Programme details

Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours)

Study occupational therapy and advance your professional expertise as the course prepares you for research-oriented roles, senior practice positions, or higher-level professional opportunities.

Course description

Enhance your professional skills and expand your career opportunities with this postgraduate qualification, preparing you for research-oriented roles, advanced practice positions, or an academic career through the honours pathway.

The programme provides a comprehensive understanding of professional and practice issues in their social, political, cultural, and historical contexts. You will critically analyse these issues using a solid theoretical foundation, evaluate research in professional literature, engage in evidence-based practice, and conduct small-scale research projects.

Delivered flexibly online, the programme allows you to balance study with other commitments, while four compulsory block courses in Dunedin (two to three days each) offer in-person engagement with faculty and fellow students.

Occupational Registration

Certain occupations require registration by law in New Zealand. This programme leads to registration with Occupational Therapy Board of New Zealand..

Immigration benefits

This course may qualify for the following visa rights:
In-study work rights
Partner visitor rights
Partner work rights
Post-study work rights

This course qualifies for 4 points if applying for residency under the Skilled Migrant Category.

Career Prospects

Graduates can find employment in roles such as:

-Occupational Therapist
-Case Manager
-Community/Youth Development Worker
-Needs Assessor
-Private Practitioner
-Researcher

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.

International 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).

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