MSc Occupational Therapy (Pre-registration): Information Evening Key Takeaways

People come to occupational therapy (OT) from many different backgrounds. You may be progressing directly from a related health science undergraduate degree or changing careers in search of more meaningful work.

At Portobello Institute’s recent MSc Occupational Therapy (Pre-registration) Information Evening, prospective students heard what that process of becoming an occupational therapist can look like and what to expect from the programme.

Delivered by Portobello in Dublin and awarded by UK partner Health Sciences University, the two-year master’s is designed to prepare graduates for professional practice in occupational therapy.

The session, which took place via Microsoft Teams, explored everything from entry requirements and delivery options to programme content, practice-based learning and placements, professional registration, and – perhaps most importantly – the range of opportunities that exist within OT.

Couldn’t join us live on the day? Here are the key takeaways to help you understand the route ahead and get clarity on some of the questions you may have.

Meet the Panel

The webinar was led by:

• Yvonne Phelan, Programme Development Lead for the MSc Occupational Therapy (Pre-registration) and a CORU-registered occupational therapist
• Peter Doyle, Career Pathway Consultant at Portobello Institute

What Is Occupational Therapy?

One of the first things Yvonne explained was that occupation means much more than employment.

In occupational therapy, occupation refers to the meaningful everyday activities people need, want, or have to do. That could include getting dressed, preparing food, attending university, working, parenting, playing sport, or meeting friends.

“When illness, injury, disability, mental health difficulties, circumstances, or the environment affect people’s ability to participate in those occupations, that’s where occupational therapy comes in,” Yvonne said.

Occupational therapists look beyond a diagnosis to consider the individual, what matters to them, and the environment in which they are trying to participate.

“At its heart, occupational therapy is really about enabling people to participate in life in ways that are meaningful to them and make their lives richer,” she added.

“The idea of meaningful occupation is the thread that runs through the whole MSc Occupational Therapy (Pre-registration) programme at Portobello Institute.”

What Are the Entry Requirements?

Peter then outlined the entry requirements for the master’s. A minimum 2:2 bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject, such as psychology, sociology, public health, or human biology, is standard, with relevant recent experience in health and social care also considered.

When you apply, you will also need to submit your academic documentation, ID, and a CV outlining your qualifications and relevant experience.

If your application is successful, you will be invited to a 15-minute panel interview with the programme team to discuss your background, experience, and reasons for choosing occupational therapy.

“My role is really to make sure that this is the right programme for you and that Portobello is the right place for you to study,” said Peter.

“Every bit of experience you have, even voluntary work, can be relevant. There are many things people overlook in their own experience, but we look at each application holistically.”

What Pathways into Occupational Therapy Does Portobello Offer?

Not everyone interested in occupational therapy will be ready to apply directly to the MSc. The good news is that there are different pathways. No door is necessarily closed.

For students who do not already hold an undergraduate degree, the BSc (Hons) Applied Health Science develops the scientific and academic foundations needed for postgraduate health science study, including the MSc Occupational Therapy (Pre-registration).

The three-year programme includes placement modules in Years 2 and 3 and the option to choose an occupational therapy elective.

Then there’s the Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Health Science, designed for graduates whose previous degree does not provide the necessary academic foundations for OT.

Delivered online over four months through blended learning, it acts as a bridge to the master’s by helping you build the prerequisite knowledge needed for postgraduate study.

Peter also highlighted a progression scholarship for students who complete the postgraduate certificate and subsequently progress to the master’s, providing a €1,000 reduction in Year 1 and a further €1,000 reduction in Year 2.

What Will I Study?

Over two years, MSc students develop their understanding of occupation, occupational therapy, and the theories and models underpinning professional practice.

Learning covers health and wellbeing across the lifespan, physical and mental health, occupational assessment, intervention planning, rehabilitation, assistive technology, environmental adaptation, and person-centred practice.

Central to this is developing the clinical reasoning needed to make informed, evidence-based decisions as an occupational therapist.

Yvonne explained: “As a healthcare professional, it isn’t enough to say: I did this intervention because that’s what we usually do.

“You need to be able to say: This is what I’ve identified, this is what matters to this person, and this is the evidence I’ve considered. From there, you can explain why you’ve chosen a particular intervention and how you’ll evaluate whether it’s working.”

At master’s level, research and evidence-based practice are essential, equipping students to critically evaluate evidence and apply it to professional decision-making, alongside ethics, communication, leadership, and reflective practice.

Students will also have opportunities to learn alongside Portobello’s physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, and dietetics master’s students through shared lectures and group work, reflecting the interprofessional working found in healthcare.

For more, read our article: What Will I Study for an MSc Occupational Therapy (Pre-registration)?

How Is the MSc Occupational Therapy Delivered?

Students can choose between two study options:

• Blended learning
• In-person learning

For in-person students, teaching is generally delivered across two consecutive full days on campus in Dublin, incorporating practical sessions, supervised practice, case-based learning, and independent study.

The blended learning option, on the other hand, includes online evening classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays, alongside in-person Saturday classes and independent study. It can be a good fit if you want to reduce weekday commuting or need more flexibility around work and other commitments.

“Our blended delivery is still a full-time course and the commitment is the same,” stressed Peter. “It is very hands-on and you have to remain engaged throughout.”

