Occupational Therapy Courses Abroad

Occupational Therapy Courses Abroad

Occupational therapy is a healthcare profession that helps people with physical or mental challenges to engage in daily activities, or occupations. Hence the name "occupational therapy".

Occupational therapists work in various settings, such as hospitals, rehabilitation centres, or private workspaces, helping individuals be independent in their daily activities. The main focus of occupational therapy is to improve a person’s quality of life by helping them with their daily activities. There are multiple courses on occupational therapy worldwide. Here's everything you should know about occupational therapy courses.

Occupational therapy courses abroad: Key highlights

Course typeFull-time
Course duration2-4 years
Entry requirements to study occupational therapy abroadBachelor’s degree: Students with a science background, and a minimum score of 70%. 

Master’s degree: Students with an undergraduate degree in occupational therapy or similar fields like healthcare can pursue a master’s degree in occupational therapy.
English proficiencyIELTS: 7.0 (Check with the university for the minimum IELTS score)
Fees range$1,771 - $22,433

Data updated as of October 2023

Occupational therapy: An overview

  • Occupational therapy helps people of all ages with their daily activities. 
  • It helps regain or improve an individual’s independence with their routines, and aims to enhance their quality of life. 
  • Occupational therapy also offers numerous career opportunities for international students. 

Why study occupational therapy courses?

  • Occupational therapy courses provide students with knowledge of the practices and procedures for helping people overcome their challenges with day-to-day activities. 
  • This field of study is known for its increasing career opportunities. Graduates with a degree in occupational therapy are in high demand.

Best countries to study occupational therapy 

Different study levels for occupational therapy 

  • Undergraduate Occupational Therapy Courses
  • Postgraduate Occupational Therapy Courses

Eligibility criteria for occupational therapy courses abroad

When applying for a course, your profile should satisfy the eligibility criteria for the specific field of study. Here are the basic eligibility requirements for occupational therapy courses for international students.

Eligibility criteria for occupational therapy courses abroad

FactorEligibility criteria
Educational qualificationBachelor’s degree: Students with a science background, and a minimum score of 70%. Master’s degree: Students with an undergraduate degree in occupational therapy or similar fields like healthcare can pursue a master’s degree in occupational therapy.
English proficiencyIELTS: 7.0 (Check with the university for the minimum IELTS score)
VisaStudent visa

Data updated as of October 2023

Note: The minimum grades and educational requirements differ with every university. Make sure to check if your scores meet the institution’s standards.

Student requirements to pursue occupational therapy courses abroad

Once you satisfy the eligibility criteria, universities will request you to provide some documents to proceed with your application. Check if you have the documents below to proceed with the application.

  • Academic transcripts
  • Passport
  • Proof of work experience (if required)
  • Application form
  • Statement of purpose (SOP)
  • Letter of recommendation (LOR)
  • Financial aid documents
  • Admissions test results
  • English language proficiency test scores

Visa requirements for international students to study occupational therapy courses abroad

To study occupational therapy abroad, you will need a student visa. The visa cost will vary depending on where you want to study.

VisaCost
UK student visaGBP £363
USA student visaUSD $510. This is for the F1 student visa and includes USD $350 SEVIS fee and USD $160 application fee.
Canada student visaCAD $235. This includes the application fee of CAD $150 and the biometrics fee of CAD $85.
New Zealand student visaNZ $530. This figure will vary depending on where you’re applying from.
Ireland student visaEUR €60

Data updated as of October 2023

Documents required for international students to apply for a visa

  • Your current passport
  • A letter of acceptance from your course provider
  • Proof of financial support
  • Letter of explanation (explain your purpose and requirement for visa)
  • Necessary medical test results

Top universities to pursue occupational therapy courses abroad

Top occupational therapy courses abroad for international students 

  • BSc (Hons) Foundation to Health and Veterinary Studies (Occupational Therapy)
  • MSc/PGDip/PGCert Advanced Occupational Therapy 
  • MSc/PGDip/PGCert Occupational Therapy (Pre-Registration) 
  • MSc/PGDip/PGCert Occupational Therapy (Pre-Registration) Accelerated 
  • MSc Occupational Therapy (Pre-Registration) 
  • BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy 

Average fees to study occupational therapy courses abroad 

Fees for occupational therapy courses abroadAverage fees
Minimum fees£8,000
Maximum fees£49,000

The occupational therapy course fees vary for every country. 

Data updated as of October 2023

Cost of living for international students 

The average annual cost of living for an international student are as follows:

CountryAverage cost of living (per year)
The United KingdomGBP £12,000-£15,000
The United StatesUSD $10,000-$18,000
New ZealandNZ $20,000-$27,000
IrelandEUR €7,000 to €12,000
CanadaCAD $9800

Data updated as of October 2023

Scholarships to study occupational therapy courses abroad 

A scholarship is a financial aid that grants a certain amount of tuition fees for students and reduces their expenses while studying abroad. Edvoy has partnered with institutions worldwide to offer scholarships for international students pursuing higher education. The scholarships are:

Academic Scholarships

Academic scholarships award international students with remarkable academic performance. Institutions choose student profiles with good scores and provide scholarships based on their grades.

