Individuals may live their best lives wherever they are with the help of occupational therapy. It has to do with being able to carry out the tasks they need and desire. That can entail supporting them as they work through difficulties in the classroom, at work, playing a sport, or even doing regular chores. The application of occupation to advance health and wellness is known as occupational therapy. Occupational therapists are health professionals who assist individuals of all ages in avoiding, minimising, or adapting to disability by using occupation and meaningful activities with specified goals. The tasks might be as simple as getting dressed or taking a shower or as complicated as using a computer with customised control switches.
Over a century of history has gone into occupational therapy (OT). Reacting to the shifting social and industrial context, it evolved in the late 19th century. The area began by concentrating on treating mental illness because engaging in meaningful activities enhanced health and well-being. In the 20th century, OT broadened its focus to include physical rehabilitation, especially for service members injured in World Wars I and II. Occupational therapists have gradually formed theories from anatomy, physiology, and psychology to provide comprehensive therapy. Today, occupational therapy (OT) is a crucial profession that enables people to reclaim their independence and participate in fulfilling activities in various contexts.
Occupational therapy is significant because, in contrast to other medical specialities, it considers all facets of the patients’ lives, not just the immediate ones. You will get to know your patients better and see their improvement if you work in the occupational therapy area. To properly assist them as they progress towards independence, you’ll also need to get to know them better on a deeper level to comprehend their way of life and routines.
Students who get a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy are prepared to work as effective OTs since they have the knowledge and abilities to do so. The curriculum includes anatomical structure, psychology, therapeutic methods, and medical ethics lessons. Through clinical internships, students receive practical experience and graduate ready to improve people’s lives through occupation-based treatments. Some modules present in this course are:
- Introduction to Occupational Therapy
- Human Anatomy and Physiology
- Occupational Therapy Assessment
- Occupational Therapy Interventions
- Psychosocial Aspects of Occupational Therapy
- Pediatric Occupational Therapy
- Physical Rehabilitation in Occupational Therapy
- Professional Ethics and Documentation
From 2021 to 2031, occupational therapist employment is expected to increase by 14%, significantly faster than the typical for all professions. Over the following ten years, there are expected to be, on average, 10,100 opportunities for occupational therapists.
No occupational therapist in practice today has avoided supporting patients or carers in their current predicament. They provide families with substantial support in light of the changing circumstances and, in keeping with our traditionally holistic philosophy, place more emphasis on the complete person than on particular functional aspects. Be a part of this career by following our guide.
Why Study This Program
Job Options Globally
Gaining an occupational therapy degree provides a plethora of professional opportunities. Some great options include case management, ergonomy, helping individuals work more efficiently in ways that seem appropriate for their bodies, health improvement, and occupational therapy. If being an OT isn’t in your career aspirations, there are many other fields in which a degree in occupational therapy can be helpful. In addition to many different careers, someone with an OT degree can work as an art therapist, play therapist, medical sales representative, special education teacher, and life coach.
48% of graduates with OT degrees go on to work in the field of treatment therapy, with the remainder of graduates engaging in various jobs. People who suffer from conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, cerebral palsy, autism, or limb loss will continue to benefit from occupational therapy as a crucial component of their care. These occupational therapy specialities frequently concentrate on assisting people in rebuilding their lives following trauma, interpersonal difficulties, substance problems, and mental health difficulties. Occupational therapists may help people with activities like singing, playing sports, playing music, and cooking that not only develop those abilities immediately but also foster relationships and increase self-esteem.
Professional Accreditation
An occupational therapy (OT) career is interesting due to its professional accreditation. The OT program must adhere to strict criteria established by professional organisations to be accredited, which verifies the calibre and applicability of the education gained. Aspiring occupational therapists can feel secure in the legitimacy and acknowledgement of their credentials by selecting an authorised program. For OT specialists, professional certification has several benefits. First, it improves employment possibilities. Since applicants from recognised programs are more likely to be competent and conform to industry norms, many firms prioritise recruiting them. It also creates opportunities for professional development, specialisation, and possible leadership positions within the industry.
Additionally essential to preserving public confidence and guaranteeing customer protection is accreditation. OT specialists show their dedication to providing effective and moral treatment in various circumstances by upholding accepted standards. Additionally, accreditation speeds up the registration and licensure processes, allowing professionals to work lawfully and earn the required qualifications. In conclusion, professional certification reinforces the value of education, improves employability, fosters career progression, upholds public confidence, and streamlines the licensing procedure, all of which are compelling reasons to study occupational therapy.
Working Across the Age Demographic
A convincing argument in favour of choosing this professional route is the opportunity to work with people of all ages that studying occupational therapy (OT) provides. Occupational therapists have the luxury of working with people of all ages, from newborns to seniors, at all periods of life. Due to this diversity, working may be exciting and gratifying. Working with people of all ages in occupational therapy means having the power to improve the lives of people from various backgrounds and with a range of needs. OT specialists can enhance individuals’ well-being and functional skills across the lifespan, whether by helping toddlers with developmental delays, supporting adults with mental health issues, or encouraging independence in older people.
Working with various clientele allows you to develop your skills and advance professionally. Additionally, it offers the possibility to specialise in particular age groups or OT practice areas and continue study. The ability to deal with people of all ages in OT ultimately brings personal and professional fulfilment because of the transforming connections and results that may be made with people in every stage of life.
An Evolving Profession
Given that occupational therapy is a field that is constantly changing, studying it is a sensible decision. Occupational therapy is a dynamic and fulfilling career because it continually changes and adapts to suit people’s and society’s requirements. The function of occupational therapy is expanding along with our knowledge of health and well-being. It covers a broad spectrum of clinical settings, including conventional healthcare facilities and cutting-edge specialities, including community-based treatments, mental health, and telemedicine. Due to their adaptability, occupational therapists have several options for specialising in fields that match their interests and passions.
In addition, with the ageing population and rising chronic disease rates, there will likely be a significant increase in the demand for occupational therapists in the years to come. The field offers stable employment and a variety of professional options, including clinical practice, academic research, administrative positions, and entrepreneurship. People who study occupational therapy get the abilities and information necessary to improve the lives of others and contribute to their communities. They join a developing profession that values innovation, evidence-based practice, and all-encompassing strategies to enhance people’s general well-being and quality of life.
Different Settings to Work In
New employment situations are always available if occupational therapy is your chosen field. The fact that there are so many opportunities and settings in which you may advance your profession is a big part of what makes occupational therapy so beautiful. Occupational therapy students can complete clinical work in vibrant healthcare environments, such as nursing homes, alternative communities, assisted living facilities, children’s hospitals, rehabilitation centres, schools, and more, so you may get a taste of this while taking the course.
You will also still be free to move once you are in the field. Many individuals may switch jobs several times during their careers to have a thorough grasp of every facet of the profession. Occupational therapists have the adaptability to make a significant difference in many settings and attend to the particular requirements of their clients, whether they are hospitals, rehabilitation centres, schools, mental health institutions, or community organisations.
Why Study In Malaysia
Affordable Course Fees
The fee required to study occupational therapy in Malaysia is comparatively less than that required in many other countries, such as the USA, the UK, Australia, and Canada, to name just a few. With occupational therapy degree expenses shooting up worldwide, Malaysia comes across as a reliable option to receive a high-quality education at an affordable cost.
Globally Recognised Degrees
Occupational therapy degrees from Malaysian universities enjoy global recognition. Studying occupational therapy in Malaysia allows students to pursue the program in Malaysia and then move anywhere globally. Several students continue their master’s and specialisation in Malaysia or transfer to other countries to pursue different pathways.
International Education Standard
The standard of occupational therapy programs in Malaysia meets international standards. This ensures exceptional education for students who enrol in this course. The course curriculum is rigorously developed, keeping in line with international benchmarks to ensure students learn the latest developments in occupational therapy in Malaysia.
Excellent Campus Facilities and Infrastructure
Malaysia offers excellent campus facilities, modern infrastructure, and innovative teaching aids for studying occupational therapy in Malaysia. The schools in Malaysia offer a great learning atmosphere. Several leading universities have developed in-house labs and testing facilities dedicated to helping students learn with hands-on experience, operate with state-of-the-art machinery, and stay up to date with the latest innovations.
Enhanced Practical Experience
An excellent reason for studying occupational therapy is to gain practical experience. Students in this discipline can develop crucial clinical skills through internships, fieldwork assignments, and closely supervised practice. By working one-on-one with clients, students learn to assess, plan, and carry out treatments specific to individual needs. This hands-on training boosts your competence and confidence and prepares you for occupational therapists’ difficulties in the real world. It connects theory with practice, giving students the practical skills they need to succeed in their future employment.