Placements are full-time for both in-person and blended delivery. You’ll complete the same curriculum and assessments, and graduate with the same qualification.

“You are not going to be penalised or rewarded for choosing one over the other,” Peter added. “It depends on what works best for your circumstances.”

What Do Occupational Therapy Placements Involve?

Students undertake four supervised placement blocks, completing at least 1,000 hours of practice education across a variety of settings, reflecting the breadth of occupational therapy.

Potential settings include:

• Physical rehabilitation
• Mental health
• Neurology and long-term conditions
• Services for older people
• Paediatrics
• Disability services
• Community and social care

“The setting might change completely, the population might change, or a person’s needs might be completely different, but the occupational therapy thinking underneath it all remains the same,” Yvonne explained.

Placement is where you develop skills that are difficult to recreate in the classroom, such as communicating with families and working in multidisciplinary teams.

You’ll also learn to manage uncertainty, prioritise competing demands, and grow in confidence as you make professional judgements.

“We don’t expect you to arrive on your first placement already knowing how to be an OT,” added Yvonne.

“You are there as a supervised learner. Placement is part of the process through which you become an occupational therapist, and the expectations develop progressively as you move through the programme.”

What Does ‘Pre-registration’ Actually Mean?

Occupational therapy is a regulated healthcare profession. There are specific standards, skills, and competencies you must meet before you can practise as an occupational therapist and use the protected professional title.

A pre-registration MSc is designed to give you the academic study, practical experience, and clinical preparation needed before applying for professional registration.

Yvonne said: “You’re not coming onto this programme just to study occupational therapy as an academic subject; you are preparing to enter a regulated health profession.”

In Ireland, occupational therapists are regulated by CORU, while in the UK they are regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Because the MSc is awarded by Health Sciences University in the UK, both regulators are relevant to the registration pathway.

Your Registration Journey

For graduates of Portobello Institute’s MSc Occupational Therapy (Pre-registration), the route to professional registration in Ireland is:

1. Successfully complete the MSc Occupational Therapy (Pre-registration)
2. Apply for registration with HCPC
3. Apply to CORU through the commonly aligned standards pathway
4. Once registered with CORU, begin practising as an occupational therapist in Ireland

As Yvonne explained during the Information Evening, completing the qualification and gaining professional registration are separate steps. Registration decisions are ultimately made by the relevant regulator.

What Is the Programme’s HCPC Approval Status?

At the time of the Information Evening, the MSc Occupational Therapy (Pre-registration) was progressing through the final stages of the HCPC approval process.

Yvonne was clear that the programme would not commence unless HCPC approval was in place.

“We will keep everybody informed about where the programme stands and communicate any changes,” she said.

Where Can Occupational Therapy Take You?

Yvonne explained that there is a significant misconception that occupational therapists mostly work in hospitals, but occupational therapy is not one particular job in one particular setting.

OTs can work across:

• Acute healthcare
• Rehabilitation
• Mental health
• Community services
• Disability services
• Paediatrics
• Services for older people

Specialist areas can include neurology, hand therapy, assistive technology, environmental adaptation, vocational rehabilitation, occupational health, and driving assessment.

“The profession is emerging, and we’re constantly finding new areas in which occupational therapists can work,” Yvonne noted.

Career opportunities can also extend into research, education, service development, management, policy and leadership.

Wherever your interests take you, occupational therapy offers the opportunity to develop your expertise, discover where you can make the greatest impact, and build a meaningful career around it.

Your Questions from the Information Evening Answered

The session finished with a live Q&A, giving prospective students the opportunity to ask Yvonne and Peter about applications, placements, assessment, registration, and student life at Portobello.

When will HCPC approval be confirmed?

At the time of the Information Evening, the programme was in the final stages of the approval process and would not commence without HCPC approval.

Do students need to find their own placements?

No. Portobello arranges placements. Student-suggested opportunities can be considered but must meet the programme’s approval and supervision requirements.

Will placement dates be provided in advance?

Yes. Placement weeks will be communicated ahead of time so students can plan around the full-time placement periods.

Will placement locations take account of where students live?

Yes. Home location will be considered. The team is aiming to keep placements within approximately 90 minutes of students’ home base where possible.

Does the programme involve academic writing?

Yes. Assessment includes essays, case studies, group work, and presentations, alongside a dissertation in the final semester. Academic work will require appropriate referencing.

Are there exams?

The programme is expected to be predominantly assessment-based. At the time of the Information Evening, formal end-of-semester examinations were not expected, although this remained subject to change.

What does the academic year look like?

The provisional timetable has three semesters each year: October to January, January to May, and May to August or September. Students should plan for two full years with limited breaks between semesters.

Will there be an induction?

Yes. Both in-person and blended students will attend an in-person induction at Portobello Institute covering the student platforms and processes, including Garda vetting and occupational health requirements ahead of placement.

What are class sizes like?

The maximum intake discussed was approximately 48 students across both delivery modes, with classes intended to remain small and interactive.

Could This Be Your Route to Becoming an Occupational Therapist?

Apply online or book a call with Career Pathway Consultant Peter Doyle to explore whether the MSc Occupational Therapy (Pre-registration) is right for you.