Help people live everyday life and overcome day-to-day barriers.
Occupational Therapists help people overcome limitations caused by injury or illness, psychological or emotional difficulties, developmental delay or the effects of ageing. In this program, you’ll learn occupational therapy, biological and social sciences, public health, and functional anatomy.
- Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
- * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
- Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
Occupational Therapists help people overcome limitations caused by injury or illness, psychological or emotional difficulties, developmental delay or the effects of ageing. In this program, you’ll learn occupational therapy, biological and social sciences, public health, and functional anatomy.
Right from first year through to your final year, you’ll complete 1000 hours of fieldwork designed to give you professional skills and clinical experience in a wide range of settings and age groups. USC offers specialised facilities including a simulated independent living unit and allied health clinics to allow you to convert your knowledge into real life scenarios.
Gain research training experience and opt to undertake a research pathway (dependent on GPA). Our degree is fully accredited by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists, and as you graduate you’ll be eligible for registration with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia supported by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
Post-admission requirements
Before undertaking clinical placements, students must obtain a Suitability Card, complete a criminal history check (from second year), hepatitis B immunisation and first aid and CPR training and purchase an occupational therapy student uniform — refer to Program requirements. Students may be required to undertake some clinical placements outside the Sunshine Coast region in metropolitan and regional/rural centres. Expenses for these and other placement requirements are to be incurred by the student. Placements in third and fourth years are undertaken on a full-time basis.
Career opportunities
Hospitals, community health and mental health, vocational rehabilitation, child and adolescent services, aged care, private practice.
Membership
Occupational Therapy Australia Limited.
Registration
Registration is a requirement to work as an occupational therapist in Australia. Occupational therapist apply for registration through the Occupational Therapists Board of Australia through the Australian Health Practitioner Registration Agency (AHPRA).
Accreditation
This program is fully accredited with Occupational Therapy Australia Limited.
Program structure
For students commencing 2016. All other students please refer to previous handbooks.
Introductory courses (10)
COR109 Teaching Junior Secondary Science 1
LFS103 Teaching Junior Secondary Science 2
LFS112 Teaching Junior Secondary Geography
LFS122 Teaching Junior Secondary Mathematics
OCC101 Applied Mathematics
OCC102 Teaching Senior Secondary Science 1
SCI110 Teaching Senior Secondary Science 2
PSY100 Teaching Senior Secondary Geography
PSY101 Teaching Senior Secondary Mathematics
PUB112 Calculus II and Linear Algebra
Advanced courses (13)
OCC201 Statistics with Teeth: Understanding Ecological Data
OCC202 Numerical Analysis
OCC212 Reading in Advanced Mathematics
OCC222 Applied Systems Modelling
OCC232 Literacy and Numeracy Across the Curriculum
OCC301 Professional Experience: Individual Learner Needs
OCC311 The Psychology of Learning
OCC312 Using Data for Learning
OCC321 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Perspectives in Learning and Teaching
OCC322 Professional Experience: The Professional Teacher
OCC331 Diversity and Inclusion
PSY203 Teacher as Researcher
SPX201 Introduction to Music Production
Plus one (1) of the following pathways:
Project Pathway (4) courses (96 units)
OCC401 Songwriting
OCC402 Foundations of Performance
OCC432 Music in Popular Culture
OCC442 Music Production for Multimedia
Research Pathway (4) courses (96 units)
OCC401 Advanced Songwriting
OCC402 Performance Mastery
OCC422 Music Industry Major Project
OCC452 Songwriting
Note: Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 384
Recommended study sequences
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Complete all courses as listed.
In order to commence fieldwork placement you must:
- Hold a valid Blue Card from the Public Safety Business Agency (PSBA), throughout the duration of your program. You should allow 12 weeks for PSBA to issue the card. This is required by Week 8 of Semester 1, first Year.
- Provide evidence of immunity to Hepatitis B (blood titre level after approved vaccination schedule).
- Hold current Senior First Aid and CPR certificates (currency of certification is to be maintained throughout the program).
- Purchase the required OT uniform.
- You may also be required to complete a Criminal History Check for particular placements, cost of which is to be borne by the student.
For more information on mandatory requirements refer to Occupational Therapy - Placements.
Program notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses).
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods.
- The Study Overseas Program is not currently available to occupational therapy students.
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa. Please refer to the English language requirements.
- When enrolling, please refer to the Study Plan.