51±¾É«

Aoibheann Coughlan – graduated in 2022, I completed my undergraduate BSc degree in General Nursing, which provided me with skills and knowledge to build on during my masters. As part of the application to the Masters in Occupational Therapy in the 51±¾É«, I had to complete the HPAT. I studied for this through using a self-study pack, and through practicing exam papers.

I was delighted when I was offered a place on this programme. This course has highly educated and experienced clinicians providing lectures, who were encouraging and supportive. The smaller class size facilitated my learning as you can ask the lecturers questions, take part in group discussions, and you also get to know all of your classmates well!

The lectures were all very interesting and covered many different areas, from anatomy and physiology to occupational science and preparation for practice. There are many opportunities for interdisciplinary working, completing modules and group projects with physiotherapists, speech and language therapists and dieticians. This allowed us to learn more about the roles of the team members we would be working with when on clinical practice.

Throughout the two years there are four clinical practice blocks, which were my favourite part of the course. This course trains you to work in many different clinical areas, some of which I had the opportunity to gain experience in. I had placements in the acute hospital, community physical setting, and in a paediatric mental health setting. I was supported by my practice educator who is a senior OT onsite, and by the practice education team in UL. I gained a broad experience of some of the different areas OTs may work in, which helped me to decide which area is my favourite.

I worked as a research assistant with UL for a number of months after graduating, and I am currently working in a community setting with people with intellectual disabilities as a staff grade occupational therapist.

I really enjoyed my two years in UL, and I highly recommend this programme for anyone who is considering joining the world of Occupational Therapy!

Stephen Hodnett, Prior to commencing the MSc. in Occupational Therapy in the 51±¾É«, I worked for several years as a primary school teacher. Occupational therapy had been an area that I had always wanted to work in, and I could see the huge role occupational therapists can have in children’s lives during my work as a teacher. The MSc. in Occupational therapy provided me with an opportunity to do this.

The OT staff in the 51±¾É« bring diverse backgrounds and experiences together and as a result, provide a broad range of experience and expertise to the course. During my time at the 51±¾É«, the skills I learned and developed have greatly impacted my readiness to work as an occupational therapist. I experienced a wide variety of placement opportunities, these included adult and paediatric settings as well as physical and psychosocial experiences.  One of which was an innovative telehealth placement, which provided me with a unique skillset for my current role.

I graduated from the MSc. In Occupational Therapy in 2020 and I have gained experience in a number of areas including acute hospital settings and community rehabilitation settings prior to commencing my current role. I am currently working with Dyspraxia/DCD Ireland as the occupational therapy coordinator of the POTTS Programme. This programme developed from a role-emerging placement that I participated in during my time on the course and has grown into a full-time role providing online and face-to-face services to families and individuals with Dyspraxia/DCD via the medium of telehealth.

Being an occupational therapist opens many doors, with countless possible opportunities and employment prospects available. In my opinion, being an occupational therapist is one of the best jobs a person can do. I would recommend the MSc. In Occupational Therapy to anyone looking to become an occupational therapist.