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Brief Description
This innovative programme is an opportunity for honours graduates to pursue studies leading to a professional qualification in Occupational Therapy. The two-year, full-time course is a timely and appropriate route for graduates, as it builds on their educational and work experiences to date. This on-campus programme is recognised by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists and accredited by the Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland and this programme is approved by CORU.
The MSc Occupational Therapy (Professional Qualification ) programme is recognised by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists and accredited by the Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland. This programme is approved by CORU.
The MSc in Occupational Therapy (Professional Qualification) offered at University of Limerick is the first Graduate Entry Masters programme in Ireland. The course was developed in response to the Bacon Report recommendation that graduate entry options for this programme be explored. This innovative programme is an opportunity for honours graduates to pursue studies leading to a professional qualification in Occupational Therapy. The two-year, full-time course is a timely and appropriate route for graduates, as it recognises their educational and work experiences to date.
Programme Aims
The MSc in Occupational Therapy (Professional Qualification) aims to develop graduates who are able to:
- Demonstrate how the relationship between person, occupation and environment is integral to health and well being
- Design and implement innovate, responsive and evidence-based practice/services
- Establish therapeutic relationships with diverse populations
- Employ the principles of client centred practice
- Engage in clinical reasoning to enable the OT process across a range of practice contexts
- Collaborate with clients, colleagues and communities
- Explain the theoretical underpinnings of OT practice to a range of audiences
- Engage in continuing professional development
- Critique and apply evidence to practice
- Advocate for occupational justice within systems
| Year 1 | Year 2 |
Semester 1
| Semester 4
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Semester 2
| Semester 5
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Semester 3 (Summer)
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Content of modules can be found by using the search option on the book of modules.
Minimum of a second class honours primary degree (2.2) (Level 8 National Qualifications Authority of Ireland) or a postgraduate degree (Level 9 National Qualifications Authority of Ireland). The type of previous undergraduate degree awarded is not a limiting factor in terms of eligibility.
Candidates may apply to this programme in the final semester of an undergraduate programme and must produce evidence that all requirements for postgraduate study are met by the end of June in the year that the programme commences. Once all standard requirements are met for postgraduate applications at UL, the HPAT (Health Professions Admission Test- Ireland) will be used as the sole instrument to select students for this programme.
Candidates applying to the MSc Occupational Therapy programme in UL must register for HPAT-Ireland + Written Component.
Check HPAT Ireland website for information on registration fees, registration deadlines and exam dates https://hpat-ireland.acer.org/. Please note your CAO number is not required for registration for the HPAT.
Applicants must also satisfy the English Language Requirements* of the University. The University reserves the right to shortlist applicants as deemed necessary.
For international candidates the International Student Admissions Test; ISAT will be used to select candidates. ISAT exam dates: there are many exam dates from March to January each year. Applicants must have sat the exam by 31st January in year of which they wish to apply.
Garda Vetting
Successful completion of the Garda clearance process is a requirement.
Immunisations
On practice education placement you will be considered a category A Health Care worker and must therefore fulfil vaccination requirements. Successful completion of the health screening, vaccinations certification and CPR certification are programme requirements for this degree. Health screening/vaccination certificates and the purchase of uniforms for placements will incur costs to the student.
Applications must include;
- Qualification transcripts and certificates
- A copy of your passport or birth certificate
- If your qualifications have been obtained in a country where English is an official language this will suffice
- If this is not available, the following additional documents must be provided: English translation of your qualification(s)/transcripts
- English language competency certificate
English Language Requirements
- IELTS – composite score 7.5 and not less than 7 in any one component.
- Please click here for Further Information on English Language Requirements
- For international candidates the International Student Admissions Test; ISAT will be used to select candidates. ISAT exam dates: there are many exam dates from March to January each year. Applicants must have sat the exam by 31st January in year of which they wish to apply. Check the ISAT website at https://isat.acer.edu.au/
EU - €12,900 per annum*
Non- EU - €25,800 per annum*
*Please note year 2 fees are subject to change
Further information on fees and payment of fees is available from the Student Fees Office website. All fee related queries should be directed to the Student Fees Office (Phone: +353 61 213 007 or email student.fees.office@ul.ie.)
Graduates will be qualified to practice in Ireland and eligible for registration in other parts of the world. You will be able to work in a diverse range of environments including schools, hospitals and community settings.
Aoibheann Coughlan – graduated in 2022, I completed my undergraduate BSc degree in General Nursing, which provided me with skills and knowledge to build on during my masters. As part of the application to the Masters in Occupational Therapy in the University of Limerick, I had to complete the HPAT. I studied for this through using a self-study pack, and through practicing exam papers.
I was delighted when I was offered a place on this programme. This course has highly educated and experienced clinicians providing lectures, who were encouraging and supportive. The smaller class size facilitated my learning as you can ask the lecturers questions, take part in group discussions, and you also get to know all of your classmates well!
The lectures were all very interesting and covered many different areas, from anatomy and physiology to occupational science and preparation for practice. There are many opportunities for interdisciplinary working, completing modules and group projects with physiotherapists, speech and language therapists and dieticians. This allowed us to learn more about the roles of the team members we would be working with when on clinical practice.
Throughout the two years there are four clinical practice blocks, which were my favourite part of the course. This course trains you to work in many different clinical areas, some of which I had the opportunity to gain experience in. I had placements in the acute hospital, community physical setting, and in a paediatric mental health setting. I was supported by my practice educator who is a senior OT onsite, and by the practice education team in UL. I gained a broad experience of some of the different areas OTs may work in, which helped me to decide which area is my favourite.
I worked as a research assistant with UL for a number of months after graduating, and I am currently working in a community setting with people with intellectual disabilities as a staff grade occupational therapist.
I really enjoyed my two years in UL, and I highly recommend this programme for anyone who is considering joining the world of Occupational Therapy!
Stephen Hodnett, Prior to commencing the MSc. in Occupational Therapy in the University of Limerick, I worked for several years as a primary school teacher. Occupational therapy had been an area that I had always wanted to work in, and I could see the huge role occupational therapists can have in children’s lives during my work as a teacher. The MSc. in Occupational therapy provided me with an opportunity to do this.
The OT staff in the University of Limerick bring diverse backgrounds and experiences together and as a result, provide a broad range of experience and expertise to the course. During my time at the University of Limerick, the skills I learned and developed have greatly impacted my readiness to work as an occupational therapist. I experienced a wide variety of placement opportunities, these included adult and paediatric settings as well as physical and psychosocial experiences. One of which was an innovative telehealth placement, which provided me with a unique skillset for my current role.
I graduated from the MSc. In Occupational Therapy in 2020 and I have gained experience in a number of areas including acute hospital settings and community rehabilitation settings prior to commencing my current role. I am currently working with Dyspraxia/DCD Ireland as the occupational therapy coordinator of the POTTS Programme. This programme developed from a role-emerging placement that I participated in during my time on the course and has grown into a full-time role providing online and face-to-face services to families and individuals with Dyspraxia/DCD via the medium of telehealth.
Being an occupational therapist opens many doors, with countless possible opportunities and employment prospects available. In my opinion, being an occupational therapist is one of the best jobs a person can do. I would recommend the MSc. In Occupational Therapy to anyone looking to become an occupational therapist.