The core aim of the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy programme is to graduate ākonga who fulfil the requirements for registration as an occupational therapist in Aotearoa New Zealand and can competently and confidently support people and whānau to have a life they value through active participation in occupation and inclusion in society.

Graduates of this programme will be able to:
Apply knowledge, skills and values as a kaiwhakaora ngangahau | occupational therapist by engaging with, and supporting people and whānau, at all stages of life to participate in meaningful occupations.
Respect and support te ao Māori to ensure hauora | wellbeing by incorporating knowledge of mātauranga Māori and te Tiriti o Waitangi into whakaora ngangahau|occupational therapy practice.
Use effective communication skills to build and sustain collaborative relationships with people, whānau, communities and populations to enable participation in meaningful occupations.
Advocate for and promote human rights, occupational and social justice, equity, and sustainability ensuring all people, whānau, and populations can engage in and sustain occupations which support health and wellbeing.
Ensure practice is professional, culturally safe, current, responsive, evidence informed, and commit to ongoing learning and professional development.
Apply professional reasoning, research evidence and practical knowledge to work collaboratively with people, whānau, and communities to create innovative and effective solutions. Facilitate and participate in interprofessional and community collaborations to promote health and wellbeing of people, whānau, and communities.
Act with integrity and meet relevant safety, legal, ethical, sustainability, and cultural requirements, and expectations within whakaora ngangahau | occupational therapy practice. Be responsive to social, cultural, historical, economic, and environmental influences on occupation.

Graduates of th is degree will be able to apply for entry into postgraduate Occupational Therapy programmes. Students who achieve a B grade average in the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy are eligible to complete a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours).

Academic qualifications
NCEA Level 3
Three subjects - at Level 3 or above, made up of: 14 credits each, in three approved subjects

Literacy - 10 credits at Level 2 or above made up of: 5 credits in reading 5 credits in writing

Numeracy - 10 credits at Level 1 or above, made up of: achievement standards - specified achievement standards available through a range of subjects, or unit standards - package of three numeracy unit standards (26623, 26626, 26627- all three required).

OR A qualification at Level 4 on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) equalling 60 credits or more completed within one year. This may be achieved through successful completion of a pre-entry programme such as the Certificate in Health at Otago Polytechnic; completion of pre-entry qualifications does not guarantee automatic entry into this programme.*

OR Successful completion of courses equating to 50% of first year student workload completed within one year.

* Applicants who do not meet this entry criterion may be given provisional entry to year one at the discretion of the Head of School.

Additional criteria
An elementary understanding of occupational therapy practice in Aotearoa/New Zealand, gained through observation or contact with occupational therapists in practice, attending seminars or open days, and/or reading about occupational therapy. A satisfactory level of physical and emotional health as certified by a general practitioner. A recommendation for suitability from two nominated referees (confidential). All applicants who are accepted must obtain a First Aid Certificate, make a health declaration, provide immunisation status and complete the requirements of the Vulnerable Children's Act 2014 (including police vetting).

International Students
In addition to meeting the entry criteria outlined as above, the following criterion also applies: Competency in English for students whose background is non-English speaking is evidenced by an IELTS overall band score (Academic) of 6.5 with a minimum score of 6.5 in each band, or equivalent, from one test taken in the preceding two years.