Programme Information
Block Course Duration
Fieldwork 1 - 4 weeks
Fieldwork 3 - 8 weeks
Fieldwork 4 - 8 weeks
Programme Structure
Fieldwork placements give ākonga | learners the opportunity to apply theory in real-world contexts of whakaora ngangahau | occupational therapy practice. These placements take place across a wide range of settings throughout Aotearoa New Zealand and are carefully matched to support ākonga with their learning needs.
Supervision is provided by experienced whakaora ngangahau | occupational therapists, with additional support from the fieldwork team. Across the three years of study, ākonga complete five fieldwork placements, each guided and facilitated by registered kaiwhakaora ngangahau who hold a current Annual Practising Certificate.
During placements, ākonga:
Work in client-centred ways with diverse individuals and whānau.
Develop professional relationships with a range of health and social care practitioners.
Receive structured feedback to support their growth and competence.
The curriculum is designed to ensure that every ākonga achieves a minimum of 1,042 fieldwork hours, exceeding the 1,000 hours required by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT, 2016) and the Occupational Therapy Board of New Zealand (OTBNZ). The additional hours safeguard against unforeseen circumstances, such as illness, that may otherwise prevent completion of the requirement.
Fieldwork placements also include dedicated study hours, giving ākonga the chance to reflect, identify their learning needs, and engage with opportunities that align with their individual goals.
In addition to placements, authentic and simulated fieldwork experiences are built into courses across all three years of the programme. These experiences form an essential part of the total fieldwork hours required.
The breakdown of hours across both the programme and placements is outlined in the table below.
Division of fieldwork hours
|
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy - Authentic Work Experience Fieldwork Hours |
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|
Course Name |
Class based |
Placement |
Total Authentic work experience hours
|
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|
Number of weeks
|
Hours per week |
Total on Placement Hours |
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|
Year One |
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|
Foundations of Occupational Therapy |
10 |
10 |
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|
Professional Practice |
10 |
10 |
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|
Human Body & Movement 1 |
10 |
10 |
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|
Human Body & Movement 2 |
10 |
10 |
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|
Fieldwork 1 |
10 |
4 |
35 |
140 |
150 |
|
Fieldwork 2 |
14 |
3 (plus x hrs event) |
90 |
90 |
|
|
Total Fieldwork hours year 1 |
280 |
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|
Year Two |
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|
Applied Professional Practice |
30 |
30 |
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|
Theory in Practice |
5 |
5 |
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|
Informing Practice: Progressive Neurological Conditions |
10 |
10 |
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|
Informing Practice: School-Based Practice |
10 |
10 |
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|
Fieldwork 3 |
20 |
8 |
35 |
280 |
300 |
|
Total Fieldwork hours year 2 |
355 |
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|
Year Three |
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|
Fieldwork 4 |
20 |
8 |
35 |
280 |
300 |
|
Fieldwork 5 |
8 |
19 |
150 |
150 |
|
|
Future Practice or Future Practice/ Negotiated Learning |
15 |
15 |
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|
Total Fieldwork hours year 3 |
465 |
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|
Total Fieldwork placement hours |
940 |
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|
Total class-based hours |
175 |
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|
Total Authentic Work Experience hours |
1100 |
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