How to Become A Occupational Therapist In South Africa

Occupational therapists help with barriers that affect a person’s emotional, social, and physical needs. To do this, they use everyday activities, exercises, and other therapies. OT helps kids play, improves their school performance, and aids their daily activities.

What is an example of occupational therapy?

For example, activities to build fine motor skills might include picking things up with tweezers. Exercises to improve gross motor skills might include jumping jacks or running an obstacle course. For someone who struggles with motor planning, therapists might work on daily routines like getting dressed.

What is the role of occupational therapist?

An occupational therapist’s job role is to help people of all ages overcome the effects of disability caused by illness, ageing or accident so that they can carry out everyday tasks or occupations. An occupational therapist will consider all of the patient’s needs – physical, psychological, social and environmental.

What is the course of occupational therapy?

Bachelor of Occupational Therapy is a 4-5 year-long undergraduate course designed to produce efficient Physiotherapists that can help the physically or mentally challenged people enjoy their life without any hindrance. There are around 25 institutes in India that offer the course.

How to Become A Occupational Therapist In South Africa

Entry requirements and training (occupational therapist) in South Africa

This page has information on the entry requirements and training needed to become an occupational therapist.

To practise as an occupational therapist, you must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). To register with the HCPC, you first need to successfully complete approved degree-level training in occupational therapy. 

You can train through an approved full-time or part-time pre-registration university course in occupational therapy or a degree apprenticeship in occupational therapy.

Approved pre-registration university programmes

This is usually a BSc (Hons). Courses take three or four years  .

There are also part-time/in-service courses if you are working in a relevant senior occupational therapy support role and your employer is willing to support you.

Courses differ but all involve a lot of practical work with patients.

To get onto a full-time occupational therapy degree course you usually need two or three A levels, along with five GCSEs (grades A-C), including English language, maths and science.

You may also be able to get onto a course with alternative qualifications, including:

BTEC, HND or HNC which includes biological science

relevant vocational qualifications

science-based access course

equivalent Scottish or Irish qualifications

If you already have a relevant degree and healthcare experience, you can take a postgraduate Masters in occupational therapy. These courses usually take two years.

Each institution sets its own entry requirements – whether you are applying for an undergraduate or postgraduate (accelerated, graduate-entry) programme, so it’s important to check carefully. 

Financial support while studying at university

You’ll be entitled to receive at least £5,000 a year towards your studies while at university. Your personal circumstances may mean you could receive more. And the good news? You’ll never have to pay it back

Degree apprenticeship in occupational therapy

A degree apprenticeship standard in occupational therapy has been approved for delivery. To get onto a degree apprenticeship, you will need to apply for an apprentice position with a health care provider. You will usually need level 3 qualifications to get onto a degree apprenticeship.

You can search for vacancies on the NHS Jobs website and Find an Apprenticeship website.

Work experience

Wherever you study or train, you will need to show that you have an understanding of occupational therapy. It is a good idea to spend some time with a registered occupational therapist to see what the work is like.

Registration

Once you’ve successfully completed an approved programme, you are then eligible to apply for registration with the HCPC. Once registered as a practitioner, you’ll be required to retain your name on the register by keeping your knowledge and skills up to date and paying an annual retention fee.

Below are steps to Become A Occupational Therapist In South Africa

Step 1

Earn an associates degree.

Occupational therapy careers require advanced degrees, but an occupational therapy assistant associate’s degree is a practical starting point. These two-year programs prepare students to sit for the Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA) exam, a national exam administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy.

Students can gain knowledge and skills in subjects like biology; anatomy and physiology; mental and physical health theory and practice; pediatrics; and geriatrics.

Step 2

Take the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) exam.

After completing their associate’s degree program, graduates interested in becoming occupational therapy assistants can sit for the COTA exam. The COTA is a computer-based exam comprised of 200 multiple choice questions. Upon passing, examinees will receive an official NBCOT certificate and wallet card around 4-6 weeks after the exam is scored.

Step 3

Gain experience in the occupational therapy field.

Students who pass the COTA exam can seek occupational therapy assistant jobs to gain experience in the occupational therapy field. While it isn’t necessary to work in the occupational therapy field as an assistant before applying to an occupational therapy degree program, having experience may increase the likelihood of getting into a master’s program.

Step 4

Advance your education.

A master’s degree is required to become an occupational therapist. Students can either earn a bachelor’s degree in a related field, like biology or physiology, before advancing to a master’s program, or they can apply for a combined bachelor’s/master’s program.

In combined degree programs, students take undergraduate and graduate level courses in occupational therapy and can graduate with both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree.

