BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy at Buckinghamshire New University

Entry requirements

A typical offer will require a UCAS tariff score of: 112 - 136 (Full-time) or 48 - 88 (Foundation Year) UCAS points can be obtained through qualifications such as A levels, T levels, BTEC or an Access to Higher Education course in a relevant subject. Please list all your qualifications on the application form as you will be asked to provide copies when we receive your application. The University’s general entry requirements will apply to admission to this course. Meeting one or more of the following requirements are acceptable methods of entry to the course: Five GCSEs or equivalent at grade 4 (C) or above, including English language or literature, mathematics, and a science subject in addition to the 112 UCAS tariff points. 112 UCAS tariff points (e.g. 3 A Levels at grades BBB or above) or a BTEC Level 3 extended diploma in a science or health-related subject. Foundation degree International Baccalaureate (30 points) Access to Higher Education course in Science, Health, Social Care or similar. We generally require experience relating to occupational therapy, such as shadowing, work experience, access to virtual placements or healthcare experience in addition to one of the requirements above. However each application is considered on an individual basis. For learners, whose first language is not English, there is a requirement to achieve an IELTS tariff of 7 with no individual component below 6.5. This is in line with the recommendations of the HCPC. Applicants will be assessed through a values‑based recruitment process, which includes an interview. Applicants who do not fit the typical entry requirements will be considered on an individual basis. In this situation evidence of recent study (within 3 years) to A level standard (level 3) alongside a profile of relevant healthcare or social care experience will be advantageous. Applicants with a previous degree will be considered on an individual basis. Professional checks Professional checks (DBS, Occupational Health, and character and suitability) are not required when you join the Foundation Year. They are only required when you move into Year 1, and you must pass these checks to progress. Pre-enrolment checks This programme is subject to the University’s Fitness to Practise Procedures. All successful applicants must agree to and sign our rules of professional conduct, which reflect the professional and regulatory body standards of practice and include consent to practical classes. Applicants who have previously been enrolled in an occupational therapy pre-registration programme or any other health professional education programme must submit a self-declaration confirming no previous fitness to practise concerns. Occupational health checks and immunisations All successful applicants are required to have an Occupational Health screening. A satisfactory occupational health clearance and immunisations are required by all applicants prior to acceptance on the course. Our admissions team will send a medical questionnaire alongside an offer letter. The questionnaire would be completed by you and returned to the admissions team, who then forward all the forms to an external occupational health adviser who will contact you for further screening if needed. Candidates who fail the occupational health assessment, or who do not complete the required occupational health and immunisation clearance, will not be permitted to enrol on the course or undertake practice placements. You will need to show evidence of completed immunisations for Hepatitis B, BCG, Varicella, and Influenza, where applicable, before starting your practice placement. These immunisations can be received from most GP surgeries in England. There is up-to-date information on NHS Choices on how to obtain these. Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Admission to the occupational therapy degree programme is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1994) section 4 (2) Exemption Order 1975 and DHSS HC 88 (9) guidelines regarding child protection and police checks. All applicants are required, as a condition of acceptance, to satisfactorily complete a criminal record disclaimer form and give their permission for us to obtain an enhanced police check with the Disclosure and Barring Screening Service (DBS). Each year after that, you are required to self-declare any police cautions or convictions before each practice education module. The DBS in the United Kingdom does not currently conduct overseas criminal record checks. Therefore, international applicants, those without British Citizenship and British Citizens with a significant period of overseas residency, require a criminal record check or certificate of good conduct from their home/overseas country prior to entry onto the course. International applicants need to obtain a recent criminal record certificate from their home country and ensure that this is still valid by the date of enrolment in addition to the DBS requirements detailed above. A list of admissible certificates can be found on the UK Government website. Where an equivalent check is provided, applicants are required to complete an enhanced police check with the DBS a year later. English language If you are an international student, you must have the following minimum International English Language Test Score (IELTS) results at the time of applying: An overall score of 7.0, with no individual component below 6.5 English and Mathematics GCSE (grade A–C or 4-9) or equivalent. UCAS code OCCT.