Bachelor of Occupational Therapy

About the programme

Make a difference in people's lives. Become an Occupational Therapist and help people achieve independence, meaning and satisfaction in their daily activities.

As an Occupational Therapist, your focus will be on ensuring individuals, groups and populations within the community can do the things that are important to them. You will work with people who have had illness, injury, or a disability, and with a range of ages from the newborn to older people.

During this degree, you'll gain high-quality skills through a blend of online learning, face-to-face teaching, real-life scenarios and interactive group/community experiences. You'll do five fieldwork placements in a wide range of settings so you can develop your practice ability to a high standard by working with people.

This degree is accredited by the Occupational Therapy Board of New Zealand, this means that on completion you are eligible to apply for registration as an occupational therapist to work in Aotearoa New Zealand. This degree is approved by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists. 

Exactly the same programme is delivered from both our Dunedin Campus and the Wintec City campus in Hamilton so you can enrol in the campus of your choice. 

Studying part-time

Six year option

We know that full-time study isn’t always possible.  We offer a part-time option studied over six years. This is only available after you’ve had a chat with us to make sure it’s the right option for you.

Three and a half year option

We also offer the chance for you to complete one or two, year one courses part-time starting in July each year. This will mean that you will complete your degree in three and half years.

Please note: Studying part-time can impact on your loan/allowance from StudyLink. Please make sure you check this with them before beginning your study with us.

Entry

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

There are three options for achieving the entry criteria:

1. 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)

2. A Level 4 qualification on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) equalling at least 60 credits completed in one year.

3. Successful completion of university courses/units equalling at least 50% of a first-year student workload completed in one year.

Other 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).

Provisional entry

Any applicant who does not meet all of the entry criteria may be given provisional entry to year one at the discretion of the Head of School.   

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 or OET (see here for NZQA proficiency table).

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.

• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)/Cross-credit info sheet
• Course outlines for Recognition of Prior Learning
• Recognition of Prior Learning application form