Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours)

About the programme

Are you keen to deepen your understanding of occupational therapy practice and develop your research skills?

Enhance your professional practice and increase your employment potential with this postgraduate qualification that will prepare you for jobs in research-focused positions or higher-level practice roles. If you want to pursue an academic career, this honours degree provides a pathway to take you to the top of your field.

You'll achieve a significant understanding of professional and practice issues in terms of their social, political, cultural and historical contexts, and analyse professional and practice issues from a sound theoretical basis. You'll critically evaluate research in professional literature and gain the confidence to engage in evidence-based practice. You'll also conduct small-scale research projects.

Take advantage of the online, flexible delivery that enables you to fit study around other commitments, and enjoy the chance to meet fellow students and staff at four compulsory block courses held in Dunedin (two to three days each).

Entry

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

• You must have successfully completed a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy with a grade point average of 5.0 or less across the three years of study OR equivalent.
• You must commence the honours programme within three years of completing the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy.
• International students will be individually assessed to ensure they meet the entry requirements.

English Language requirements

• If English is not your first language, you must provide:
  • New Zealand University Entrance OR
  • Overall Academic IELTS 6.5 with no individual band score lower than 6.5 (achieved in one test completed in the last two years), OR
  • Acceptable alternative evidence of the required IELTS (see here for NZQA proficiency table and here for list of recognised proficiency tests).

If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.

Selection process

Applicants who meet the entry requirements will be accepted into the programme. Should the number of suitable applicants exceed the available places, applicants will be placed on a waiting list in date order.

Those applicants already enrolled at Otago Polytechnic will apply for the honours programme by confirming their intention with the Honours Programme Coordinator. Special circumstances can be considered on application by the student to Postgraduate, Research & Innovation Team.

Want your existing skills recognised?

If you have extensive knowledge and skills due to practical experience in this area, please ask us about our recognition of prior learning process. You may have already gained credits towards this qualification and could achieve it in a shorter timeframe. Please email [email protected] or call 0800 762 786.