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Master of Occupational Therapy

The information on this page applies to future students. Current students should refer to their faculty handbooks for course information.

ASSISTING EVERYONE TO LIVE LIFE TO THE FULL: Daily activities such as completing school or work tasks, getting around town or making connections with other people can be difficult for a person experiencing challenges.
Occupational therapists work hand-in-hand with their clients to help them participate more fully in life. Helping people overcome these barriers is amazingly rewarding. This might involve teaching alternative techniques to achieve the task, or working with a person to improve their skills. It’s all about encouraging a ‘can do’ attitude. Occupational therapists work with parents and carers where needed and typically work in teams with other health professionals.
People from a range of backgrounds are drawn to this course. Some of you will have worked in areas of environmental design such as engineering and architecture, while others will come from a more health related setting such as psychology or nursing. The course is designed to accommodate all suitably qualified candidates regardless of their prior degree. If you already have a background in health you will be able to take on electives, while those without such experience will be required to take prescribed electives.

Units of study

Unit of Study overview

Full units of study list

Further course information

Study plan

You will follow a prescribed course of study with a total 96 credit points (cp) incorporating fifteen core units (90cp) and one elective units (6cp).

Progression rules

The Master of Occupational Therapy requires the completion of 96 credit points (cp) of units of study, including 90cp of core units; and 6cp of elective units, chosen from the list of elective units in the Table as set out in the Faculty handbook.

Capstone experience

A number of clinical and professional fieldwork opportunities are scheduled as part of the course. 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 rehabilitation counselling 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.

Course outcomes and further study

Graduate opportunities

Occupational therapists frequently work in teams with other health professionals in a variety of settings such as hospitals, rehabilitation centres, private practices, occupational health providers, community centres, schools, nursing homes and private homes. Within these settings they contribute in a variety of ways such as through early intervention, health promotion, education, consultancy, industry, primary health, environmental design and accessibility, advocacy services, non-government agencies, housing services and palliative care.

A testimonial from one of our graduates
Cecilia Cox
Master of Occupational Therapy (Honours)

"The most enjoyable part of the course was having the opportunity to work alongside other students. I found meeting so many passionate, intelligent and enthusiastic people inspiring. Completing a research project with two supervisors who are so well respected in their fields was an honour and very rewarding,

I now work for the Department of Human Services, Aging, Disability and Homecare as a Behaviour Support Practitioner. My role is to provide behaviour support to adults who have an intellectual disability. I work with a range of stakeholders including the service user, families, support staff and medical and allied health professionals to identify and meet the behaviour support needs of people using a person-centred positive behaviour support approach. "

Course accreditation

Master of Occupational Therapy graduates can apply for membership to OT Australia and the World Federation of Occupational Therapists.

Further study

Eligible graduates may consider an additional three years of study with us as a research candidate for the higher research degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) http://sydney.edu.au/health_sciences/research_innovation/ . The PhD is designed to provide you with the opportunity to undertake in-depth study in a specialised area under the supervision of an academic staff member with expertise in your field of research.

The award of the degree in the health sciences will enhance your profile as a genuine researcher and expert in your chosen field, afford opportunities as a published researcher, and may lead to an academic appointment, or to a research appointment with a government or industrial research and development organisation.

How to apply

Domestic students

How to apply

Applications for the Sydney Master of Occupational Therapy are made though the Universities Admission Centre (UAC) - www.uac.edu.au. On-time applications for the March Semester close on the last working day of October. This course is not offered in the July semester intake.

Admission requirements

The Master of Occupational Therapy welcomes applicants from all backgrounds. To be eligible to apply you will need:

* A PhD, master's or bachelor's degree from an Australian
institution or equivalent. Applicants without a degree in a
health related area such as medicine, nursing, allied health
or health sciences or human functioning (education,
anthropology, anthropometrics, build environment) must
complete prescribed units of study in anatomy and/or
psychology as electives.
* A Grade Point Average (GPA) of 4.5 or greater (approximately
equivalent to a credit average or better) assessed on the
highest ranked tertiary qualification presented.

