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Bachelor of Health Sciences / Master of Occupational Therapy

Program overview

Our fast-track trimester timetable makes it easy to tackle a double degree at Bond. In fact, you can complete two degrees here in less time than you could graduate with just one at most other universities.

Bond’s Bachelor of Health Sciences and Master of Occupational Therapy enables you to become eligible for registration as an occupational therapist in just four years of study.

The Bachelor of Health Sciences is a broad-based degree designed to develop your understanding of basic and applied sciences as they relate to the human body, providing a strong foundation for the Master of Occupational Therapy.  

Bond’s Master of Occupational Therapy is an extended masters, renowned for its unique blend of case-based learning, practical application and over 1000 hours of fieldwork embedded in the program. It is also the first Occupational Therapy master’s in Australia that gives you the choice between a research stream (preparing you for careers in research and academia) or a business stream (where you undertake business electives relevant to careers in management and/or the private sector).  

Enhance your professional communication skills in real-world health and social care settings with the opportunity to partake in block placements in a variety of practice settings as well as clinical practice experience embedded across the program. You will also have the opportunity to collaborate with a range of community partners in innovative research and business projects. 

Bachelor of Health Sciences CRICOS Code: 063068C

Master of Occupational Therapy CRICOS Code: 106625H

About this program

The Bond University Bachelor of Health Sciences is a 2-year accelerated degree designed for students who wish to explore a variety of disciplines in the health sciences, as well as providing a pathway to postgraduate specialised study. During this program, you will gain an understanding of basic and applied sciences including the anatomical, molecular, physiological, and psychological processes of human health and function. The program provides a degree of flexibility, enabling you to select a variety of subjects to explore that best suit your career and study goals. The program focuses on real-world learning, where you will gain exceptional, high-quality practical experience in our health science and human movement laboratories. You will be able to develop and master technical-scientific and research skills using some of the latest research equipment, which can be applied across a broad range of industries. Each laboratory has a maximum capacity – ensuring small group learning and personalised attention. The Bachelor of Health Sciences provides a variety of career opportunities, as well as an accelerated undergraduate pathway to specialised postgraduate study in a number of allied health professions including occupational therapy, nutrition, and dietetics, as well as broader public health programs, healthcare innovations, and the education sector. Students may also choose to complete the optional major in Healthcare Informatics to expand their learning into areas of data analytics and business processes relevant to health systems. In addition, students completing a Bachelor of Health Sciences are ideally positioned to undertake research-based honours studies, leading to a higher degree research program such as a Masters or PhD.

Bond University’s Master of Occupational Therapy program is designed to produce highly competitive graduates with comprehensive clinical skills as well as possessing a solid business acumen and research experience. It is the first Occupational Therapy Masters in Australia to offer you the opportunity to complete a clinical research project or undertake business electives in preparation for a career in private practice. You will engage in either the Clinically-focused Research Pathway or Business-focused Research Pathway. The Clinically-focused Research Pathway prepares you for entry into higher research degrees and careers in research and academia, as well as bolstering research networks and culminates in an individual research project that may be eligible for publication.  The Business-focused Research Pathway enables you to undertake business electives that will enable you to undertake management roles, and better prepare you to work in the growing private sector. The pathway culminates in an industry research project where you will apply both research and business skills. You will be taught by academics and industry staff who are current practising clinicians with up to date industry knowledge.

A day in the life of an occupational therapist

From client consults, splinting, exercising and pain management - there is nothing off limits to what an occupational therapist can do in terms of the therapy they deliver to their clients.

What you'll be studying in your bachelor's

  • Year 1

    You will complete three core university subjects, providing you with essential skills in critical thinking, communication, leadership, collaboration and more.

    You will also complete fifteen compulsory subjects from the fields of health sciences, biomedical science, psychology, and nutrition, as well as choosing six directed electives depending on your specific interests.

What you'll be studying in your master's

  • Foundational semesters

    Early in the program, you’ll learn the foundations of occupational therapy and complete a range of subjects from neuroscience, environments, work, play, multidisciplinary care, evidence-based practice and enabling independence. You’ll develop a critical understanding of common health conditions and the impact of physical and mental disabilities, as well as devising tailored solutions in terms of risk prevention, injury management, rehabilitation, and on-going care through the core curriculum. 

Program features

  • A strong foundation

    Graduates of the Bachelor of Health Sciences will be equipped with a broad understanding of anatomical, molecular, physiological, and psychological processes of the human body, providing a strong foundation for the Master of Occupational Therapy.

  • Master critical skills

    Through extensive, hands-on laboratory training - using some of the latest research equipment including virtual reality and augmented reality technologies - you will develop and master fundamental technical scientific and research skills.

  • Learn by doing

    Develop your skills related to the specialist practice of occupational therapy through extensive professional practice placements in a variety of settings. The program places a strong emphasis on practical experience with 1,000 hours of practice education across various clinical contexts.

  • A degree unique to you

    Choose a clinically-focussed research stream to prepare for entry into higher research degrees and careers in research/academia. This stream culminates in an individual research project that may be eligible for publication. Or choose the business-focussed stream where you’ll undertake business and management electives, preparing you to work in the growing private sector, in leadership roles.  This pathway culminates in an industry research project where you’ll apply research & business skills.

  • Gain a competitive edge

    Graduate sooner and gain a competitive edge in your field by completing the Bachelor of Health Sciences and extended Level 9 Master of Occupational Therapy in just four years of study. The master’s has been designed to prepare graduates with the professional qualifications required to practice as an occupational therapist in Australia and abroad.

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Hear from our Bondies

  • I am from the United States and researching overseas schools can be an intimidating process. However, the more I read about Bond, the more I was convinced it would be the place for me to continue my education. The academics in the Master of Occupational Therapy program are leaders in the Australian Occupational Therapy community and their field knowledge added a practical twist to each lesson. My cohort was very multicultural which enabled me to see what healthcare looks like in various parts of the world. 

    Vivian Fitzgerald - Occupational Therapy alumna
  • The academics in the program go above and beyond to help their students in every way possible; they guide and mentor and are genuinely interested in helping students succeed. The academics have vast backgrounds as practicing OT’s and are very knowledgeable in their fields and are always approachable.

    Leandre Conradie - Alumna and Medicine student
  • Occupational therapy is such a diverse and rewarding career and can change people’s lives. The opportunities for OT’s seems to be growing due to demand, especially in the current climate. 

    Professor Susan Brandis - Head of Occupational Therapy
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