Study Master of Occupational Therapy (Graduate Entry) at the University of South Australia (UniSA). Information for International students.

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Entry requirements Degree overview Career outcomes How to apply Study experience

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International students

Start date
February

Campus
City East

Duration
2 year(s) full-time

Program Code
IMOG

Fees
2019: AUD$ 38,400 per annum (per 1.0 EFTSL)
2020: AUD$ 40,300 per annum (per 1.0 EFTSL)

English Language Requirements

IELTS total [7.0]
IELTS reading [7.0]
IELTS writing [7.0]
IELTS speaking [7.0]
IELTS listening [7.0]

Equivalent English qualifications (PDF)

International Admission by Country
See full entry requirements

CRICOS Code
024071J

Entry requirements

Applicants are required to have:
- completed, and conferred within the past 10 years, a recognised higher education program at Bachelor degree level or higher from a recognised higher education institution; and
- a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 5 (credit average) or international equivalent in the program; and
- successfully completed within the past 10 years the following pre-requisite courses from a recognised university*:
  - equivalent of 4.5 unit course of Human Anatomy at AQF Level 7. The courses must explicitly include detailed musculoskeletal anatomy, neuroanatomy and systems anatomy; and
  - equivalent of 4.5 unit course of Human Physiology at AQF Level 7; and
  - equivalent of 4.5 unit course of either Human Psychology or Sociology/Anthropology at AQF level 7; and
  - equivalent of 4.5 unit course of Research Methodologies at AQF Level 7.
Applicants for this program must complete the additional information form found at:

www.unisa.edu.au/Health/form-IMOG

Note: Applicants who are overseas trained occupational therapists and are eligible to apply for assessment by the Occupational Therapy Council (Aust & NZ) to meet the qualification requirements for registration by the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia are not eligible to apply for this program.

*4.5 units is equivalent to 12.5% of a full year load.
English language entry requirements
In addition, international students who speak English as a foreign language must have completed an objective English language test and obtained one of the following standards within the last two years prior to admission. Previous study/work in English will not meet the English language entry requirements. Possession of one or more of these standards, in addition to the academic entry requirements, does not, in itself, guarantee a place at the University of South Australia. Applications are considered on an individual basis and selection is competitive.
English language test
- IELTS total [7.0]
- IELTS reading [7.0]
- IELTS writing [7.0]
- IELTS speaking [7.0]
- IELTS listening [7.0]
See equivalence table for other qualifications and English Language tests accepted by UniSA (PDF)
View full entry requirements Hide full entry requirements

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Degree overview

Benefit from over 40 years' experience in occupational therapy education.
Experience first-hand what it’s like when you take part in real-world placements as part of your study.
Benefit from our strong industry partnerships and alliances.
Experience a rewarding career helping people of all ages maintain and improve day-to-day activities.
Learn from award-winning teaching staff, academics, practicing health professionals and researchers in the field.

Snapshot

Occupational therapists assist people in managing constraints caused by injury or illness, as well as emotional, developmental, environmental, societal, age-related and psychological limitations. They help people of all ages achieve their goals, optimise their lifestyles and actively participate in society irrespective of limitations.

This master degree provides you with the knowledge, skills and attributes needed to become an innovative and competent occupational therapist. With a strong focus on practical skills, you will complete a substantial 1,000 hours of field placements, providing valuable practical experience that will enable a seamless transition from study to the workforce. Important industry connections may also be made during these placements.

What you'll need

Students who undertake activities where interaction with patients/the public is required for their degree, such as field or clinical placements/visits and in University clinics and gyms, must demonstrate they meet mandatory pre-placement conditional requirements. These include criminal history clearance, child related employment clearance and immunisation requirements. Please visit the Clinical Placement Unit for information on key requirements, and to access the full student checklists.

All students enrolled in a program leading to professional registration must be registered with the relevant National Board. The registration process is undertaken by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) with the University providing notification to AHPRA following enrolment in the program.

