Discover the top UK universities for Occupational Therapy in 2026. Find courses with excellent practical training, strong support, and great graduate outcomes.

Best Universities for Occupational Therapy: Unifresher Student Rankings 2026

How to use this table:
The top universities earn Gold, Silver, and Bronze badges based on student satisfaction, graduate employability, teaching quality, and value for money. For full details, see our Ranking Methodology below.
Rank University Academic Social
1 Gold University of Southampton 90 82
2 Silver University of Manchester 88 80
3 Bronze University of Birmingham 86 79
4 King’s College London 85 78
5 University of Nottingham 83 76
6 University of Glasgow 82 75
7 University of Leeds 81 74
8 University of Edinburgh 80 73
9 University of Liverpool 79 72
10 University of Sheffield 78 71

1. University of Southampton Gold

Academic: 90
Social: 82

2. University of Manchester Silver

Academic: 88
Social: 80

3. University of Birmingham Bronze

Academic: 86
Social: 79

4. King’s College London

Academic: 85
Social: 78

5. University of Nottingham

Academic: 83
Social: 76

6. University of Glasgow

Academic: 82
Social: 75

7. University of Leeds

Academic: 81
Social: 74

8. University of Edinburgh

Academic: 80
Social: 73

9. University of Liverpool

Academic: 79
Social: 72

10. University of Sheffield

Academic: 78
Social: 71

How We Ranked These Universities

Our Occupational Therapy rankings combine trusted academic data with student lifestyle factors to reflect what matters most to occupational therapy students.

  • Academic (40%): Graduate employability, teaching quality, research output, entry standards
  • Social & Lifestyle (60%): Cost of living, nightlife, cost of a pint and Uber, crime rate, student satisfaction
  • Data Sources: HESA, NSS, REF, UCAS, WhatUni, and Unifresher’s student surveys
  • Weighting: Scores out of 100; ties broken by academic score.
✅ Verified by Unifresher Editorial Team | Last updated:

Top-Ranked Occupational Therapy Universities Explained

University of Southampton

Known for hands-on clinical placements, research excellence, and high employability rates.

University of Nottingham

Offers a supportive learning environment with strong NHS partnerships and student satisfaction.

University of Sheffield

Combines academic rigor with practical experience in healthcare settings.

King’s College London

Provides cutting-edge facilities and strong graduate prospects.

University of Birmingham

Balances theoretical knowledge with real-world application and excellent student support.

University of East Anglia

Recognised for innovative teaching methods and a vibrant campus community.

University of Glasgow

Affordable city living with well-rounded occupational therapy programs.

University of Leeds

Strong focus on research and student wellbeing.

University of Manchester

Offers diverse modules and extensive clinical placement opportunities.

University of York

Known for personalized teaching and supportive study environment.

Career Prospects After an Occupational Therapy Degree

Graduates can work as registered occupational therapists, rehabilitation specialists, or in health and social care management. Related courses include Physiotherapy and Nursing.

Occupational Therapy Course Requirements & Entry Standards

Entry typically requires A-levels in science or health-related subjects, with UCAS points ranging from 120 to 160 depending on the university.

Cheapest Cities to Study Occupational Therapy in the UK

Glasgow, Sheffield, and Nottingham offer good value living costs for OT students.

Best Unis for Nightlife & Social Life

Manchester, Leeds, and Nottingham provide lively social scenes alongside strong occupational therapy programs.

Student Wellbeing, Mental Health & Study Support

Universities such as Southampton, Birmingham, and York are known for excellent student wellbeing services.

Not Sure About Occupational Therapy? Consider These Alternatives

Explore Physiotherapy, Public Health, or Nursing.

Summary: Which Occupational Therapy Uni is Right for You?

Consider clinical placements, city affordability, academic support, and social opportunities when choosing your course.

Aminah Barnes
Aminah Barnes – Manchester Metropolitan University
Topic expertise: University & Degree choice, Applications, Travel and Student life

FAQs on the Best UK Universities for Occupational Therapy

Top universities for Occupational Therapy include University of Southampton, University of East Anglia, and King’s College London, known for excellent clinical placements and student support.

University of Southampton frequently ranks highest for Occupational Therapy, praised for its strong clinical training and graduate employability.

An Occupational Therapy degree offers a rewarding career helping people improve daily living skills, with strong demand and job security across the UK healthcare sector.

Typical A-level requirements include Biology or Psychology and sometimes Chemistry. Always check specific university course pages for the most current entry requirements.

Graduates can work as occupational therapists in hospitals, community health, rehabilitation centres, schools, and private practice.

Yes, demand is strong due to an ageing population and increasing focus on rehabilitation and community care.

Starting salaries generally range from £25,000 to £31,000 in the NHS, with opportunities for progression and specialisation leading to higher pay.

Courses involving extensive clinical placements and practical skills development can be challenging but rewarding for those passionate about patient care.

Most work in NHS hospitals, community health services, rehabilitation centres, social care, and educational settings.

Yes, it is highly respected for its vital role in healthcare, combining science, empathy, and practical skills to improve patient lives.

Unifresher team

Unifresher Team

Led by our editors and co-founder, we apply student-first principles and editorial rigour to shape each ranking.

Student Panel

Student Writers

Over 20 student writers and contributors from across UK universities help define what really matters to students.

Expert Panel

Expert Panel

We bring in specialists from sustainability founders to employability coaches to help shape categories with depth and credibility.

How are the Unifresher Awards judged?+

Our judging combines real student input with expert guidance. Here’s how:

  • Public nominations: Through our homepage form, with responses from our student users.
  • Social polls: Shared on our Instagram and TikTok channels (20,000+ followers).
  • Student panel: 20+ student contributors guide how each category reflects real priorities.
  • Editorial team: Our founder and senior editors bring experience in youth-focused media and ranking design.
  • Expert advisors: Each award features insight from a relevant industry or academic figure.

This ensures each ranking is transparent, meaningful, and powered by those it’s meant to serve: students.

✅ Why You Can Trust This Ranking

  • Data-backed: Official sources: HESA, NSS, REF, UCAS
  • Student-led: Over 1,000 UK students surveyed
  • Balanced scoring: 40% academic + 60% student life
  • Independently verified: No sponsored placements, ever
  • Reviewed by editors: All results checked for fairness & accuracy
  • Updated for 2025: Last checked
By students, for students.
See full methodology →

Author

  • Connor is a seasoned content expert at Unifresher, specialising in publishing engaging and insightful student-focused content. With over four years of experience in data analysis and content strategy, Connor has a proven track record of supporting publishing teams with high-quality resources. A graduate of the University of Sussex with a BSc in Accounting and Finance, he combines his academic background with his passion for creating content that resonates with students across the UK. Outside of work, Connor enjoys staying active at his local gym and walking his miniature dachshunds.

    View all posts