Occupational Therapy

Duration

Three years, full time

UCAS deadline

Currently accepting applications via UCAS

Location

St George's, University of London

Accreditation

Health & Care Professionals Council (HCPC) and Royal College of Occupational Therapists

UCAS Code

B920, institution code S49

UK, EU and non-EU

(International) citizens may apply

Apply via UCAS

This course is still open for applications via UCAS.

As an Occupational Therapy graduate, you will work collaboratively with people to help them set and achieve goals to live their lives to the fullest. You will focus on helping people participate in the roles and activities they aspire to, want and need to do, despite any challenges they might face.

Occupational Therapists work with children and adults of all ages in a range of settings including health organisations, social care, housing, education, prisons, employment services, voluntary organisations, and in private practice. They work with clients with challenges including mental health problems, physical illnesses or disabilities and learning disabilities or a combination of these.

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Home (UK/EU) student fees

Academic year	UK/EU (per academic year)	Total fee*
2020/21	£9,250	£27,750

*Tuition fees for home (UK/EU) students are determined by UK Government policy. Tuition fees are charged for each year of your course. Fees for second and subsequent years are likely to increase annually in line with UK inflation as measured by the Retail Price Index (RPI-X) and subject to maximum regulated fee rates set by the UK Government.

For more information, see our fees and funding pages.

International (non-EU) student fees

Academic year	International (per academic year)	Total fee*
2020/21	£16,000	£48,000

*Tuition fees for international students are set by St George’s, University of London. Tuition fees are charged for each year of your course. Fees for second and subsequent years are likely to increase annually in line with UK inflation as measured by the Retail Price Index (RPI-X) and will not normally increase by more than 5% each year, except when the rate of inflation is significantly more than that projected in the preceding year.

For more information, see our fees and funding pages.

Read more information about our courses and university services terms and conditions.

Government announces additional £5k support funding to students on Allied Health degrees

Students studying Allied Health degrees at university are set to receive an additional £5,000 per year of NHS funding from September 2020. The additional funding will be provided on top of existing support, including student loans. The additional funding applies to new and existing students and does not need to be paid back.

The government expects the £5,000 maintenance grants to benefit around 100,000 students every year.

There will also be extra payments worth up to £3,000 per academic year for eligible students. These include:

£1,000 towards childcare costs
£1,000 if studying in a region that is struggling to recruit
£1,000 if they’re a new student studying a shortage specialism important to delivering the NHS Long Term Plan.

Government announces additional £5k support funding to students on Allied Health degrees

Read the full article.

Highlights

Successful completion of this course allows you to apply for registration with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) and Royal College of Occupational Therapists.
Shared campus with one of the largest teaching hospitals in the UK.
There are well-established Allied Health Professional education programmes already running at St George's including physiotherapy, radiography and paramedic science which provides unique opportunities for inter-professional education and debates preparing students to work in multi-disciplinary health and social care teams.
Modern teaching facilities enable students to practice and develop practical skills in simulated environments to prepare for practice placements.
Established links with local NHS and Social Care organisations enhance prospects for graduating students seeking work in the local area.
Variety of placements both in the NHS, local authority and non-traditional settings.

Find out more

Learn more about this course plus student life at St George’s, University of London. Sign up for our intro email series.

You will need to meet both the entry and personal statement criteria to be considered for this course. With the exception of GCSEs, all qualifications must have been awarded no more than five years before your year of application.

Entry criteria 2020

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GCSEs

Grades	5 subjects graded C (4) or above
Subjects	Five subjects which must include English Language, Maths and Double Award Science (unless with an Access course).
Additional information
We accept resits of GCSEs. We are unable to accept Adult Literacy and Numeracy or Functional Maths instead of GCSEs. If you have completed all of your qualifications before you apply and you meet the A-level or degree (or equivalent) academic requirement, but you do not meet the GCSE requirements, your application may still be considered.

