Course description
Professional recognition
Accreditation by OT Australia and World Federation of Occupational Therapists allows graduates of the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy to practise professionally in Australia and overseas.
Graduates are qualified to work as occupational therapists in private practice, hospitals, aged care, community health centres and organisations, disability support, driving rehabilitation, hand therapy, rehabilitation and schools.
Fees and charges
Fee paying place - International (IFP)
A Fee paying place is one for which the university does not receive any government funding. As such, students enrolled in these places are required to contribute the full cost of their course.
Fees for international students apply to persons living in Australia with Temporary Resident status, provided that there is no limitation on study and persons living abroad who are not Australian citizens and do not have Permanent Resident status in Australia.
Equivalent Full Time Student Load (EFTSL)
EFTSL is the standard annual full time load. Eight credit points is the standard full time load for one year of study.
* The 'indicative annual course fee' cited has been provided as a guide only. It has been calculated on the basis of a typical enrolment of a student undertaking the course in 2009, and reflects the cost involved in undertaking a full-time quota of units within the specified discipline.
The actual fees charged by Deakin University will depend upon the discipline from which each individual unit is chosen, and may vary from the indicative course fee cited, particularly if units are chosen from a number of disciplines. The cost of each unit offered in 2009 can be viewed at http://www.deakin.edu.au/current-students/handbooks2009/search.php.
Please note that the fees per unit/credit point may increase annually due to rises in the cost of course delivery and service.
Deakin assumes no responsibility for persons relying on 'indicative course fees' to calculate the total future cost of their course.
Career opportunities
As a graduate of this course you will be able to assist people of all ages to engage in any aspect of daily living. You will help them achieve independence at home, at work and in the community, and help them enhance their quality of life. You may work with children with physical or intellectual disabilities, with people who have had accidents or are suffering from medical problems (eg. hand therapy), or in aged care. You may work in areas including acute, psychiatric or rehabilitation hospitals; schools; community health; mental health; the workplace (such as in occupational health and safety and vocational rehabilitation); government; or in private practice.
Course rules
The Bachelor of Occupational Therapy comprises 32 credit points, including 26 credit points of core units and 6 credit points of elective units.
To be awarded the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy degree with honours a person must
* achieve at least a distinction average upon completion of level 3 studies;
* successfully complete HSO302 Researching Occupational Performance
* attend and present at the Faculty or School Fourth Year Research Conference (hurdle requirement)
* complete the four honours units at level 4 (below).
All commencing students are required to successfully complete at least one wholly online unit.
Failure of a fieldwork component in the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy will normally lead to exclusion. Students will be required to complete at least one fieldwork component in a regional area of Victoria or adjacent areas.
Course structure
Year 1
Trimester 1
HBS107 Understanding Health
HBS109 Human Structure and Function
HDS101 Communication and Diversity
HSO102 Foundations of Occupational Science and Therapy A
Trimester 2
HBS110 Health Behaviour
HSE208 Integrated Human Physiology
HSE102 Functional Human Anatomy
HSO104 Foundations of Occupational Science and Therapy B
Year 2
Trimester 1
HSO207 Neuroscience
HSO205 Occupational Development, Disability and Adaptation A
plus two elective units
Trimester 2
ASC206 Sociology of Health
HBS108 Health Information and Data
HSO202 Occupational Dysfunction
HSO206 Occupational Development, Disability and Adaptation B
Year 3
Trimester 1
HSO302 Researching Occupational Performance
HSO305 Occupational Performance: Evaluation and Intervention 1
plus two elective units
Trimester 2
HSO303 OT Evaluation and Evidence
HSO304 OST Practicum A
HSO306 Occupational Performance: Evaluation and Intervention 2
Year 4
Trimester 1
HSO401 OT Practice Knowledge and Reasoning
HSO403 Occupation: Environments and Technology
HSO405 OST Practicum B
Trimester 2
HSO402 Occupation: Enabling Action and Outcomes
HSO404 Critical Analysis of Occupational Issues
plus two elective units
Elective units
Elective units may be chosen from any faculty in the University provided that prerequisites are met. A maximum of two elective units may be studied at level 1.
Occupational Therapy elective unit:
HSO307 Psychosocial Influences on Occupational Performance
Inter Professional Education (IPE) elective unit:
HBS345 Interprofessional Case Management and Health Service Delivery
Rural interprofessional elective unit:
HBS311 Beyond the City: Critical Perspectives on Rural Issues
Honours units
For those completing the course at an honours level, attendance and presentation at the annual Faculty Fourth Year Research Conference is a hurdle requirement.
Trimester 1
HSO411 OT Practice Knowledge and Reasoning
Trimester 2
HSO412 Occupation: Enabling Action and Outcomes
HSO414 Critical Analysis of Occupational Issues
HSO410 Honours Research Project
Admission requirements - general
General admission requirements for entry into undergraduate courses for international students at Deakin are summarised in the undergraduate admission requirements table (194kb).
Some courses may have additional entry requirements.
Students must also meet the undergraduate English language requirements.
Advanced standing - general
If you have completed previous studies which you believe may reduce the number of units you have to complete at Deakin, indicate in the appropriate section on your application that you wish to be considered for advanced standing. You will need to provide your previous course details so your credit can be determined. If you are eligible, your offer letter will then contain information about your advanced standing.
Your advanced standing is formally approved prior to your enrolment at Deakin during the Enrolment and Orientation Program. You must bring original documents relating to your previous study so that this approval can occur.
You can also refer to the Advanced Standing System which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.
How to apply
* Applicant Portal: Use our online application system to submit and track your application now.
* Apply through a Deakin International office: Fill out an application form and submit it to a Deakin International office.
* Apply through a Deakin representative: Take your application form to your preferred agent for assistance.
Tracking your application:
If you have already applied and wish to enquire about your application please refer to the relevant area through which you originally applied.
* If you applied online, log back into the Applicant Portal using your username and password.
* If you applied through a Deakin representative please contact your representative.
* If you applied through a Deakin International office please contact that office.
