Bachelor of Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists (OT's) work with those whose abilities are impaired by disease, physical injury, developmental abnormalities, emotional trauma, psychological problems or social disadvantage. Through the therapeutic use of self; activities, specialised skills and equipment, OT's assist those people to regain their abilities and live with meaning and purpose. Increasingly, occupational therapists are working in the community in different areas of practice such as schools. More emphasis is being given to health and wellbeing and prevention.

During the program you will complete a minimum of 1,000 plus hours of practice education (clinical placements). This ensures continual application of theory into practice.

The program encourages students to be problem solvers, creative thinkers and self-directed learners. It combines studies in the biomedical, behavioural and occupational sciences. Professional placements are full-time, last from two to twelve weeks and give you the opportunity to experience services in urban or rural NSW.

Occupational therapists work as members of inter/multi-disciplinary health care teams in general hospitals, rehabilitation centres, supported employment services, mental health services and in specialised programs for children, elderly people and people with intellectual disabilities. They also work in industry in the fields of occupational health and rehabilitation.

New areas of practice are continually being offered although positions may not state the position of "occupational therapist" but rather "case managers" or other titles may be used. This is a worldwide profession, so many opportunities could be available abroad.

Admission to this program is available to Australian students, residents and international students. Please visit http://www.newcastle.edu.au/what-can-i-study/undergraduate-programs/how-to-get-in/ for information on how to gain entry.

You may also be eligible to receive bonus points if you will be receiving an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR). Please visit

http://www.newcastle.edu.au/what-can-i-study/undergraduate-programs/how-to-get-in/domestic-students/options-for-entry/bonus-points.html to see if you may be eligible.

Current Australian Year 12 students - Apply for entry through UAC. Entry is based on ATAR or interstate equivalent.

Non school leavers and previous Australian Year 12 students - Apply for entry through UAC. Entry based on

• previous year 12 studies
• higher education, tertiary or post-secondary qualifications and/or
• overseas qualifications considered equivalent to Australian qualifications.

International Students

International students currently undertaking:

an Australian Year 12 in Australia

an Australian Year 12 outside Australia

an International Baccalaureat (IB) in Australia

Apply for entry through UAC. Entry based on ATAR or equivalent.

All other international students:

Apply direct to International Admissions. Entry based on overseas qualifications considered equivalent to Australian qualifications, as well as satisfying English language requirement.

Students who completed their education in a non-English speaking country must have an IELTS of 7.0 on admission in line with University policy.

Biology and Chemistry.

• National Police Certificate
• Prohibited Employment Declaration

• Students are required to complete a NSW Department of Health Vaccination card in order to undertake professional placements in a NSW Department of Health facility.

  Special selection procedures apply to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants.

If you wish to apply for credit for studies completed at another institution or if you are changing programs within the University and wish to transfer your credit to new program go to http://www.newcastle.edu.au/service/credit-transfer/ and click on How to apply for credit.

The Bachelor of Occupational Therapy program provides an embedded honours stream of study. Students who achieve a Grade Point Average of 5.5 or more over the program by the completion of year 3, may elect to undertake HLSC4310 (Research Project) and, where candidate's performance is of a sufficient standard, the degree may be awarded with Honours.

Students will complete more than 1000 hours of supervised practice in a variety of settings both locally and nationally as part of the program. Rural placements will be mandatory. Travel, accommodation and related expenses for professional experience will be the responsibility of the student.

The Bachelor of Occupational Therapy has been accredited by the Australian Association of Occupational Therapists and the World Federation of Occupational Therapists.

International students must comply with the University of Newcastle's English language proficiency requirements. All International Students enrolled in the program will be provided with an orientation to familiarise them with the rules, expectations, facilities and services offered by the University. Please visit http://www.newcastle.edu.au/students/international/student-support/ to find out more about the support services available to international students.

For admission into this program, International students must:

• have a ATAR or equivalent within 5 points of the entry required for Commonwealth Supported domestic students

Faculty and University policies and procedures will be followed as required.

Please be aware that the current standard English language competency for registration as a practitioner in your discipline in most states of Australia is IELTS 7.0.

Students with disabilities who require reasonable adjustments to undertake their program should contact the Disability Support Service before semester or early in the semester. Some adjustments need up to 4 weeks lead time to organise, so it is imperative that early contact is made. The Disability Support Service and relevant Faculty and School officers will work together to ensure reasonably adjustments are provided in a timely manner.

Please note: All students must fulfil the inherent requirements of the programs and courses they are undertaking. While reasonable adjustments can be made, these adjustments cannot compromise academic integrity. It is the student¿s responsibility to check all the requirements of courses, and consider the effects of any medical condition or disability on their ability to complete course requirements. Please visit http://www.newcastle.edu.au/service/disability/ for more information.

All students can access additional learning development mechanisms provided by the Centre for Teaching and Learning at http://www.newcastle.edu.au/unit/ctl/lsp/

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students can draw on the assistance and support provided by the Indigenous Student Support and Development service through the Wollotuka Institute.