What you'll learn

Rochelle Mutton, OT graduate

You will study the major theoretical approaches and skills occupational therapists use to work with a broad range of clients.

Practical learning is a strong focus of this master degree and you will practice your skills in real scenarios when you complete 1,000 hours of field placements. Placements will take place in a variety of settings, such as health, disability and community agencies, kindergartens and aged care facilities.

The importance of critical thinking, superior communication skills, ethical action and problem solving are also explored in depth.

Degree structure

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units
FIRST YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Introduction to Occupational Therapy Practice GE	REHB 5109	4.5
Enabling Occupation 1	REHB 5105	4.5
Occupational Therapy Field Practice 1	REHB 5070	4.5
Evidence Based Practice Skills	REHB 5108	4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Human Neuroscience GE	BIOL 5013	4.5
Enabling Occupation 2	REHB 5106	4.5
Occupational Science (GE)	REHB 5110	4.5
Occupational Therapy Field Practice 2	REHB 6005	4.5
SECOND YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Enabling Occupation 3	REHB 5107	4.5
Enabling Occupation 4	REHB 6012	4.5
Occupational Therapy Field Practice 3A	REHB 6014	4.5
Evidence Based Practice GE	HLTH 6012	4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Enabling Occupation 5	REHB 6013	4.5
Occupational Therapy Field Practice 3B	REHB 6015	4.5
Occupational Therapy Field Practice 4	REHB 6006	9

Rules & notes

Rules

1. Student registration with the relevant board of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) is required in order to study this program. Students who do not meet registration criteria and are refused registration by AHPRA, or who have their registration rescinded during the program, will be unable to continue in the program. Further information will be provided by the University with offer letters.

2. All students in the Division of Health Sciences who, as part of their program, undertake activities where interaction with patients/the public is required, such as in field or clinical placements/visits and in University clinics and gyms, must demonstrate that they have a current National Police Certificate (NPC) through SAPOL (or their home state police service) and a current Department for Communities and Social Inclusion (DCSI) Child-Related Clearance, which is valid for the duration of the program. The National Police Certificate will list disclosable court outcomes that may prevent clinical placement involvement. The University has a process for reviewing these outcomes to assess suitability for placement.

3. Students are required to have a "Provide First Aid" certificate, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certificate (CPR), Mandatory Notification Training Certificate, and vaccinations prior to the commencement of the first placement or clinic activity.

4. Students are required to attend a mandatory three day intensive program-specific orientation held the week prior to commencement of the program.

5. Students will be required to undertake field practice placement outside of normal university teaching weeks.

6. Students are required to satisfy the standard of dress and behaviour prescribed by institutions in which the field practice placements are undertaken. Failure to satisfy such requirements may prevent them satisfying the requirements for the completion of the program.

7. The program requires participation in practical classes where manual skills are practiced. Essential learning activities in some classes may require that students partially remove their clothing to a level that is appropriate to the learning activity. Students may also be asked to act as subjects for their peer group members. If a student is unable to meet these requirements they may be at risk of being unable to successfully complete course objectives and assessments and progress through the program.

8. Participation is required in practical classes and clinical placements where students are required to physically handle people including lifting and supporting people with disabilities.

Notes

1. Students are advised that a current South Australian driver's licence may be required by some field practice agencies and a driver's licence is considered an advantage for field practice.

2. Students are advised that they may be required to spend time in a field placement outside Adelaide in a country or interstate location.

3. Students are strongly encouraged to study full-time. Students seeking part-time study must discuss this with the Program Director prior to enrolment. Part-time students are normally expected to complete the program in four years.

4. Students are advised that an interstate or international field practice placement may be possible in the final semester of study.

5. Credit will not normally be granted due to the accelerated nature of the program.

Study hours

For each course you study, you will need to allocate time for various classes such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Plus you will need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects and contribute to online discussion forums. So as a general rule, if you are studying full-time you would need to allocate 12 – 26 hours of study when at university and 14 – 28 hours of independent study per week.

