Bachelor of Occupational Therapy

Coventry’s Key Advantages:

Coventry University is proud to be ranked 5th in the UK for Health Professions (Guardian University Guide 2024), reflecting our excellence in teaching health-related courses. Our commitment to teaching quality earned us a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF 2023), and we’ve achieved 5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities. What does this mean for you? Simply put, you will learn from highly qualified faculty and experienced clinicians in an environment that’s second to none. Students have access to success coaches and specialist support (for academic writing, maths, etc.) to help you thrive. We foster a diverse, inclusive learning community – you will be studying with peers from the UK and across the world, enriching class discussions with global perspectives. Coventry itself is a fantastic place to study: it’s rated a Top 5 Student City in England for affordability and student experience (QS Best Student Cities 2026). The campus is centrally located in a vibrant city with lower living costs than London, yet we are just an hour from London by train. You’ll benefit from a close-knit campus feel, modern student accommodation, and a range of support services for international students, from English language support to career guidance. We also incorporate the latest technology and trends in occupational therapy – you’ll explore digital health tools, assistive technologies, and even the role of AI and wearables in future practice. Coventry’s focus on innovation means you graduate not only with core competencies but also with forward-looking skills to lead in this evolving field.

Course Structure & Learning Experience:

Coventry’s curriculum is delivered one module at a time in intensive 6-week blocks (5 weeks learning + 1 week assessment), allowing you to focus deeply on each subject before moving to the next. This block teaching method helps you balance theory and practice effectively. Throughout the degree, you will learn via interactive lectures, small-group workshops, skills labs, and real-world simulations. Our state-of-the-art facilities include mock hospital wards, rehabilitation suites, and even full-sized adapted “community houses” where you can simulate home visits and occupational interventions in a realistic environment. Interprofessional education is also a cornerstone of the programme – you’ll train alongside physiotherapy, dietetics, nursing and other healthcare students in certain sessions, mirroring the team-based collaboration of modern healthcare.

Our Occupational Therapy programme covers a breadth of modules that build your knowledge and skills step by step. In Year 1, you’ll get a foundation in human anatomy, physiology, and the basics of occupational science – understanding how illness or disability impacts individuals’ daily routines and identity. Early on, we emphasize professionalism, ethics, and communication skills; you’ll reflect on values and develop the mindset needed to support diverse clients. As you progress to Year 2 and 3, modules become more specialized – you’ll learn therapeutic techniques for different populations (e.g. pediatrics, mental health, physical rehabilitation) and settings (from hospitals to community care). A unique aspect is our 1000+ hours of practice placement experience integrated across the course. Coventry will arrange a variety of placement opportunities for you (minimum four placements, typically) in settings such as NHS hospitals, community rehab centers, schools, charities, or even emerging practice areas like assistive technology companies. These supervised placements are invaluable for applying your classroom learning with real clients – by graduation, you’ll feel comfortable assessing patients’ needs, planning interventions (like adapting a home or teaching new skills), and collaborating with other professionals.

We also use simulated learning extensively: in our simulation labs and community houses, you might practice scenarios like helping a stroke survivor re-learn daily tasks in a home kitchen, or coaching a client with an anxiety disorder through a work routine. Such simulations, supported by service users (patients) who contribute to teaching, give you confidence in a safe environment. Throughout, our approachable faculty (many of whom are registered occupational therapists with industry experience) will mentor you. You’ll have a personal tutor and receive feedback to continually improve. By the final year, you’ll undertake an evidence-based research project and a final clinical placement where you transition to being an independent practitioner.

Career Prospects for Graduates:

A degree from Coventry sets you up for a rewarding career as a qualified occupational therapist across a range of clinical and non-clinical settings. In the UK, most of our graduates start working for the National Health Service (NHS) – for example, in acute hospital wards helping patients recover and regain independence after injuries or illness, or in community health teams doing home visits to support the elderly or those with chronic conditions. There are also roles in rehabilitation centers, mental health services, schools (helping children with developmental needs), and social services. Beyond the NHS, Coventry OT graduates have gone into public health initiatives, social enterprises, and private practice. Some work with charities or NGOs, using occupational therapy to empower refugees, the homeless, or other underserved communities. Thanks to the RCOT accreditation and World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) recognition of our course, you could pursue international opportunities as well. Our alumni have worked abroad in countries like Canada, Australia, or Hong Kong – as long as you meet local registration requirements, the doors are open for you to practice globally. The demand for occupational therapists is high and growing, both in the UK and across Asia, due to aging populations and increased focus on holistic health. Coventry’s focus on employability means you’ll graduate with not only the degree but also a robust CV of placement experiences and professional development. The course explicitly includes training in teamwork, leadership, and entrepreneurship, so some graduates move into management, research, or even set up their own therapy services after gaining experience. You will also be well-prepared for further study – some students pursue a master’s in specialized areas like hand therapy, mental health, or public health, sometimes after a few years of work.