International students

How to apply

Overseas applicants may apply (i) directly to the University's International Office, (ii) through a University overseas representative (education agent), or (iii) through the Universities Admissions Centre, for students applying on the basis of a current Australian Year 12 secondary school examination, or studying either an International Baccalaureate in Australia or a New Zealand Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 3.

Admission requirements

The Master of Occupational Therapy welcomes applicants from all backgrounds. To be eligible to apply you will need:

* A PhD, master's or bachelor's degree from an Australian
institution or equivalent. Applicants without a degree in a
health related area such as medicine, nursing, allied health
or health sciences or human functioning (education,
anthropology, anthropometrics, build environment) must
complete prescribed units of study in anatomy and/or
psychology as electives.
* A Grade Point Average (GPA) of 4.5 or greater (approximately
equivalent to a credit average or better) assessed on the
highest ranked tertiary qualification presented.

Fee disclaimer

Domestic students

*(1)Indicative Postgraduate Student Contribution Amount

This student contribution amount for a Commonwealth Supported Place is an indication only of the fees that are payable by you in the calendar year you commence your course, commencing in 2012 for a standard annual full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). The exact student contribution that you pay will depend on the specific units of study in which you ultimately enrol. If you are a Commonwealth supported student and was enrolled in a University course before 1 January 2011 your student contribution may differ.

Annual review

Importantly, student contribution amounts are subject to annual review by the University, and are likely to increase each year of your period of study (subject to a Commonwealth specified cap), effective at the start of each calendar year.

For further information about how to calculate your specific total student contribution please refer to the University's Future Student's online webpages at http://sydney.edu.au/future_students/domestic_undergraduate/costs/calculating_costs.shtml

*(2)Postgraduate Domestic Tuition Fee

This 2012 tuition fee for a domestic postgraduate student represents the fee that is payable by you in the calendar year you commence your course, commencing in 2012 for a standard annual full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). If your study load is more or less than the 1.0 EFSTL your fee will differ.

Annual review

Importantly, tuition fees are subject to annual review by the University, and are likely to increase each year of your period of study, effective at the start of each calendar year.

Additional incidental fees

For some courses there are incidental fees additional to the student contribution and/or course fee. Some of those fees are significant, for example, faculty-specific materials, tools, protected clothing and equipment. For further information about these additional incidental fees, please visit the University's Future Student's online webpage at http://sydney.edu.au/future_students

Potential for inaccuracy

Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information in this prospectus, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre for domestic students or the International Office for international students so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about those fees.

The academic requirements that are displayed are applicable to currently available courses only, and are updated annually in October and may be changed without notice. The Faculty Handbook and the University of Sydney Calendar are the official legal source of information relating to study at the University of Sydney, and you are referred to those documents

International students

International tuition fees for postgraduate students

This 2012 tuition fee for international postgraduate students represents the fees that are payable by you in the calendar year you commence your course, commencing in 2012 for a standard annual full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). If your study load is more or less than the 1.0 EFSTL your fee will differ.

Annual review

Importantly, tuition fees are subject to annual review, and are likely to increase each year of your period of study, effective at the start of each calendar year.

Additional incidental fees and health insurance

For some courses there are incidental fees additional to the tuition fees. Some of those fees are significant, for example, faculty-specific materials, tools, protected clothing, and equipment. For further information about these additional incidental fees, please visit the University's Future Student's online webpage at http://sydney.edu.au/future_students/international_postgraduate_coursework or http://sydney.edu.au/future_students/international_postgraduate_research

In addition to the fees indicated here for the course of study, International Students studying on an Australian Student Visa must have appropriate health insurance for the duration of their studies on a Student Visa through an approved provider of the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) scheme. This is a requirement of the Australian Government, unless otherwise exempted by the Government.

Potential for inaccuracy

Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information here, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre for domestic students or the International Office for international students so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about those fees.