How to Become an Occupational Therapist in the UK
Occupational therapy is about restoring independence and empowering people to reclaim their lives. Whether it’s adapting to a new diagnosis, recovering from an injury, or managing a long-term condition, occupational therapists support individuals in overcoming barriers in everyday life.
Sometimes the role involves short-term interventions, guiding someone through recovery. In other cases, it means building long-term relationships with service users, helping them adapt and thrive despite ongoing or progressive challenges.
If you’re empathetic, motivated and ready to develop the skills that truly make a difference, a career in occupational therapy could be the perfect path for you.
Introduction to occupational therapy
We’re sure you have questions, so we’re going to get stuck straight in and cover some of the basics, the most frequently asked questions, up front. Let’s start with possibly the biggest.
What does an Occupational Therapist do?
We’ve covered the broad strokes of what it means to be an occupational therapist, but what about the day-to-day work? Well, no day is ever truly the same in this role, but there is always a structure.
Occupational therapy requires a lot of different people pulling together in the same direction to get the best patient outcomes. That means daily huddles where the occupational therapy team discusses patient safety needs, admin time to make sure everything is in order for the rest of the day, and further time spent documenting interactions with service users. This documentation is vital for others to see what has been done, or needs to be done, at a glance.
Of course, that’s just half the story. The other is carrying out patient care, including intervention planning, filling out risk assessments, and making referrals. No time is wasted when you work as an occupational therapist at Elysium Healthcare.
We sat down with one of our occupational therapists at Elysium to give a day in the life of an occupational therapist, which will give you the perfect opportunity to see what life would be like in this career. But here’s a brief overview.
How much does an Occupational Therapist earn?
An occupational therapist working in the UK can expect to earn between £28,000 and £50,000 as they gain experience.
There’s no single, set salary for occupational therapists in the UK. In fact, the amount you make generally depends on location and experience. So, for example, a top-tier occupational therapist is likely to make more working in London than in other parts of the country. Factors such as the cost of living play a part in that equation.
What is it like being an Occupational Therapist?
We could tell you a bit more about the theoretical life of an Occupational Therapist, but that doesn’t give the full picture.
Dee Kelly is a Regional Occupational Therapist at Elysium’s Gateway Recovery Centre in Cheshire and remembers what brought her to occupational therapy.
Finding purpose in helping others
“I remember being in the careers office at school and going through a big poster on the wall, when I got to occupational therapy, I didn’t know what it was and that piqued my interest.”
“It was inspiring to know I would be able to give hope to people in recovery. It was about helping people come to terms with whatever illness, injury, or different ability that they had.”
No occupational therapist works alone, though, as Dee has discovered in her time at Elysium.
Teamwork and support at Elysium
“We have a huge emphasis on recovery, and it’s a passion everyone on the site shares. We have optimism that the service users are destined beyond the hospital, and though the service users find it scary and daunting, that is half the battle, we are there to change their mindset. We all help someone to see that they are more than just a patient.”
“From the staff to the management team, there has always been a real sense of teamwork, support, and drive to be the best we can be for our patients.”
Read more about what it’s like to be an occupational therapist in Dee’s full interview.
Qualifications and training – routes to becoming an Occupational Therapist
Becoming an occupational therapist takes dedication, but every stage of the journey brings you closer to changing lives. It’s a university-level journey that equips you with the specialist skills, clinical knowledge and practical experience needed to support people in meaningful, life-changing ways.
Entry requirements
To become an occupational therapist, you need to complete a degree-level qualification. The typical requirements for this are three A-levels or a BTEC qualification. You’ll need at least five GCSEs at grade 4 (formerly C) or above.
Specific A-levels aren’t mandatory. However, subjects like science, psychology, sociology, health and social care, or physical education are often looked upon favourably during the interview for your degree course, as is work experience.
Undergraduate degree in Occupational Therapy
An undergraduate degree in occupational therapy is a three-year course, six if you’re studying part-time, that results in a BSc (Hons) degree. Usually, the course features a mix of lectures, tutorials, and work placements.
Your degree must be approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC); this is essential for registration and practice in the UK.
Postgraduate study options
For those wanting to deepen their learning, post-graduate degrees in occupational therapy are also available. In a two-year course, students will graduate with an MSc qualification in addition to their undergraduate degree.
Work experience and placements
Of course, not everybody is ready to make such a lengthy commitment to training for a career in occupational therapy. That’s why it can so often be beneficial to gain experience in the field, or even to gain more understanding around specific areas, before reaching a decision.
Apprenticeships are a great way for Elysium team members to learn a new skill, take on more responsibilities, and explore a new aspect of a career. With dedicated support and the ability to work while you study, apprenticeships promote further development and career curiosity.
Funding and financial support
A number of funding and financial support options are available to eligible students hoping to get into occupational therapy.
These can include:
- NHS Learning Support Fund (NHS LSF) – Additional financial support for healthcare students, including those on occupational therapy courses.
- Training Grant – A fixed grant of £5,000 per year is available for all eligible students.
- Parental Support Payment – Students with childcare costs can claim an additional £2,000 per year.
- Exceptional Hardship Fund – An extra funding pot for those facing severe financial hardship.
- Travel and Accommodation Expenses – The costs of getting to and from clinical placements can add up quickly, but it is possible to claim some of it back.
* Funding availability can vary; check with your employer or university to confirm eligibility.
Royal College and Professional Registration
To practise as an occupational therapist in the UK, you must register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
Joining the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) is optional, but worth it. In exchange for your annual fees, members get access to learning resources, community events and more.
There’s also career support, as well as development opportunities and specialist tools to help deepen knowledge and refine skill sets.
The key reason to join RCOT is not because it’s prestigious, but because of the community that exists in its ranks. Professional and peer support are available at the click of a button, while specialist channels have also been established that specialise in particular fields.
Post-qualification and career specialisms
Once you’ve completed an occupational therapy degree, there are many areas you can specialise in, including:
- Paediatrics
- Mental health
- Neurology
- Hand therapy
- Geriatrics
- Occupational health
Within these areas, there are a lot of roles that highly specialist occupational therapists can occupy, including clinical, research, academic and managerial roles. So, no matter where your strengths lie, there is a specialism and route to go down that you’ll find rewarding.
Advancing your career at Elysium
At Elysium, we always want to do better. Part of that means supporting staff to become the best versions of themselves, deepening their expertise, and taking on new responsibilities.
It’s something Dee has seen first-hand in her time as an occupational therapist.
“There is a drive within Elysium to improve and further develop the representation of not just occupational therapy but all Allied Health Professionals at board level,” she says. “Elysium are always looking for a way to continuously develop the service and make it the best experience for the service users, but also for the staff.”
“If you’re motivated and you want to develop, you will receive the support to progress in your career. We’ve got staff who are going through leadership courses or training in sensory integration to become sensory integration practitioners.”
“The opportunities are available for anyone who wants them.”
Finding Employment as an Occupational Therapist in the UK
No matter where your career takes you after graduation, becoming an occupational therapist offers a deeply rewarding path.
At Elysium, you’ll find the support, environment, and opportunities to grow, empowering you to make a real difference in the lives of our service users every day.
Feeling inspired? Explore our current vacancies and take the first step towards a fulfilling career in occupational therapy with Elysium.