Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours)
Undergraduate
2025
You're considered an International student if you are:
Undergraduate
2025
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
Vietnam | 9.5 |
Australia | 90 |
IB (best 6) | 33 |
USA SAT (1600) | 1420 |
India (best 4) State Board | 90 |
Canada High School (OSSD) | 85 |
Eynesbury FSP | 410 |
India (best 4) Central Board | 80 |
German Abitur | 2.5 |
HKDSE | 19 |
Kenya KCSE (average) | A |
Nepal NEB | 3.21 |
Bangladesh HSC | 5 |
Malaysia STPM (best 3) | 12 |
Malaysia UEC | 22 |
Norway GPA | 5 |
Pakistan HSSC | 90 |
Sri Lanka A Levels (best 3) | 12 |
Sweden GPA | 17.5 |
UK Board GCE A Levels/HK Board | 12 |
Develop the skills to succeed as an occupational therapist and help people of all ages maintain and improve their day-to-day activities.
Study South Australia’s first fully accredited degree in occupational therapy from a university with more than 50 years of experience in allied health education.
Graduate with an accredited, internationally recognised qualification and ready to register as an occupational therapist through the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia.1
Engage in more than 1,000 hours of real-world practice placements while you study.
Benefit from our strong partnerships and alliances with not-for-profit organisations, aged care facilities and community restorative programs, health and disability, and children’s service providers.
Learn from award-winning teaching staff, academics, practicing health professionals and researchers in the field.
Study a contemporary and culturally diverse curriculum informed by above world-class research in occupational therapy.2
UniSA is an unstoppable university for unstoppable people. As one of the World’s Top Young Universities,3 we’ll ensure you get the experience your future profession demands so it’ll feel like you’re studying one minute and in a career the next.
1Accredited by the Occupational Therapy Council of Australia Ltd (OTC); approved by the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia for the purpose of professional registration as an occupational therapist in Australia; and approved by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists. 2Results in Clinical Sciences - 2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA). 3Ranked #43, 2024 THE Young University Rankings.
Unleash your unstoppable career in occupational therapy, and be at the forefront of helping people of all ages to actively participate in society, irrespective of limitations. This four-year honours degree will teach you how to help people overcome constraints caused by injury or illness, and help them navigate and manage emotional, developmental, environmental, societal, age-related and psychological limitations.
As a registered occupational therapist, you’ll be an integral part of the allied health workforce. You’ll be able to work across a variety of areas, ranging from hospitals and private practice to aged care and schools, with strong applicability into international workforces.
As an honours degree, you will graduate with a respected qualification, and can tailor your studies to either a professional or research stream, depending on your career goals.
You can also use your qualification as a pathway to postgraduate study. This can include upskilling into areas like mental health or management, or continuing into research with a Master of Research and doctoral studies.
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 student registration process is undertaken by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) with the University providing notification to AHPRA following enrolment in the program. On successful completion of the program, full AHPRA registration is undertaken.
Your first year will focus on core health subjects including anatomy, physiology, and an introduction to occupational therapy practice and evidence.
From second and third year, you’ll focus on the application of your skills in mental health, occupation rehabilitation, chronic conditions, community focus, primary health care and participatory community practice.
In addition to field placements, you’ll attend workshops in a range of industry settings, which will offer first-hand insight into the scope of practice. You’ll also have the opportunity to visit regional settings in your third year on the annual Country Road Trip.
Throughout your degree, you’ll be exposed to many different hands-on activities that may be part of your future role. This includes:
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’ll learn from a university with more than 50 years of experience in occupational therapy education and research. You’ll spend more than 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.
UniSA’s curriculum is based on innovative, current, and above-world-class research,1 meaning your degree is industry-informed and relevant for your future career. You will learn from passionate academics and industry experts, allowing you to build your industry networks while you study.
Students who successfully complete this degree will be eligible to register as an occupational therapist through the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia / the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
1Results in Clinical Sciences - 2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA).
Gain insight into the rewarding careers of UniSA occupational therapy graduates, Rochelle Mutton and Jordan Liseno. Rochelle is the Owner and Director at Motivate Kids and employs Jordan as part of her growing team.
Occupational therapists can make a real difference in people’s lives. You’ll help people overcome any barriers they have – whether it be physical, environmental or emotional – to doing any activity big or small, and empowering them to live their best lives.
A successful occupational therapist is professional, an excellent communicator, observant, logical, a critical thinker, and evidence based. You’ll be the type of person who enjoys working with people; and be mentally, emotionally and physically capable. This field of work is immensely rewarding and can offer exciting challenges, assisting people in the everyday occupations of life.
You can gain employment in a range of settings, including:
Some key areas of activity where occupational therapists provide support include:
This degree prepares you to work overseas, as the qualification is recognised in most countries.
Your research honours degree will also prepare you for a career in research or academia.
This program is accredited by the Occupational Therapy Council of Australia Ltd (OTC).
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:
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 15% reduction on tuition fees for the duration of their chosen degree.
As a UniSA student, 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 and laboratories, as well as spaces 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 gain access to a range of community clinics, which provide professional and cost effective services in areas of health, business, 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 also has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation and private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages, or explore our student accommodation by Scape on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, an ideal 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'll have access to:
You’ll also get to use a range of on-campus spaces including modern lecture theatres, libraries, collaborative teaching rooms, and relaxed student lounges.
With over twenty years of knowledge and research experience in Occupational Therapy, I make sure students learn with the latest information to support innovative and responsive practice. With a strong focus on primary health care, my teaching combines the theory and practice of the field, preparing students to understand the full scope of their future role. I aim to have all students graduate confident to face challenges raised by clients, families, health services and policymakers alike when they step into their careers.
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.