How To Become An Occupational Therapist In South Africa & Qualifications

Are you looking for a way to become an Occupational Therapist in South Africa and you don’t know the subjects needed or even universities in South Africa where you can undergo the course? If yes, then this informative article is for you. You will be given detailed information about how to become an Occupational Therapist in South Africa, Universities and Subjects Needed.

What Does An Occupational Therapist Do?

An occupational therapist (OT) is a health professional who is responsible for helping patients develop, recover and improve the skills needed for daily living and working. Their patients have generally lost these abilities because of mental, physical or developmentally or emotionally disabling conditions.

Occupational therapists typically do the following:

Review a patient’s medical history, ask the patient questions and observe them doing tasks

Evaluate a patient’s condition and needs

Develop a treatment plan

Help people with various disabilities with different tasks

Use physical exercises to help patients increase strength and dexterity

Use activities to help patients improve visual acuity and the ability to discern patterns

Use computer programmes to help clients improve decision-making, abstract-reasoning, problem-solving, memory, sequencing, coordination and perceptual skills

Educate a patient’s family and employer about how to accommodate and care for the patient

Recommend special equipment, such as wheelchairs and eating aids, and instruct patients on how to use that equipment

Assess and record patients’ activities and progress for patient evaluations, for billing, and for reporting to physicians and other health care providers.

What Qualifications Do I Need?

A master’s degree or a more advanced degree in occupational therapy is required in order to work as an occupational therapist. Biology, psychology, sociology, anthropology, liberal arts and anatomy are all appropriate majors for those who ultimately want to earn a master’s degree in occupational therapy. Prospective students as well as qualified occupational therapists must register with the Interim Medical and Dental Council of South Africa.

What Subjects Do I Need?

Contact each institution for their specific requirements, but these subjects are recommended:

Mathematics

Physical Sciences

Life Sciences

Visual Arts

Music

Where Can I Study?

University of Cape Town

University of KwaZulu-Natal

University of Limpopo

How long does it take to become an occupational therapist in South Africa?

four years

The course covers a period of four years of full-time study. It is designed so as to obtain active participation and learning from the student. Students perform clinical practical work at several clinics, bodies and hospitals as well as in the community.

What qualifications do you need to be an occupational therapist In South Africa?

To become an occupational therapist, you’ll need a degree in occupational therapy, which usually takes three years full time or up to six years part time. In postgraduate studies, it’s possible to gain a Masters degree in one to two years.

How many years does it take to become an occupational therapist In South Africa?

To become an occupational therapist, you will need to earn both an undergraduate and graduate degree and pass the required licensure exams. You can expect to spend six to seven years in school: four years for an undergraduate degree and two to three years for a graduate degree (if attending on a full-time basis).

How much does it cost to study occupational therapy in South Africa?​

Study fees

CourseEstimated amount in 2021 for 1st year of Undergraduate study (unless stated otherwise)
BSc in DieteticsR53 776
Bachelor of Occupational TherapyR55 484
B achelor in Speech-Language and Hearing TherapyR50 206
​​Bachelor of Nursing and Midwifery​R48 706

Is occupational therapy in demand in South Africa?

In South Africa there is currently a great demand for occupational therapists to do medico legal work and the work is lucrative. … Legislative changes increase the chances of all occupational therapists in practice to be held publically accountable for their work.

Where can I study occupational therapy in South Africa?

WHERE CAN I STUDY?

University of Cape Town. Bachelor of Occupational Therapy.

University of KwaZulu-Natal. Bachelor of Occupational Therapy.

University of Limpopo. Bachelor of Occupational Therapy.

University of Stellenbosch.

University of the Free State.

University of the Western Cape. .

University of the Witwatersrand.

Is it hard to become an occupational therapist In South Africa?

The short answer is: YES, occupational therapy school is hard. But so is physical therapy school, nursing school, medical school, pharmacy school, physician’s assistant school, etc. All healthcare degrees are going to be challenging, and for good reason.

What subjects are needed to become a therapist in South Africa?

Five years full-time formal education in psychology, i.e. a three-year bachelor’s degree, majoring in psychology or its equivalent, plus an honours degree in psychology, plus a directed master’s degree programme in psychology approved by the HPCSA.

What are the disadvantages of being an occupational therapist?

Few disadvantages are associated with being employed as an occupational therapist.

Challenges of Being an Occupational Therapist

The Medical Field is Emotionally Stressful. .

Occupational Therapy is a Physically Demanding Job. .

Institutional Barriers May Prevent Desired Results.

Long Work Hours Are Common.

How do I become a therapist without a degree In South Africa?

Certain positions, including mental health counselors, psychologists, and marriage and family therapists, require at least some education in psychology or a related field. Other positions can be entered into without holding a degree. These may include: Peer support counselors.