A tasty career ahead
An unexpected degree choice, has opened up new doors with an exciting career for this Food Science and Human Nutrition Graduate.
Undergraduate degree
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours)
I am a prospective
student, looking to study at
Newcastle
Duration4 years full-time.4 years full-time.
Mode of deliveryFace to Face
Start datesSemester 1 (22 Feb 2021),
Semester 1 (22 Feb 2021),
FeesFind information about indicative course and program fees.AUD 36,265 (indicative annual fee, 2021)
Indicative annual fees are based on a full year full time load (80 units). Find out more about fees
Indicative annual fees are based on a full year full time load (80 units). Find out more about fees
English proficiencyIELTS overall minimum - 7.0, IELTS section minimum - 7.0 Find out more about IELTS.
Program Code12338
Entry requirements
Admission to our undergraduate degree programs usually requires successful completion of a senior secondary school qualification similar to the Higher School Certificate (HSC), the highest educational award in New South Wales schools.
Study occupational therapy
Help people live a healthy and full life.
The University of Newcastle's Occupational Therapy degree program trains world-class occupational therapists. Our graduates work worldwide, helping people and communities overcome unique challenges to get the most out of everyday life activities. You'll learn to help children reach developmental milestones or manage their disability. You'll study how to assist older clients to return to their daily lives after a stroke or hip replacement. Or perhaps you will help people return to work following an accident.
As an occupational therapist, your skills will be invaluable as you work closely with individuals to assess their unique situation, determine goals and put together a plan for success.
Why study with us?
- Learn from research leaders - our University is a global leader in medical and health science research, keeping you on the forefront of breaking research discoveries.
- World-class facilities - our interactive, specially designed clinical skills laboratory includes a modified bathroom and kitchen and a virtual house and playground.
- Be work-ready - students complete 1,000+ hours of hands-on experience through clinical placements in public and private centres.
- International study options - you may have the opportunity to complete an overseas placement, or be eligible for international travel grants and scholarships.
- Tick the boxes for professional registration with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia.
1,000+ hours
?
of clinical placement
97% Employed
?
within four months of graduating
What you will study
Your occupational therapy studies at the University of Newcastle will teach you theoretical knowledge in biomedical, behavioural and occupational sciences. You will also have plenty of opportunities to hone your skills through hands-on professional placements. You will study a variety of courses to:
- Gain professional occupational therapy skills through case-based training and interactive team work activities designed to help you become a creative thinker and self-directed learner.
- Learn exceptional communication and interpersonal skills needed to work one-on-one with patients as an occupational therapist.
- Develop critical research skills that will set you in good stead for life-long learning in the field of occupational therapy.
Within your courses your areas of study will include:
- Anatomy and physiology
- Biomedical, behavioural and occupational sciences and therapy
- Mental health
- Psychology
- Sociology and community development
All University of Newcastle occupational therapy students graduate with Honours, giving you a distinct advantage when seeking employment. As part of the Honours component you can choose from two study pathways.
Program plans
Download a program plan for further details on your degree's structure and what courses you will study.
These program plans are applicable to new students. Current students should refer to the program handbook to access the plan relevant to the year they commenced.
Career
Career opportunities
Our graduates are well prepared and enjoy great employment prospects with 97% securing jobs within four months of completing their degree. Careers in occupational therapy are immensely rewarding as you work closely with individuals to assess their unique situation, determine goals and put together a plan for success.
Take a look below for some common roles for occupational therapy graduates.
Graduates of the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy will typically find employment in both public and private sectors in a wide range of practice settings, from hospitals through to industry.
Typical roles are listed below. Some of these roles will depend upon the amount and level of study undertaken, level of experience, and the combination of other majors and electives studied, for example some may require further study.
- Disability Services Manager
- Exercise Rehabilitation/Injury Management Advisor
- Hand Therapist
- Injury Management Advisor
- Lifestyle Coordinator
- Occupational Therapist
- Rehabilitation Consultant
Professional recognition
Graduates are eligible to apply for registration with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia (OTB) under the Australian Health Practitioners Regulatory Agency (AHPRA).
