Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy)

The course resolutions detailed in this page apply to all courses included in the table below under section 1 (course codes).

These resolutions must be read in conjunction with applicable University By-laws, Rules and policies including (but not limited to) the University of Sydney (Coursework) Rule 2014 (the 'Coursework Rule'), the Coursework Policy 2021 (the 'Coursework Policy'), the Learning and Teaching Policy 2019, the Resolutions of the Faculty, University of Sydney (Student Academic Appeals) Rule 2021, the Academic Integrity Policy 2022 and the Academic Integrity Procedures 2022. Current versions of all policies are available from the Policy Register: http://www.sydney.edu.au/policies

1  Course codes

2  Attendance pattern

The attendance pattern for these courses is full time only.

3  Faculty management

This degree is managed by the Faculty of Medicine and Health.

4  Admission to candidature

Admission to this course is on the basis of a secondary school leaving qualification such as the NSW Higher School Certificate (including national and international equivalents), tertiary study or an approved preparation program. English language requirements must be met where these are not demonstrated by sufficient qualifications taught in English. Special admission pathways are open for mature aged applicants who do not possess a school leaving qualification, educationally disadvantaged applicants and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Applicants are ranked by merit and offers for available places are issued according to the ranking. Details of admission policies are found in the Coursework Policy.

5  Requirements for award

(1)  The units of study that may be taken for the Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy) are set out in the:

(a) Table A for the Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy); and

(b) Table S.

(2)  In these resolutions, except where otherwise specified, Table A means Table A for the Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy) and Table S means the shared pool of electives for undergraduate degrees.

(3)  To qualify for the award of the Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy), a candidate must complete 192 credit points of units of study comprising:

(a) degree core units of study (138 credit points) as set out in Table A;

(b) a minor (36 credit points) in Disability and Participation from Table A; or

(c) a major (48 credit points) in Disability and Participation from Table A;

(d) where appropriate, elective units of study from Table S to satisfy a total of 192 credit points for the course.

6  Majors and minors

(1)  Requirements for majors and minors

(a) Majors and minors are as defined in the Learning and Teaching Policy.

(b) The requirements for completion of majors and minors are as set out in Table A.

(2)  Majors

(a) Completion of a major is not a requirement of the course.

(b) Candidates undertaking honours will not be able to complete a major.

(c) Candidates not undertaking honours may complete the:

(i) Disability and Participation major as set out in Table A (48 credit points).

(3)  Minors

(a) Completion of a minor in Disability and Participation is a requirement of the course. Completion of the Disability and Participation major meets this requirement.

(b) Candidate must complete units of study listed under the Disability and Participation minor as set out in Table A (36 credit points).

7  Requirements for the Honours degree

(1)  Honours, involving a research project, is available to meritorious students who complete an alternative set of units of study in the last three semesters of their course.

(2)  Admission to Honours requires a WAM of at least 65 in all units of study completed in semester 1 in the third year of the course.

(3)  Admission to Honours is competitive and by permission of the program coordinator. Students will not normally be admitted if they have failed a unit of study.

(4)  To qualify for the award of the honours degree a candidate must:

(a) complete the requirements for the pass degree but include the alternative 18 credit points of honours described in the table of units for the degree. Completion of the degree is required in the minimum standard full-time duration.

8  Credit for previous study

(1)  The Coursework Policy specifies the general conditions for the granting of credit for previous study for these courses, except that credit will not be granted for recognised prior learning older than 5 years at the time of first enrolment.

9  Requirements for students undertaking clinical placements

(1)  Certificate of competency in CPR: Students must provide proof they hold an Australian current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certificate prior to attending their placement and that it is valid for the duration of the placement. Please refer to the University Placements web site for further information.

(2)  Student clearance for clinical placements: The NSW Ministry of Health requires that all students obtain clearance in order to undertake clinical placements. This involves a criminal record check. Please refer to the University's Placements web site for further information.

(3)  Immunisation: Students must have evidence of vaccinations and immunisations against certain infectious diseases prior to undertaking clinical placements. The requirements are consistent with Australian public health policy and National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) guidelines. Please refer to the University's Placement web site for further information.

(4)  Working with Children check: Students undertaking child-related placements as part of their course are subject to the requirements of the NSW Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012 and the Working with Children Procedures 2014.

(5)  NSW Health Records and Information Privacy Act (2002): Students must familiarise themselves with the content of the NSW Health Privacy Management Plan and comply with the NSW Ministry of Health Code of Conduct, NSW Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002 and Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998. 

10  Satisfactory progress

(1)  The Faculty will monitor for satisfactory progress towards the completion of their award course. In addition to the common triggers used to identify not meeting academic progression requirements (as set out in the provisions relating to progression in the Coursework Policy), students must pass the following clinical educational fieldwork/professional experience units of study which are critical to progression through the course:

(a) OCCP2105 Practice Education 1

(b) OCCP3101 Practice Education 2

(c) OCCP3103 Practice Education 3

(d) OCCP4103 Practice Education 4 (pass students) OR OCCP4104 Practice Education 4 (Honours) (honours students)

(2)  Students must meet all requirements of clinical placement components of any unit of study undertaken. Performance in clinical placements will be monitored in accordance with the requirements specified in the unit of study outline, and any relevant University policy or provision.

(3)  Students who have failed two units of study or twice failed the same unit of study identified in the Coursework Policy, will result in a student being asked to Show Good Cause as to why they should be allowed to re-enrol in their award course.

(4)  Students must complete at least one core unit per semester where core units are available for study in the normal progression pattern. Students who fail a core unit of study must repeat the failed unit at the first opportunity.

(5)  Students whose conduct or work towards their award is unsatisfactory, may, on the recommendation of the highest delegated authority, be refused permission by the Faculty to undertake or continue the clinical educational fieldwork/professional experience component of their award. The Faculty reserves the right not to place a student in any clinical placement or other professional experience setting in any instance where the performance, personal or professional conduct of the student does not meet the required standard of the professional organisation, regardless of the fact that the student may be enrolled in the unit of study.

(6)  Candidates for honours must maintain a credit average throughout the program and will not normally be admitted if they have failed a unit of study.

11  Award of the degree

(1)  The Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy) is awarded in the grades of either Pass or Honours.

(2)  The Honours degree is awarded in classes ranging from First Class to Third Class as specified in the Coursework Policy, and the Resolutions of the Faculty of Medicine and Health. The class of Honours awarded is based on a candidate’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Honours Weighted Average Mark (FMHHWAM).

12  Transitional provisions

(1)  These resolutions apply to students who commenced their candidature after 1 January 2024 and students who commenced their candidature prior to 1 January 2024 who elect to proceed under these resolutions. Students who commenced their candidature prior to 1 January 2024 may complete the requirements in accordance with the resolutions in force at the time of their commencement.