Course Overview
This Occupational Therapy (Pre-registration) equips you with the knowledge and practical experience to become a highly skilled, evidence-based occupational therapist.
This MSc will be awarded by Health Sciences University (HSU) in the UK and HCPC approval is in progress, similar to that in place for fully approved MSc Physiotherapy (Pre-registration) and MSc Speech and Language Therapy (Pre-registration) programmes.
Upon HCPC approval, to practice in Ireland, graduates can apply for CORU registration through the Commonly Aligned Standards fast-track pathway.
Following registration with CORU, the graduates can apply to become members of the Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland (AOTI). Students will also be eligible to apply to become AOTI student members.
The course fosters a strong professional identity, leadership, and reflective practice, preparing graduates to work collaboratively across healthcare teams and to act as ambassadors for the profession. Graduates will be fully prepared for professional registration and lifelong learning in a dynamic and growing field.
This programme is intended for delivery in October 2026 subject to validation.
This two-year, full-time Master’s programme is designed for graduates from a broad range of academic backgrounds who are motivated to pursue a meaningful career as a registered Occupational Therapist.
Delivered by Portobello Institute in Dublin and awarded by Health Sciences University, this programme combines rigorous academic learning with immersive, hands-on clinical placements.
It is designed to ensure students develop knowledge and technical skills required for practice alongside the professional judgement, empathy, and ethical values central to occupational therapy.
Graduates are prepared to work confidently with individuals, families, and communities across a wide range of settings, using person-centred, evidence-based approaches to support health, wellbeing, and independence.
At Portobello Institute, our approach is grounded in person-centred practice and real-world application. This programme prepares you to support and empower individuals who, due to ill-health, disability, trauma, or challenging social circumstances, experience barriers to participating in the everyday activities that give meaning and purpose to their lives.
The curriculum highlights the central role of occupation in human life and explores the strong connection between occupation, health, and wellbeing. You will learn how meaningful activity can positively influence outcomes for individuals, families, and communities, and how occupational therapy can be a powerful agent for change.
Designed with contemporary practice in mind, the programme equips you to respond thoughtfully and effectively to the complex needs of those you support. Through evidence-based learning and a strong focus on understanding lived experience, you will develop safe, high-quality, and integrated approaches to care that place dignity, empathy, and professional excellence at the centre of practice.
Upon successful completion of this programme, you will be awarded an MSc Occupational Therapy (Pre-registration). This is awarded by Health Sciences University and is aligned to level 9 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).
Provisional Modules Include:
- Introduction to Professional Practice
- Occupation, Health, and Wellbeing 1
- Foundation Science for Health, Wellbeing, and Participation
- Occupation, Health, and Wellbeing 2
- Transforming Health and Wellbeing Through Occupation
- Occupation, Health, and Wellbeing 3
- Occupational Therapy Practice Placement 1
- Occupational Therapy Practice Placement 2
- Research Methods in Health Science
- Occupational therapy Dissertation
Placement Modules
- Occupational Therapy Placement 1
- Occupational Therapy Placement 2
Please note these modules are provisional and subject to change.
This MSc Occupational Therapy (Pre-registration) utilises a mix of learning environments including online lectures, practical work experience, problem-based learning, common and complex case studies.
You are normally expected to attend all elements of the course and will require a minimum of 80% attendance across all modules.
Formal teaching methods will vary depending on the relevant learning outcomes of specific units, but will include the following activity types: Lectures (Scheduled) Seminars (Scheduled) Tutorials (Scheduled) Project Supervision (Scheduled) Practical Classes and Workshops (Scheduled) Guided Independent Study (Independent).
Work Placement
As part of this MSc Occupational Therapy programme you will complete a number of mandatory practice placement modules to put your learning into action and gain confidence while building a network in a variety of settings.
Compulsory placements (1000 hrs) are required. Placements will be sourced from clinical settings, public and community settings, schools and disability services.
As a guide, it is expected that each year will have two blocks of placement:
Year 1 – Practice placement 1A (6 weeks)
Practice placement 1B (7 weeks)
Year 2 – Practice placement 2A (8 weeks)
Practice placement 2B (10 weeks)
Please note this an example outline of placement structure and is subject to change.