Practical experience
Professional placement
All University of Newcastle occupational therapy students complete 1,000 hours of professional practice during their degree, starting in first year. During your placement, you are mentored and supervised by qualified occupational therapy practice educators. You can undertake your placement in a variety of settings, both locally and nationally, including rural placements.
Final year supervised practice
You will work independently in your final year of studies, carrying a caseload under supervision. As well as building your professional skills and understanding, your supervised practice gives you the chance to sample the wide range of career possibilities available to you as an occupational therapist.
On-campus facilities
During your degree, you will have access to interactive, technology-based learning facilities, including our specially designed clinical skills laboratory, complete with a modified home (bathroom and kitchen) and a virtual house and playground.
Experience
Life as an occupational therapy student at UON
Alex shares what he enjoys most about his studies, why he chose occupational therapy and where he hopes his degree will take him in the future.
Study with us
Hear from our students
Listen to our students talk about their degree and life at the University of Newcastle.
How to apply
Applying for Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours)
I am a prospective
student, looking to study at
Newcastle
Let's just check you are eligible
Pick your situation from the list below for more information.
If you are an international student, read the information below before completing an application.
As someone who recently completed secondary education, either at high school, TAFE or another VET provider, you will generally be considered for entry based on your Selection Rank (SR). Some degrees have additional entry requirements such as auditions or interviews and where required you will find these listed on the relevant degree page.
Try to choose what you are most interested in and then research some back up options with lower Selection Ranks (SR) to put as your later choices. A good tip is to look at degrees that may have similar first year subjects. This will help you reduce your overall study time if you want to apply to transfer to your degree of choice after the first year. We also recommend choosing one of our free pathway programs as a backup option as your fifth preference on your UAC application. Selection Ranks (SR) requirements for our degrees do change from year to year so only use the Selection Rank (SR) as a guide.
You should start planning your way into uni from Year 10 onwards. Think about:
- Using our study areas to narrow down study options based on what you are interested in
- Come and speak to us at events like Open Day, Schools Visit Day and campus tours
- Check the Assumed Knowledge and Recommended Studies of the degrees you are interested in
- If you are a high performer you can get a head start by completing some uni subjects while still at school
- Sign up to our mailing list for regular updates
- Have a look at adjustment points and other entry schemes that may give you an extra boost
- Decide on some back up options like Newstep and other entry pathways if you don't get the required marks
- See our Application FAQs .
- Have questions? Ask a student. We know you must have heaps of questions about university life – what’s needed to get into your degree, where to go for support, what on-campus accommodation is available and of course, where to find the best coffee. Jump on our website to chat to one of our Student Ambassadors.
Secondary results don’t have a use-by date, so even if you completed high school 20 years ago, these results may be used to apply to the University of Newcastle. You can use your ATAR or equivalent (UAI, TER etc) to apply irrespective of when you completed Year 12.
It can be complicated to calculate your Selection Rank (SR) based on high school results prior to the introduction of the ATAR in 2009. Contact us at 1300 275 866 and let us do the calculating for you.
If you don’t think you will meet the Selection Rank (SR) for admission there are other options to get in depending on your situation:
- Open Foundation
Complete this one year or six-month program to get a new mark for entry. - Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander Admission Scheme
Get entry help by identifying you are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent. - Elite Athlete Program
Get adjustment points and support by applying as an elite athlete. - Special Tertiary Admissions Test
Complete this test for a mark for entry into some of our degrees.
For advice on these other options please contact us by calling 1300 275 866.
If you studied vocational education and training, the type of qualification, whether or not you completed it, and if it was graded or competency-based will all be taken into consideration to assess your eligibility for admission. TAFE and private providers, as well as some universities, typically offer Certificate III, IV and Diploma Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) awards. Some also offer Advanced Diploma and Associate Degrees.
For admission purposes, and to ensure fairness and transparency among applicants with different types of qualifications, all assessable qualifications are converted to a selection rank. Selection ranks from different individual qualifications are not combined or added together to form a rank. The highest of the two numbers will be the one used to assess your eligibility for admission. Different selection ranks are assigned to VET courses with graded assessment and competency based (ungraded) assessment. The tables below provide information on how to assess your selection rank based on your AQF qualification.