A Levels

Grades	BBB
Subjects	Science or social science subjects may be helpful but are not essential.
Adjusted Criteria	If you attend a school or college in England from this list (ie a non-selective state school with an average A Level grade of D+ or below, or one that is in the bottom 20% in England for progression to Higher Education) then you may be eligible to receive an adjusted A Level offer two grades lower than the standard for the course. For BSc Occupational Therapy this will be an A Level offer of BCC. You will still have to meet all other academic and non-academic entry requirements. Please note that eligibility is determined based on the school/college at which you take your A Levels. If you completed your GCSEs at a school on our Adjusted Criteria list, but then undertook your A Levels at a school/college that is not on this list, you will not qualify for an adjusted offer. The scheme is reviewed annually, so may change scope in future years.
Additional information
AS levels are not considered for this course. Re-sits will be considered but you may be required to achieve higher grades. Modular re-sits will be considered, however, you may be required to achieve higher grades.

International Baccalaureate

Award

Full Award Diploma

Overall score

Overall score of 32

Subjects

15 points at Higher Level, Sciences or Social Science may be helpful but are not essential.

At Standard Level, a minimum score of 5 must be attained in Maths and English, if at least a 5 (Grade C) has not previously been attained in GCSE/IGCSE/O Level Maths and English.

Access Diploma

Award	Full award diploma
Scores	60 credits at level 3 (45 graded and 15 ungraded)
Grades	Overall 21 credits graded at Distinction and 24 at Merit. Must be completed within last 5 years.
Subjects	Subjects such as Biology, Health and Social Care Access courses would be an advantage but is not essential.
Additional credits	Any additional credits outside of the 60 credit diploma will not be accepted.
Additional information
Must be completed within the last 4 years. If you have not taken GCSEs and/or A Levels (or equivalent) or you have lower grades in previous studies, you will be required to complete your Access course prior to submitting an application. You are required to have GCSEs in English Language and Maths alongside the Access Diploma as per the requirements outlined above.

Other qualifications

Birkbeck College Certificate in Life Sciences	65 per cent overall
Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma	DDM in Applied Science Subjects in Science, Psychology, Biology, Health and Social Care would be an advantage but is not essential
Open University (OU)	120 units at level 1 and 2 Level 1: Understanding Health Sciences, 30 units Level 2: Human Biology module, 30 units Any other module, 30 units All results must be received and verified by us by 1 September of the year of entry
Cambridge Pre-U Diploma	Overall score of 64 and no subject less than M2
Scottish Highers	Five B grades at Higher Level including English Language, Maths and Science BBB at Advanced Higher Level including Biology or Human Biology
Irish Leaving Certificate	Six B grades at Higher Level, including English and Maths, English Language and Maths B2 at HL Applicants should list their Junior Certificates on UCAS form
Undergraduate Degree	2.2 Honours or higher
HKDSE	5,4,4
Foundation Degree	Minimum overall score 65 per cent in health related subject.
EU and international qualifications	View a list of the international qualfiications we accept.
Other	Please contact us for details
Additional information
If your qualifications do not meet the indicated entry criteria but you have completed some other recognised study, please provide additional information and supporting evidence to the once you have submitted your application.

English language

GCSE / IGCSE

English Language grade 6 / B or above.

Please note: all components (speaking, listening, reading and writing) must be completed and assessed.

IELTS

(International English Language Testing System)

7.0 overall (with a minimum of 6.5 in all sections in core elements - Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking)

You are able to take two attempts to achieve your IELTS qualification per year and your test results are valid for two years.

Pearson's Test

67 overall (including 67 in written and speaking element and no section less than 61)*

