefit from it and the number of places available. You should normally have:

• A UK or overseas degree from a recognised institution and a professional occupational therapy qualification
• At least 6 months' post-registration experience working as an occupational therapist in current or recent employment.

Applicants who do not hold the academic requirement of a degree may be considered for entry through accreditation of prior certificated learning or accreditation of experiential learning. For consideration of the latter, you will be required to provide a portfolio of evidence of comparable educational learning.

Applicants may also be admitted to the course with recognition of prior academic credits - this has to be requested when applying for the course.

This is a distance learning course so you will need to have reliable access to the internet, preferably through a broadband connection. You will need to have good IT skills and be proficient in the use of the internet and online communication.

Note: The university offers a pre-master's programme which has been designed to fully prepare you for your future master's course if:

• your undergraduate qualifications do not meet the level required for postgraduate study
• you wish to take a master's in a subject that is different from your undergraduate degree
• you need to improve your study skills and use of academic English.

Go to the main Oxford Brookes website for more information.

Scholarships and funding

Funding

If you are a UK applicant, you may be eligible for funding or sponsorship to undertake the course through your local strategic health authority, your employer, or another source (note: these sources are not open to international students).

Self-funding applicants are also welcome to apply.

General sources of information about finance and financial support for international applicants can be found at: www.brookes.ac.uk/international/finance

All applicants (UK, EU and international) will be required to provide details of their funding arrangements prior to enrolment on the course.

For general sources of financial support, see:

• funding for students from the UK and EU
• funding for students from outside the EU

Support for students studying Contemporary Occupational Therapy (post-registration)

All our courses adopt a student-centred approach to teaching and learning and are strongly focused on encouraging you to attain your full potential as lifelong learners.

There is a range of support mechanisms for students, such as academic advisers, who will facilitate your academic development, and student support co-ordinators, who provide a drop-in service for queries about any aspect of student life, covering both academic and personal welfare.

The university’s support services include Upgrade, which provides advice on study skills such as planning and writing essays, assignments and dissertations, research, or preparing for an exam. They also give advice on statistics and maths. There is a dedicated Student Disability and Dyslexia Service, which provides support for students with disabilities including sensory and mobility impairments, dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties, mental health problems and medical conditions. Here, staff offer advice and support on a range of issues, including physical access, funding, alternative assessment arrangements and liaison with teaching staff to ensure that they are aware of your requirements.

How Brookes supports postgraduate students

Supporting your learning

From academic advisers and support co-ordinators to specialist subject librarians and other learning support staff, we want to ensure that you get the best out of your studies.

Personal support services

We want your time at Brookes to be as enjoyable and successful as possible. That's why we provide all the facilities you need to be relaxed, happy and healthy throughout your studies.

Departmental research highlights

We have a number of both promising and experienced researchers working in established areas including cancer care, children and families, drugs and alcohol, physical rehabilitation and enablement, and interprofessional education and collaborative practice. Over the past few years, these researchers have won external research and consultancy contracts including grants, fellowships and studentships for NHS staff. Our research staff collaborate with researchers from across Oxford Brookes University and from the Institute of Health Sciences at Oxford University, and with research teams from many other UK and international centres.

Research excellence

We are very pleased with the results received in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). 70% of our research in Allied Health Professions and Studies was rated as being of international significance in the assessment of research, of which 10% was rated as world-leading. The university has been careful to nurture emerging research strengths, and the international standing achieved by subjects Allied to Health demonstrates significant progress since 2001. For more details about our research portfolio, go to our website.