Top UK Universities For Occupational Therapy - Ranking & League Table (2025)

Looking to Study Occupational Therapy in the UK?
Top UK Universities For Occupational Therapy

Here’s our full guide on the top universities for Occupational Therapy in the UK. We have curated a list of high-ranking universities which offer affordable, globally-recognised qualifications for Occupational Therapy.

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UK University League Table for Occupational Therapy (2025)

The University League Table for Occupational Therapy below displays the top-ranking universities for studying Occupational Therapy in the UK. We’ve compiled a list of top ten universities you should look out for, based on UK rankings from the Complete University Guide 2025.

What do you Study in Occupational Therapy?

The purpose of occupational therapy is to help patients who have suffered an injury, illness, or disability to promote recovery and restore physical movement and function. Their work differs from that of physiotherapists as the purpose of occupational therapy is to recover, develop and maintain fine motor skills and cognitive function necessary for daily living and working. Physiotherapists may also teach patients how to use adaptive equipment and make recommendations to improve their home or workplace. In an undergraduate course for the subject, you will learn about physiology and anatomy, as well as the psychological and social aspects of occupational therapy. You will also learn about patient safety, skills and techniques for administering occupational therapy.

Careers for Occupational Therapy Graduates

What can you do with a degree in Occupational Therapy? Many graduates find employment taking on various roles such as:

  • Hospitals
  • Non-governmental organisations
  • Nursing homes
  • Rehabilitation centres
  • Sports clinics

Top Occupational Therapy Schools In The UK

The University of East Anglia (UEA) is the best university in the UK for Occupational Therapy courses. It is among the country’s top 25 universities for the last five years and it has been awarded the TEF Gold rating, a measure of excellent teaching and learning in UK tertiary education. UEA offers one programme in Occupational Therapy and tuition fees have been set at a competitive rate of £20,600 per annum for international students.

The University of Southampton is ranked number 4 for Occupational Therapy in the UK. Southampton’s BSc in Occupational Therapy programme is among the best in the UK for graduate prospects in the country. The three-year programme is recognised by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists and the World Federation of Occupational Therapists. Fees for Southampton’s outstanding programme starts from £28,900 a year for international students. 

Need advice about applying to a UK university? We are here to help. Book a free appointment with us now!

Recommended Occupational Therapy Schools In The UK

Coventry University is ranked at number 17 in the country for Occupational Therapy and it is among the top 60 universities in the UK. Coventry’s Occupational Therapy programme is focused on work-based learning, giving students plenty of opportunities to learn from their clinical placements. The university’s student body is incredibly diverse, comprising 37% international students, and their campus features state-of-the-art facilities with competitive tuition fees from as low as £19,850 a year.

Cardiff University is one of the top destinations for Occupational Therapy in the UK. The university welcomes students from over 130 countries and it has links and partnerships with over 200 institutions worldwide. You could read more about Cardiff University’s Occupational Therapy course on their website here or read more about the application process via UCAS here.

Oxford Brookes University offers one affordable course in Occupational Therapy. Their Bachelor’s programme has been highly rated for graduate prospects and student satisfaction. Oxford Brookes University is ranked 15th in the UK for Occupational Therapy and it is among the top 50 universities in the country.

How To Apply To Study Occupational Therapy In The UK?

Step 1: Choose A University

The first step is to look for popular and high-ranking Universities in the UK that offer courses you are interested in. Refer to the table above to start your search. Here are some things to consider when applying:

  • Location
  • Employability/Graduate prospects
  • Fees
  • Entry requirements
  • University Ranking

Step 2: Preparations

Once you have narrowed down the search to your top five universities, the first step is to prepare necessary documents and forms. This includes school leaving certificates, exam results, the UCAS application form and a written Personal Statement, among other documents that may be required.

Step 3: Submit UCAS Application

The application process for UK universities differs from local universities as applications go through an organisation known as UCAS, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. UCAS handles all admission applications to UK universities, including those submitted by international candidates like you.

To ensure a better chance of getting accepted, it is important that you prepare all the necessary documents and fill out all forms correctly. We also recommend that you apply for multiple universities simultaneously to ensure that you get your preferred offers. Read our full guide on UCAS here

More about UCAS

The entire application process might be daunting and lengthy for some, so let us help you. Make a free appointment with us today for professional assistance in submitting applications to your prefered UK universities.

UK Occupational Therapy School Entry Requirements

Here are some of the common entry requirements and tests a student has to pass before being accepted at a UK university to study Occupational Therapy.

  1. English Language Test requirement – such as IELTS or TOEFL.
  2. Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland for Scottish Universities)
  3. Health checks.
  4. Entrance interviews.
  5. Personal statement. This is a supporting document and part of your application to a UK university. Usually, you will write about what you hope to achieve studying at the course, what you plan to do after graduating and why you are applying for this specific university.

Frequently Asked Questions

You will learn about physiology and anatomy, as well as the psychological and social aspects of occupational therapy. You will also learn about patient safety, skills and techniques for administering occupational therapy.

The top university for Occupational Therapy in the UK is University of East Anglia according to 2025 rankings.

The common entry requirements for studying Occupational Therapy in the UK include English language tests, criminal record declarations, health checks, entrance interviews and submission of a personal statement.

The tuition fees for Occupational Therapy degrees in the UK range between £16,000 to £30,000 per annum for international students, depending on the university. The ranking and location of a university might also affect tuition fee costs.

The UCAS deadline for Occupational Therapy programmes is 15 January on the year of admission.

Get Free UK Occupational Therapy Course Application Assistance

If you would like a free consultation on any step of the application process, contact us today or come visit us at our office in Mont Kiara, Kuala Lumpur. Book an appointment with us now!

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