TAFE Guaranteed Entry
Many of our students come to us after completing TAFE studies. You can gain guaranteed entry into many of our 2021 undergraduate programs if you have previously completed an accredited Certificate IV, Diploma, or Advanced Diploma at TAFE or another registered training organisation (RTO).
Complete Graded AQF Diploma or AQF Advanced Diploma
| Grade Point Average | Rank - AQF Diploma | Rank - AQF Advanced Diploma |
|---|---|---|
| 6.5+ | 95 | 96.95 |
| 6.25-6.49 | 93 | 95.25 |
| 6.00-6.24 | 90 | 93 |
| 5.75-5.99 | 88 | 91 |
| 5.50-5.74 | 86 | 89 |
| 5.25-5.49 | 83 | 86 |
| 5.00-5.24 | 81 | 83 |
| 4.75-4.99 | 78 | 80 |
| 4.00-4.74 | 75 | 76 |
Complete and Incomplete Ungraded AQF Diploma or AQF Advanced Diploma
| Rank - AQF Advanced Diploma | Rank - AQF Diploma |
|---|---|
| 76 | 75 |
Complete Graded AQF Certificate III or AQF Certificate IV
Please note: Certificate III qualifications and below are not accepted for the Bachelor of Nursing program.
| Grade Point Average | Rank - AQF Certificate III | Rank - AQF Certificate IV |
|---|---|---|
| 6.5+ | 78 | 90 |
| 6.25-6.49 | 78 | 88 |
| 6.00-6.24 | 77 | 86 |
| 5.75-5.99 | 76 | 84 |
| 5.50-5.74 | 75 | 82 |
| 5.25-5.49 | 73 | 80 |
| 5.00-5.24 | 71 | 78 |
| 4.75-4.99 | 69 | 75 |
| 4.00-4.74 | 67 | 73 |
Complete Ungraded AQF Certificate III and AQF Certificate IV
| Rank - AQF Certificate III | Rank - AQF Certificate IV |
|---|---|
| 67 | 73 |
Note: Incomplete VET studies must be AQF Diploma level or above and more than 0.2 of a full time student (FTE) to be considered for admission.
It is probably best to contact our Enquiry Centre on 1300 275 866 to discuss your qualifications and grades. Our team are happy to advise you on your options.
Your previous qualifications may also make you eligible for credit to your degree. This will cut down on your study time. You can apply for credit before you start. See our credit page for more information.
If you don’t think you will meet the requirements for admission there are other options to get in depending on your situation:
- Open Foundation
Complete this one year or six-month program to get a new mark for entry. - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Admission Scheme
Get entry help by identifying you are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent. - Educational Access Scheme
Get up to four points if you have experienced educational or other disadvantage. - Elite Athlete Program
Get adjustment points and support by applying as an elite athlete. - Special Tertiary Admissions Test
Complete this test for a mark for entry into some of our degrees.
If you completed higher education or partial higher education studies your grade point average (GPA) (or Grade Average as a percentage for pathway programs like Newstep, Open Foundation or Yapug) can be converted to a selection rank to be used for admission purposes. To ensure fairness and transparency among applicants with different types of qualifications, all assessable qualifications are converted to a selection rank. The selection rank from this qualification is not added to your ATAR. The highest of the two numbers will be the one used to assess your eligibility for admission.
If you have completed a degree and want to move onto postgraduate study please see our Postgraduate website.
Bachelor degree studies
| Min GPA (>0.5FTE*) | Selection Rank |
|---|---|
| 6.5+ | 97.30 |
| 6 | 93.40 |
| 5 | 86.30 |
| 4 | 77.65 |
| 3 | 67.25 |
*Your GPA can only be calculated if you have completed at least 20 units of study. A full-time study (FTE) load is usually 80 units per year.
Completed pathway (also known as enabling or tertiary preparation) programs
| Overall Grade Average | Selection Rank |
|---|---|
| >97 | 99.55 |
| 80 | 84 |
| 70 | 77 |
| 60 | 70 |
| 50 | 65 |
If you are currently studying a degree at the University of Newcastle and want to transfer across to another degree, please see our Internal Transfers page for current students for more information.
If you have completed or are soon to complete an Enabling Pathways program (Newstep, Open Foundation, or Yapug) you can apply with us directly for free for most degrees. Please visit the Your Next Move website for more information.