Assessment

Your studies will incorporate practical, professionally focused and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. You can expect them to include:

portfolios
presentations
reports
essays and assignments
examinations

Global opportunities

Enrich your studies and your life – make overseas study part of your qualification. Australian and international students may have the option to do an exchange, short-term program or study tour overseas. We have links with universities worldwide. You can choose short-term or semester-long study from a range of universities and countries depending on your area of study and cultural interests.

Take a look at the global opportunities available.

Why Master of Occupational Therapy (Graduate Entry)

If you already have an undergraduate degree and want to become a registered occupational therapist, this is the degree for you. The degree is a high demand program with core occupational therapy knowledge condensed into two years of study. Some pre-requisite courses are required.

You will gain further experience through field placements within a variety of settings. We’ve also been teaching in this field for more than 40 years, and are proud of the rich knowledge base we have created. Student satisfaction with learning and outcomes is consistently high and our graduates are employed throughout Australia and overseas.

As Australia’s university of enterprise, we are the largest university in South Australia with more than 31,000 students and are ranked 26th in the world's top 50 under 50¹.

Our commitment to research with an industry focus is unprecedented in South Australia. In the 2015 nationwide Excellence in Research for Australia evaluation, 97 per cent of our assessed research was rated world-class or above.

¹2017 QS Top 50 Universities Aged Under 50

Real-world connections

Many of our teachers are practicing occupational therapists and accomplished researchers, which means you are not only offered exceptional learning opportunities but also valuable industry contacts.

A major focus of your study will be centred on practical learning and you will complete 1,000 hours of field placements. During this time you will build important industry relationships and valuable networks.

We also host regular University-wide employee master classes and employment expos, and alumni events in Australia and overseas.

Career outcomes

Your career

A successful occupational therapist is practical, logical, attentive and observant. You will enjoy working with people and be mentally and physically capable – this field of work is immensely rewarding, but can also offer challenges, which you need to be ready to manage. If you think you are capable of meeting these challenges, and are ready for a rewarding and stimulating career, then a career in occupational therapy may be for you.

As an occupational therapist you can gain employment in a range of settings, across the various health, disability and community sectors, working with people across the lifespan including:

hospital and acute services
private practice
community mental health services
ambulatory and rehabilitation services
aged care facilities
community services
home care programs
local council services
government departments
schools
not for profit and non government sector
primary health networks

Professional accreditation and recognition

This program is accredited by the Occupational Therapy Council (Australia & New Zealand) Ltd.

This program is approved by the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia for the purpose of professional registration as an occupational therapist in Australia.

This program is approved by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists

How to apply

Applying to study with us:

check the Postgraduate Health Science Closing Dates page for application closing dates
go to the top of this page and make note of the SATAC code, then click Apply
you will be redirected through to the SATAC website to continue your application

Credit transfer

You could be eligible for credit for previous studies you have undertaken. Find out online.

Go to credit assessor

Life in Adelaide

Current international students talk about living in Adelaide and studying at UniSA.

Hear from our students

Scholarships

Every year, over 2,500 UniSA students are supported in their studies through scholarships and grants worth millions of dollars. Check out the scholarships below. One of them may be perfect for you. Visit our scholarships page for more.

More scholarships

Vice Chancellor's International Excellence Scholarship

Recipients can get a 50% reduction on tuition fees for up to four years of full-time study for selected degrees.

Learn more

International Merit Scholarship

Recipients can get a 25% reduction on tuition fees for their first year of study for selected degrees.

Learn more

Your study experience and support

As a student at the University of South Australia you will have unique access to work placement opportunities, overseas study tours and exchanges, networking events, internships, guest speakers and more.

Our campuses are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and areas that simulate real work environments. These are all supported by the latest technologies and a 24/7 online learning platform. We have health services on campus, gymnasiums, technology zones and great student lounges. There are campus sport activities to keep you active, and if you are keen to explore the social side of university life, there are movies, cooking demonstrations, parties and lots more.

Adelaide has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation or private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages for plenty of options. If you need somewhere to live, our new student accommodation by urbanest is on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, a perfect location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.

