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Hello!
I am a first year OT student from Austria and I am wondering how the OT training in other countries looks like, so maybe you want to exchange your experiences with me :-)
In Austria you have to study Occupational Therapy at university, it takes you 3 years and you finish with a bachelors degree. Before you can study you have to do two tests. First a written test where you have to answere some anatomical basic questions (in latin) and learn anatomical vocabulary before. They also check your logical thinking (like folding some dices in your head, finishing some templates, etc.), language skills and some social skills (i.e. there is a multiple choice test where they describe a situation like "another student starts crying, how do you react?" and you have to choose an answer like "a. I ask what's wrong and try to calm them down" "b. I tell them to stop" etc.)
When you pass this first test you are invited to a talk with a teacher from university. They ask you why you want to study OT, check if you actually know what OT is about and explain what the education looks like (so you do not start to study something that turns out to be completely different from what you expected). If everything went fine you are one out of a few lucky ones to be able to start OT.
Where are you from? How long takes your training and what do you have to do to study OT?
Can i knew some countries, where i can get Masters degree of OT?
I wish it could be full funded.
Thank you indeed
A comment shared by OT History Matters (@HistoryOt on Twitter/X):
"Hi @anja - one place is the WFOT Human Resources Project, which gives an overview of our global profession and a host of resources for making connections. See this link: https://wfot.org/resources/occupational-therapy-human-resources-project-2022-alphabetical. Welcome and good luck."
Hi @anja - thought I'd pass on a few responses shared via others across the Hub's social networks:
Erica Greer Garrity: "I’m an OT student from the US. Typically an OT program is a 2 year masters of OT (MOT) program, however I just completed a 3 year MOT program. I had, I believe, 4 level 1 fieldwork rotations, ranging from 1-2 weeks, and 2 level 2 fieldwork rotations, both 12 weeks long. There are also 3 year doctorate of OT programs you can choose from as well. Often those getting the DOT will go on to do research or go on to get their PhD and/or teach."
Colleen: "I am a third year OT apprentice in the UK. On a three year BSc degree apprenticeship. I work full time in a paediatric OT assistant role and go to uni one day a week and complete assignments alongside. We have 5 placements also outside of our normal workplace. I have one 10-week placement left."
Rox: "I'm an OT student! I live and study in Wales, UK. I'm doing a part-time programme which will take 4 years altogether. There is also a full-time option which takes 3 years. Happy to answer any questions. How long is your course? How many placements do you have?... We're only in once a week and have a few intensive weeks scattered across the year when we're in full time. I work in a community team as well. So there's a lot to juggle. Are you in a health related role as well? We have 3 placements and a week of volunteering. I'm thankful for having some experience on the ground as I feel it has developed my understanding for the course and my role."
Ulrik: "Check out SPOTeurope too!"
Hi Anja,
I am currently studying on a part-time undergraduate degree in Wales which will take 4 years to qualify. We study theory 2.5 days per week and have a placement in each year (year 3 and 4 are full time placements).
On application, once shortlisted, we had to attend an interview which consisted of a group discussion followed by a series of individual questions.
Hi @anja - thanks for reaching out here. We'll bring your forum to the attention of fellow Members in the coming week. In the meantime, Rachel has posted a similar discussion topic before. Take a look here for some insights: