Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (BOT)

As a healthcare profession, occupational therapy promotes health and well-being. It is the art and science of facilitating participation through occupations

The Department of Occupational Therapy at the University of Pretoria embraces transformation and diversity and aims to be an outstanding internationally respected department, committed to excellence in research, social responsiveness and innovative teaching and learning. As a healthcare profession, occupational therapy promotes health and well-being. It is the art and science of facilitating participation through occupations.

Occupational therapists enable people of all ages with physical and mental impairment to lead meaningful and independent lives. Individuals with physical and mental health conditions and/or disabilities are treated to function independently/optimally in their occupations and in specific contexts. People with loss of function due to disability and societal barriers are assisted by modifying their occupations or the environment to maintain their independence. 

The ideal candidate must have the following characteristics:

• Good communication skills (written and verbal)
• Exceptional interpersonal skills
• Caring and empathetic 
• Able to encourage others to develop their potential
• Creative and show initiative
• Problem solver
• Intellectual and practical aptitudes
• Strong self-esteem
• Well-balanced lifestyle
• High emotionall intelligence 
• Ability to work in a team

Occupational therapy is an exciting career that offers numerous opportunities. It requires an adaptable, intelligent and practical person with good problem-solving skills. A successful occupational therapist has good interpersonal skills and can approach diverse situations in a resourceful and creative manner.

For more information, please consult the Faculty webpage.

Occupational therapists, academics and researchers

Important information for all prospective students for 2024

The admission requirements below apply to all who apply for admission to the University of Pretoria with a National Senior Certificate (NSC) and Independent Examination Board (IEB) qualifications. ?Click here for this Faculty Brochure.

For advice on a second-choice programme, please consult a Student Advisor. To make an appointment, send an email to [email protected].

Life Orientation is excluded when calculating the APS. 

Applicants currently in Grade 12 must apply with their final Grade 11 (or equivalent) results.

Applicants who have completed Grade 12 must apply with their final NSC or equivalent qualification results.

Please note that meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee admission.

Successful candidates will be notified once admitted or conditionally admitted.

Applicants should check their application status regularly on the UP Student Portal at click here.

Applicants with qualifications other than the abovementioned should refer to the Brochure: Undergraduate Programme Information 2024: Qualifications other than the NSC and IEB, available at click here.

International students: Click here 

A limited number of places are made available to citizens from countries other than South Africa (applicants who are not South African citizens), with those from SADC countries being given preference. Applicants who have multiple citizenships, including South African citizenship, will be considered to be South African. 

Transferring students

A transferring student is a student who, at the time of applying at the University of Pretoria (UP) is/was a registered student at another tertiary institution. A transferring student will be considered for admission based on NSC or equivalent qualification and previous academic performance. Students who have been dismissed from other institutions due to poor academic performance will not be considered for admission to UP.

Closing dates: Same as above

Returning students

A returning student is a student who, at the time of application for a degree programme is/was a registered student at UP, and wants to transfer to another degree at UP. A returning student will be considered for admission based on NSC or equivalent qualification and previous academic performance.

• Students who have been excluded/dismissed from a faculty due to poor academic performance may be considered for admission to another programme at UP, as per faculty-specific requirements.
• Only ONE transfer between UP faculties and TWO transfers within a faculty will be allowed.
• Admission of returning students will always depend on the faculty concerned and the availability of space in the programmes for which they apply.

Closing date for applications from returning students is the same as the above

Note: Any deliberate ommission of information, or false information provided by an applicant in the application may result in the immediate cancellation of the apllication, admission or registration.

Selection criteria are available on the faculty's webpage at: click here.

• Forty-seven (47) first-year students are selected annually.
• Only first-choice applicants are considered.

Modules will be presented only in English, which is the University's official language of tuition, communication and correspondence.

The Faculty of Health Sciences continues to exemplify and build on the University of Pretoria’s vision of being a leading research-intensive university in Africa: it is recognised internationally for its quality, relevance and impact, as well as for creating knowledge, developing people and making a difference locally and globally. 

The Faculty is home to 5 500 undergraduate and 1 500 postgraduate students, including medical and dental fellowship training in more than 40 disciplines. 

The Faculty’s research output has grown, in response to the need for research that is relevant to the improvement of health and health care and advancing medicine in South Africa, Africa and globally. 

• Disclaimer: This publication contains information about regulations and programmes of the University of Pretoria. Amendments to or updating of the information may be effected from time to time without prior notification. The accuracy, correctness or validity of the information contained here is therefore not guaranteed by the University at any given time and is always subject to verification. The user is kindly requested to verify the correctness of the information with the University at all times. Failure to do so will not give rise to any claim or action of any nature against the University by any party whatsoever.