Program Overview

International Foundation Year in Health and Human Sciences

The International Foundation Year in Health & Human Sciences will prepare you for a range of degrees in fields related to health, such as physiotherapy, sports science, podiatry and pharmaceutical science. It can also prepare you for studying degrees in behavioural sciences, such as psychology, sociology and criminology.

You will study core modules, which are general skills subjects, and specialised modules tailored to your chosen area of study - all of which are important for your academic development.

Why study Engineering, Computing & Science?

• Graduate from the University with a professionally accredited degree – without the years of study required for a degree in medicine
• Degrees typically include placements, such as clinical practice in local hospitals and NHS trusts, to gain practical experience in a real-world setting
• Access a range of specialist facilities, including a biomechanics laboratory, formulation lab (for making and testing medicines), physiology labs and physiotherapy practical rooms
• Early preparation for your future career with support for your NHS interview for clinical practice and integrated CareerAhead activities
• Benefit from engagement with University departments and local business and employers in advance of starting your degree.

Once you have succesfully completed International Foundation Year in Health & Human Sciences, and achieving the required grades, you will join the first year of your undergraduate degree at the University of Huddersfield.

Leading to: Occupational Therapy BSc (Hons)

Occupational therapists work collaboratively with people to help them engage in those activities (occupations) which they need or want to do, enabling them to lead fulfilling and healthy lives. Occupations are practical, meaningful and purposeful activities that allow people to develop a sense of identity for example self-care, work or leisure tasks. Working with people of all ages in different situations, you’ll assess their needs and collaboratively develop interventions facilitating them to achieve their potential and enjoy maximum quality of life.

• This will assist you in developing an in-depth understanding of occupational therapy through placements in different settings including people’s homes, hospitals, local authorities, schools, charities and prisons.
• Our purpose-built occupational therapy skills lab enables you to learn in authentic simulated environments.
• You’ll have the opportunity to hear the experiences and viewpoints from service users and carers, who are part of the Public Partnership Group.
• Occupational therapists work interprofessionally alongside other healthcare professionals, therefore you’ll study alongside students from other healthcare professions including physiotherapists, nurses, midwives, operating department practitioners and podiatrists.
• You’ll have the opportunity to carry out a research project and develop entrepreneurial and change management skills.

Our course is accredited by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) and regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). You’ll learn how to integrate underlying theory and principles of occupational therapy and apply what you learn to different areas of practice. You’ll also have the opportunity to develop both the teamwork and autonomous practice skills required to work in a rapidly changing health and social care context.

Upon successful graduation you could work within the NHS, social services, charities, education services, social enterprises, community interest groups, medico-legal firms or you could work in independent practice. There may also be opportunities in education, research or overseas, as occupational therapists are also needed internationally. The course is accredited by the World Federation of Occupational Therapy (WFOT). Wherever your career path takes you, you could gain great job satisfaction from knowing that you’ve have made a positive and meaningful impact on the quality of life of others.