If you want to transfer or complete a tertiary preparation program at another university you will need to apply through UAC. Please contact our Enquiry Centre 1300 275 866 for information and advice.
If you think you may be eligible for credit please visit our credit section.
If you’re applying on the basis of overseas secondary qualifications, there are some that are considered as equivalent to an Australian Year 12 qualification. Note that equivalence of qualifications alone does not guarantee entry into programs. For admission purposes, and to ensure fairness and transparency among applicants with different types of qualifications, your overseas qualification will be converted to a selection rank so you can be compared to other applicants.
For advice on your options please contact us by calling 1300 275 866 or visit AskUON.
If you haven’t completed any formal secondary, VET or higher education studies we offer a range of options to get you on the pathway to your dream degree. Our recommended pathways are:
Pathway programs (Newstep, Open Foundation and Yapug)
The University of Newcastle is the largest provider of pathway programs in Australia. If you haven’t studied for a while, or your high school results weren’t what you expected, you can start at university with one of our pathway programs. Our pathway programs offer guaranteed entry to over 40+ University of Newcastle degrees. When you complete this program your Grade Point Average as a percentage can be converted to a selection rank to be used for admission purposes. The programs on offer are:
- Newstep
If you are aged 18-20 you can get a second chance for entry by completing our one year Newstep program. We recommend putting this as your fifth UAC preference, or you can apply to us directly. - Open Foundation
Completing our Open Foundation pathway program will award you a new rank to apply to uni. Finish Open Foundation in just a single semester or take your time - up to 2 years. Flexible study supports you to learn at your own pace, including online, part-time or full-time options. - Yapug
If you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander student you could complete our one year Yapug pathway program.
Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
The Special Tertiary Admissions Test or STAT is an aptitude test, organised through the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER), that assesses a range of competencies considered important for successful tertiary study. If you are over 18 and not a current Year 12 student, results from the STAT multiple-choice test can be used for entry into some (but not all) of the degrees offered at the University of Newcastle. Make sure you look into which degrees accept STAT for entry.
If your qualification is not listed and you are unsure whether you can use it to gain entry please contact us on 1300 275 866 or AskUON.
If your qualification is not listed and you are unsure whether you can use it to gain entry please contact us on 1300 275 866 or AskUON.
Non-Award Admission
If you want to do one or two subjects at the University of Newcastle but not a full degree you can apply for non-award admission. You may want to do this for preliminary work for a higher degree, professional requirements or because of an interest in the area.
Find out more and apply by visiting Non-Award Admission.
Cross-Institutional Study
If you are currently at another university and want to do one or more subjects at the University of Newcastle for credit you can apply for Cross-Institutional Study.
Find out more and apply by visiting Cross-Institutional Study.
If you have more than one of the qualifications listed above they may all count towards your application. We are always happy to provide advice and discuss your circumstances so please contact us by calling 1300 275 866 or by submitting a question using AskUON. Otherwise check out our application FAQ.
Senior secondary school qualification
Admission to our undergraduate degree programs usually requires successful completion of a senior secondary school qualification similar to the Higher School Certificate (HSC), the highest educational award in New South Wales schools. To check if your qualification is recognised for direct entry into the University of Newcastle, please refer to the entry requirement tables below.
International Undergraduate Admission Requirements - Asia
International Undergraduate Admission Requirements - Rest of World
International Undergraduate Admission Requirements - South Asia
Post-secondary study
Further education like diplomas and university study can also be assessed for admission.
Additional requirements
Some of our programs have additional requirements like an audition, or portfolio.
Applicants who do not speak English as a first language must demonstrate that they meet the University's English proficiency requirement. Further information regarding English language proficiency requirements can be found at the English Language Proficiency for Admission Policy.
The Australian Government operates a student visa program that enables people who are not Australian citizens or Australian permanent residents to undertake study in Australia. A person who wants to undertake a course of study under the student visa programme must obtain a student visa before they can commence a course of study in Australia. A successful applicant must be both a genuine temporary entrant and a genuine student.
