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 THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Bachelor of Occupational Therapy 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
6065  Bachelor of Occupational Therapy 
ORIGINATOR
University of Pretoria 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  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  Level 7  NQF Level 08  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 SAQA 1141/23  2021-07-01  2024-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2025-06-30   2031-06-30  

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 does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
This integrated whole qualification leads to registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa for the provision of occupational therapy and rehabilitation services. Occupational therapists function as an integral part of a multidisciplinary team which aims to improve individual and community health. The specific objective of the occupational therapist is to enable those whose abilities in productivity, self maintenance and play/leisure are threatened, restricted or lost due to impairment, developmental delay, aging or lack of opportunity, to become full and productive members of the community.

The first degree prepares learners for generalist practice and provides access to:
  • Postgraduate diplomas and masters degrees which equip learners for specialist services in practice areas such as:
    - employment for people with disabilities; hand therapy and neurological, paediatric and psychosocial rehabilitation;
  • research degrees (masters and doctoral degrees) 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Matriculation certificate with university exemption
    Other:
    As the number of places is limited registration for this programme is subject to selection.
    Learners must have passed prerequisite subjects at a specified level to be considered for selection (Information regarding application and selection may be obtained from tel: 012 354 6040)
    Persons registered as Occupational Therapy Assistants, who meet the entry requirements for University may challenge the examination in relevant modules for which they will receive credits 

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    N 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    B Occ Ther

    Learning outcomes:
    The learner will have the skills and attitudes to select and apply
  • suitable occupations/activities, in combination with therapeutic principles, in various (cross-field) medical, educational, employment and social contexts in order to improve health for productivity (employment/learning), self maintenance and play/leisure;
  • plan, resource, manage, supervise and research therapeutic interventions for individuals, groups and communities

    based on:
  • specialised, professional knowledge of Human Occupation as it pertains to the individual, the community and society together with fundamental knowledge of Sociology/Community development, Psychology, Biomechanics, Physiology, Anatomy, and selected conditions of various medical disciplines.

    Critical cross-field outcomes:
    The learning outcomes contain the following cross-field outcomes:
  • Identifying problems pertaining to people with disability and taking into account the clients' needs and priorities when considering a range of options in addressing the problems.
  • Collecting, analysing, organising and critically evaluating information in designing and implementing therapeutic programmes and research projects.
  • Communicating in various forms with a range of clients and co-workers.
  • Taking into account cultural values in the selection of occupations/activities from a variety of backgrounds
  • Using appropriate and therapeutic technology in optimising the environment for daily functioning
  • Adhering to the profession's code of conduct, ethical rules of the Professional Board and using disability, educational and employment legislation to the benefit of people with disability
  • A sense of responsibility to update skills and knowledge. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Learners are provided with clear objectives Learners' knowledge, skills and attitudes are assessed in:
  • real situations egg during clinical placements in institutions and communities
  • simulations e.g. OSPES
  • oral and written examinations

    Demands on learners become more complex as the programme progresses.

    Learners are eventually expected to work independently in a variety of settings.

    They are assessed on their ability to provide effective therapy, take responsibility for the occupational therapy for patients/clients; manage a case load; work with team members; supervise support staff and educate patients/clients, fellow health care and related professionals.

    Learners receive feedback on their competencies.

    Integrated assessment:
    Portfolios
    Simulations
    Work-place assessments
    Written examinations
    Oral examinations
    Other:
    Written assignments
    Presentations and group discussions of case studies and seminars
    Practical examinations i.e. skills examination 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Related qualifications:
    Postgraduate Diploma in Vocational Rehabilitation
    Postgraduate Diploma in Group Activities
    Postgraduate diploma in Hand Therapy
    Masters in Occupational Therapy with course work in:
  • Hand Therapy
  • Neurology
  • Paediatrics
  • Psychiatry

    B phys T
    BA Psychology
    Masters in Occupational Therapy by virtue of dissertation
    Master of Public Health

    Postgraduate Diploma in Vocational Rehabilitation serves as an entry point to the related qualification
    Postgraduate Diploma in Group Activities serves as an entry point to the related qualification
    Postgraduate diploma in Hand Therapy serves as an entry point to the related qualification
    Masters in Occupational Therapy with course work in:
  • Hand Therapy serves as an entry point to the related qualification
  • Neurology serves as an entry point to the related qualification
  • Paediatrics serves as an entry point to the related qualification
  • Psychiatry serves as an entry point to the related qualification

    Masters in Occupational Therapy by virtue of dissertation serves as an entry point to the related qualification
    Master of Public Health serves as an entry point to the related qualification

    B phys T provides credits for the related qualification
    BA Psychology provides credits for the related qualification 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    External examiner from another tertiary institution is appointed to ensure that assessment is fair, reliable and valid

    Education and training is periodically evaluated by the Professional Board for Occupational Therapy and Medical Orthotics/Prosthetics of the Health Professions Council of South Africa. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Qualifications required:
    Registration with the Professional Board for Occupational Therapy and Medical Orthotics and Prosthetics of the Health Professions Council of South Africa

    Career experience required:
    Appropriate clinical and teaching experience 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006; 2009; 2012; 2015. 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS 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.
     
    1. University of Pretoria 


    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.