Graduation Prospects
Graduation chances are bright for those studying occupational therapy. Considering the significant demand in this industry for competent experts, graduates may anticipate various work options and good pay. Graduates can serve a variety of groups by working in multiple locations, including hospitals, clinics, schools, and private practices, because of the profession’s adaptability. In addition, occupational therapy offers specialisation and professional development opportunities in areas including research, management, and teaching.
Career Prospects
An occupational therapist is a qualified specialist who aids in developing or improving daily living skills. You will work closely with patients as an OT in various settings, including hospitals, schools, and home health care. You’ll assist them as they adjust their daily routines so they may complete chores previously restricted by their health condition without pain or suffering.
Occupational therapists’ specific responsibilities differ depending on their line of work and whether they operate out of a hospital or in the community. Although not all of your career as an occupational therapist is spent in an office, you’re likely to work typical ‘office’ hours. During these hours, these are the roles you will need to fulfil:
- Conducting evaluations of patients’ cognitive, communicative, and physical abilities.
- Arranging and delivering practical activities and treatments.
- Recommending physical activities that can increase a patient’s dexterity or mobility.
- Delivering counsel and setting up assistance for patients’ family members and carers.
- Communicating with and updating physicians, family members, caretakers, and other professionals.
- Determining a course of action and monitoring results.
- Evaluating the efficacy of the treatment in multidisciplinary case conferences or meetings.
- Counselling individuals on alternative approaches to everyday chores.
As an occupational therapist, you must have the fundamental skills to ensure your suitability for the job. Some of the skills are as follows:
- Good interpersonal and communication abilities.
- The capacity to establish reliable working connections with community members from diverse backgrounds.
- The degree to adequately and concisely express complicated facts.
- Having the capacity to solve issues.
- Teamwork abilities.
- When dealing with challenging situations, exercise discretion and patience.
Home Modification Specialist
An excellent option that OTs are already highly aware of is becoming a home modification specialist for seniors or people with new impairments. This is especially true for OTs working in home health because they have so much first-hand knowledge of the environment.
Medical Freelance Writer
As more and more healthcare websites emerge daily and require frequent articles for publication, this alternative is growing in popularity. Since the owners and operators of these websites often have no background in medicine or healthcare, they hire medical writers to publish articles on their behalf.
Case Manager
If your hospital provides the role and you enjoy connecting with people, being a case manager is a fantastic choice. There will undoubtedly be some paperwork, but you’ll get to follow patients’ development from beginning to end and be there for them and their families the entire time.
Assistive Technology Expert
Since we frequently utilise assistive technology with our patients, whether low-tech or high-tech, occupational therapists are ideal candidates to become Assistive Technology Experts.
Educator
After working in the field for several years or even decades, occupational therapists frequently pursue careers in teaching and research at a particular program for occupational therapy or occupational therapy assistants.
Healthcare Administrator
Next to being a teacher, becoming an administrator is a frequent professional option. An administrator, especially in a hospital, entails managing the therapists within a particular area.
Community-Based Mental Health
Becoming an occupational therapist in the mental health field is comparable to becoming a mental health counsellor. While there are undoubtedly variances, it will be an excellent place to start when figuring out your possibilities.
Driving Rehabilitation
In cases of recent amputation, stroke, brain damage, or other neurological disability, people may lose their ability to drive. Under these conditions, returning to driving is not usually straightforward and needs the help of an OT professional.
Workstation Ergonomics
As an expert in ergonomics, your time will be spent evaluating environmental dangers, developing innovative solutions to lower those risks, spreading awareness of the value of ergonomics, and creating detailed business plans.
Insurance Auditor
Given that many of us loathe insurance auditors, this one is intriguing. We need to be occupational therapists to properly understand other therapists’ notes and assess the need for the services being owed.
Program Duration
The duration to study occupational therapy in Malaysia is four years for the bachelor’s program. English is the medium of instruction followed in schools across all major international private universities.
The first year will have a number of common subjects between different specialisations. As students progress to years two and three, their modules and subjects will become more specialised as per their field of choice.
Students can sometimes switch from one specialisation to another, but it will require approval from the University faculty and the relevant authorities in Malaysia.
Students who want to opt for program transfers to another University will usually need to prepare the transfer paperwork and start processing from their second year onwards to ensure all the paperwork and approvals are in place so the program transfer can be done.
Entry Requirements
The Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) sets the entry requirements and guidelines for university admissions in Malaysia, which all universities must adhere to. All prospective international students must meet the minimum entry requirements, as the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) takes these standards into account during the application acceptance and processing phases.
