Occupational therapists (OTs) work with people of all ages who face physical or mental challenges, from injury, illness or ageing, to help them live independently. If you’re thinking about a caring, hands-on career, read on to learn how to become an OT in the UK.
Updated: 02 Dec 2025
As an occupational therapist, your work is all about finding ways to help make people’s lives easier. You might support someone recovering from surgery with daily tasks like dressing or help an older adult adapt their home for safety. This can include teaching someone to use a wheelchair or recommending modifications like ramps or grab rails. Whether it’s a child with learning difficulties or a stroke survivor returning to work, your aim is to make everyday life more manageable.
You’ll work with clients individually or in groups, offering strategies, exercises, and assistive tools to overcome daily challenges. You might adapt homes, schools, or workplaces, and collaborate with families and healthcare teams to plan care. OTs work in many settings like hospitals, schools, care homes and even prisons, combining theory with hands-on practice.
You’ll need to be a people person who can explain things clearly and show patience. Other key attributes include:
Build trusting relationships quickly: You’ll help people through tough situations so building trust with clients at their most vulnerable is essential
Teamwork and flexibility: OTs work closely with other professionals. You’ll need to be able to work well in a team and adapt plans on the fly
Problem-solving and creativity: No two clients are alike. You’ll often need to come up with creative solutions to help someone temporarily or long term
Resilience and patience: The role can be demanding, so being emotionally strong is important
Organisation and attention to detail: You’ll keep detailed notes on each client’s progress and manage multiple cases, so being organised is helpful
Basic IT skills: Most courses and jobs expect you to use computers for reports and research
Entry requirements for an occupational therapy degree are similar to other health science courses. Typically, you’ll need:
GCSEs: Around five GCSEs at grades A*–C (9–4), including English, maths and usually a science subject
A-levels (or equivalents): two or three A-levels. Unis often ask for at least one science, social science or health-related subject like biology, psychology or PE. BTECs or NVQs in health and science are often accepted
Work experience: While not essential, any volunteering or work in healthcare such as assisting in a care home, youth mentoring or first-aid training, is a big plus. It shows you have commitment and insight into the caring profession
To become an OT, you must complete a Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) approved degree. Options include the likes of:
BSc Occupational Therapy
BSc Sports and Exercise Therapy
BA Creative and Therapeutic Arts
Entry requirements for an Occupational Therapy degree at a university usually range from 104–120 UCAS points. This could look like:
A-levels: BBB–BCC
BTECs: DDM–DMM
Scottish Highers: BBBCC-BCCCD
International Baccalaureate: 31–27
Some universities also request an interview to assess your suitability for the course and the profession.
NEXT: Check out occupational therapy degree courses
Occupational Therapy training combines theory with extensive practical experience. You'll study subjects like anatomy, psychology, and clinical reasoning through lectures and workshops, but around half the course is spent on placements in real settings such as hospitals, schools, and care homes.
Training begins with short placements and builds up to longer ones by the final year, where you'll work with real clients under supervision. You'll also practice using specialist equipment in simulated environments. By graduation, you’ll have both a degree and significant practical experience. Full-time courses typically take three years, four in Scotland, or longer if part-time.
Degree apprenticeship
Some NHS trusts offer Level 6 Occupational Therapist degree apprenticeships. You work and earn at the same time, gaining on-the-job experience while studying at university. Entry requirements vary according to each NHS trust and competition is strong.
You can search for apprenticeship vacancies via NHS Jobs and Find an apprenticeship.
Postgraduate conversion
If you already have a degree in a health or science field, such as biological sciences or physiotherapy, an accelerated MSc is an option. It’s a two-year course with qualified OT status on completion.
NEXT: Use our postgraduate course search for more info
After your degree you must register with the HCPC to legally practise as an Occupational Therapist. Most new OTs take up jobs in healthcare settings. Many join the NHS, often in Band 5 roles, where occupational therapist salaries start around £30,000 per year. Early roles are varied, you might work in a hospital rehabilitation ward, a community clinic, a mental health centre or a school.
Career-wise, occupational therapy offers lots of paths. You could specialise as an early intervention occupational therapist with babies and young children, elderly care, neurological rehab, mental health or vocational rehabilitation. With experience, you might move into senior therapist roles, management, education or research.
Pay and responsibility increase over time. NHS Band 6 OTs earn around £38,000, for example. Some occupational therapists also work overseas or in private practice.
In your personal statement it’s essential to:
Show your motivation
Explain why being an OT appeals to you. Mention any personal experience like helping a relative with care, first-aid volunteering or youth work that shows your caring attitude.
Highlight relevant experience
Even informal caring roles like babysitting or sports coaching can demonstrate transferable skills. Formal healthcare experience as a volunteer or assistant is a big plus.
Demonstrate skills
Give examples of teamwork, problem-solving or communication. Universities look for evidence of empathy, resilience and organisation. The NHS values often guide admissions, so be ready to discuss how you embody these.
If your course includes an interview, be prepared to talk about:
What the role involves
What qualities make a good OT
Why you're interested in this area of healthcare
Whatuni reviews give a student’s-eye view. James, a first year student studying occupational therapy at Canterbury Christ Church Uni says: “Amazing student support team, very helpful and supported me to gain the confidence I needed to thrive. Facilities are extremely clean and support all students regardless of disabilities to be able to attend their lecturers and seminars.”
NEXT: Read more student reviews for Occupational therapy courses.
Is the degree hard?
It’s a demanding mix of science and hands-on work, but you’ll be well supported by tutors and your peers
What if I don’t meet the grades?
You can reapply after gaining experience, work as an OT assistant, or take a foundation course.
What are the job prospects?
Excellent, there is a strong demand for qualified OTs.
Can I specialise later?
Yes. You can focus on areas like mental health, paediatrics, or rehab, with options for further training or postgraduate study.
If you think becoming an occupational therapist is for you, explore degree options now by browsing our course listings below.
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