Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours)
Degree Level Undergraduate
Year 2020
You’re considered an International student if you are a citizen of a country other than Australia or New Zealand.
Degree Level Undergraduate
Year 2020
Program Code
IHOC
Prerequisites
None
Assumed Knowledge
None
Fees
2020: AUD$ 37,800 per annum (per 1.0 EFTSL)
2021: AUD$ 39,700 per annum (per 1.0 EFTSL)
Admissions
Student Profile
International Admission by Country
See full entry requirements
CRICOS Code
088336D
The admission criteria have been grouped to assist you to easily find the information most relevant to your circumstances. However, you may fit into more than one and the university will consider applicants against each of the relevant criteria.
Certain conditions apply. For more information refer to Appendix 4 of the University's Selection and Entry policy.
Applicants are required to meet one of the following criteria with a competitive result, and demonstrate that they fulfil any prerequisite requirements and essential requirements for admission:
Recent secondary education
Meet any prerequisite requirements with a minimum grade of C- or equivalent
AND
Applicants who have not achieved the Selection Rank required for automatic selection may be selected for any remaining places based on the grades of their year 12 subjects.
OR
Higher education study
OR
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
OR
Work and life experience
Bangladesh HSC | 5 |
Canada High School (OSSD) | 85 |
Eynesbury FSP | 410 |
German Abitur | 1.7 |
India (best 4) | 80 |
Kenya KCSE (average) | A |
Malaysia STPM (best 3) | 12 |
Malaysia UEC | 22 |
Norway GPA | 4.5 |
Pakistan HSSC | 90 |
Sri Lanka A Levels (best 3) | 11 |
Sweden GPA | 17.5 |
UK Board GCE A Levels/HK Board | 12 |
Vietnam | 9.5 |
Australia | 90 |
IB (best 6) | 33 |
USA SAT (1600) | 1420 |
HKDSE | 20 |
Nepal NEB | 3.21 |
1Results in Clinical Sciences - 2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA)
Registered 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 degree is designed to ensure you graduate 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 more than 1,000 hours of field placements in settings such as community agencies, kindergartens and aged care facilities, providing valuable hands-on experience that will enable a seamless transition from study to the workforce.
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, a Working with Children Check 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.
During the first two years of this degree you will study the basics needed to gain a clear understanding of the links between human occupations, health, development, illness and disability. The topics covered in these early stages include:
Second and third years focus on application specific courses, including mental health, occupation rehabilitation, chronic conditions, community focus, primary health care and health promotion, as well as participatory community practice.
Practical learning is a strong focus, particularly during your second, third and fourth years when you will practice your skills in a variety of settings during extensive field placements. You will also attend workshops in a variety of industry settings such as Guide Dogs SA, Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre, and Independent Living Centres.
Knowledge and skills in problem solving, communication, lifelong learning, ethical action and valuing difference are emphasised and developed throughout the degree.
UniSA has close to 50 years' experience in occupational therapy education and is proud of the rich knowledge base we have created.
Occupational therapists understand that health and wellbeing is affected by a person’s environment, the things they do, and their state of health. They work with a wide range of people in a number of settings and manage complex and difficult problems.
Graduating with an honours degree will set you apart from the crowd, ensuring you have a competitive edge and are well-placed for a career in industry, research or further postgraduate study.
You will spend over 1,000 hours completing practice placements in metropolitan, rural or regional settings, providing you with the opportunity to consolidate and apply your knowledge and skills. You could have the opportunity to complete a placement overseas,
The curriculum is based on innovative research, meaning your degree is industry-informed, relevant and up-to-date.
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 and can offer exciting challenges, assisting people of all ages to overcome physical and mental barriers in their life.
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:
There are also opportunities to work with both children and their families, to assist with the child’s development of functional skills and strategies to build their motor skills, social skills and self-care.
The degree prepares you for working overseas, qualification is recognised in most countries.
You may also choose to pursue a career in research – graduates with honours degrees are highly sought after by prospective employers, particularly within academia and research settings.
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 for international students will give you helpful information about the application process at the University of South Australia. When you are ready, apply through our International Application System. If you would like to talk to someone near you about studying at the University of South Australia, we have agents all over the world who can assist you. Find an Education Agent in your country.
Australian
There are other pathways you can follow to study this degree, including:
UniSA College Foundation Studies
SAIBT Diploma of Health Science
International
There are other pathways you can follow to study this degree, including:
SAIBT Diploma of Health Science
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.
Recipients can get a 50% reduction on tuition fees for up to four years of full-time study for selected degrees.
Recipients can get a 25% reduction on tuition fees for their first year of study for selected degrees.
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. You will also have access to a range of community clinics, which provide professional and cost effective services in areas of health, law and psychology. 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.
As an occupational therapy student you will have access to:
I am a graduate of this program and bring more than 30 years of experience to my role. I am an active member of the occupational community and am currently the President of the Board of Occupational Therapy Australia.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy students Rachel and Tyla share their experiences of their rural placement project in Clare Valley, supported by UniSA’s Department of Rural Health.