Occupational Therapy courses for international students
Occupational therapy is a regulated health profession in shortage across the UK, Ireland, Australia and Canada. Degrees are accredited by national regulators and the World Federation of Occupational Therapists, which makes the qualification portable.
What a occupational therapy degree involves
Occupational therapists help people of all ages do the activities that matter to them after illness, injury or disability. Degrees combine anatomy, psychology, rehabilitation science and over 1,000 hours of supervised placement. Undergraduate programmes take three to four years; pre-registration master's take two.
Why study occupational therapy abroad
- Regulated profession with recognised shortages
- WFOT-accredited degrees are recognised worldwide
- Guaranteed placement hours in real clinical settings
- Skilled-worker visa eligibility in the UK, Australia and Canada
- Meaningful, people-focused work
Best countries for occupational therapy
| Country | Why | Typical annual tuition |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | HCPC-registered degrees at Brighton, LJMU, BCU, Leeds Beckett | £16,000 to £20,000 |
| Australia | Strong demand; occupational therapy on the skilled occupation list | A$35,000 to A$45,000 |
| Ireland | Trinity, UCC, University of Galway | €18,000 to €25,000 |
| Canada | McGill, Toronto, Alberta (master's entry) | CA$25,000 to CA$45,000 |
| New Zealand | Otago, AUT | NZ$30,000 to NZ$40,000 |
Universities to consider
Entry requirements
| Level | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate | Secondary school with a science or health subject (typically 65 to 75 percent), IELTS 7.0 (6.5 in each) for HCPC programmes, interview, health and police checks. |
| Pre-registration master's | A bachelor's in a related field (psychology, biology, health) at 2:2 or above, IELTS 7.0, relevant experience helpful. |
Careers
UK NHS Band 5 starting salary of about £29,000 to £36,000.
Scholarships and funding
Oasis does not award scholarships, but partner universities discount fees for strong applicants and several government schemes cover this subject. See the scholarship guide and our loan partners.
Fees and salaries are indicative for the 2026/27 cycle, change with exchange rates and policy, and should be confirmed with the university or the relevant government before you decide.
Shortlist in one working day
Tell us your grades and budget. We send three occupational therapy courses you can get into.
Get my shortlistOccupational Therapy courses by country
United Kingdom
Study occupational therapy in the UK
Australia
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Ireland
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Canada
Study occupational therapy in Canada
New Zealand
Study occupational therapy in New Zealand
Occupational Therapy: what students ask
Is occupational therapy in demand?
Yes. It is on the UK Immigration Salary List and the Australian and New Zealand skilled occupation lists, and in high demand in Canada and Ireland.
What IELTS score do I need?
7.0 overall with 6.5 in each component for most UK regulated health programmes; some accept OET.
Can I work in the UK after the degree?
Yes. Graduates register with the HCPC and can move from the Graduate Route to a Health and Care Worker visa.
Is the degree recognised outside the UK?
WFOT-approved programmes are recognised in over 100 countries, sometimes with a local registration exam.
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