An MSc in Occupational Therapy offers excellent and diverse career prospects, with strong demand across healthcare, education, and community services in Ireland, the UK, and internationally.
Graduates typically work as registered Occupational Therapists (subject to CORU/HCPC registration), supporting people to live as independently and meaningfully as possible.
Common employment settings include:
- Public healthcare services (e.g. HSE, NHS)
- Private hospitals and clinics
- Primary care and community health teams
- Rehabilitation centres (neurology, orthopaedics, stroke, brain injury)
- Mental health services
- Older persons’ services and dementia care
- Paediatric services (schools, early intervention, disability services)
Specialist & Advanced Practice Roles
With experience, OTs can move into specialist areas such as:
- Paediatrics (sensory integration, autism support)
- Mental health & psychosocial rehabilitation
- Hand therapy
- Neurology and acquired brain injury
- Geriatrics and falls prevention
- Assistive technology & environmental adaptation
- Vocational rehabilitation and return-to-work services
Non-Traditional & Emerging Career Opportunities
Occupational therapy skills are highly transferable, opening doors beyond traditional healthcare roles:
- Case management
- Disability consultancy
- Workplace ergonomics and occupational health
- Driving assessment and mobility services
- Health promotion and wellbeing roles
- Telehealth and digital health services
- NGO, community development and advocacy roles
Leadership, Education & Research
An MSc also provides a strong foundation for career progression into:
- Senior and specialist OT roles
- Clinical leadership and service management
- Teaching and clinical education
- Research and PhD pathways
- Policy, service design and quality improvement
International Mobility & Job Security
- Occupational Therapy is a regulated and internationally recognised profession
- Strong opportunities to work in Ireland, the UK, Australia, Canada, and beyond
- Consistent demand driven by:
Ageing populations
Increased focus on mental health
Community-based care models
Disability inclusion and accessibility legislation
Career Outlook
An MSc in Occupational Therapy leads to a meaningful, people-focused career with:
- Strong employability
- Diverse work settings
- Clear progression pathways
- Opportunities to specialise, lead, or innovate
- The ability to make a tangible difference in people’s lives
Industry Partners
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1Applications for the 2026 courses is now open.
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2Complete the online application form.
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3An interview will be conducted via MS Teams to verify suitability for this programme.
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4Confirmation of the interview outcome will be given within 7 – 10 working days. To confirm acceptance of offer, successful applicants will be required to formally accept their offer and pay the required deposit – there will be a 14 day time allowance to complete this part of the process.
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5Please note places on this course are only confirmed once tuition fees have been received. We are unable to hold places open for applicants unable to complete the final stage of the process.
*Please note that additional costs will apply to students who undertake this course including but not limited to costs associated with equipment, placement, clothing requirements and health checks. More information is available from the course advisor upon request.
Course: €16,896
*Please note that additional costs will apply to students who undertake this course including but not limited to costs associated with equipment, placement, clothing requirements and health checks. More information is available from the course advisor upon request.
Option 1
33% deposit payment (€5,706.03), followed by 4 scheduled payments on the first of each month, commencing the 1st of the month after the start date of the course. Includes one off instalment fee of €395.
- €2,896.24 due in month 1
- €2,896.24 due in month 2
- €2,896.24 due in month 3
- €2,896.24 due in month 4
Option 2
40% deposit payment (€6,758.40) due on application of your course. Final balance (€10,137.60) due before the course start date.
Option 3
30% deposit payment (€5,307.30), followed by 10 scheduled payments on the first of each month, commencing the 1st of the month after the start date of the course. Includes one off instalment fee of €795.
- €1,238.37 due in month 1
- €1,238.37 due in month 2
- €1,238.37 due in month 3
- €1,238.37 due in month 4
- €1,238.37 due in month 5
- €1,238.37 due in month 6
- €1,238.37 due in month 7
- €1,238.37 due in month 8
- €1,238.37 due in month 9
- €1,238.37 due in month 10