Entry Requirements & International Pathways:

We welcome ambitious students from around the world into our programme. Below is a summary of entry requirements for some common curricula (for 2026 intake):

A-Levels: Our typical offer is BBC at A-Level. (Eexcludes General Studies)

International Baccalaureate (IB): We require 29 points includes 16 points at Higher Level.

Hong Kong – HKDSE: Students taking the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education will generally need best 3 subjects 443 in HKDSE. An alternative pathway for HK students is completing a 2-year Associate Degree or Higher Diploma and then applying to us (in such cases we look for a GPA around 2.7 or 60%).

Mainland China – Gaokao: We do accept students with the National College Entrance Examination (Gaokao). As a guideline, we look for around 75% overall score (which is roughly equivalent to BBB A-level standard) for direct entry. Scores slightly lower might be considered alongside strong interview performance or additional qualifications. Because Gaokao grading varies by province, we will assess each case individually – generally, if you are in the top tier of your province, you have a good chance. Note that subjects like Biology or English within your Gaokao are relevant.

Taiwan: Students should have completed the Senior High School Certificate with strong results. We usually expect at least 80% average grades (equivalent to B grades) in your high school courses for direct Year 1 entry. If you took GSAT or AST exams in Taiwan, those can be considered case-by-case, but the high school transcript is key.

Japan: Typically, students from Japan will first complete a junior college diploma or an international programme before joining our degree. Coventry recognizes the Jun-Gakushi (associate degree) or a 2–3 year diploma from a College of Technology or Junior College. If you have such credentials with good grades (around GPA 3.0/B or higher), you may gain direct entry to Year 1. Students coming straight from high school (Kotogakko) would normally need to undertake a foundation year, as the Japanese high school alone does not directly meet UK Year 1 entry requirements.

South Korea: Similar to Japan, Korean students generally enter after a college diploma or foundation programme. We look for applicants who have completed an Associate Degree (e.g. 2-year junior college) with at least a C or C+ grade average. If you have completed the CSAT (Suneung), note that UK universities don’t directly use CSAT scores for entry; instead, a foundation year is the preferred route. Coventry partners with providers of UK foundation courses in Korea (such as the Digital Chosun Ilbo UK pathway) – if you’ve done one of those with a GPA around 2.7 (B-) or above, you could progress to Year 1. Essentially, if you are a high school graduate from Korea, expect to do an International Foundation Year before joining our OT degree.

English Requirement: IELTS 7.0 with no component below 6.5.

International Foundation Year: If you don’t meet the direct entry criteria above, don’t be discouraged. Coventry University’s own International Foundation Pathway in Health & Life Sciences is an excellent option. This is a one-year preparatory programme (available in Coventry or through our partners abroad) that builds your academic skills, science knowledge, and English ability. Upon successful completion of the foundation (typically needing around 60% pass or specific module grades), you progress into the first year of BSc Occupational Therapy. Many students from China, Japan, and Korea take this route. The 2025/2026 foundation intake is open – typically requiring high school completion with around 60% grades and IELTS ~5.5-6.0 depending on the start date. Choosing the foundation route means your degree will be 4 years total, but you’ll start the main course very well-prepared and confident.

Admissions Process & Tips:

We handle applications through UCAS (the UK’s centralized application system). In your UCAS form, you’ll include your academic records (predicted or achieved grades) and a personal statement. Alternatively, student can apply Direct via our official webpage.

What are we looking for in an applicant?
First, solid academics in relevant subjects as outlined above. Equally important is a passion for the profession demonstrated in your personal statement and (if selected) at interview. We want to hear why you’re drawn to occupational therapy – for example, perhaps you volunteered at a care home, helped a relative with rehabilitation, or simply have a strong desire to help people live fuller lives. Highlight any relevant experience, even informal (such as caring for a family member or leading a team project that involved problem-solving).

All shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview as part of our selection. For international students who cannot travel, interviews are typically done online (via Zoom/Teams). Coventry uses a values-based interview approach aligned with NHS principles. This means we’ll ask you about scenarios or qualities to see if you have the compassion, respect, and teamwork mindset needed for healthcare. Don’t be nervous – the interview is as much about getting to know you as it is about testing knowledge.

Interview Preparation:

It may be a one-to-one or panel interview, or a series of short questions (somewhat like Multiple Mini Interviews). You might be asked things like, “What do you think an occupational therapist does?” (tip: show you understand it’s about daily activities and independence, not occupation=job confusion!), or “How would you handle a difficult situation with a patient?”. We could also ask about your understanding of studying in the UK, how you’ll adjust to a new environment, etc.

Preparation:
I advise practicing answering questions aloud, perhaps in English with a teacher or friend, to build confidence. Reflect on your personal values and be ready to share real examples of your empathy, resilience, or communication skills. If you have done any job shadowing or research about OT, mention what you learned – it shows initiative. Also, familiarize yourself with the Coventry University OT programme itself (for example, mention that you’re excited by our simulation facilities or the placement opportunities) – this shows us you are genuinely interested and informed.

After you apply:
we review applications holistically. If you meet (or are on track to meet) the grades and have a compelling personal statement, you’ll likely be invited to interview (notifications via email/UCAS Track). Interviews for international applicants usually take place between December and March for main cycle. Offers are typically given out shortly after interviews. Your offer will likely be “conditional” on achieving certain grades and submitting required documents. For example, a conditional offer might say: “Achieving best 3 DSE subjects 443, including English, and IELTS 7.0 (with no bands less than 6.5) or DSE English 5 (with no bands below 4); plus a satisfactory health and police clearance.”

Special Tips for International Applicants:
Applying to a UK health programme from overseas might seem daunting, but we are here to support you at every step. Be sure to engage with our regional team – Coventry has staff and representatives in North Asia who can advise on your application, or even review your personal statement. If English isn’t your first language, consider a pre-sessional English course in summer 2026 if you need to boost to the required IELTS level (Coventry offers pre-sessional English classes online and on-campus). In your interview, don’t worry about having perfect English; we are more interested in your ideas and attitude. Do speak slowly and clearly, and if you don’t understand a question, it’s absolutely fine to ask the interviewer to repeat or clarify – this is common and won’t count against you.

Another tip: try to research the occupational therapy field in the UK a bit. Knowing about the NHS and how OT fits in (for instance, OTs often work in multidisciplinary teams within hospitals or community trusts) can help you give contextually relevant answers. Also, think about how you’ll adjust to life in Coventry – you might be asked why you chose the UK or how you’ll handle being away from home. You can mention positives like the chance to experience a new culture, improve your English, and that Coventry has a supportive international student community (you can even mention that you’ve read our international student testimonials or blogs). By showing enthusiasm, cultural openness, and determination, you’ll leave a great impression.

Scholarships and Financial Support:
Coventry University offers a range of international scholarships and bursaries to help with tuition fees. For the 2026/27 intakes, we have the Vice-Chancellor’s Undergraduate Scholarship which can provide up to £4,000 tuition fee reduction for high-achieving international students. This scholarship is available to all non-EU international students and is typically awarded based on academic merit (e.g. top grades) or early application for certain entry points. We also know financing an overseas education is a big concern for families, so it’s worth noting Coventry sometimes has country-specific schemes. For example, students from Hong Kong and Macau might be eligible for special merit awards through partnerships (these can vary year to year, so do ask our regional office for the latest). Mainland Chinese students can explore external scholarships like the China Scholarship Council for study abroad (though those are more for postgraduate). While full scholarships for undergraduate are rare, many of our students succeed in getting partial awards.

Coventry also has a Sports Scholarship programme – if you are a competitive athlete, you could receive £1,500–£3,000 support and sports training facilities access. This is something to consider if, for instance, you’re a talented sports player in school; it can be combined with your academic studies.

Contact Us:

If you are from the North Asia region and interested to learn more about Coventry’s Occupational Therapy Programme, please contact: Ms. Kelly Yung

Ms Kelly Yung
Regional Manager ( North Asia )
Email Address: ad9764@coventry.ac.uk

Whatsapp: (852) 9202 4096