| Code | Faculty | Department |
|---|---|---|
| 10138003 | Faculty of Health Sciences | Department: Occupational Therapy |
| Credits | Duration | NQF level |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum duration of study: 4 years | Total credits: 506 | NQF level: 08 |
The programme extends over four academic years, during which period a student receives clinical training as a student occupational therapist at an institution approved by the University.
Students must complete at least 1 000 hours’ clinical practical work over the four years of study in order to register as an occupational therapist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa.
Important information for all prospective students for 2025
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.
Minimum requirements | |||
Achievement level | |||
English Home Language or English First Additional Language | Mathematics | Physical Sciences | APS |
NSC/IEB | NSC/IEB | NSC/IEB | |
4 | 4 | 4 | 30 |
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 International undergraduate prospectus 2025: Applicants with a school leaving certificate not issued by Umalusi (South Africa), 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.
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.
Also consult General Academic Regulations G1-G15.
Note: Each student in Occupational Therapy must apply immediately after admission to the first year of study, to the Registrar of the Health Professions Council of South Africa for registration as a student in Occupational Therapy.
Subminimum
In modules with a written as well as a practical and/or clinical examination, a subminimum of 40% is required in the written as well as the practical and/or clinical sections of the examination.
Examination after one semester
A final-year student who has failed one module but who has passed all other modules, may be admitted to a special examination in the module in question at the end of the first semester of the subsequent year, after satisfactory attendance at lectures and clinical work during the first semester.
Academic exclusion from further study
In accordance with the stipulations of the General Academic Regulations, a student must complete the degree programme for which he or she is registered within the prescribed minimum period of study plus one year.
Students in the first year of study who do not qualify for admission to the second year of study are automatically subjected to selection again.
The following fundamental modules are relevant:
ZUL 119; SEP 119; SLK 110, 120 210, FSG 161, 162, 251, 252, 261, 262; ANP 210; GNK 286, MTL 180, ELH 121, 122, ANA 151, 152, 161, 162, AIM 111, 112, IHL 120, 210, 310, 413, RHC 300
The BOT degree is conferred with distinction on a student who has obtained a joint average of at least 75% (not rounded) in the core modules in OTX 401, OTX 402 and OCX 400.
Minimum credits: 137
Choose between Sepedi SEP 119 and Zulu ZUL 119
Module content:
Find, evaluate, process, manage and present information resources for academic purposes using appropriate technology.
Module content:
Apply effective search strategies in different technological environments. Demonstrate the ethical and fair use of information resources. Integrate 21st-century communications into the management of academic information.
Module content:
A systematic approach to Anatomy, including general terminology, embryology and osteology, with the use of wet specimens. Introductory histology includes cytology, the nucleus and cell division, epithelial tissue, general connective tissue, cartilage and bone.
Module content:
Anatomy of the appendicular skeleton
A systematic approach to the Anatomy of the muscles, blood vessels, nerve supply, lymph drainage and joints of the upper and lower limbs, as well as surface anatomy, with the use of wet specimens. Introductory histology includes muscle tissue, nerve tissue, and blood and haemopoietic tissue.
Module content:
A systematic approach to the anatomy of the thorax and its contents, the abdomen and its contents and the pelvis and its contents (organs, vascular systems, nerve supply, lymph drainage, muscles and joints), as well as surface anatomy, with the use of wet specimens. Introductory histology includes the histology of the lungs, liver and kidneys.
Module content:
Anatomy of the head and neck, and neuroanatomy
A systematic approach to the anatomy of the head and neck regions, the senses and the central and peripheral nervous system (cranial nerves, autonomic nervous system), as well as surface anatomy, with the use of wet specimens.
Module content:
Academic reading as well as academic writing and presentation skills, based on the approach followed in the healthcare sciences. *Presented to students in Health Sciences only.
Module content:
Study of specific language skills required in the Health Care Sciences, including interviewing and report-writing skills. *Presented to students in Health Sciences only. (BCur, BDietetics, BOH, BOT, Brad, BPhysT)*
Module content:
Introduction to physiological principles; neurophysiology, and muscle physiology.
Module content:
Body fluids; haematology; cardiovascular physiology, lymphatic system, and body defence mechanisms.
Module content:
This practical-orientated module will provide students with training in basic life support, automated external defibrillation, and first aid treatment to the suddenly ill or injured patient. The theoretical content will be offered in an interactive format where students are expected to master the content as self-directed learning. Practical skills will be demonstrated in the skills laboratory and students will get the opportunity to practice the skills under guidance and supervision.
Module content:
The acquisition of a basic medical orientated vocabulary compiled from Latin and Greek stem forms combined with prefixes and suffixes derived from those languages. The manner in which the meanings of medical terms can be determined by analysing the terms into their recognisable meaningful constituent parts, is taught and exercised. The functional use of medical terms in context as practical outcome of terminological application is continually attended to.
Module content:
*For absolute beginners only.
* Students from the School of Healthcare Sciences, who already possess the language skills taught in this module, may write an exemption examination.
The acquisition of basic Sepedi communicative skills with emphasis on everyday expressions and suitable high frequency vocabulary, within specific social situations.
Module content:
This module is a general orientation to Psychology. An introduction is given to various theoretical approaches in Psychology, and the development of Psychology as a science is discussed. Selected themes from everyday life are explored and integrated with psychological principles. This module focuses on major personality theories. An introduction is given to various paradigmatic approaches in Psychology.
Module content:
This module introduces the student to a basic knowledge and understanding of the biological basis of human behaviour. The module addresses the key concepts and terminology related to the biological subsystem, the rules and principles guiding biological psychology, and identification of the interrelatedness of different biological systems and subsystems. In this module various cognitive processes are studied, including perception, memory, thinking, intelligence and creativity. Illustrations are given of various thinking processes, such as problem solving, critical, analytic and integrative thinking.
