-
Study
-
Undergraduate
- Search for a Course
- Undergraduate Open Day & Events
- Application Guides
- Northumbria University UCAS Exhibitions
- Foundation Years
- Undergraduate Fees & Funding
- School & College Outreach
- Continuing Professional Development
-
Postgraduate
- Postgraduate Study Degree
- Postgraduate Research Degrees
- Postgraduate Open Days and Events
- Postgraduate Fees & Funding
- Flexible Learning
- Thinking about a Masters?
- Continuing Professional Development
- Change Direction
-
Student Life
- The Hub - Student Blog
- Accommodation
- Life in Newcastle
- Support for Students
- Careers
- Information for Parents
- Students' Union
- Northumbria Sport
- Be Part of It
-
-
International
International
Northumbria’s global footprint touches every continent across the world, through our global partnerships across 17 institutions in 10 countries, to our 277,000 strong alumni community and 150 recruitment partners – we prepare our students for the challenges of tomorrow. Discover more about how to join Northumbria’s global family or our partnerships.
View our Global Footprint-
Applying to Northumbria
- European Union
- Our London Campus
- Northumbria Pathway
- International Events
- Entry Requirements and Country Representatives
- Regional Offices
-
Northumbria Language Centre
- Faculty Requirements
- Acceptable English Requirements
- Pre-sessional English Language and Study Skills
- Academic Language Skills Programmes (ALS)
-
International Fees, Funding & Scholarships
- International Undergraduate Fees
- International Undergraduate Funding
- International Masters Fees
- International Masters Funding
- International Postgraduate Research Fees
- International Postgraduate Research Funding
- International Money Matters
-
Life at Northumbria
- International student support
- Careers
-
International Mobility
- Current Northumbria Students
- Incoming Exchange Students
-
-
Business
Business
The world is changing faster than ever before. The future is there to be won by organisations who find ways to turn today's possibilities into tomorrows competitive edge. In a connected world, collaboration can be the key to success.
More on our Business Services -
Research
Research
Northumbria is a research-rich, business-focused, professional university with a global reputation for academic quality. We conduct ground-breaking research that is responsive to the science & technology, health & well being, economic and social and arts & cultural needs for the communities
Discover more about our Research -
About Us
-
About Northumbria
- Our Strategy
- Our Staff
- Place and Partnerships
- Student Profiles
- Alumni Profiles
- Leadership & Governance
- Academic Departments
- University Services
- History of Northumbria
- Contact us
- Online Shop
-
-
Alumni
Alumni
Northumbria University is renowned for the calibre of its business-ready graduates. Our alumni network has over 244,000 graduates based in 178 countries worldwide in a range of sectors, our alumni are making a real impact on the world.
Our Alumni - Work For Us
What will I learn on this module?
You will develop skills which will continue to place your understanding of occupation at the centre of your practice through the consideration of the complexities of contemporary practice. This will involve debating the realities of practice with the rhetoric of public and professional discourse using applied examples of ethical and moral dilemmas in professional decision-making. You will consider how your critical thinking and reflective skills can be applied when considering the occupational needs and risks of a range of individuals, groups and communities, with an exploration of the public health agenda
As occupational therapists work with individuals and groups to promote health through occupational engagement, you will critically consider how the concepts within Occupational Science might inform your professional role in risk assessment and opportunities for positive risk taking, whilst maintaining safe and effective practice. You will also consider the role of the socio-economic, cultural and political environments in promoting or disrupting participation and engagement in valued occupations.
You will draw on previous learning, practice and experiences of service users/carers, to critically analyse the decision-making processes influenced by the challenges and barriers to maintaining occupation as the central focus of Occupational Therapy. The role of reflective practice and professional attributes will be considered in terms of exploring the opportunities for promoting occupation-centred practice and the continued development of the profession.
How will I learn on this module?
A blended approach of online and on campus learning with directed learning will be utilised to introduce you to key module concepts. Seminars will also be utilised to explore how a range of professional knowledge (such as research evidence, professional guidelines and legislation) informs reasoning and decision-making in practice. Experiential sessions and debates will be utilised for you to learn, practice and reflect. Sessions facilitated by course lecturers and where appropriate, alongside learning from the experiences, and considering the perspective, of service users.
Cases and close-to-life scenarios will be utilised within this module to encourage critical thinking, discussion and engagement with the complexity of professional responsibilities and reasoning. Shared peer learning on elements such as contemporary public health issues and the influence of socio-economic and political factors on society and practice.
How will I be supported academically on this module?
The identified module tutor, alongside the module teaching team, will structure learning opportunities to support your learning within the module and to assist you to work towards the module assessment. The module handbook, the electronic reading list, and information communicated throughout the module within sessions and on the e-learning portal will all signpost you to resources to support your academic development.
A formative assessment opportunity with staff and/or peer feedback will assist you to evaluate your own progress within the module and identify areas for development. Assessment preparation with the module teaching team will also be an integral part of the module.
What will I be expected to read on this module?
All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.
What will I be expected to achieve?
Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Critically analyse the meaning and complexity of occupation-centred practice
2. Critically evaluate the challenges to ethical t considering a range of policy, legislation, evidence and professional guidelines.
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3. Demonstrate critical reflective skills and apply to own professional development
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
4. Demonstrate professional approach to consideration of complex challenges and opportunities to occupation-centred practice
How will I be assessed?
Formative assessment:
Opportunities for formative assessment will be integrated throughout the module, through feedback on student-led activities and reflections on own professional development such as journal clubs, debates and on-line discussion forums.
Produce a group poster or other visual format illustrating the concept of occupation-centred practice (MLOs 1,2,3,4)
Summative assessment:
Poster with 500 word reflective account
Poster illustrating the challenges to occupation-centred practice in a specific area of practice and the opportunities to promote occupational choice and engagement supported by 500 word further rationale, expanding on poster information (MLO 1, 2, 4
Individual written feedback will be provided in relation to the summative assessment highlighting strengths and areas for development.
Pre-requisite(s)
Human Occupation (with Pl A)
Enabling Participation Through Occupation (with PL B)
Co-requisite(s)
None
Module abstract
This module will put your understanding of occupation at the centre of your thinking through the consideration of the complexities of contemporary practice. This will involve debating the realities of practice with the rhetoric of public and professional discourse using applied examples of ethical and moral dilemmas in professional decision-making. You will consider how your critical thinking and reflective skills can be applied when considering the occupational risks relevant to a range of individuals, groups and communities and the role of occupational in the public health agenda.
As occupational therapists work with individuals and groups to promote health through occupational engagement, you will critically consider how the concepts within Occupational Science might inform your professional role in risk assessment and opportunities for positive risk taking, whilst maintaining safe and effective practice. You will also consider the role of the socio-economic, cultural and political environments in promoting or disrupting participation and engagement in valued occupations.
Course info
Credits 20
Level of Study Postgraduate
Mode of Study 2 years Full Time
Department Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing
Location Coach Lane Campus, Northumbria University
City Newcastle
Start September 2025
All information is accurate at the time of sharing.
Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.
Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.
Useful Links
Find out about our distinctive approach at
www.northumbria.ac.uk/exp
Admissions Terms and Conditions
northumbria.ac.uk/terms
Fees and Funding
northumbria.ac.uk/fees
Admissions Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/adpolicy
Admissions Complaints Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/complaints