An applicant who is a genuine temporary entrant will have circumstances that support a genuine intention to temporarily enter and remain in Australia, notwithstanding the potential for this intention to change over time to an intention to utilise lawful means to remain in Australia for an extended period of time or permanently. All Australian education providers must have strategies and arrangements in place to ensure that all students and prospective students meet the requirements with Direction 69 as a condition of admission to the institution.
When your application for admission is received, the University of Newcastle will assess this against university entrance requirements including: minimum age, English and academic entry requirements. To comply with Australian law your application will also be assessed to check that you are genuinely seeking temporary entry to Australia to study. You may be asked to provide the University of Newcastle with evidence addressing Ministerial Direction 69 as part of finalising your admission. If the University forms the opinion that you are not a Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) it may refuse to assess your application, withdraw an offer of a place, or cancel your confirmation of enrolment.
The Department of Immigration and Border Protection in Australia will also assess each application for a student visa (subclass 500) against the applicant’s intention to stay temporarily in Australia as a genuine student. The criteria for this assessment are outlined in Ministerial Direction 69. Applicants that don’t satisfy the criteria under Direction 69 will not be granted a student visa.
For more information, please refer to the following areas of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection website:
Other things to consider
Make sure you double check the special entry requirements, assumed knowledge or recommended studies for the degree:
Admission to this program is available to Australian students, residents and international students.
- Admission information for Australian students and residents
- Admission information for international students
During the admission process adjustment factors may be applied to your Selection Rank. Find out if you are eligible.
Current Australian Year 12 students:Apply for entry through UAC. Entry is based on Selection Rank or interstate equivalent.
Non school leavers and previous Australian Year 12 students:Apply for entry through UAC. Entry based on:
- previous Year 12 studies and/or
- Higher education, tertiary or post-secondary qualifications and/or
- Overseas qualifications considered equivalent to Australian qualifications.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students apply through UAC and have the opportunity to access the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander entry program which incorporates an interview process considering personal attributes as well as educational qualifications.
All International students:Apply directly to International Admissions. International applicants must satisfy an English Language proficiency requirement.
All Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the University’s English proficiency requirement. Further information regarding English language proficiency requirements can be found at the English Language Proficiency for Admission Policy here.
The IELTS requirement for admission to this program is 7.0 with no sub-test less than 7.0 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.
Biology and 2U Mathematics.
Students who have not studied these courses previously should consider taking relevant bridging courses before the commencement of the University year.
We recognise that the best type of learning is practical experience. Students undertake supervised practice with occupational therapy educators, who help students learn while they are 'on the job'.
You will complete over 1,000 hours of practical experience throughout the program in a variety of settings, both locally and nationally, including mandatory rural placements.
Throughout the program, supervised practice increases in complexity and you will have the opportunity to work with greater autonomy over each year. In fourth year you will be ready to work independently and carry a case load under supervision.
As well as providing a strong professional understanding, practice experiences allow you to sample a range of career possibilities available to you as a qualified occupational therapist.
Students may be required to undertake clinical placement outside of semester terms. Travel, accommodation and related expenses for work-integrated learning/placements will be the responsibility of the student.
NSW Health Verification Requirements
Mandatory NSW Health Verification Requirements must be met. For more information please visit www.newcastle.edu.au/health-medicine-placement.
First Aid Certificate
Before beginning their first clinical placement students are required to obtain a WorkCover approved First Aid Certificate.
In addition to meeting the University's overall requirements for academic progression, students must satisfactorily complete the following courses in order to progress in their program.
OCCT1201 - Introduction to Occupational Therapy Practice
OCCT2254 - Beginning Professional Practice in Occupational Therapy
OCCT3161 - Intermediate Professional Practice in Occupational Therapy
OCCT4273 - Advanced Professional Practice in Occupational Therapy
You can look at NUPrep for options to brush up on knowledge before you start.
You should also think about degree add-ons like combined options or a Diploma in Languages. If you would like to learn an additional language alongside your main bachelor degree, then this program is for you. Languages offered include: Australian Sign Language (Auslan), Chinese, French, German and Japanese.
Ok, great, let's go!
Apply to study this degree through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).
You can select up to five preferences in your UAC application, so have a look around and select some back-up options. Put the degree you are most interested in first.
Apply to study in Australia
Both students and education agents can submit applications online. This is our preferred way of application. You can save your application after you have started, and come back to it later.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.