Occupations are practical, meaningful, and purposeful activities that allow people to develop a sense of identity – for example, self-care, work, or leisure tasks. Occupational therapists, therefore, work collaboratively with people to help them engage in the activities (occupations) they need or want to do, enabling them to lead fulfilling and healthy lives.
On this Occupational Therapy BSc(Hons) course, you’ll work with people of all ages in different situations, assessing their needs and collaboratively developing interventions to help them achieve their potential and enjoy maximum quality of life.
This will assist you in developing an in-depth understanding of occupational therapy, through placements in different settings, including people’s homes, hospitals, local authorities, schools, charities, and prisons.
Why Study Occupational Therapy BSc(Hons) at University of Huddersfield
We’ve ranked 2nd for Occupational Therapy (1st for Student Satisfaction) in Yorkshire and the Humber in the Complete University Guide 2026.
Also, in the National Student Survey 2025, Huddersfield is ranked top in Yorkshire for assessment and feedback, organisation, management, and learning resources, as well as top 10 in the UK for academic support, learning resources, and student voice (counselling, psychotherapy, and occupational therapy).
Whilst studying the course, our purpose-built occupational therapy skills lab enables you to learn in authentic, simulated situations and environments. Also, our Public Partnership Group (PPG) and Health and Wellbeing Academy work together to support your development as a compassionate, person-centred professional. You’ll engage with service users and carers through lectures, discussions, and simulations. Their lived experiences will help to build your communication skills, empathy, and the critical thinking needed to deliver outstanding care across diverse communities. While our Health and Wellbeing Academy offers hands-on placement opportunities through initiatives like Get Set Goal and Restart a Heart. These experiences will help you build skills in communication, public health, leadership, and teamwork while making a real impact in the community.
Occupational therapists work interprofessionally, alongside other healthcare professionals. You’ll therefore study alongside students from other healthcare professions courses, and you’ll carry out a research project and develop entrepreneurial and change management skills with them.
Working on both the teamwork and autonomous practice skills required to work in a rapidly changing health and social care context, you’ll discover how to integrate underlying theory and principles of occupational therapy. You’ll then apply what you learn to different areas of practice.
The University’s new Daphne Steele Building on the site of the National Health Innovation campus allows you to benefit from specialist clinical teaching facilities and world-leading research facilities.
Professional Bodies
This course is accredited by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists. Courses accredited by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists also receive accreditation from the World Federation of Occupational Therapy.
The course is also regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
Why Huddersfield
Huddersfield’s vibrant and friendly campus is a great place from which to study, while the town itself offers lots to see and do, with good transport links in and around the area.
Not quite ready to start Occupational Therapy BSc(Hons)
Successful completion of our Health Foundation Pathway will equip you with the foundation knowledge to study Occupational Therapy.