Non-academic criteria

Work experience	Work or voluntary experience in a health or social care-related field is an advantage but we recognise that it is difficult to obtain such experience. Therefore, any work experience relating to people is beneficial. It is essential to demonstrate a broad awareness of the scope and practice of Occupational Therapy. For further information about work experience please see the 'Experience It' section of our Taste of Medicine programme or the College of Occupational Therapists.
Personal statement	You must demonstrate interest in, and commitment to, working with people; able to identify relevant transferable skills that would make you a good Occupational Therapist; demonstrate a broad awareness of the scope and practice of Occupational Therapy; and an ability to reflect on work experience. In addition to meeting the academic criteria for admission, you should be able to demonstrate a keen interest in and commitment to working with people, be able to identify relevant transferable skills that would make you a good Occupational Therapist, demonstrate a broad awareness of the scope of Occupational Therapy, and have obtained some relevant work experience where possible. All of this should be evident from your UCAS personal statement. Applicants who do not demonstrate this are unlikely to be invited for interview. Applicants should be aware that we will be notified by UCAS of any plagiarism within a personal statement. If UCAS indicate that the plagiarism is above 60 per cent then you application is unlikely to be considered any further and you will be unsuccessful.
Health and police screening	Satisfactory clearance in both, including immunisation against Hepatitis B, MMR, Meningitis, TB and Chicken Pox. Once accepted onto a health and social care course, you are required to pass occupational health screening. When admitting candidates to study and practice as a health and social care practitioner, we have an obligation to both service users and to the individual student. Candidates who are concerned about a health issue are strongly advised to contact us prior to applying. All offers of places are made subject to satisfactory health clearance and an agreement to undergo appropriate blood tests and immunisations. You will be asked to be immunised against Hepatitis B for personal safety, so please contact your general practitioner (GP) to arrange screening. You should begin a course of Hepatitis B immunisation as soon as you submit your UCAS application, as it consists of three injections over a six month period. If you firmly accept an offer you will be sent a confidential health questionnaire and further information about the process of screening for Hepatitis B. This course includes working with children and vulnerable adults so all applicants must have enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check. More information about this will be sent to applicants as part of the admissions process. Read more about DBS checks.
Professional registration	If you already belong to a registered professional body, please provide details at interview. If you are a current healthcare professional or a member of a registered professional body, you must provide details of your registration. If you have had your professional registration suspended or revoked, or undergone a disciplinary/fitness to practice investigation, you will be required to provide further information if selected for interview. This will be reviewed by the admissions tutor and you may be required to provide full copies of related documentation. Any information you disclose will only be used for the purpose of considering your application to the applied course.

Work experience

You must have work or voluntary experience in a field which demonstrates communication and people skills which are relevant to a career in Occupational Therapy. This may be in the field of Education, Social Care, or Health but also in Customer Services or Conflict Resolution. Your personal statement should reflect your awareness of the relevance of your experiences to Occupational Therapy. In addition, you must be able to demonstrate a broad awareness of the scope of Occupational Therapy. Although work experience is ideal, your work experience does not have to take place in an NHS or social care setting. It can be paid or voluntary. Working in a care home, hospice or doing community work with disabled adults or children are examples of good work experience. It is useful to see evidence that you have experience with people using health or social care services.

If invited to interview you may be required to provide formal letters detailing the dates, hours worked and duties carried out.

We do not specify a minimum amount of experience, but the more you have the better - there's no such thing as too much experience. It does not have to be full time but regular experience over a period of months is preferable to a couple of weeks here and there as it demonstrates commitment. Recent work experience is preferable although you can reflect on any relevant past experience.

Exceptions

Applicants who are studying or who have previously studied on another Pre-Registration Occupational Therapy course in the UK may not be considered. However, it is worth contacting the admissions tutor to check.

The following qualifications may enhance your application, but cannot contribute to the minimum requirements:

NVQs
ITEC Anatomy and Physiology.

Entry criteria 2021

View all Close all

GCSEs

Grades	5 subjects graded C (4) or above
Subjects	Five subjects which must include English Language, Maths and Double Award Science.
Additional information
We accept resits of GCSEs. We are unable to accept Adult Literacy and Numeracy or Functional Maths instead of GCSEs. If you have completed all of your qualifications before you apply and you meet the A-level or degree (or equivalent) academic requirement, but you do not meet the GCSE requirements, your application may still be considered.

A Levels

Grades	BBB
Subjects	Science or social science subjects may be helpful but are not essential.
Adjusted Criteria	If you attend a school or college in England from this list (ie a non-selective state school with an average A Level grade of D+ or below, or one that is in the bottom 20% in England for progression to Higher Education) then you may be eligible to receive an adjusted A Level offer two grades lower than the standard for the course. For BSc Occupational Therapy this will be an A Level offer of BCC. You will still have to meet all other academic and non-academic entry requirements. Please note that eligibility is determined based on the school/college at which you take your A Level . If you completed your GCSEs at a school on our Adjusted Criteria list, but then undertook your A Level at a school/college that is not on this list, you will not qualify for an adjusted offer. The scheme is reviewed annually, so may change scope in future years.
Additional information
AS levels are not considered for this course. Re-sits will be considered but you may be required to achieve higher grades. Modular re-sits will be considered, however, you may be required to achieve higher grades.

