Expand+Minimum H4 in a lab science subject (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Physics with Chemistry or Agricultural Science). Minimum grade H5 in one other subject and minimum grade O6/H7 in four other subjects. Subjects must include Irish, English, another lan...

Hide-Minimum H4 in a lab science subject (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Physics with Chemistry or Agricultural Science). Minimum grade H5 in one other subject and minimum grade O6/H7 in four other subjects. Subjects must include Irish, English, another language and Maths.

Student Garda Vetting
A condition of enrolment on this programme is that all incoming students have cleared the vetting process in accordance with University policy and the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012.

Fitness to Practise
The undergraduate degree programmes listed require students to meet the guidelines of the University’s “Fitness to Practise” policy (www.ucc.ie/en/academicsecretariat/fitnesstopractise)

Expand+To compete for a place as a school leaver, an applicant must satisfy the minimum entry requirements as well as any specific programme requirements, and then compete on the basis of the results obtained in their school leaving examinations.

Applic...

Hide-To compete for a place as a school leaver, an applicant must satisfy the minimum entry requirements as well as any specific programme requirements, and then compete on the basis of the results obtained in their school leaving examinations.

Applicants may combine results achieved in different sittings for the purpose of meeting the minimum entry requirements for programmes, with the exception of Medicine (CK701). However, results achieved in separate years of school-leaving exams may not be combined for the purpose of scoring points.

Leaving Certificate applicants compete on the basis of a Points scheme.

Age Limits for Entry
For 2020 entry, CAO applicants for full-time degree programmes should have reached 17 years of age by 15th January 2021. Where a candidate below that age seeks to enter UCC, a special application must be made by the applicant to the Admissions Officer. Such an application should be accompanied by a letter of support from the Principal of the school at which the student is completing their school leaving examination.

Exemption from Irish And/Or The 3rd Language
In certain circumstances, applicants may be exempt from Irish and/or the third language requirement. Please refer to the NUI Handbook, the UCC Calendar or talk to your Guidance Counsellor for further details.

Infectious Diseases Policy
Students enroled on certain courses in the College of Medicine and Health are at increased risk of contracting and transmitting certain infectious diseases as a result of being in the clinical environment as part of their course. It is important, therefore, in order to protect patients and students that healthcare students are screened for, and immunized against, certain infectious illnesses. Students enroling in the School of Nursing and Midwifery are screened and immunized by the Health Service Executive Occupational Health Service and are subject to the HSE policies in this regard. All other undergraduate students in the College of Medicine and Health are subject to the UCC Infectious Disease Screening and Blood Borne Virus Policy. Details will be sent from the Admissions Office once a student has accepted his/her place.

Expand+MATURE STUDENT APPLICANTS
To be eligible to compete for a place as a mature student, you must be 23 years of age on or before 1 January 2021 and apply via www.cao.ie by 1 February. Please check out the CAO website for more information on the applic...

Hide-MATURE STUDENT APPLICANTS
To be eligible to compete for a place as a mature student, you must be 23 years of age on or before 1 January 2021 and apply via www.cao.ie by 1 February. Please check out the CAO website for more information on the application process as a mature student. There is a helpful video for mature applicants.

There are places for mature students on all undergraduate programmes. As a mature student you do not need Leaving Certificate points to enter UCC. However, some degree programmes have specific educational requirements so it is essential that you check the CAO Mature Student Guide, the Mature Student Office website www.ucc.ie/en/mature or contact our Mature Student Advisor for further details mso@ucc.ie. The Mature Student Office will be happy to help you with your application.

If you are a mature applicant, please note that you can also apply to UCC based on Leaving Certificate (LC) or QQI FE results. You may apply under all three pathways, if applicable (LC, QQI FE, Mature). Just ensure to tick boxes 1, 2 & 8, on the Qualifications and Assessment Summary section on the CAO application form, to be assessed under all three pathways.

Expand+Entry 2021

Early online application (discounted): Fee €30 Closing Date: 20 January 2021 at 5:15pm

Normal online application: Fee €45 Closing Date: 1 February 2021 at 5:15pm

Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2021 CA...

Hide-Entry 2021

Early online application (discounted): Fee €30 Closing Date: 20 January 2021 at 5:15pm

Normal online application: Fee €45 Closing Date: 1 February 2021 at 5:15pm

Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2021 CAO Handbook): Fee: €60 Closing Date: 1 May 2021 at 5:15 pm

Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2021 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2021 5:15 pm

Exceptional online late application (see page 21 of the 2021 CAO Handbook): Fee €60 Closing Date: 22 July 2021 at 5:15pm

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 5:15pm on 1 February 2021. The closing date for late applications is 5:15pm on 1 May 2021, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2021 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2021 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €60 applies.

Exceptional Late Applications (Exception to the timetable)
The exceptional closing date of 22 July at 5:15pm applies only to applicants who are registered as an undergraduate student on 1 May 2021 in any year in any one of the participating HEIs (subject to the exclusions listed below). In order to avail of the Exceptional Late Application facility you must have entered the HEI through the CAO system.

