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About University of Galway
About University of Galway
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Guiding Breakthrough Research at University of Galway
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Community Engagement
Community Engagement
At University of Galway, we believe that the best learning takes place when you apply what you learn in a real world context. That's why many of our courses include work placements or community projects.
Occupational Therapy
Course Overview
Occupational Therapy is an interesting and rewarding career. Occupational Therapists aim to enable people to participate in the activities of everyday life. As an Occupational Therapist you will assist in enabling individuals to do things that enhance their ability to live independently in their daily ‘occupations’. ‘Occupation’ is the term used to describe those tasks and activities essential for daily life – washing, dressing , feeding and moving around, to the more complex areas of working, leisure, socialising and managing finances and home. Illness or trauma or social disadvantage can result in difficulties in these areas. Occupational Therapists design and deliver intervention programmes to address these difficulties.
Applications and Selections
Who Teaches this Course
Requirements and Assessment
Key Facts
Entry Requirements
Minimum Grade H5 in two subjects and passes in four other subjects at O6/H7 Level in the Leaving Certificate, including Irish, English, another language, Mathematics, a laboratory science subject (i.e. Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Physics with Chemistry (joint) or Agricultural Science), and any other subject recognised for entry purposes.
Additional Requirements
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Duration
4 years
Next start date
September 2025
A Level Grades (2024)
universityofgalway.ie/alevels
Average intake
25
QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes
Closing Date
NFQ level
Mode of study
ECTS weighting
Award
CAO
GY502
Course code
Course Outline
This course explores how difficulties in relation to physical or mental health can affect occupation (i.e. daily activities) in all groups of people – children, adolescents, adults and older adults.
In the First Year of the programme, students will gain a basic understanding of the human body, psychology and be introduced to the concepts of enabling occupation. These concepts will be further developed in the second year of the programme, with an additional focus on neuroanatomy and neurophysiology.
In years three and four of the programme, students will develop their research skills and evidence based practice. They will learn to analyse, report and present on case studies. In addition to this, year four of the programme prepares future graduates for active engagement in occupational therapy practice. Students will review current health care strategies and policies and learn about continuing their professional development once they graduate from the programme.
In the first Year of the programme, students will gain a basic understanding of the human body, psychology and be introduced to the concepts of enabling occupation. These concepts will be developed further in the second year of the programme, with an additional focus on neuroanatomy and neurophysiology.
In years three and four of the programme, students will develop their research skills and evidence based practice. They will learn to analyse, report and present on case studies. In addition to this, year four of the programme prepares future graduates for active engagement in occupational therapy practice. Students will review current health care strategies and policies and learn about continuing their professional development once they graduate from the programme.
Further Education
Students may continue further study from the following:
Why Choose This Course?
Career Opportunities
Occupational Therapy graduates will be in a position to work in a variety of settings and with a variety of patients/clients including:
- Hospitals
- Community Rehabilitation Services
- Mental Health Services
- Child and Adolescent Services
- Voluntary Organisations
- Physical and Sensory Disability Services
- Private Practice
- Primary Care teams
Who’s Suited to This Course
Learning Outcomes
Transferable Skills Employers Value
Work Placement
All students are required to complete 1,000 hours of Practice Education successfully under the supervision of a qualified occupational therapist. Practice Education is a process of work based learning which involves a partnership between the practice educator and the student in the practice setting. Practice Education takes place at the end of Semester 2 in first year (one week), Semester 2 of second year (8 weeks), Semester 2 of third year (8 weeks) and Semester 1 of fourth year (2 x 8 weeks). Students may be required to undertake practice education anywhere in Ireland and can
Study Abroad
Related Student Organisations
Course Fees
Fees: EU
Fees: Tuition
Fees: Student Contribution
Fees: Student levy
Fees: Non EU
Occupational Health Service
In year one students are required to pay a €200 fee towards a subsidised Occupational Health Service provided to students of the College of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences in compliance with all relevant legislation and standards.
EU Fees are comprised of Tuition + Student Levy €140 - payable by all students and is not covered by SUSI. Further detail here.
Find out More
What Our Students Say
![Anna](/medicine-nursing-and-health-sciences/undergraduatecourses/Testimonial-Pic--Anna-Lyam.jpg)
Anna Lynam | BSc (Occupational Therapy)
There is an excellent balance between academic learning and practical work. Placements were organised by the college and provided me with opportunities to apply the skills and theory I had learned in a practical setting. These placements were not only enjoyable but also supported me in becoming more confident in both myself and my role as an occupational therapist. This course also offers brilliant modules on different aspects of Mental Health, which is an area I now feel particularly passionate about pursuing. As the class is relatively small, I got to know the lecturers very well and developed lifelong friendships with my classmates. Lecturers always offer constructive feedback, which supports you in developing any areas for improvement. I am so excited to start my journey as an occupational therapist and believe I have the skill set, confidence and knowledge base to do so.