International Baccalaureate

Award

Full Award Diploma

Overall score

Overall score of 32

Subjects

15 points at Higher Level, Sciences or Social Science may be helpful but are not essential.

At Standard Level, a minimum score of 5 must be attained in Maths and English, if at least a 5 (Grade C) has not previously been attained in GCSE/IGCSE/O Level Maths and English.

Access Diploma

Award	Full award diploma
Scores	60 credits at level 3 (45 graded and 15 ungraded)
Grades	Overall 21 credits graded at Distinction and 24 at Merit. Must be completed within last 5 years.
Subjects	Credits must be in pure science subjects, excluding Sociology.
Additional credits	Any additional credits outside of the 60 credit diploma will not be accepted.
Additional information
Must be completed within the last 4 years. If you have not taken GCSEs and/or A Levels (or equivalent) or you have lower grades in previous studies, you will be required to complete your Access course prior to submitting an application. You are required to have GCSEs in English Language and Maths alongside the Access Diploma as per the requirements outlined above.

Other qualifications

Birkbeck College Certificate in Life Sciences	65 per cent overall
Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma	DDM in Applied Science Subjects in Science, Psychology, Biology, Health and Social Care may be helpful but is not essential
Open University (OU)	120 units at level 1 and 2 Level 1: Understanding Health Sciences, 30 units Level 2: Human Biology module, 30 units Any other module, 30 units All results must be received and verified by us by 1 September of the year of entry
Cambridge Pre-U Diploma	Overall score of 64 and no subject less than M2
Scottish Highers	Five B grades at Higher Level including English Language, Maths and Science BBB at Advanced Higher Level including Biology or Human Biology
Irish Leaving Certificate	Six B grades at Higher Level, including English and Maths, English Language and Maths B2 at HL Applicants should list their Junior Certificates on UCAS form
Undergraduate Degree	2.2 Honours or higher
HKDSE	5,4,4
Foundation Degree	Minimum overall score 65 per cent in health related subject.
EU and international qualifications	Please contact us for details.
Other	Please contact us for details
Additional information
If your qualifications do not meet the indicated entry criteria but you have completed some other recognised study, please provide additional information and supporting evidence to the once you have submitted your application.

English language

GCSE / IGCSE

English Language grade 6 / B or above.

Please note: all components (speaking, listening, reading and writing) must be completed and assessed.

IELTS

(International English Language Testing System)

7.0 overall (with a minimum of 6.5 in all sections in core elements - Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking)

You are able to take two attempts to achieve your IELTS qualification per year and your test results are valid for two years.

Pearson's Test

67 overall (including 67 in written and speaking element and no section less than 61)*

