THE UNIVERSITY OF BEDFORDSHIRE
Faculty of Health & Social Sciences
School of Society, Community and Health
Begin@Beds
We are delighted that you will be studying with us. This booklet provides you with some key information that you will find useful in preparing you for your course and for your first few weeks and months at University.
Dr Lana Burroughs Head of School
Hello, my name is Sarah Page and I am the course lead. We are so excited that you will be joining us in September. The first week will be an induction week where you will be introduced to your course, course team and fellow students. You’ll also have a personal tutor who is there to support you. They will have weekly office hours so you can always book an appointment if you need to chat to them. We will be there with you every step of the way.
Sarah Page Course Lead
ESSENTIAL CONTACTS
Course Lead
Sarah Page sarah.page@beds.ac.uk
Your personal academic tutor is Email
STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES
Student Information Desk (SiD) beds.ac.uk/sid sid@beds.ac.uk
Treehouse Community & Faith Centre
Mental Health Services
beds.ac.uk/student-support/mentalwell mentalhealth@beds.ac.uk
BedsSU (student union) help@bedssu.co.uk
The following is a typical Welcome Week schedule:
Day 1 am
Introduction to: Student support services, student union and library services. Ice breaker and social integration. pm
Meet the course team, afternoon tea with a ‘guess what am I’ anatomy quiz.
Day 2 am
A day in the life – what to expect, getting the most from Breo, Q&A with existing students, campus and simulation rooms tour. pm
First personal academic tutor (PAT) meeting, uniform ordering & meet some of the practice education team.
Day 3 & 4
Occupational health and ID and document check appointments. Student Union events.
For more information on joining your course, visit Begin BSc Occupational Therapy @Beds where you will find updated info, tips and dates of your course induction week etc.
Professional identity
Academic skills
Science supporting occupation
How to find your Timetable
Information about your learning with BREO
Get support with your learning and assignments Study Hub
Visit the Library
Holistic therapy in practice
Holistic factors affecting occupation
Begin@Beds Start your student journey
Thrive@Beds My Beds Life
Succeed@Beds Careers and Employability Service
Developing therapeutic relationships
As you enrol on your professional course you will need to complete an enhanced DBS along with ID checks and an occupational health assessment. You will also be asked to read and sign your professional studies contract which is in line with the HCPC Standards of Conduct, performance and ethics which will guide you through your 3 year degree course.
Your clinical placement will be based with one of our practice partners and you will also be given opportunities to experience different areas of practice throughout your journey to becoming a registered occupational therapist.
Here is a range of practice partnerships for practical placements:
• Barnet, Enfield & Haringey MH Trust
• Bedford Hospital
• Bedfordshire & Luton Wheelchair Service
• Bucks Healthcare Trust
• Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust
• Central Beds Council, Fostering Service
• CNWL (Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust)
• Creative therapies
• Earthworks
• East & North Herts NHS Trust
• East London Foundation Trust (ELFT)
• Feed Up, Warm Up
• Hamberley Care Homes
• HCRG (was Virgincare)
• Herts Council adults with disabilities team
• Keech Hospice
• Luton & Dunstable Hospital
• Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
• MIND
• Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust
• Tibbs Dementia Charity
The course assessment strategy is closely aligned to the teaching and learning strategy which is designed to:
• have an immediate relevance to practice;
• draw on expertise-by-experience;
• foster active learning and be learner-centred in approach.
Types of assessment for these units include:
Essays
Leaflets/posters
A distinct feature of the course is the range of assessment tasks, including those that allow you to undertake workplace relevant assessments that can have an immediate impact in practice. This helps put into practice what you are learning in university and increases your self-confidence.
Reflective case studies
Presentations
Service improvement proposals
Viva Voce – an oral exam, no writing
In class tests
Skills Documents – practice based learning
• Occupational Therapy – University of Bedfordshire
• Meet the occupational therapy staff team https://youtu.be/cp0dRX03iqM
• Who are our occupational therapy students? https://youtu.be/H3T6kY7E-R8
• Career opportunities https://youtu.be/RwUCCBPdsvQ
• Our occupational therapy course https://youtu.be/UFQSbZr4O54
• Occupational Therapy – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
• Eating and drinking on-campus – University of Bedfordshire
• Parking – University of Bedfordshire
• https://youtu.be/NEt9lrekUJg
The teaching team are relaxed and friendly. Students could be encouraged to take more of a lead in teaching days.
Engaging with and observing other occupational therapy students in a more relaxed environment was a positive experience.
The teaching staff are innovative and enthusiastic, nurturing the students to be occupational therapists of the future.
As a first year occupational therapy student you will begin your journey with teaching and learning for 11 weeks in semester one and the same for semester two.
This will prepare you for your practice placement which you will begin in semester two. You will receive teaching to prepare you for your placement.
Over the three years of studying you will complete 1040 placement hours and you require 1000 to pass this course. You will be provided with 5 different placement settings to equip you with a range of different learning experiences and to make you fully employable.
As this is a professional course you are expected to complete 1000 placement hours and attend all university teaching unless you have medical exemption or extenuating circumstances.
Sample timetable – Semester 1 Occupational Therapy
Guided/ independent study
When do I find out which placement area I have been allocated?
We aim to provide students with their placement locations as quickly as possible once these have been confirmed with the Trusts.
What happens if I miss class due to being unwell or having difficulties with childcare or travel?
We understand that everyone will face some difficulties now and again and we aim to be flexible. You are encouraged to discuss ongoing issues with your Personal Academic Tutor or Unit Lead.
Is there someone who can help me with my assessments?
The lecturing team are always available to guide you with the theory based content and you might want to book a 1:1 tutorial with your Unit Lead. If you need more time to complete an
assignment, please contact Student Engagement and Mitigation (SEAM) who deal with extensions for assessments. Their email is mitigation@beds.ac.uk
Will I be able to practise skills before I attend placement and work with actual patients?
Absolutely. You will have scheduled simulation based learning included in your weekly teaching plan and this will provide excellent preparation for placement. Our state of the art simulation suite has an operating theatre, anaesthetic room and Post Anaesthetic Care Unit (PACU) which also doubles as a ward, A&E and maternity area for various learning opportunities. There is the dedicated occupational therapy ADL flat and the physiotherapy suite.
Is there somewhere for me to get support if I have a learning difference such as Dyslexia?
Yes! There is plenty of help available and students may be eligible for a Learning and Teaching Agreement, stating any reasonable adjustments needed for classroom learning and examinations. There is also help available for practice based learning.
Are there clubs and activities I can get involved with?
Yes! The Student Union will provide lots of information about the sporting clubs, activities and events available for all students at UoB. For more information visit bedssu.co.uk
We also have a Occupational Therapy Society you can join.
Simulation suite beds.ac.uk/simulation
Learning Difference support information beds.ac.uk/student-support/disabilities2
There is a lot to take in when you begin studying on a professional course like this one. The teaching team have been working as occupational therapists for many years and here are our top 10 reasons to ‘love this job’!
You will be with patients in their most vulnerable moments. This is a true privilege.
You will experience things you never thought possible.
You will one day be the ‘teacher’ and the mentor responsible for helping a new student on their first day.
You become part of a small ‘family’ with the occupational therapy staff. Everyone is helpful and wants you to do well.
You can keep studying after you qualify and there is no limit to the knowledge you can gain.
You will always be employable. Occupational therapists are always in demand.
You are given the opportunity to be a part of a unique experience every day.
The satisfaction you get from knowing you helped make a real difference to a patient is amazing.
No two days are the same.