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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.

  • Curriculum: The curriculum is an integration of human and natural sciences, which enables therapists to assist those whose functioning has been affected by developmental delays, neglect, disease, trauma, accidents or ageing.
  • Learning programme: The BOT programme requires four years of full-time study, and is designed to facilitate active participation. Throughout the four years, students do clinical fieldwork at various hospitals, clinics, other institutions and in the community setting.
  • Research: At the undergraduate level, students are introduced to research activities under the guidance of staff members. Postgraduate students conduct research on the process and standards of interventions; the development of valid and reliable measurement tools; and the establishment of effective outcomes for interventions.

Postgraduate study offers increased occupational therapy knowledge and skills in vocational rehabilitation; hand therapy; neurology, mental health and physical conditions; education in occupational therapy; and areas of occupational therapy such as play, leisure, education/school, Activities of Daily Living (ADL)/ Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) and work.

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

Occupations are activities that are meaningful to us and that we need to and/or are expected to do. People with loss of function as a result of disability and societal barriers are assisted by modifying their occupations or the environment so that they can maintain their independence.

In occupational therapy, individuals with physical and mental health conditions and/or disabilities are treated to enable them to function independently in their occupations and specific contexts. Occupational therapists enable persons with physical and mental impairment, to lead meaningful and independent lives.

Occupational therapy is a stimulating career that offers numerous opportunities. It requires an adaptable, intelligent and practical person with good problem-solving and managerial 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.

  • 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.

 


Career Opportunities

Occupational therapists, academics and researchers


Programme Code

10138003


Closing Dates

  • SA – 31/07/2020
  • Non-SA – 31/07/2020

Admission Requirements

  • The following persons will be considered for admission: a candidate who is in possession of a certificate that is deemed by the University to be equivalent to the required National Senior Certificate (NSC) with university endorsement; a candidate who is a graduate from another tertiary institution or has been granted the status of a graduate of such an institution; a candidate who is a graduate of another Faculty at the University of Pretoria; and a candidate who is currently studying at a university.
  • Admission to Health Sciences programmes is subject to a selection process.
  • Grade 11 final examination results will be used for the conditional selection of prospective students.
  • For selection purposes, the sum of the results in six subjects, including English, Mathematics and Physical Sciences, is calculated.
  • Life Orientation is excluded in the calculation of the Admission Point Score (APS).
  • Candidates should note that their conditional admission will be revoked if their APS drops by more than two points in their final school examination results.
  • PLEASE NOTE that compliance with the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission to any programme in this Faculty.
  • Selection queries may be directed to click here
  • A student who is made an offer but does not accept it cannot defer the offer and must reapply to be considered in the following year.

Transferring students (university experience)

  • The applications of students who are studying towards a tertiary qualification or have obtained a tertiary qualification must meet the following requirements regarding school subjects and performance levels: They must be in possession of an NSC for degree studies/full exemption certificate and must have attained a performance level of 5 (or 50% HG if completed prior to 2009) for Mathematics and Physical Sciences (or Life Sciences, if required).
  • If the subjects were not passed in Grade 12, the equivalent subjects (Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics) must be completed at the tertiary level. University students do not have to submit any non-academic performance record or CV. In their case selection is based on the results attained in the qualification(s) previously completed, ie they will be considered on the basis of their results achieved in higher education.
  • The completion of only a three-year diploma or certificate is not considered as university experience, but will be considered in the school-leaver category and admission will be based on the applicant’s Grade 12 results.

Qualifications from countries other than South Africa

  • A limited number of places are made available to citizens from countries other than South Africa, with those from SADC countries being given preference. Permanent residents of RSA are not categorised as foreign students. Applications from citizens from countries other than South Africa may also be considered if they are:
  • citizens or permanent residents of countries which have relevant government to government agreements with South Africa
  • asylum seekers or refugees

University of Pretoria website click here

Minimum requirements

Achievement level

English Home Language or English First Additional Language

Mathematics

Physical Sciences 

APS

NSC/IEB

AS Level

NSC/IEB

AS Level

NSC/IEB

AS Level

4

D

4

D

4

D

30

*  Cambridge A level candidates who obtained at least a D in the required subjects, will be considered for admission. Students in the Cambridge system must offer both Physics AND Chemistry with performance at the level specified for NSC Physical Sciences in the table above.

*  International Baccalaureate (IB) HL candidates who obtained at least a 4 in the required subjects, will be considered for admission. Students in the IB system must offer both Physics AND Chemistry with performance at the level specified for NSC Physical Sciences in the table above.


Selection Process

  • Forty-five (45) first-year students are selected annually.
  • Only first-choice applicants are considered.
  • Conditional selection is based on the final Grade 11 results.
  • Candidates must comply with the minimum admission requirements.
  • Candidates are required to maintain their Grade 11 averages (in terms of which they were conditionally selected) in the final school examination and ensure that the APS does not drop by more than two points.

Duration of study

4 years, full-time.


Faculty Notes

As an international role-player focusing on healthcare in Africa,  the vision of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Pretoria is to maintain health standards through quality education, research and community service. Since its inception, it has grown to be one of the largest health training institutions in the country and boasts an undergraduate and postgraduate student corps of over 6 000.

Students who join this Faculty will be part of a new generation of health professionals. The Faculty’s training is outcomes-based and problem-orientated – a unique way of looking at patients and their health.


Enquiries about the programme

Click Here
How to apply

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