Case Study

The BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy Accelerated course, which was a new route that the university was offering, was perfect for me. This is a route which allows you to complete your degree in 2 years and having already studied at university for 3 years in the past, this made sense for me. I am now able to graduate a year earlier than I expected and be out in my dream job sooner! After attending an interview, I was amazed by the university as a whole. This single interview had me so excited about what the future could hold for me at the University of Sunderland.

First of all, the facilities were second to none, I was especially impressed by the mock house which is a simulated environment used to facilitate practical lessons to give students an insight into real life situations that may occur in our chosen career path and allows us to explore equipment that can be used in the home, this is something I had not seen before but is exceptional for my learning. The staff at the university were so welcoming, I could already feel a sense of support and comfort as soon as I stepped through the door, this made me feel at ease as I was so nervous as you can expect. I feel it is key to have staff that are approachable and dedicated to your studies and I know this is what I could expect from studying here. 

I originally worked as a health care assistant before coming to university and I am still able to do this from time to time alongside my studies. Being a healthcare assistant is where I found my love for compassionate care and being able to help those in need. I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to shadow an OT in practice and knew this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, so I took the first step and applied for the Occupational therapy course at Sunderland. 

My favourite part of the course is being able to participate in meaningful activities which I have never tried before and learning how these activities can be beneficial for individuals in my care. We are given the opportunity to learn several new skills so we can provide the best quality of care to the individuals we meet along the way. Just to name a few, we have been painting, climbing and baking! This is a course where you work hard for what you want to achieve but also have fun along the way!

Another favourite of mine is the practice placements. We are given the opportunity to complete a wide range of placements in both physical and mental health and are also able to work in both inpatient and community settings. These placements give a fantastic insight into our chosen career as an occupational therapist and the opportunities you are given to help change the lives of those in your care are endless. These placements are extremely rewarding and informative. 

My advice to prospective students is: do it! I couldn’t recommended this university enough. You will receive the best standard of teaching from the staff who support you throughout your journey and help you to achieve your goals. The university is a safe and friendly space to learn and I feel comfortable and relaxed when studying on campus. The facilities are unique and extremely beneficial for your learning, I can't think of any reasons why not to study here! When I graduate, I would like to be able to secure my band 5 OT job when leaving university within my chosen specialty. I would like to be able to progress within my career and be able to change the lives of others in my care. 

Studying at Sunderland has been an exciting time filled with new opportunities for learning, brilliant new friendships and an experience that allows me to wake up every day and do what I love."

Published 12 April 2023