Occupational Therapist

As an occupational therapist you help people who are experiencing difficulties with everyday activities due to physical illness, injury, disability, or mental health challenges. Your role centres on assessing what a person can and cannot do, then designing personalised programmes to help them regain or develop the skills needed for daily life — whether that means returning to work, managing personal care, or participating in their community. You work closely with patients, their families, GPs, physiotherapists, social workers, and other healthcare professionals across settings such as hospitals, community health centres, schools, and residential care facilities. Day-to-day tasks include conducting assessments, recommending assistive equipment or environmental adaptations, facilitating therapeutic activities, writing clinical reports, and reviewing patient progress.

Entry to occupational therapy in Ireland requires completion of an Honours Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy (NFQ Level 8), available at TCD, UCC, University of Galway, and UL. Leaving Certificate subjects that strengthen your application include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics at Higher level, along with strong performance in languages and social subjects. Admission is through the CAO, and competition for places is significant, so high points are typically required. On graduation you must register with CORU (the Health and Social Care Professionals Council) before you can practise legally in Ireland. There is currently no PLC or apprenticeship route into qualified occupational therapy practice, though healthcare assistant roles can provide useful experience before or during study. Postgraduate study at NFQ Level 9 or 10 is available for those wishing to specialise or move into research and leadership roles.