Part of health sciences at AUT, the Occupational Therapy department aims to increase health professionals’ understanding of humans as occupational beings and the complexities and meanings of occupations.
Our teaching and research provides advanced occupational practice techniques and knowledge. We aim to further the skills of occupational therapists and play a critical role in inter-professional healthcare practice.
Undergraduate courses
Undergraduate study in occupational science and therapy will give you a solid grounding in this area.
- Bachelor of Health Science (Occupational Therapy)
- Graduate Certificate in Health Science
- Graduate Diploma in Health Science
Postgraduate courses
Occupational science and therapy postgraduate degrees
- Bachelor of Health Science (Honours)
- Postgraduate Certificate in Health Science
- Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science
- Master of Health Practice
- Master of Health Science
- Master of Philosophy
- Doctor of Health Science
- Doctor of Philosophy
Career opportunities
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
What you study
Year 1
Semester 1 papers
- HEAL504 Lifespan Development and Communication
- HEAL506 Knowledge, Enquiry and Communication
- HEAL505 Human Anatomy and Physiology I
- HEAL507 Health and Environment OR MAOH501 Hauora Māori and Environment
You develop an in-depth understanding of general healthcare, learning alongside other health science students.
Semester 2 papers
- OCTY606 Experiencing Occupation
- OCTY607 Occupational Therapy Practicum I
- OCTY608 Personal and Environmental Factors in Occupation
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.
Complete the following papers
- OCTY601 Enabling Physical Performance for Occupation
- OCTY602 Enabling Cognitive Performance for Occupation
- OCTY603 Enabling Affective Performance for Occupation
- OCTY604 Creating Enabling Environments
- OCTY605 Enabling Occupation for Groups
- OCTY705 Evidence and Practice
And choose one of
- RHAB701 Rehabilitation and Participation
- MAOH701 Māori Health Promotion
- MAOH702 Applied Primary Māori Mental Health
Or any other bachelor’s degree papers 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.
Complete the following papers
- OCTY701 Enabling Systems Change
- OCTY702 Professional Reasoning for Occupational Therapy
- OCTY703 Preparation for Occupational Therapy Practice
- OCTY704 Transition to Occupational Therapy Practice
- OCTY706 Promoting Occupational Justice and Participation
Practice education (workplace experience)
Throughout your study you complete block placements (at least 1,000 hours) in a number of practice settings to prepare you for professional registration.
In your final year, you spend a 15-week block placement (either within Auckland or in a region outside of Auckland) in the second half of the year. You apply your learning in a range of practice settings under the supervision of an occupational therapist ahead of completing your degree.
During your programme you’ll be required to travel both within and outside the Auckland region for clinical/practical experience. Please note that travel, accommodation and other expenses will be an additional cost to you.
Recent placements included:
- Spectrum Care
- QRS
- Mahi Tahi
Te Ara Hauora Māori papers
If you’re interested in a career with a Māori development perspective select the following papers as electives or as an alternative course of study
- MAOH501 Hauora Māori and Environment (instead of HEAL507 Health and Environment)
- MAOH701 Māori Health Promotion
- MOAH702 Applied Primary Māori Mental Health
- HEAL710 Utilising Supervision in Practice
We will help you form relationships with Māori health providers, industry stakeholders and communities, and AUT Māori staff and students.
Entry requirements
Minimum entry requirements
- University Entrance or equivalent
- Must be capable of meeting Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act (HPCA Act) requirements and Children’s Act 2014, 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.
International student entry requirements
English language requirements
- IELTS (Academic) 7.0 overall with all bands 6.5 or higher