Bachelor of Occupational Therapy
Course details
| NZQF Level | 7 |
|---|
About the course
Working with people is at the very heart of this highly regarded programme. You'll do five placements to gain vital practice experience. When you graduate, you'll be able to register as an Occupational Therapist in New Zealand, with a degree recognised by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists.
About the programme
As a kaiwhakaora ngangahau, you will work with people of all ages, from newborns to older adults, who have experienced illness, injury, or disability. Your role is to enable individuals, whānau, and communities to do the things that matter most to them.
Why choose this degree?
Gain high-quality skills through a blend of:
- Face to face teaching
- Online learning
- Real-life scenarios
- Interactive group and community experiences
Complete five fieldwork placements in diverse settings to develop your practice to a high standard.
Accreditation:
This degree is accredited by the Occupational Therapy Board of New Zealand (Te Poari Whakaora Ngangahau o Aotearoa), making you eligible to apply for registration as an occupational therapist in Aotearoa New Zealand.
In addition, it is approved by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists, enabling you to work in other countries.
Where you can study:
The same programme is offered at:
- Ōtepoti | Dunedin Campus
- Kirikiriroa | Hamilton (Wintec City Campus)
- Work Augmented Learning pathway (Te Tai Tokerau and Central Otago) – see details below
Choose the location that works best for you.
Study options:
We understand that full-time study isn’t always possible. That’s why we offer flexible pathways:
Full-time: Complete your degree in three years
Part-time: Four to Six-year pathway (available after discussion with us)
Three-and-a-half-year option (start mid-year with selected Year One courses when available)
Important:
The part-time pathway includes fieldwork placements; however, these must be completed on a full-time basis. All placements are scheduled within the programme timetable and must be undertaken during the designated timeframe, requiring a commitment of 30 hours per week for placement activities, plus an additional 5 hours for study.
Part-time study may affect your StudyLink loan or allowance. Please check with StudyLink before enrolling.
Fieldwork placements are scheduled within the programme timetable and require 30 hours per week plus 5 hours of study during placement periods. This is non-negotiable.
Fieldwork placements occur during taught weeks of the programme.
Work augmented learning option
For those already employed in rural regions, we offer a Work-Augmented Learning (WAL) pathway in Te Tai Tokerau | Northland (Whangārei, Ngāwhā, Kaitaia) or in Central Otago (Bannockburn).
This flexible model allows you to study while continuing to support your community. Graduates will confidently enable people and whānau to live lives they value through active participation and inclusion.
Learn more about work augmented learning Occupational Therapy
Programme details:
Duration: Three years (full-time)
Structure: Two semesters per year, 360 credits total
Format: Same structure for both campuses (weekly timetables differ)
Credits: Each course has a credit rating; one credit equals approximately 10 hours of study
Entry requirements
Entry
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
There are three options for achieving the entry criteria:
- NCEA Level 3 including:
- 14 credits at Level 3 or above in each of three NZQA approved university entrance subjects, and
- 10 Literacy credits at Level 2 or above, made up of 5 credits in reading and 5 credits in writing, and
- 10 Numeracy credits at Level 1 or above, made up of:
- specified achievement standards available through a range of subjects OR
- package of three numeracy unit standards (26623, 26626, 26627 - all three required)
- A Level 4 qualification on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) equalling at least 60 credits completed in one year.
- Successful completion of university courses/units equalling at least 50% of a first-year student workload completed in one year.
International requirements and equivalence
To enter Otago Polytechnic's undergraduate certificates, diplomas and degrees, you need to have achieved a secondary school qualification that is equivalent to New Zealand's NCEA levels (National Certificate of Educational Achievement).
This information is available by country on our Equivalent academic entry requirements page.
Course specific requirements
An elementary understanding of occupational therapy practice in Aotearoa/New Zealand, gained through observation or contact with and/or reading about occupational therapy.
You need to supply contact details for two referees, a health declaration, a medical examination and a conviction declaration. See more info in Completing your Application section below.
If accepted, you'll need to provide your immunisation status (see more info in Immunisation status section), obtain a Level 2 Comprehensive First Aid Certificate (including unit standards 6400, 6401 and 6402) that is valid for at least semester one of your programme, and complete the requirements of the Children's Act 2014 (including a police check).
English Language requirements
If English is not your first language, you must provide:
- New Zealand University Entrance OR
- Overall IELTS 6.5 (academic, no band score lower than 6.5) achieved in one test completed in the last two years, OR
- Acceptable alternative evidence of the required IELTS or OET (see here for internationally recognised proficiency tests and proficiency outcomes for international students).
If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.
Selection process
To be accepted, you must meet minimum academic standards and all other criteria. You may be required to attend an interview to provide clarification of issues raised within the application. All acceptable applicants will be allocated places on the basis of prior academic success and diversity of life experiences. 15% of preferred entry places in this programme are reserved for both those who identify as Māori, and males.
Note: There is a limited number of places on this programme and successful applicants must prioritise their study. It is your responsibility to ensure that you do not organise employment or other study that will conflict with the timetabled activities involved in this programme.
Health and vaccination information
You don’t need to supply evidence of your vaccination status to apply for this programme.
However, the placement component of this programme has a higher risk of exposure to vaccine preventable diseases. Therefore, most placement providers will require evidence from you that you are fully vaccinated and have immunity for tuberculosis, varicella, measles, hepatitis B and pertussis (within the last 10 years).
Evidence of immunity to vaccine preventable diseases is ascertained by a blood test and your vaccination records.
Placements are an integral part of this programme, and you’ll need to complete the vaccine requirements to be able to successfully achieve your qualification.
If you have concerns or questions about this requirement, please feel free to contact us.
Don't meet the entry requirements?
If you don't have the academic qualifications required to enter the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy, our one year health bridging certificate can help you meet the minimum academic criteria for application. It consists of two separate Certificate qualifications - the New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 3) and the New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 4). You will be enrolled in both of these qualifications at the beginning of the year.
Please note: Due to the high demand for places, successful completion of our health bridging certificate will not automatically guarantee entry to this degree.
Want your existing skills recognised?
We will give credit in Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) to the taught elements of the programme, in accordance with our RPL Academic Policy. You can't be granted Recognition of Prior Learning for any Year 2 or 3 courses. An application for RPL can be made anytime after you have been accepted on to the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy programme. Talk to us about this option if you want more information. Email [email protected] or phone 0800 762 786.
About the provider
If you want to get a job and build a great career, Otago Polytechnic is a smart choice.
We’re known for offering the highest quality, hands-on training that helps students succeed. Our graduates are confident, skilled, and ready to work from day one. And, employers love that.
We’ve earned the highest ratings from the New Zealand Government for our teaching and support. Our flexible study options make it easier for you to learn in a way that suits your life.
At Otago Polytechnic, you’ll gain practical skills, real-world experience, and the confidence to make a real impact - in your career and in your community.