Occupational Therapy
Students on this broad and varied Occupational Therapy course study psychology, anatomy and physiology, as well as occupational therapy theories, assessment and treatment approaches and evidence-based practice.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | National University of Ireland |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | National University of Ireland | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
4 years, full-time.
Specific Subjects or course requirements
Leaving Certificate entry requirements
At least six subjects must be presented. Minimum grade H4 in one subject, minimum grade H5 in one subject and minimum grade O6/H7 in four other subjects. English and Irish are requirements for all programmes unless the applicant is exempt from Irish.
Applicants will need to meet the following minimum entry requirements in the same sitting:
English O6/H7
Irish O6/H7
Maths O6/H7
Other Language O6/H7
Lab Science H4
The following are considered Lab Science subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Physics with Chemistry or Agricultural Science.
Students presenting with a 2016 (or previous) Leaving Certificate must present with a HC2 in a Laboratory Science subject.
Students are subject to Garda vetting.
Students are subject to Fitness to Practise Policy.
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme LCVP
Distinction 66 points
Merit 46 points
Pass 28 points
Careers / Further progression
Skills and Careers Information
Occupational therapists are employed as therapists, researchers, managers and educators in Ireland and internationally.
Occupational therapy is a people profession and is all about helping people live life to the fullest. People can be prevented from living life to the fullest for lots of reasons, including ill-health, disability or other obstacles in their environment. Occupational therapists are experts in analysing everyday activities or "occupations" and helping people do the activities that they need or want to do in their day-to-day life.
Occupational therapists work in a wide range of settings, including hospitals, health centres, care homes, schools, prisons and in the community in people’s homes and workplaces.
Demand for occupational therapy services is strong internationally. In the US, occupational therapy was cited as a top profession in 2012 and one of the nation’s 150 best recession-proof jobs. Our course is fully accredited by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists and the Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland, meaning that your degree qualification is recognised internationally.
Further information
September 2026
Approximate Available Places 5
Find out about the mature entry requirements at https://www.ucc.ie/en/study/undergrad/entryreqs/matureapplicants/
Approximate Available Places Overall 40
Entry 2026
Early online application (discounted): Fee €35 Closing Date: 20 January 2026 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €50 Closing Date: 1 February 2026 at 5pm
Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2026 CAO Handbook): Fee: €65 Closing Date: 1 May 2026 at 5pm
Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2026 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2026 at 5pm
Be sure to complete any action well in advance of closing dates. You should avoid making an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all application fees are non-refundable.
LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5pm on 1 February 2026. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2026, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2026 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2026 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €65 applies.
Restrictions
As a CAO applicant you may experience one or more of the following restrictions based on your course choices, your category of application, or restrictions imposed by the HEIs that you wish to apply to. Please read the section on 'Restrictions' on page 3 of the 2026 CAO Handbook carefully. This section includes information on:
General Restrictions
1. Making a late application
2. Making changes to your course choices
Restricted Courses
3. Applying for a restricted course
Mature Applicants
4. Mature applicants
Supplementary Admissions Routes
5. Applying for DARE and/or HEAR
Course Outline
Students on this broad and varied Occupational Therapy course study psychology, anatomy and physiology, as well as occupational therapy theories, assessment and treatment approaches and evidence-based practice.
The UCC course stands out from other occupational therapy courses in its focus on your development – both personal and professional – which is interwoven throughout academic and practice-based modules.
Learning is different at UCC too. Complex task-based learning (TBL) is the medium through which you will study, with a lot of self-directed individual and group work. Emphasis is placed on being able to talk about what you are doing and thinking. Your knowledge, skills and abilities will be developed in a logical sequence over the course of the four years.
At UCC, we place equal emphasis on learning to work with children/young people and adults/older adults and on developing expertise in the areas of physical and mental health.
On our course, we want to educate future practitioners who possess the knowledge, skills and attitudes to deliver traditional occupational therapy and are prepared to be leaders in policy development and emerging areas of practice.
On successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
- promote health and wellbeing through participation in occupation across the lifespan
- practise occupational therapy in accordance with the World Federation of Occupational Therapists Revised Minimum Standards for the Education of Occupational Therapists (2002) ensuring your practice is occupation-based, evidence-based, person-centred and culturally sensitive
- apply the occupational therapy process to individuals, groups and communities of all age groups in context, based on strong theory and evidence
- practise in adherence with legal, ethical and best practice guidelines
- establish and maintain therapeutic and professional relationships in a range of practice settings
- demonstrate professional reasoning skills and reflective practice in a broad range of practice settings
- value the context of professional practice, demonstrating a critical awareness of health and social policies and legislation
- demonstrate a commitment to continuing professional education and lifelong learning, for yourself and others
- engage in research to advance knowledge and practice development in occupational science and occupational therapy.
Year 1 modules
AN1060 Topographical Anatomy
AP1024 Lifespan development
OT1001 Person Environment Occupation I (15 credits)
OT1002 Person Environment Occupation II (15 credits)
OT1004 Becoming a Healthcare Professional
OT1005 Creative Occupations and Health
OT1006 Practice Education I
PL1025 Fundamentals of Physiology
Year 2 modules
Developmental Neuro-anatomy for Occupational Therapy; Advanced Developmental Psychology; Introduction to Research Methods; Person Environment Occupation; Becoming a Professional Practitioner; Practice Education; Personal Professional Development.
Year 3 modules
Applied Neurology for Occupational Therapy; Applied Developmental Psychology II: The Psychology of Ageing; Advanced Research Methods; Personal Professional Development; Becoming a Professional Practitioner; Person Environment Occupation; Practice Education.
Year 4 modules
Integrated Professional Practice; Practice Education; Research-Based Project; Personal Professional Development.
Garry O’Sullivan
clinicaltherapies@ucc.ie
http://www.ucc.ie/en/ot/