The Bachelor's degree programme in Occupational therapy at the Burgenland University of Applied Sciences provides you with excellent preparation for your work as an occupational therapist. With a balanced mix of theoretical knowledge and practical application, our degree programme paves the way to a fulfilling career as an occupational therapist.

The Bachelor's degree programme in Occupational therapy is particularly suitable for people who are interested in health and quality of life, therapy and rehabilitation as well as everyday life and independence and who can imagine working directly with people.

Occupational therapists assume that independent action or activity is a basic human need and contributes to health and quality of life. After illnesses and accidents, developmental disorders or other challenging life events, everyday activities such as getting dressed, shopping, doing homework, preparing meals, going to work or socialising can often no longer be carried out or only to a limited extent. Occupational therapists then work with their clients to enable them to carry out important everyday activities independently again and thus (re)master their everyday lives independently. Occupational therapy work includes, among other things, everyday training, advice on aids, adapting the environment and counselling relatives. Occupational therapists work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, primary care centres, schools, kindergartens or independently in their own practice.

The Bachelor's degree programme in Occupational therapy lasts six semesters and is organised in such a way that it is career-ready. After successfully completing all examinations and courses, you will receive the academic degree Bachelor of Science in Health Studies (BSc) and you will also be awarded the professional licence to practise as an occupational therapist.

Would you like to study occupational therapy and establish yourself as a healthcare professional in a varied and challenging environment? Our curriculum offers comprehensive training in occupational therapy, supplemented by in-depth insights into the areas of primary healthcare and prevention as well as hand therapy in occupational therapy.

Good reasons for studying Occupational therapy at FH Burgenland:

  • Dual qualification: Obtain a Bachelor of Science as well as a professional licence as an occupational therapist.
  • Practice-orientated learning: The occupational therapy teaching practice and numerous practice-orientated courses enable a lively transfer between theory and practice. Students also spend a quarter of the programme in a total of 6 internships in various healthcare and social institutions in different specialist areas.
  • Diversity in specialisation: opportunities to specialise in the areas of ‘Primary Health Care and Prevention’ and ‘Hand therapy in Occupational therapy’.
  • Interprofessional exchange: Collaboration and knowledge exchange with students from other healthcare degree programmes.
  • Personalised support: Individual support for students thanks to small group sizes.
  • Career opportunities: Wide range of specialisation options through further Master's courses.

A special focus of the Bachelor's degree programme in Occupational therapy is on practical training. Thanks to collaborations with various health and social institutions, we are able to offer our students high-quality internships that enable them to gain valuable professional experience and put their knowledge directly into practice.

"Through the lively transfer between theory and practice as well as research-led teaching, students are optimally prepared for their professional work as occupational therapists in order to support people in regaining their independence and thus promote their health and well-being."

Lisa Schöndorfer, Programme Director

Programme fact file

Degree programme

Bachelor's degree programme - 6 semesters

Academic degree

Bachelor of Science in Health Studies (BSc) and professional qualification as an occupational therapist

Programme structure

Career-enabling (Monday to Thursday)

Available study places

15

Study location

UAS Study Centre Pinkafeld

Language of tuition

German (required language level at least B2), individual courses are held in English (required language level at least B2)

Tuition fees

None

Would you like to know more?

Bachelor's degree programme Occupational therapy

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Online advisory sessions

  • Tue, 3 December 2024 / 6 to 7 p.m.
  • Tue, 4 February 2025 / 6 to 7 p.m.
  • Tue, 4 March 2025 / 6 to 7 p.m.

Register for an online advisory session

Please register at least 1 day before the session.

The University of Applied Sciences Bachelor's degree programme in Occupational therapy accepts 15 applicants each year.

Application deadline: 31 March

Only applications received within the specified deadline will be considered in the admission procedure for the coming academic year. Registration takes place via the online application.

The 4-stage admissions assessment consists of

  • Application documents and letter of motivation
  • Written ranking test (April 2024)
  • Occupation-specific aptitude test (April - May 2024)*
  • Admission interview (April - May 2024)*

*The job-specific aptitude test and the admission interview take place simultaneously on one day at the study centre in Pinkafeld.

