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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
8017  Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy 
ORIGINATOR
University of the Western Cape 
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
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2033-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

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.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
1. The purpose of the qualification is to provide qualifiers with a wide range of specialised knowledge and skills in occupational therapy to enable them to plan, implement and evaluate realistic and appropriate occupational therapy services. Qualifiers will be able to work with individuals, groups, families and communities who have been affected by illness, trauma, developmental, psychosocial and environmental problems to the extent that they are no longer able to perform their everyday occupations (work, leisure, self-care and play) satisfactorily. This will be done through assessing, implementing and managing the occupational therapy intervention process.

2. The qualification will equip qualifiers with knowledge and skills to enable research into occupational therapy and related fields.

3. The qualification will enable qualifiers to register as occupational therapists with the Health Professions Council of South Africa to be able to practice as an occupational therapist at all levels of care with the Health Care System and the private sector. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The institution conducts RPL in terms of the policy and guidelines of the institution to recognise other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience. In cases where learners do not comply with the formal admission requirements, the institution applies its RPL policy.

Entry requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 with endorsement.
    Or
  • National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 granting access to Bachelor's studies.
    Or
  • National Certificate Vocational, NQF Level 4 granting access to Bachelor's studies. 

  • RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    The learner is competent in:

    1. Problem-solving:
  • In using solving techniques, clinical reasoning, and qualitative and quantitative research techniques in order to identify, assess, formulate and solve complex concrete and abstract problems related to occupational function and dysfunction creatively and innovatively in collaboration with clients.

    2. The application of fundamental and specialist knowledge:
  • Apply knowledge of Human Development and Human occupation, Occupational Performance, Performance Components, Dysfunction, Occupational Therapy Process and Models of Treatment, Disability, Primary Health Care Principles, Medicine, Surgery, Psychiatry, Neurology, Psychology, Anatomy, Physiology and Physics in order to identify and solve a client 's or community 's problems in Occupational Performance areas (work, leisure, selfcare and play) within the context of the clients environment.

    3. Investigations, experiments and data analysis:
  • Keep accurate client, personal, departmental and service records relating to occupational therapy assessment, intervention, and service.
  • Critically evaluate professional literature relating to health and management of health service issues.
  • Apply quantitative and qualitative research to disability, clients, professional and service issues, communities and families.
  • Gather, analyse, interpret and derive information from data.

    4. Therapy Programme Design:
  • Complete screening and specialised comprehensive occupational therapy assessments, and interpret the assessment in order to formulate an occupational therapy programme which is appropriate to the client's needs, the profession's.
    codes of practice, and current legislation.
  • Plan and implement an occupational therapy programme, with the client and family, based within client 's context and appropriate theoretical model of therapy.
  • Evaluate and modify occupational therapy programme based on progress, and theoretical models of intervention.
  • Develop new intervention methods based on the cause of occupational dysfunction and occupational therapy theoretical models.
  • Supervise intervention implemented by support staff.
  • Co-ordinate the occupational therapy programme with programmes offered by other health professional or other service providers and community based organisations.

    5. Therapy skills, methods, tools and information technology:
  • Use the following Occupational Therapy tools: Occupation, Activity Analysis, Assistive Devices and Specialised Equipment, Stress Management, Social Skills, Life Skills Training, Assertiveness Training, and Vocational Training.
  • Use the following Occupational Therapy methods: Task Groups, Discussion Groups, Socio-emotional Groups, Individual Therapy Programmes, Community Based Rehabilitation, Bio-mechanics, Neuro-developmental techniques, Psychosocial techniques, Perceptual-Motor Techniques and Health Promotion.
  • Use the following skills: the Therapeutic use of Self, facilitation of communication, counselling, Activity analysis and advocacy skills.
  • Use appropriate information technology.

    6. Professional and general communication:
  • Communicate effectively with clients, health team, peers, and the community using appropriate communication styles, methods, and structures.
  • Have a therapeutic relationship with clients and their families.
  • Facilitate interaction.
  • Facilitate skills learning to clients, their families, caregivers, the community, other members of the health team and peers using a wide variety of teaching methods ranging from repetitive, familiar to complex and specialised.
  • Counsel clients, families and care givers on occupational therapy related issues.
  • Act and consult with other professions and disciplines.

    7. Awareness of the impact of therapy on society and the environment:
  • Be critically aware of the need to consider personal, social, cultural values, and needs of those affected by the Occupational Therapy service.
  • Be critically aware of the impact of Occupational context on the Occupational Therapy service.
  • Facilitate development on Occupational Therapy policy statements on issues of public interest.
  • Advocate with people with disability, and Disabled People 's Organisations about rehabilitation issues and disability rights.

    8. Team/Multi-disciplinary working:
  • Work effectively as an individual and a team member.
  • Manage a department and support staff using appropriate policies, procedures and quality control.
  • Recognise the importance of multi-disciplinary team work and help develop and maintain such a team.
  • Be accountable to clients, team, employer, profession, and the community.
  • Be a team leader.
  • Collaborate on an inter-sectoral basis.

    9. Lifelong Learning:
  • Learn effectively.
  • Understand the importance of maintaining professional competence and keeping up-to-date with professional knowledge and skills.
  • Identify your own professional development needs and ways to fulfil these needs.
  • Keep up-to-date with developments in the field of work.
  • Contribute to professional knowledge by disseminating professional knowledge and research findings.
  • Recognise the importance of lifelong learning for support staff and can determine own needs.
  • Provide in-service training for support staff.

    10. Professional ethics and practice:
  • Act professionally and ethically and to take responsibility within limits of competence.
  • Exercise judgement commensurate with knowledge and practice.
  • Understand and respect client's rights.
  • Practice safely within the professional scope defined by the Professional Board.
  • Promote and develop the profession.
  • Portray the beliefs and values of the profession. 

  • ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Integrated Assessment:
  • Formal end of course assessment (summative);
  • Continuing formal assessment (formative and summative);
  • Continuing informal assessment (formative).

    The learner must succeed in all modules to be eligible to receive the qualification.
    Each module will be divided into several units. Assessment of units will be done on a continuous assessment basis and will consist of assignments, tests, examinations, practicals, case studies (written and oral), fieldwork projects, research projects and presentations, journaling, open-book tests, take-home tests, small group and individual presentations (oral and written), self-evaluation, peer evaluation and clinical therapist evaluations. Assessments will be designed to monitor the learner 's level of theoretical knowledge and critical thinking, and the learner 's practical skills and clinical reasoning. 

  • INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification compares with the following international qualifications in terms of the range of competencies in the learning content offered. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification offers both possibilities of horizontal and vertical articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Occupational Therapy, Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Science Honours in Occupational Therapy, Level 8.

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

  • MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

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

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    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 the Western Cape 



    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.