SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Occupational Therapy 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
111306  Bachelor of Occupational Therapy 
ORIGINATOR
University of the Free State 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
National First Degree(Min 480)  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Rehabilitative Health/Services 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  480  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2021-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2033-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification replaces: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
16507  Bachelor of Occupational Therapy  Level 7  NQF Level 08  480  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
The purpose of the qualification is to train and prepare occupational therapists who will portray a strong professional identity, that will demonstrate knowledge, skills and applied competence in the field of study that provide opportunities for continued personal growth, gainful economic activity and rewarding contributions to society; and have a solid knowledge of the science and theory of the profession of occupational therapy with the ability to apply educational knowledge, skills, principles and methods that will address occupational barriers and provide Occupational Therapy to individuals, groups and communities within a comprehensive health service; manage occupational therapy services effectively; facilitate occupational therapy technicians and community workers, remain involved with research and committed to life-long learning.

Rationale:
Learners will be competent in rendering a professional service in all health care environments. They would have acquired the necessary knowledge, skills and clinical reasoning abilities exhibiting desired attitudes, values and behaviour to pursue their profession as Occupational Therapist and as important role-players within the greater health care setting, responding to the needs of the community, business and industry needs and in life-long learning and the appreciation of the value of education and society. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Where applicants do not meet the minimum admission requirements, RPL may be used to grant access to the qualification. RPL will be applied according to the Recognition of Prior Learning, Credit Accumulation and Transfer, and Assessment policy. This will relate to both access to the qualification as well as for credit recognition or exemption towards achieving the qualification. The institution will ensure that quality assurance processes that address the specificities of the RPL process (including applications, assessment, and reporting and management systems) are implemented; and that administrative and support systems, both prior and subsequent to RPL assessment, are in place.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • National Senior Certificate National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 4. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Levels 5, 6, 7 and 8 totalling 540 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 48 Credits:
  • Occupational Therapy, 16 Credits.
  • Occupational Therapy, 16 Credits.
  • Technology & activity, 16 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 6, 124 Credits:
  • Anatomy, 32 Credits.
  • Developmental Psychology, 16 Credits.
  • Clinical Occupational Therapy, 12 Credits.
  • Physiology, 16 Credits.
  • Occupational Therapy Assessment, 16 Credits.
  • Occupational Therapy Assessment, 16 Credits.
  • Physiology, 16 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 7, 248 Credits:
  • Anthropology, 16 Credits.
  • Clinical Occupational Therapy, 16 Credits.
  • Occupational Therapy Intervention, 16 Credits.
  • Introduction to Health Psychology, 16 Credits.
  • Occupational Therapy Intervention, 16 Credits.
  • Clinical Sciences - Psychiatry, 8 Credits.
  • Personology, 16 Credits.
  • Clinical Occupational Therapy, 32 Credits.
  • Psychopathology, 16 Credits.
  • Clinical Sciences, 16 Credits.
  • Occupational Therapy Physical, 32 Credits.
  • Occupational Therapy Mental, 32 Credits.
  • Occupational Therapy Research, 16 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 120 Credits:
  • Clinical Occupational Therapy, 72 Credits.
  • Occupational Therapy Research, 16 Credits.
  • Occupational Therapy, 32 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Understand how social, medical and occupational therapy subsystems interrelate, and have a sound theoretical knowledge in order to discuss models of health and wellness as basis for patient evaluation, treatment and occupational re-integration.
    2. Communicate sensitively with all cultures/religions in the handling of individuals with physical and psychiatric challenges, disorders and disability.
    3. Creatively think in planning and using scientific theory for planning occupational therapy programs for patients with biomechanical, outcomes neurophysiological, psychiatric, cognitive and developmental problems.
    4. Collect and critically evaluate information and handling of individuals physically, individually or in groups using their group handling, splinting, neuro-physiological, stress handling skills to the benefit of the individual.
    5. Work and organise effectively with others as a team and run a practice effectively.
    6. Research related activities and react as responsible citisens with an awareness of ethical issues in practice. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes:

    The following Associated Assessment Criteria will be used in an integrated manner across Exit level Outcomes:
  • Apply the basic principles and techniques related to the content.
  • Apply the principles and techniques of, and differentiate and solve problems related to the content.
  • Synthesise, differentiate and solve problems related to the content.
  • Apply the advanced principles and techniques of, analyse, order and critically evaluate information related to the content.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The overall assessment strategy provides for both Formative and Summative Assessment opportunities as well as continuous assessment. In addition, Integrated, Continuous and Formative Assessment will allow the demonstration of achieved competences as required by the outcomes of the qualification by means of tests, assignments, practical reports and oral presentations. The qualification further provides for a Continuous Assessment approach. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification is comparable with similar qualifications offered in various higher education institutions internationally. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows for both vertical and horizontal articulation options:

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Occupational Therapy Honours, Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Occupational Therapy, Level 9. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced qualification.
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.