Module content:
*For absolute beginners only
* Students from the School of Healthcare Sciences, who already possess the language skills taught in this module, may write an exemption examination.
The acquisition of basic isiZulu communicative skills with emphasis on everyday expressions and suitable high frequency vocabulary, within specific situations.
Module content:
Leadership and multidisciplinary team work. Healthcare systems and legislation. Determinants of health. Introduction to healthcare models (e.g. community-based care, family-centred care, etc.). Professionalism, Ethical principles. Management of diversity. NB: Only for School of Healthcare Sciences and Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology students.
Module content:
Theory of occupational science. Application of creative ability principles during activity participation. Application of a variety of elective activities which promotes the engagement of clients in meaningful occupation.
Module content:
The study of occupational therapy roles, scope, domain, core knowledge and professional ethics. Includes the application of the process of occupational therapy intervention, tools of practice and theoretical frameworks.
Minimum credits: 120
Module content:
Structure, gas exchange and secretory functions of the lungs; structure, excretory and non-urinary functions of the kidneys, acid-base balance, and skin and body temperature control. Practical work to complement the theory.
Module content:
Nutrition, digestion and metabolism, hormonal control of body functions, and the reproductive systems. Practical work to complement the theory.
Module content:
In this module human development from conception through adolescence to adulthood is discussed with reference to various psychological theories. Incorporated are the developmental changes related to cognitive, physical, emotional and social functioning of the individual and the context of work in adulthood. Traditional and contemporary theories of human development explaining and describing these stages are studied in order to address the key issues related to both childhood and adulthood.
Module content:
Principles of project management. Communication principles. Leadership. Health promotion and education, advocacy and literacy. Counselling for health behaviour change. NB: Only for School of Healthcare Sciences and Speech- Language Pathology and Audiology students.
Module content:
The theory on the science of occupation. Application of activities in the areas of ADL (Activities of Daily Living) and leisure, as well as elective activities that promote the engagement of clients in meaningful occupation.
Module content:
Sensory-motor disorders: The study of occupational therapy evaluation and intervention of sensory-motor disorders in all age groups. Includes the pathology, causes, clinical picture and prognosis of selected disorders.
Module content:
Mental health and cognition: The study of occupational therapy evaluation and intervention of psycho-social and cognitive disorders in all age groups. Includes the pathology, causes, clinical picture and prognosis of selected disorders.
Module content:
Neurology: The study of occupational therapy evaluation and intervention of neurological conditions in all age groups. Includes the pathology, causes, clinical picture and prognosis of selected conditions.
Module content:
Biomechanics: The study of occupational therapy evaluation and intervention of the conditions of the musculoskeletal system in all age groups. Includes the pathology, causes, clinical picture and prognosis of selected conditions.
Minimum credits: 129
Module content:
General principles of pathology, including necroses, reversible cell damage, reparation and abnormalities of growth, circulation disturbances, acute and chronic infections, classification of the spreading of tumours and carcinogenesis. Directed course in systematic pathology, with specific reference to cardiovascular system, respiratory system, locomotor system and neurophathology.
Module content:
Concepts of research; research process; research studies appraisal; planning and developing literature review; developing research idea and research question; research principles in designing research proposal; research proposal writing.
Module content:
Community needs assessment. Leadership in community development. Planning and implementation of collaborative community-based interventions. Application of principles of monitoring and evaluation. NB: Only for School of Healthcare Sciences and Department of Speech - Language Pathology and Audiology students.
Module content:
The study of normal development and the effect on ill health and disability in the areas of play and school. The science and application of occupational therapy principles to promote engagement in meaningful occupation taking into consideration personal and environmental context. Includes pathology, causes, clinical picture and prognosis of selected conditions.
Module content:
The study of the effect of ill health and disability in the area of Activities of Daily Living (ADL). The science and application of occupational therapy principles to promote engagement in meaningful occupation, taking into consideration personal and environmental contexts. Includes the pathology, causes, clinical picture and prognosis of selected conditions.
Module content:
The study of the effect of ill health and disability in the area of work. The science and application of occupational therapy principles to promote engagement in meaningful occupation within the context of South African Disability Equity Legislation. Includes the pathology, causes, clinical picture and prognosis of selected conditions.
Module content:
Continued study of occupational therapy for patients/clients with physical and neurological conditions. Facilitation of occupational performance through the application of assistive technologies and adaptations. Includes therapeutic apparatus, control interfaces, prosthesis and the selection, design and manufacture of splints.
Module content:
The application of therapeutic group techniques, stress management and interpersonal techniques in counselling. Includes the study of occupational therapy evaluation and intervention of psychiatric disorders in childhood.
Minimum credits: 120
Module content:
Conducting process of obtaining ethics clearance, data collection, data analysis, research report writing.
Module content:
Principles for the management of an occupational therapy department in the public sector. Principles to set up and management of a private practice. Management of support staff in occupational therapy. Marketing strategies in occupational therapy. Professional ethics, values and accountability. Code of ethics for occupational therapists
Module content:
Continued study in occupational science with emphasis on the areas of occupation. Integration and application of knowledge and skills in a community fieldwork setting, an elective vocational rehabilitation fieldwork setting and in an elective paediatric fieldwork setting.
Module content:
Continued study of occupational therapy for patients/clients with physical and neurological conditions. Integration and application of knowledge and skills in a physical/neurological fieldwork setting.
Module content:
Continued study of occupational therapy for mental healthcare users. Integration and application of knowledge and skills in a mental health fieldwork setting.
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