As an occupational therapy student, you will help people with disabilities, recovering from injury or with ongoing conditions to overcome barriers, teaching alternative techniques to achieve a given task and facilitating skill improvement. Occupational therapists frequently collaborate with family and carers where needed, and typically work in teams with other healthcare professionals. University of Sydney’s Occupational Therapy (OT) program is designed to accommodate all suitably qualified candidates regardless of their previous discipline. If University of Sydney’s Occupational Therapy students already have a background in health, choice of electives is an option, while those without such experience will be required to take prescribed electives.

So Why Study at the University of Sydney?

1. Global outlook: Join an influential community of students, staff and alumni who lead and shape healthcare delivery around the world. As a student, you can undertake study in many parts of the world.
2. Leading clinical partners: Gain real-world, hands-on training through clinical placements within our extensive network of top-tier hospitals and primary and community healthcare facilities across metropolitan, regional and rural NSW.
3. Experts: Learn from highly respected researchers, practitioners and clinicians who are dedicated to teaching the next generation of leaders.
4. Multidisciplinary focus: We prepare graduates with specialist and generalist healthcare knowledge and skills. The changing healthcare system needs workers who understand the bigger picture and know that solutions often require health professionals working together.
5. Cutting-edge facilities: Learn in our purpose-built laboratories, on-site health clinics and use high-calibre equipment across our dedicated health facilities.
6. Research strength: Our people and our work are shaping the national and international health and social policy agendas. We have a broad range of research strengths and are world leaders in allied health and education.
7. Leadership development program: Our leadership development program provides all undergraduate and graduate entry masters students access to mentoring programs and opportunities to improve their leadership skills, giving them the best possible start in the employment market.
8. Student support: In this large and diverse university, we ensure you get the support you need to succeed in your studies. At Cumberland Campus, Yooroang Garang provides a range of support programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to support their study on campus.

During this two-year degree, you will cover a wide range of topics including theories of what people do in daily life and why; knowledge of the development of human capabilities (e.g. cognitive, motor, psychosocial) and the ways in which injury and illness typically disrupt them; activity and environmental analysis; and theories and techniques for promoting participation in daily life.

Clinical Work Experience

A number of clinical and professional fieldwork opportunities are scheduled as part of the course (over 1000 hours total). Fieldwork provides hands on experience with real clients in a supervised environment allowing students to combine academic study with the practical abilities required of the occupational therapy profession.

As part of this course eligible students also have the opportunity to take part in the ‘FHS Abroad’ program which involves academic study and a 4-6 week placement with non-government organisations and other development agencies in one of a small number of countries in South and South East Asia. This experience (valued at 6 credit points) enables students to gain a real understanding of global health and make a lasting difference to communities worldwide.

Entry Requirements

Applicants will be required to have a bachelor’s degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 65%.  Please note that GPA will run higher.

**Applicants without a degree in a health related area such as medicine, nursing, allied health or health sciences or human functioning (education, anthropology, anthropometrics, built environment) must complete prescribed units of study in anatomy and/or psychology as electives.

Professional Recognition

Accredited by Occupational Therapy Australia and the World Federation of Occupational Therapists, this course qualifies you to practise in Australia and internationally. It is recognised by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), allowing you to work in any Australian state or territory as you improve the lives of a diverse range of clients across both the public and private sectors.

Students wishing to register in Canada should contact the Canadian Association for Occupational Therapists.  The CAOT helps those who want to work in Canada to understand the requirements for registration.

KOM Consultants understands the process and requirements needed to enter the legal profession in Canada. Contact KOM Consultants for more information.

All students applying directly through KOM Consultants will be supported with the latest information on the accreditation process.