Bachelor of Health Science (Occupational Therapy)
Study the Bachelor of Health Science (Occupational Therapy) and develop the skills to become an occupational therapist, and promote the health and wellbeing of individuals, groups and communities.
Occupational therapists help people participate in everyday activities including learning, communication, interpersonal interaction and relationships, mobility, self-care, domestic life, and social life. Occupational therapists can also modify people’s environment – or the activity itself – to help them participate in the activity. The occupational therapy degree is intensive and involves learning in an interprofessional environment, in the classroom and in clinical practice settings.
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Minimum entry requirements
If you have New Zealand qualifications
- University Entrance or equivalent
- Must be capable of meeting Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act (HPCA Act) and Children’s Act 2014 requirements, including police clearance
Applicants with English as a second or other language who have not completed at least three years of secondary schooling in NZ will be required to meet IELTS requirements.
If you have qualifications from another country
See entry requirements for students from other countries. Select your country from the dropdown menu.
Useful New Zealand school subjects
Biology, Chemistry, Health, Physical Education, Psychology, Science, Art History, Classical Studies, Drama, English, Geography, Health Education, History, Media Studies, Social Studies, Statistics, Te Reo Māori, Te Reo Rangatira
English language requirements
- IELTS (Academic) 7.0 overall with all bands 6.5 or higher
Year 1
Semester 1 courses
- HEAL504 Lifespan Development and Communication (15 points)
- HEAL505 Human Anatomy and Physiology I (15 points)
- HEAL506 Knowledge, Enquiry and Communication (15 points)
- HEAL507 Health and Environment (15 points) OR MAOH501 Hauora Māori (15 points)
In the first semester all students study the same four courses (HEAL504, HEAL505, HEAL506 and HEAL507) to help you develop an in-depth understanding of general healthcare, learning alongside other health science students. You can study these four courses at the North Campus, South Campus or online.
Instead of the course HEAL507 Health and Environment you can also study MAOH501 Hauora Māori and Environment, but do note that this is an on-campus course at the North or South Campus, and you’ll have to attend your classes in person.
Semester 2 courses
- OCTY606 Experiencing Occupation (15 points)
- OCTY607 Occupational Therapy Practicum I (15 points)
- OCTY608 Personal and Environmental Factors in Occupation (30 points)
You may also have the opportunity to work with an occupational therapist and begin to better understand and apply your knowledge.
Year 2
You explore how illness or injury impacts on people performing their occupations and typical occupational therapy intervention. You can experience practice education in both semesters. Throughout the year students will need to complete fieldwork hours, alongside coursework, in community settings.
Semester 1 courses
- HEAL610 Methods of Research and Enquiry (15 points)
- OCTY602 Enabling Occupation and Cognitive Performance (15 points)
- OCTY603 Enabling Occupation and Affective Performance (15 points)
- OCTY605 Enabling Occupation for Groups (15 points)
Semester 2 courses
- OCTY601 Enabling Physical Performance for Occupation (15 points)
- OCTY604 Creating Enabling Environments (15 points)
- OCTY705 Evidence and Practice (15 points)
And choose one elective
- HEAL723 Health Coaching (15 points)
- MAOH701 Māori Health Promotion (15 points)
- MAOH702 Applied Primary Māori Mental Health (15 points)
- MGMT721 Leadership Principles, Perspectives and Practice (15 points)
- PSYC711 Assessment and Intervention in Addiction (15 points)
- PSYC713 Gambling Studies (15 points)
Or any other bachelor's degree courses with the approval of the programme leader.
Year 3
You learn about working with communities, organisations or groups of people, and how to change systems to enable participation. You also develop decision-making skills around assessment and intervention.
Semester 1 courses
- OCTY702 Professional Reasoning for Occupational Therapy (15 points)
- OCTY703 Preparation for Occupational Therapy Practice (15 points)
- OCTY707 Occupational Therapy Practicum II (30 points)
Semester 2 courses
- OCTY701 Enabling Systems Change (15 points)
- OCTY706 Promoting Occupational Justice and Participation (15 points)
- OCTY708 Occupational Therapy Practicum III (30 points)
Workplace experience (fieldwork) as part of the occupational therapy degree
You must complete a minimum of 1,000 fieldwork hours across the programme. You'll be placed in various settings where you develop knowledge, skills, and attitudes to meet competencies for professional registration.
This includes:
- Year 1: a 2-week placement block in your second semester
- Year 2: longitudinal fieldwork experience one day a week for ten weeks in both semesters
- Year 3: two 8-week block placements across both semesters
You could experience a wide range of practice areas across Health New Zealand/Te Whatu Ora and other organisations including:
- Hospitals
- Community services
- Kaupapa Māori services
- Specialist schools
- Forensic services
- Private practice
During your programme, you’ll be required to travel both within and outside the Auckland region for clinical/practical experience. Travel, accommodation and other expenses will be an additional cost to you.
Want more info about work integrated learning at AUT?
Read more about workplace experience in AUT programmes, how it works and why it’s so beneficial when you start your career.
Workplace experience in AUT programmes
Study planner for this programme
Download our study planner to see what your studies could look like in the Bachelor of Health Science (Occupational Therapy).
Bachelor of Health Science (Occupational Therapy) study planner
Ready to enrol in your courses?
Find out how you can enrol in the courses and classes for your programme, whether you’ve just joined AUT as a new student or you’re already studying with us. If you’re looking for more info on a specific course use our course search.
When you graduate you can apply to register as an occupational therapist in New Zealand and other countries.
Occupational therapists work with all age groups in:
- Primary Health Organisations (PHOs)
- Community development
- Health centres and hospitals
- Research
- Schools
- Residential care facilities
- Private practice
- Rehabilitation and ACC
Find out more about industry trends, job descriptions and what employers may be looking for.
Other undergraduate study options
- Bachelor of Health Science
- Bachelor of Health Science (Midwifery)
- Bachelor of Health Science (Nursing)
- Bachelor of Health Science (Oral Health)
- Bachelor of Health Science (Physiotherapy)
- Bachelor of Health Science (Podiatry)
- Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Health Science in Psychology conjoint programmes
Postgraduate study options
($7,726 - $7,934 tuition fees + $1,192 student services levy)
($38,100 tuition fees + $1,192 student services levy)
- Fees shown are based on a full-time workload for the points indicated next to the fee. The exact fee charged will depend on which courses you select at the time of enrolment.
- Fees are subject to change year to year. If you are planning for study beyond the current year, fees may vary from those stated.
- There may also be other fees and charges you need to pay.
- International students' tuition fees reflect the full cost of tuition. Domestic students' tuition fees are less due to a proportion of the tuition fees being funded by the New Zealand Government.
- Fees-free study may be available for domestic students
The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT qualifications, please refer to the Academic Calendar.