Government-Funded Scholarships

Government-Funded scholarships are awarded to international students who accept the institution’s offer and pay a certain amount of tuition fees. These scholarships reduce student expenses by waiving a certain amount of tuition fees.

Note: Edvoy acts as a platform for you during the application process. Only the university deems your profile eligible and determines the final amount.

Job opportunities for occupational therapy courses abroad

There is a high demand for occupational therapy graduates abroad, increasing the job opportunities for international students.

How much will an occupational therapist earn in 2023?

The average annual salary for occupational therapists ranges from $50,000 to $100,000.

(Search results from Google)

Data updated as of October 2023

Top career options for occupational therapy graduates abroad 

  • Occupational Therapist 
  • Occupational Therapy Assistant

Post-study work permit after completing occupational therapy courses abroad

CountryName of post-study work visaLength of time to stay in the country
UKGraduate visa2 years
USAPost-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT)1 year
CanadaPost-graduation work permit (PGWP)3 years
New ZealandPost-study work visa3 years
IrelandThird level graduate programme2 years

Data updated as of October 2023

Top occupational therapy courses abroad

There are many occupational therapy courses abroad. Let's check out some of the top occupational therapy courses abroad. 

Related occupational therapy courses

Occupational Therapy Courses AbroadUndergraduate Occupational Therapy Courses Abroad
Postgraduate Occupational Therapy Courses AbroadDoctorate Occupational Therapy Courses Abroad
Occupational Therapy Courses in AustraliaOccupational Therapy Courses in New Zealand
Occupational Therapy Courses in USOccupational Therapy Courses in UK
Occupational Therapy Courses in IrelandOccupational Therapy Courses in Canada
Undergraduate Occupational Therapy Courses in New ZealandUndergraduate Occupational Therapy Courses in Australia
Undergraduate Occupational Therapy Courses in UKUndergraduate Occupational Therapy Courses in US
Undergraduate Occupational Therapy Courses in CanadaUndergraduate Occupational Therapy Courses in Ireland
Doctorate Occupational Therapy Courses in USDoctorate Occupational Therapy Courses in UK
Postgraduate Occupational Therapy Courses in USPostgraduate Occupational Therapy Courses in UK
Read more

Top Occupational Therapy Courses

When choosing to study Occupational Therapy, there are many courses that offer further specialisation in this topic. The list below identifies popular courses where you can narrow down your study even further.

FAQ

You will be able to choose from a huge array of courses from highly reputable universities. This will give you the best chance to develop your skills, gain a good education, and increase your chances of a good job.
This depends on which country you study in and your level of study. For undergraduate courses in the UK, Ireland, and Canada, it takes 3-4 years. For undergraduate courses in New Zealand, it takes 3 years, and in the USA it takes 4 years. For postgraduate courses in the UK and Ireland, it takes 1 year, in Canada, it takes 1-2 years, in New Zealand, it takes 2 years, and in the USA, it can take 2-3 years.
There is no best country to study Occupational Therapy. Each country has many institutions that are well-regarded in this subject. Choose your institution carefully based on its criteria, and you will get the best match for you.

At Edvoy, we provide end-to-end support all through the study-abroad process: from shortlisting courses and submitting documents to university applications and visa interviews. Just sign up and add your details to get started with Edvoy. One of our experts will get in touch with you to understand your requirements and guide you with friendly advice all along the way. Talk to a counsellor now! 

Costs vary depending on the country and institution. Typically, the minimum fees are £8,000 and the maximum fees are £49,000
Typically the exams needed to study abroad include an English language proficiency test and an admissions test.
Yes, you can. Different universities have different criteria, and you might be eligible without IELTS. Check the university to see what the requirements are.
Absolutely. Studying abroad gives you the best chance to receive an excellent education from a highly reputable university. It will provide you with unique opportunities for life and change the path of your career forever.

The duration of the occupational therapy course ranges from 2-4 years, depending on the level of study and the country.

Here are some of the top paying countries for occupational therapy jobs:

  • The United Kingdom
  • The United States
  • New Zealand
  • Australia
  • Canada
  • Ireland

Highlights

  • Institutions offering the courses
    Institutions offering the courses
    58
  • Count of courses
    Count of courses
    104
  • Count of UG courses
    Count of UG courses
    64
  • Count of PG courses
    Count of PG courses
    31
  • Count of Doctorate courses
    Count of Doctorate courses
    9
  • Fee range (min-max)
    Fee range (min-max)
    £8,000 - £49,000

Countries with Occupational Therapy courses