This online course will enable occupational therapy graduates to enhance their professional development and global employability.
This course, for qualified occupational therapists, will enhance your knowledge so you can confidently step forward in your career and continue to provide healthcare to the highest standards. Taught exclusively online, you can study from anywhere in the world, at any time, so you can fit your learning around your current professional and personal life.
The course modules are varied giving you a wide knowledge base and helping to spark interest for future development. They include Entrepreneurial Leadership for those interested in managing new ventures within the health and social care sector, Professional Development in Practice to develop your leadership skills in preparation for supervision/mentoring roles and Global Healthcare Perspectives tackling the role of occupational therapy in disaster management and reviewing international standards of practice. You will also learn strategies to motivate and empower patients to self manage their conditions as well as developing research skills to inform your future professional practice.
Learning with an international outlook, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with and gain peer support from occupational therapy and physiotherapy colleagues from outside your normal place of work. By adding to your expertise, the course will help you to gain accreditation for CPD purposes and enhance your employability. This course is for you if you want to improve your confidence and enhance the quality of your practice in health and social care services.
We know that choosing to study at university is a big decision, and you may not always be able to find the information you need online.
Please contact Ulster University with any queries or questions you might have about:
For any queries regarding getting help with your application, please select Admissions in the drop down below.
For queries related to course content, including modules and placements, please select Course specific information.
We look forward to hearing from you.
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All students have to successfully complete the following 7 compulsory modules for the award of MSc in Professional Development in Occupational Therapy.
Modules (All Credit Level 7)
1. Long Term Conditions (30 Credit Points)
2. Professional Development in Practice (15 Credit Points)
3. Research Evidence in Health Science (15 Credit Points)
4. Global Healthcare Perspectives (30 Credit Points)
5. Entrepreneurial Leadership (15 Credit Points)
6. Research Project Preparation (15 Credit Points)
7. Research Project/Dissertation (60 Credit Points)
The PgDip Professional Development in Occupational Therapy(120 Credits) is an optional exit route after completion of modules 1 to 6.
The PgCert Professional Development in Occupational Therapy (60 Credits) is an optional exit route after completion of modules 1, 2 & 3 or completion of modules 1 & 4.
Global Healthcare Perspectives
This online module explores the diversity of healthcare systems worldwide and the need for capacity building in many countries worldwide. Issues such as the clinical/practice role of occupational therapy and physiotherapy in disasters and catastrophic emergencies, professional body and international standards and quality assurance are explored.
Professional licensure requirements and professional body accreditation are discussed from a global perspective.
Long Term Conditions
This module will enable the student to increase their knowledge and understanding of the pathophysiology process of various long term conditions. Strategies to motivate and empower patients to manage their condition will be explored alongside the role of family and carers. Best practice will be discussed and justified by critical evaluation of literature.
Entrepreneurial Leadership
The module seeks to build the student's awareness of "entrepreneurial leadership" and to provide a framework for engaging with and assessing the viability of an innovative project/new venture or the development of an existing one within the health and social care sector. It aims to give the student insights to the opportunities and challenges associated with establishing and managing the development of a new or existing venture, allowing them to audit their personal, entrepreneurial potential.
Professional Development in Practice
This module provides the opportunity for students to engage in professional development to enhance their working knowledge and application of effective learning, teaching and supervisory methods. This will develop their leadership skills in preparation for taking on a supervisory/mentoring role with students and junior staff in the future.
Research Project Preparation
The aim of the module is to develop research design skills to enable students to produce a working research proposal for the Masters project.
Research Evidence in Health Science
This 15 credit point, online module runs twice per academic year and offers health professionals an opportunity to develop their understanding of a range of research methodologies commonly used within healthcare. They will use this understanding of clinical research methods to develop skills in critically appraising and synthesising literature in order to inform and advance the quality of care and service delivery. For those students proceeding to the Masters award, the module will complement the 'Preparation for Project' module and provide a foundation for the Masters project.
Research Project
The aim of this project module is to engage the student in an independent piece of research activity under the guidance of a supervisor from the School of Health Sciences. It is expected that this research will add to the student's knowledge and perhaps inform future teaching, clinical practice or further research. The research activity will be allied to that carried out in the Centre for Health and Rehabilitation Technologies (CHaRT) within the Institute for Nursing and Health Research (INHR).
Full time or part time options are available. Students can enrol on the programme on a Full time (over 1 year; 3 semesters) or Part time basis (over 3 years; 6 semesters). Students engage on a weekly basis in online learning, completing tasks and collaborating with peers.
This course uses online delivery to enable learning and wider participation for graduates worldwide. You will actively engage in learning using a varied suite of digital, interactive learning tools which will promote student engagement, communication and collaboration within an international and peer supported learning community.
The University employs over 1,000 suitably qualified and experienced academic staff - 59% have PhDs in their subject field and many have professional body recognition.
Courses are taught by staff who are Professors (25%), Readers, Senior Lecturers (20%) or Lecturers (55%).
We require most academic staff to be qualified to teach in higher education: 82% hold either Postgraduate Certificates in Higher Education Practice or higher. Most academic staff (81%) are accredited fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) by Advanced HE - the university sector professional body for teaching and learning. Many academic and technical staff hold other professional body designations related to their subject or scholarly practice.
The profiles of many academic staff can be found on the University’s departmental websites and give a detailed insight into the range of staffing and expertise. The precise staffing for a course will depend on the department(s) involved and the availability and management of staff. This is subject to change annually and is confirmed in the timetable issued at the start of the course.
