Occupational Therapy: Occupational therapy
Code: SXI25S2
- Degree title
- Occupational Therapist
- Credits
- 210 ects
- Duration
- 3.5 years (210 cr)
- Start semester
- Autumn 2025
- Teaching language
- Finnish
Descriptions
The degree in Occupational Therapy is 210 ECTS credits in length and is planned to take 3.5 years to complete. The studies consist of professional studies in occupational therapy and basic studies in social and health care. In addition, the degree includes a professional work placement, multidisciplinary innovation project, thesis and elective studies.
The Occupational Therapy degree programme graduates have a good basic understanding of the interaction between the individual, occupation and the environment (occupational performance), and a strong understanding of the foundations of occupational therapy. They integrate a range of knowledge about functioning, occupation and the environment into assessing occupational performance, enabling occupation and participation, and establishing a therapeutic relationship.
Occupational therapists use evidence-based practice and clinical reasoning in their work. They are able to assess and develop their own expertise and apply it in diverse ways to enable the meaningful activities of individuals, groups, and communities in various environments. They work alongside people in their meaningful everyday lives and make decisions ethically, responsibly, and in a way that promotes sustainable development.
Occupational Therapists are guided in their professional reasoning and decision-making by an understanding of diversity and sustainability, and their approach is future-oriented. They draw on a strong theoretical and practical base to promote individuals’ participation and occupation in diverse environments.
The curriculum in occupational therapy education meets future competency needs and adheres to national and international recommendations. These include the Minimum Standards for the Education of Occupational Therapists set by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT), the European Network of Occupational Therapy in Higher Education (ENOTHE) and ARENE (the Rectors’ Conference of Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences) competences.
The overarching themes include internationalisation, sustainability, evidence-based practice, consideration of diversity, and the ever-evolving operational environment. The core contents of the curriculum include occupation and therapeutic occupation, occupational therapy relationship, assessment and the environment in occupational therapy.
The studies are conducted through blended learning, practical training, collaboration with working life, projects, and initiatives. Experts from the field serve as supervisors during students’ work placements and as partners in work-life-related activities. The students progress from basic competency to advanced expertise while simultaneously strengthening their professional skills as their studies advance. Internationalisation is particularly involved in exchange programmes, internationalisation-at-home, and active collaboration with international higher education institutions.
The students are guided to plan their studies by recognising their prior knowledge and aligning their learning with their evolving competencies. Throughout their studies, the students assess and develop their expertise to meet the needs of the changing work environment. Feedback is continuously collected from the students throughout their studies.
Development
The curriculum is continuously developed, and the competencies it fosters are assessed in collaboration with the students, teachers, and partners from the sector.
The curriculum of the Degree Programme in Occupational Therapy is based on the needs of future working life and research in the field. The curriculum has been developed taking into account the Minimum Standards for the Education of Occupational Therapists set by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT), the competences of the European Network of Occupational Therapy in Higher Education (ENOTHE), the competences of ARENE (Association of Rectors of Universities of Applied Sciences) and the strategic priorities of Metropolia.
Representatives from working life, degree programme lecturers, and students have participated in different phases of the curriculum development process. Professionals in the field have had the opportunity to contribute by responding to surveys and engaging in targeted discussions, with recent graduates and alumni. The perspectives have been refined through meetings of the occupational therapy degree programme’s advisory board. Student feedback has been utilised as a valuable resource in the curriculum development process.
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