If you did not enter your current course through the CAO system, you must first contact the Admissions Office of the HEI to which you wish to apply and they will inform you if you may submit an application direct to the institution.

Exclusions:
You may submit a late application only for entry to courses other than your existing course. If you wish to repeat the year in the same course you must arrange this within your HEI.

Mary Immaculate College Limerick, Marino Institute of Education, Trinity College Dublin, University of Limerick, Maynooth University and Galway Mayo Institute of Technology have special procedures in place in the case of current or previous students who wish to apply for entry to another course in the same HEI. Such applicants must contact their Admissions Office to determine the application procedure. However, if you are a student in another HEI and you wish to apply to any of these six HEIs, you should apply through CAO.

Refer to page 21 of the 2021 CAO Handbook on how to make an Exceptional Late Application.

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 2021 CAO Handbook carefully. This section includes information on:

General Restricitons
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

Expand+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 stand...

Hide-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.

Expand+Year 1 modules

AN1060 Topographical Anatomy (5 credits)
AP1249 Introduction to developmental and social psychology
OT1001 & OT1002 Person Environment Occupation I & II (15 credits each)
OT1004 Becoming a Healthcare Professional (5 credits)
OT1...

Hide-Year 1 modules

AN1060 Topographical Anatomy (5 credits)
AP1249 Introduction to developmental and social psychology
OT1001 & OT1002 Person Environment Occupation I & II (15 credits each)
OT1004 Becoming a Healthcare Professional (5 credits)
OT1005 Creative Occupations and Health (5 credits)
OT1006 Practice Education I (5 credits)
PL1025 Fundamentals of Physiology (5 credits).

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.

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.

See the College Calendar for more detailed information on the programme and the Book of Modules for a more detailed description of programme modules.

Course Practicalities
Our students experience a range of teaching methods including lectures, simulations, workshops, seminars, tutorials and study groups. You are expected to be readers, integrators and investigators with regard to knowledge in the field of occupational therapy. We believe that learning comes from all areas of life, not only from textbooks. You will find you learn from the task experiences themselves, your peers, your friends, published work and the experienced staff.

You will be expected to practice professional behaviours and manage a busy timetable and workload across the academic year, just as you will have to do when you are a practising therapist.

Fitness to Practise

This programme is subject to UCC's Fitness to Practise Policy

Who teaches this course

We have a diverse, committed and enthusiastic staff group who have worked locally, nationally and internationally, including in the UK, Europe, the Seychelles, Los Angeles, Saudi Arabia and Australia.

We have clinical expertise in working with people of all ages and health conditions.

Four of our staff have received the UCC President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. We have published internationally and maintain active links with colleagues around the world.

We have hosted three major international conferences, including one in September 2013 to mark our 10th birthday.

Why Choose This Course
10 great reasons to study Occupational Therapy at UCC

We were one of the first universities in the world to design the curriculum according to the latest WFOT [2002] guidelines

A strong focus on occupation in keeping with international trends

Task and project-based learning – you will develop knowledge, skills and attitudes through active learning and continuous assessment

Lifespan approach across the curriculum. UCC uniquely devotes one whole academic year to working with children and young people

Learn with other health science students – after all, you will be working together when you qualify

Small class size – great staff-student relationships – high level of support for your learning and development

Opportunities to travel abroad on your practice education placements

Multi award-winning staff group with varied clinical and research expertise

Vibrant research programme in the department

Opportunities for funding for students to attend OT conferences and do postgraduate study.

Placement or Study Abroad Information

Work placement

You will do a minimum of 1,000 hours of placement in a range of settings across the four years. These placements will be arranged for you by the department. Practice settings for UCC are normally within the Health Service Executive Southern Area, which comprises Kerry, Waterford, Kilkenny, South Tipperary, Wexford, Carlow and Cork.

Study abroad

Our department has ERASMUS links with Cardiff University, Wales and University College Lillebaelt, Odense, Denmark. There may be opportunities for some practice experiences affiliated with these universities. We are excited to be exploring possible links with other courses in Europe and the US.

Expand+Written exams will take place before Christmas and in May. Not all modules will have formal examinations. Many modules use other types of assessment to give our students multiple and varied opportunities for learning and students are assessed in a va...

Hide-Written exams will take place before Christmas and in May. Not all modules will have formal examinations. Many modules use other types of assessment to give our students multiple and varied opportunities for learning and students are assessed in a variety of ways on their acquisition of knowledge, skills and abilities.

We use varied methods of assessment in recognition of the different learning styles of students e.g. oral presentations, poster presentation, group projects, reflective papers, research reports, self- and peer-assessment.

Detailed written feedback is provided to each student on each element of assessment. We use continuous assessment so you can use this feedback to improve your learning for subsequent assignments within each year.

Expand+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 fu...

Hide-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.