Occasionally, teaching may be supplemented by suitably qualified part-time staff (usually qualified researchers) and specialist guest lecturers. In these cases, all staff are inducted, mostly through our staff development programme ‘First Steps to Teaching’. In some cases, usually for provision in one of our out-centres, Recognised University Teachers are involved, supported by the University in suitable professional development for teaching.
Figures correct for academic year 2021-2022.
Here is a guide to the subjects studied on this course.
Courses are continually reviewed to take advantage of new teaching approaches and developments in research, industry and the professions. Please be aware that modules may change for your year of entry. The exact modules available and their order may vary depending on course updates, staff availability, timetabling and student demand. Please contact the course team for the most up to date module list.
In this section
Year: 1
Status: C
This online module explores the diversity of healthcare systems worldwide and the need for capacity building in many countries worldwide. Issues such as the clinical/practice role of occupational therapy and physiotherapy in disasters and catastrophic emergencies, professional body and international standards and quality assurance are explored.
Professional licensure requirements and professional body accreditation are discussed from a global perspective.
Year: 1
Status: C
This module will enable the student to increase their knowledge and understanding of the pathophysiology process of various long term conditions. Strategies to motivate and empower patients to manage their condition will be explored alongside the role of family and carers. Best practice will be discussed and justified by critical evaluation of literature.
Year: 2
Status: C
The module seeks to build the student's awareness of "entrepreneurial leadership" and to provide a framework for engaging with and assessing the viability of an innovative project/new venture or the development of an existing one within the health and social care sector. It aims to give the student insights to the opportunities and challenges associated with establishing and managing the development of a new or existing venture, allowing them to audit their personal, entrepreneurial potential.
Year: 2
Status: C
This module provides the opportunity for students to engage in professional development to enhance their working knowledge and application of effective learning, teaching and supervisory methods. This will develop their leadership skills in preparation for taking on a supervisory/mentoring role with students and junior staff in the future.
Year: 2
Status: C
The aim of the module is to develop research design skills to enable students to produce a working research proposal for the Masters project.
Year: 2
Status: C
This 15 credit point, online module runs twice per academic year and offers health professionals an opportunity to develop their understanding of a range of research methodologies commonly used within healthcare. They will use this understanding of clinical research methods to develop skills in critically appraising and synthesising literature in order to inform and advance the quality of care and service delivery. For those students proceeding to the Masters award, the module will complement the 'Preparation for Project' module and provide a foundation for the Masters project.
Year: 3
Status: C
The aim of this project module is to engage the student in an independent piece of research activity under the guidance of a supervisor from the School of Health Sciences. It is expected that this research will add to the student's knowledge and perhaps inform future teaching, clinical practice or further research. The research activity will be allied to that carried out in the Centre for Health and Rehabilitation Technologies (CHaRT) within the Institute for Nursing and Health Research (INHR).
We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.
In this section
Applicants must:
(a) have gained a second class honours degree or better in Occupational Therapy from a University of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, or from a recognised national awarding body, or from an institution of another country which has been recognised as being of an equivalent standard.
(b) be eligible for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council
(c) provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English (GCSE grade C or equivalent) and for non-native English speakers, IELTS 7.0 (with no contributing band at less than 6.5) or, as an alternative to (a) and/or (b)
English language requirements for international applicants
The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 7.0 with no band score less than 6.5.
Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.
In this section
Completion of this course will equip you with the necessary knowledge, skills, confidence and expertise to live, work and study in international contexts, thereby increasing your employability.
There are no practice placements attached to this course.
The price of your overall programme will be determined by the number of credit points that you initiate in the relevant academic year.
For modules commenced in the academic year 2023/24, the following fees apply:
| Credit Points | NI/ROI/GB Cost | International Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | £186.65 | £440 |
| 10 | £373.30 | £880 |
| 15 | £559.95 | £1,320 |
| 20 | £746.60 | £1,760 |
| 30 | £1,119.90 | £2,640 |
| 60 | £2,239.80 | £5,280 |
| 120 | £4,479.60 | £10,560 |
| 180 | £6,719.40 | £15,840 |
NB: A standard full-time PGCert is equivalent to 60 credit points per year. A standard full-time PGDip is equivalent to 120 credit points per year.
It is important to remember that costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges) and normal living will need to be covered in addition to tuition fees.
Where a course has additional mandatory expenses (in addition to tuition fees) we make every effort to highlight them above. We aim to provide students with the learning materials needed to support their studies. Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. Computer suites and free Wi-Fi are also available on each of the campuses.
There are additional fees for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.
Students choosing a period of paid work placement or study abroad as a part of their course should be aware that there may be additional travel and living costs, as well as tuition fees.
See the tuition fees on our student guide for most up to date costs.
We know that choosing to study at university is a big decision, and you may not always be able to find the information you need online.
Please contact Ulster University with any queries or questions you might have about:
For any queries regarding getting help with your application, please select Admissions in the drop down below.
For queries related to course content, including modules and placements, please select Course specific information.
We look forward to hearing from you.
"The course is fit for purpose"- it is enjoyable"
"Learning helpful and able to apply knowledge"
“The team is very supportive”
“Provided with a wide range of learning materials. Found this helpful when working full time whilst studying – good pacing to allow engagement with the learning material”
“Good opportunities to engage with one another within and outside of the taught sessions through the discussion topics and the discussion board works well"
“Assessments have been varied enabling development of a range of skills such as development of a portfolio and coaching skills
“Feedback has been good and has helped the transition back into study. Also helped to build skills and enhance performance in future modules”
“The programme is appropriately constructed to meet the needs of occupational therapists. The curriculum is contemporary and underpinned by research”
"The programme helps graduates to become more rounded health professionals who are equipped for a range of career directions"