The admission requirements to study occupational therapy in Malaysia for international students may vary from one university to another. However, the basic entry requirements are the same for most universities.
Usually, there are two pathways to entering a degree program in Malaysia:
- First, students can join a foundation program after completing their secondary schooling, O levels, or equivalent qualifications. After completing the foundation in Science, they can continue to the bachelor’s degree as per their choice.
- Second, students who have completed their higher secondary school or A levels or equivalent will be able to join the bachelor’s degree programme directly into year one.
If a student fails to meet the entry requirements for a bachelor’s degree programme, the faculty may offer different pathways into the degree programme, for example, through a foundation or a diploma programme.
Universities may raise the entry requirements to ensure incoming students are academically prepared for the rigours of their programmes. So, prospective international students should consult with an admission advisor to determine the precise entry criteria for their chosen programme and their preferred university.
General Entry Requirements For Bachelor’s Degree
A Levels or Equivalent:
- Minimum 2Ds, including 2 Science subjects from Biology, Physics or Mathematics, and Chemistry
Foundation:
- Minimum CGPA of 2.33, including a GPA of 2.33 in 2 Science subjects from Biology, Physics or Mathematics, and Chemistry
English Language
International students who wish to study occupational therapy in Malaysia will need to also provide proof of their English language proficiency with IELTS or TOEFL exams. Students who have studied the British or American curriculum are generally exempted from the English proficiency requirements since the medium of instruction for that curriculum is in English by default.
Students who have studied other curriculums where the medium of instruction is also English will usually need to provide a supporting letter from the school stating that the instruction language for their schooling has been English. With that letter, English language requirements are proven to have been completed.
Fees & Cost
Students sometimes only look at the tuition fee during the comparison. However, depending on how forthright and clear the fee guidelines from the university are, the extra fees can be a hefty amount that could be a surprise. So students are advised to correctly add all the fees and decide which university fits their budget requirements to study occupational therapy in Malaysia.
Various factors will contribute to the overall cost structure, such as:
- Tuition fees
- Accommodation fees
- Admission fee
- Registration and Visa fees and
- Other one-time fees.
These fees vary from university to university and can depend on varying factors. The quality, infrastructure, facilities and teacher-to-student ratio will also determine how much a university charges.
You must find the right balance between quality and cost to get the best education possible. The average cost to study occupational therapy in Malaysia is between RM30,000 to RM35,000 per year, depending on the University.
For reference, that’s around USD $7,000 to $8,000 per year for a 4-year occupational therapy degree program at the current exchange rate.
Accommodation
Accommodation cost is going to be another recurring fee for international students. Generally, students have two options: they can either stay at the on-campus accommodation provided by the university or at private accommodation. The prices will differ according to which university and area you choose.
Generally, campus accommodations at major universities start at around US$150 per month and can go up to $400 per month. The pricing for on-campus accommodation is determined by the size of the room, whether a student will be sharing the room or will be staying alone, or if the student is taking a master room which generally comes with an attached bathroom or decides to stay at a sharing room with shared bathroom.
Some universities also offer cooking facilities and on-campus accommodation, which are shared facilities which will also be factored into the accommodation costs. Utility costs are generally an add-on fee.
While choosing the university, you can check with your admissions advisor on the options available for accommodation and how much they will cost so that you have an idea of how much of a monthly budget you will require as a student.
Admission Procedure
Researching, applying and managing overseas admissions is a tedious, time-consuming and often confusing process. Incorrect application submissions can lead to lengthy processing, delayed approvals, or rejections. You can visit education, exhibitions and fairs to collect information. However, that is not enough. You can only collect cursory information at these places. However, your admission processing will usually take much longer. During that time, you will need consistent and dedicated support to ensure your application is in the right experienced hands.
This is where we help.
Edmates helps international students from around the world with complete admissions processing. Our integrated one-stop centre helps international students with everything. We help you find future-driven programs that match your abilities and interests in leading universities.
We handle the entire process from the beginning until you have joined the university. Our international support system will manage everything for you, absolutely free.
Each student is assigned with a dedicated admission advisor who will manage the complete admission process and also guide the student throughout the admissions process. The advisor will also liaise with the university admissions department to ensure clear communications and faster processing.
You can speak with your assigned advisor anytime by booking a free call online through the website. You will also receive regular updates regarding your application via emails, SMS and WhatsApp.
To learn about each step of the admission process, you can read our complete guide to start applying for your higher education the right way.