Bachelor of Occupational Therapy
Allied Health
A course by
Otago Polytechnic
A three-year, full-time (or part-time) degree preparing graduates for registration as an Occupational Therapist in Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally. Combines campus-based/blended learning with five mandatory fieldwork placements in health and community settings.
Blended study
This is a mix of online learning & face-to-face sessions
Available in 3 locations
It will take a total of 3 years
This course requires 40 hours per week
Core skills this course teaches
Become eligible for Occupational Therapist registration
Upon graduation, students can register with the Occupational Therapy Board of New Zealand to practise professionally in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Demonstrate occupation-centred practice skills
Develop and integrate skills across all areas of occupational therapy including clinical reasoning, assessment, intervention, and evaluation in various health and community settings.
Apply culturally safe and responsive practice
Demonstrate kawa whakaruruhau (cultural safety), tikanga, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi responsiveness in all therapeutic and community contexts.
What You're Signing Up For
The Bachelor of Occupational Therapy at Otago Polytechnic develops the knowledge, skills, and practical experience required to become a registered Occupational Therapist in Aotearoa New Zealand. Through a mix of on-campus delivery, online learning, work-augmented pathways, and supervised fieldwork placements, students gain direct experience working with people across lifespans and contexts. The programme covers core sciences, occupational therapy models, professional reasoning, therapeutic skills, and culturally safe practice in the Aotearoa New Zealand context. Upon graduation, you may register with the Occupational Therapy Board of New Zealand and work locally or abroad.
Course Content
- Foundations of Occupational Therapy
- Professional Practice
- Human Body and Movement
- Human Mind and Behaviour
- Te Puāwaitanga (Culture and cultural safety)
- Applied Professional Practice
- Occupational Therapy: Theory in Practice
- Informing Practice: Mental Health
- Informing Practice: School-based Practice
- Informing Practice: Progressive Neurological Conditions
- Professional Reasoning
- Occupational Participation: Long-term Wellbeing
- Occupational Participation: Neurological Rehabilitation
- Occupational Participation: Ageing Well
- Fieldwork 1–5 (Five fieldwork/placement modules)
- Future Practice/Electives (Negotiated learning or elective topic)
- Te Tiriti o Waitangi responsiveness
- Trauma-informed and occupation-based practice
- Community-based project work
What you need to know first
NCEA Level 3: 14 credits at Level 3 or above in each of three approved subjects, 10 Level 2 literacy credits, 10 Level 1 numeracy credits
or NZQA Level 4 qualification (at least 60 credits in one year)
or completion of 50% of a first-year university programme in any discipline
Elementary understanding of occupational therapy in Aotearoa through reading/observation/contact
Two referee reports (one academic, one employer/community)
Health and conviction declarations
Level 2 Comprehensive First Aid Certificate (unit standards 6400, 6401, 6402)
Police check/Children's Act 2014 requirements
What sort of industry will this job lead to
Health and Wellbeing
Allied Health
Future employment opportunities might be
Occupational Therapist (in hospitals, rehabilitation centres, private practice, community organisations, schools, aged care)
Community health or disability support roles
Rehabilitation practitioner
Otago Polytechnic is known for high quality, hands on learning that leads to strong outcomes. With excellent student satisfaction, high graduate employment rates, and a commitment to sustainability, it’s a place where practical skills meet purpose. Their award winning programmes span design, fashion, creative arts, trades, health, and business, giving you real experience and real confidence for whatever comes next.