Student services

International Student Services will make your life at university easier. We want you to be successful, and if you need help we will be there to assist.

We also offer study support from our Learning Advisers. You can work with them face-to-face or online. They are here to help you develop academically and professionally during your studies. They also offer help with the English language. When you become a UniSA student you can contact Campus Central for help with anything related to your degree. They will help you with your enrolment, ID cards, fees, timetables and any other questions you might have.

24/7 digital environment

Our learnonline facilities include a personal learning environment with virtual classrooms, lecture recordings, emails, learning support, administration, library access and results. The environment is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you can tailor your learning to your life. We are continually investing in innovative digital technologies for a high-quality student learning experience.

Your campus

We have six campuses in metropolitan and regional areas, each with advanced facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, laboratories, and areas that simulate real work environments.

Your study spaces

Anatomy laboratory.jpg

As an occupational therapy student you will have access to:

Occupational Therapy teaching rooms
Anatomy laboratory
Physiology laboratory

Your program director

I have an active interest in play, sensation, assistive technology, research and physical disability; I also have a wide and varied background in teaching, rehabilitation and child healthcare

Dr Angela Berndt

Program Director

Enquire

Dr Angela Berndt

Program Director

Enquire

Ask UniSA

How to apply?

There are a number of ways to apply to study UniSA's undergraduate and postgraduate coursework degrees.

You can access our online International Application System through our How to Apply page. The International Application System is an easy and secure online application and acceptance process. You will have visibility of your application through the secure online portal with the ability to download offer documents, submit your acceptance and make a payment.

Alternatively you can submit an application through one of the University's registered Education Agents.

If you are completing an Australian year 12 qualification in Australia or overseas, or the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme in Australia, you must apply through SATAC http://www.satac.edu.au/.

If you are applying for the UniSA Study Abroad or Study Abroad Plus program, you can submit your application online here.

Postgraduate study by research
For information on applying to do postgraduate study by research, including Masters by Research, PhDs or Doctorates, please visit http://unisa.edu.au/resdegrees.
Is there a closing date for applications?

There is no closing date for submitting your application however the admissions process takes between one and three weeks from the date that we receive your application and all required supporting documentation.

If you are completing an Australian year 12 qualification in Australia or overseas, or the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme in Australia, you must apply through SATAC. Key dates for applications can be found here.
What credit can I receive for previous studies?

You may be eligible to receive credit or advanced standing for your chosen UniSA degree based on your previous studies, if they are in a related area at an equivalent or higher level. Receiving credit will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree.

The amount of credit you may be eligible to receive is assessed on a case-by-case basis by the Admissions team.

The best way to determine your eligibility to receive credit or advanced standing is to apply using our International Application System which can be found on our How to Apply page. You will need to supply detailed syllabus documents with your application.
Can I speak to someone regarding my study options?

UniSA welcomes the opportunity to speak with you regarding your study options. Our staff are able to talk to you about degree information, career outcomes and pathways, entry requirements, applications, and student life, so that you are able to make the best study decision for your future.

Click here to book a 1:1 appointment with one of our enquiries team.

We also have many events throughout the year in Australia and overseas where you can speak with UniSA representatives about your area of interest. View our calendar of events in your home country by selecting the 'International' filter.

More FAQs

What others are saying

I was interested in helping people maintain or regain their independence at an occupational level. I liked that I would have the ability to work with people at different developmental stages, whether it be children or the elderly community.

Brian Lai

Master of Occupational Therapy (Graduate Entry)

Brian Lai

Master of Occupational Therapy (Graduate Entry)

I have always wanted to help people and I see Occupational Therapy as a way to enrich the lives of others through enabling individuals and providing a holistic rehabilitation service. In the future I wish to have my own private practice after I have experienced the many different areas of Occupational Therapy. I hope to develop my skills in the fields of pain science and neurological injuries.

Christian Burden

Master of Occupational Therapy (Graduate Entry)

Christian Burden

Master of Occupational Therapy (Graduate Entry)

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