Non-academic criteria

Work experience	Work or voluntary experience in a health or social care-related field is an advantage but we recognise that it is difficult to obtain such experience. Therefore, any work experience relating to people is beneficial. It is essential to demonstrate a broad awareness of the scope and practice of Occupational Therapy. For further information about work experience please see the 'Experience It' section of our Taste of Medicine programme or the College of Occupational Therapists.
Personal statement	You must demonstrate interest in, and commitment to, working with people; able to identify relevant transferable skills that would make you a good Occupational Therapist; demonstrate a broad awareness of the scope and practice of Occupational Therapy; and an ability to reflect on work experience. In addition to meeting the academic criteria for admission, you should be able to demonstrate a keen interest in and commitment to working with people, be able to identify relevant transferable skills that would make you a good Occupational Therapist, demonstrate a broad awareness of the scope of Occupational Therapy, and have obtained some relevant work experience where possible. All of this should be evident from your UCAS personal statement. Applicants who do not demonstrate this are unlikely to be invited for interview. Applicants should be aware that we will be notified by UCAS of any plagiarism within a personal statement. If UCAS indicate that the plagiarism is above 60 per cent then you application is unlikely to be considered any further and you will be unsuccessful.
Health and police screening	Satisfactory clearance in both, including immunisation against Hepatitis B, MMR, Meningitis, TB and Chicken Pox. Once accepted onto a health and social care course, you are required to pass occupational health screening. When admitting candidates to study and practice as a health and social care practitioner, we have an obligation to both service users and to the individual student. Candidates who are concerned about a health issue are strongly advised to contact us prior to applying. All offers of places are made subject to satisfactory health clearance and an agreement to undergo appropriate blood tests and immunisations. You will be asked to be immunised against Hepatitis B for personal safety, so please contact your general practitioner (GP) to arrange screening. You should begin a course of Hepatitis B immunisation as soon as you submit your UCAS application, as it consists of three injections over a six month period. If you firmly accept an offer you will be sent a confidential health questionnaire and further information about the process of screening for Hepatitis B. This course includes working with children and vulnerable adults so all applicants must have enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check. More information about this will be sent to applicants as part of the admissions process. Read more about DBS checks.
Professional registration	If you already belong to a registered professional body, please provide details at interview. If you are a current healthcare professional or a member of a registered professional body, you must provide details of your registration. If you have had your professional registration suspended or revoked, or undergone a disciplinary/fitness to practice investigation, you will be required to provide further information if selected for interview. This will be reviewed by the admissions tutor and you may be required to provide full copies of related documentation. Any information you disclose will only be used for the purpose of considering your application to the applied course.

Work experience

If invited to interview you may be required to provide formal letters detailing the dates, hours worked and duties carried out.

Exceptions

The following qualifications may enhance your application, but cannot contribute to the minimum requirements:

NVQs
ITEC Anatomy and Physiology.

By combining theoretical knowledge with practical experience, this course explores concepts, principles and theories of occupational science, human development, anatomy, physiology, and psychology to develop a strong foundation to practice as an Occupational Therapist. You will develop excellent communication skills and learn to work collaboratively with a range of clients, carers and communities to meet their goals.

Year one is primarily university-based, although you will complete your first practice placement. Collaborative inter-professional education, with other health care students, helps you develop invaluable communication and team-building skills and appreciate the roles of other professionals

In year two you will build on your understanding of theoretical concepts and learn skills to deliver Occupational Therapy with a variety of clients in a range of health and social care services, and with clients with learning disabilities or children. You will complete two practice placements, an opportunity to put theory into practice and develop your skills further.

A comprehensive research project in year three also puts your analytical skills to the test, and you will complete another practice placement where you will work with greater autonomy and competency.

Modules

Please note: the modules listed here are indicative. The actual modules available to students when they enrol, may be subject to change.

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Year 1

Essentials for Allied Health Professionals
Factors Influencing Professional Practice
Foundations of Occupational Therapy
Occupation for Health and Wellbeing
Practice Placement 1

Year 2

Research methods in Health and Social Care
Enabling Occupational Performance
Occupations in Context
Human Occupation across the Lifespan
Practice Placements 2 and 3

Year 3

Research in Practice
Promoting Occupation in Contemporary Practice
Reflection, Evaluation and Outcome Measurement for Occupational Therapists
Inter-professional Debates/Management
Practice Placement 4

Assessing your progress

Methods include a combination of written and practical examinations, academic coursework (including reports and presentations) and assessment of Occupational Therapy skills whilst on placement. In your final year, we ask you to produce a problem-based report on an aspect of interdisciplinary practice, a group research project, and a poster related to contemporary Occupational Therapy practice.

An Occupational Therapist needs a range of knowledge, skills and experience. These include excellent communication skills, along with a theoretical background and a passionate interest in helping people to achieve their own goals.

The overall aim of an Occupational Therapist is to help and empower people to participate in everyday activities that are important to them; despite any problems or barriers that may arise from illness, injury, disability or the environment. Working in multidisciplinary teams and practising within a variety of settings, you will be helping people of all ages. This could include work in:

older people’s services
mental health services
social care
children’s therapy services or schools
rehabilitation centres
hospitals
hospices
housing departments
private practice
charities
international services.

Successful completion of this course allows you to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council and become a member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (COT).

If you are an EU or non-EU (international) applicant, you should check with the professional registration body in your country to ensure that you will be eligible to practice there.

