MSc Occupational Science

This new MSc in Occupational Science is the only programme of its kind in the UK. Occupational science is the scientific study of humans as occupational beings. Occupational scientists study the impact of culture, environment and society on health and well-being. Whilst occupational science is not occupational therapy, it is the academic discipline that informs and shapes occupational therapy practice.

This programme has been designed to meet the demands of an evolving healthcare system and to provide a deeper understanding of occupation and its application to society. Occupational therapists are increasingly working in multi-disciplinary teams, with traditional, diverse and emerging populations. The specialism of occupational therapy and the use of occupation as a framework for assessment, treatment and review of service user need has a key role in meeting current and emerging 21st Century challenges. A sound understanding of occupation and its application to phenomena, populations, communities, cultures, environments, disorders, disabilities and illness is therefore needed to support and guide the developing occupational therapy workforce.

This programme is primarily designed for students with an undergraduate qualification in occupational therapy, but is also available for humanities, public health and social policy graduates who wish to study at MSc level a specialist subject that has practical applications and relevance outside of occupational therapy.

This programme provides opportunities for newly graduated and experienced staff to develop higher levels of mastery in their profession, providing modular content which can be tailored specifically to areas of specialism. The program provides modules that align with the pillars defined in the Advanced Clinical Practice Framework. This includes modules to develop clinical practice, leadership and management through the study of core and optional elements. Optional elements have been further enriched with the inclusion of Post Graduate modules from the Peace Studies and Psychology programmes. Dissertation will involve the investigation of phenomena as it relates to occupation, society and people. A blended learning approach that includes Research Led Teaching, face-to-face on-campus delivery and aspects of distance learning will be adopted. This programme is also available part-time.

Our undergraduate Occupational Therapy programme is ranked third in the UK and has a well-established reputation for innovation, entrepreneurship and the practical application of occupational science to phenomena.