Subject to change without notice

Information on the admission procedure

Written aptitude test

This is a written aptitude test that tests general central intellectual and specific medical skills. Questions from the following categories are asked with regard to the requirements of the degree programme and future occupational therapy work:

  • Language comprehension/expression (German and English)
  • Logical and networked thinking
  • Numeracy
  • Concentration and memory skills
  • Spatial visualisation
  • General health-related knowledge

Examples of possible content in these areas can be found in relevant literature on the subject of test and applicant training (internet search terms: study ability tests, intelligence test, cognitive performance test, etc.).

Examples of test trainers:

Guth, K. & Mery, M. (2017). Test trainers for all types of recruitment tests, aptitude tests and job aptitude tests: Suitable for training, work and study. Ausbildungspark Verlag.

Hesse, J. & Schrader, H.-C. (2011). Logic test training. Passing aptitude and recruitment tests with confidence. Stark Verlag.

The invitation to the two further stages of the admission procedure requires successful completion of the first stage. The University of Applied Sciences Burgenland will inform you by e-mail no later than 2 weeks after you have passed the written test whether you have been invited to the next stage of the admission procedure or not. No information will be given by telephone.

Occupation-specific aptitude test

In the form of a job-specific aptitude test, an initial impression of your study and job-specific aptitude is gained. The job-specific aptitude test includes the assessment of job-specific abilities and skills (e.g. dexterity, motor coordination skills, creativity) as well as social-communicative skills such as empathy, self-reflection or social behaviour through individual tasks and tasks in a team.

Admission interview

The content of the interview can relate to career and study motivation, CV and training, reflective and performance skills and the like.

Your written application documents (letter of motivation, curriculum vitae, form of application, etc.) are also decisive for your ranking in the admission procedure.

Decision on admission

Applicants are ranked according to a points system. You will be informed by e-mail whether you have been allocated a place on the programme or whether you are on the waiting list. No information will be provided by telephone regarding the ranking or a possible place on the waiting list.

Deposit

After the binding allocation of a place, University of Applied Sciences Burgenland collects a deposit of € 350 from students to secure their place. This deposit is refunded to active students after the end of the first semester. If an applicant does not fulfil the admission requirements before the start of the programme (e.g. did not pass the resit of the school-leaving examination, did not pass the additional qualification examination, etc.), the deposit is also refunded. In all other cases, the deposit is forfeited.

Vaccination recommendations of the Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection

According to these recommendations, it is necessary for all persons working in the clinical field to provide proof of immunity against Covid-19, hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) and varicella (chickenpox). Hepatitis B can be organised by University of Applied Sciences Burgenland during the first year of study, as the costs are covered by AUVA.

The entire immunisation process must be completed before the start of the first internship and documented in the vaccination certificate.

Highlights of this degree programme

  • Double degree: In addition to the academic degree, graduates also have a professional qualification as an occupational therapist
  • Opportunities to specialise through the elective modules Primary Healthcare and Prevention and Hand therapy in Occupational therapy
  • High practical component: students spend a quarter of their training in a total of 6 internships in various healthcare and social institutions in different specialist areas
  • The occupational therapy teaching practice and numerous practical courses enable a lively transfer between theory and practice
  • Experience interprofessional collaboration through interprofessional courses with other degree programmes in the Department of Health
  • Optimum group size, which enables students to develop their individual skills
  • Specialisation through advanced Master's degree programmes

Get more information now!

Career opportunities

Occupational therapists work as employees in health and social care facilities, in the education sector and as freelancers in private practice.

Occupational therapy

in public and private hospitals, rehabilitation and spa facilities, outpatient clinics, day clinics, primary care centres, retirement and nursing homes, facilities for people with disabilities, kindergartens, schools, aid organisations or occupational therapy practices.

Health promotion and health counselling

in various settings and facilities such as schools, kindergartens, communities or companies.

Teaching and research

Do you have more questions?

We will be happy to advise you and help you choose the appropriate degree programme. Be well informed to make the right decision.

Lena Tauchner | Advisory service

Infoline: Mon-Fri 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

+43 5 7705-3500