Read more about Occupational Therapy on the Royal College of Occupational Therapists’ website.

Watch a short video produced by RCOT about Occupational Therapy.

Further study

As you gain experience, you may opt to specialise in an area of practice. There are many exciting opportunities for career advancement, further study or research, including further postgraduate study at St George’s.

Learn more about our MSc Rehabilitation post-graduate course.

At St George's we offer a broad range of learning environments which include traditional lecture-tutorials, small group working, interactive workshops, simulation and practical activities, student-led seminars and web-based delivery. Teaching staff comprise of university-based lecturers, clinicians and experts in their field.

Teaching methods include classroom-based learning, simulated practical exercises, case-based learning, individual and group working and practice placements. You will also benefit from the support of a personal tutor, peer-group learning and a range of web-based learning materials and online discussion forums.

Practice placements are undertaken in a variety of health and social care environments, including acute NHS hospital trusts, community-based services, mental health services, social care and children’s services. The supervised, hands-on experience you get with clients on placement is the best way to consolidate your learning. Assessed, practice placement blocks take place in all years of study.

Students have previously undertaken placements at the following locations*:

Vauxhall City Farm and Randall Close/Leonard Cheshire
Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
Enfield Community Services
Islington Community Rehabilitation Services
South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
St Georges University Hospitals NHS Trust
South West London & St George's Mental Health NHS Trust
West London Mental Health NHS Trust
Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust
Camden & Islington NHS Foundation Trust
Southend University Hospital NHS Trust

*This is a selection of locations students have previously undertaken placements. This is subject to change.

Apply for this course through UCAS (the University and College Admissions Service) by 15 January in the year of entry. There are no upper age limits, and we welcome applications from mature students.

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Application checklist

Things to remember

You must provide:

full details of your Level 2 (GCSE equivalent qualifications) with grades
full details of your Level 3 (A Level or equivalent qualifications) with achieved/predicted grades
a personal statement (more information about this document is available on the UCAS website)
an academic reference from your current or most recent institutions with predicted grades
log in to UCAS Track and check your application to see if all your academic details have been included.

If any subjects or predicted results are missing, email the Admissions Officer with your UCAS number and missing subjects and grades.

After submitting your application to UCAS

Log in to UCAS Track and check your application to see if all your academic details have been included.
If any subjects or predicted results are missing, email the admissions officer with your UCAS number and missing subjects and grades

Deferred entry

We will consider applications from applicants who wish to defer entry by a year, provided you plan to use the time constructively. If you are offered a place on the course and subsequently decide to defer, you must inform us by 1 June of the year of application.

After application

Acknowledgement emails and letters are sent out on receipt of applications. Please ensure that your email account is able to accept communications from St George’s as we will mainly communicate with applicants via email. Selected applicants will be invited to attend an interview.

Decisions from St George’s will be entered onto UCAS Track and direct applicants will be contacted via email.

Duration

Three years, full time

Application Deadline

Currently accepting applications via UCAS

UCAS Code

B920, institution code S49

Apply via UCAS

St George’s men’s rugby team recently won the University Hospital’s Cup

Covid-19 (Coronavirus) guidance

Our research impact

Covid-19 (Coronavirus) guidance

St George’s men’s rugby team recently won the University Hospital’s Cup

Occupational Therapy

This course is still open for applications via UCAS.

Government announces additional £5k support funding to students on Allied Health degrees

Government announces additional £5k support funding to students on Allied Health degrees

Highlights

Find out more

Entry criteria 2020

Work experience

Entry criteria 2021

Work experience

Modules

Assessing your progress

Further study

Things to remember

After submitting your application to UCAS

Apply now

Duration

Application Deadline

UCAS Code

Occupational Therapy

This course is still open for applications via UCAS.

Government announces additional £5k support funding to students on Allied Health degrees

Government announces additional £5k support funding to students on Allied Health degrees

Highlights

Find out more

Entry criteria 2020

Work experience

Entry criteria 2021

Work experience

Modules

Assessing your progress

Further study

Things to remember

After submitting your application to UCAS

Apply now

Duration

Application Deadline

UCAS Code

Related Courses

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Therapeutic Radiography