Occupational therapists (OTs) help people with physical, mental, or developmental conditions regain the ability to perform everyday tasks — from dressing and cooking to returning to work. In South Africa, the BSc Occupational Therapy (4 years) is offered at UCT, Wits, UP, Stellenbosch, UFS, and UKZN. OTs work in hospitals, schools, rehabilitation centres, and private practice. Registration with the HPCSA is required.
OTs assess patients' functional abilities, design individual rehabilitation programmes, adapt environments to support independence, liaise with doctors and social workers, and document patient progress.
Life Sciences (Level 5+), Mathematics (Level 4+), Physical Sciences (Level 4+), English (Level 4+)
Use the free Career Helper APS Calculator to calculate your exact score for each SA university.
- University of Cape Town (UCT)
- University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)
- University of Pretoria (UP)
- Stellenbosch University (SU)
- University of the Free State (UFS)
- University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)
Programme names and requirements vary by institution. Always verify directly with the university before applying.
Achieve APS 28+ with Life Sciences. BSc Occupational Therapy at UCT, Wits, UP, Stellenbosch, UFS, or UKZN. Intake is competitive — typically 30–60 students per faculty annually.
Complete the 4-year BSc OT degree including clinical placements in hospitals, schools, and community settings across mental health, physical rehabilitation, and paediatrics.
Complete 1-year community service, register with HPCSA, and choose your specialisation. Private practice, paediatric OT, neurological rehabilitation, and workplace ergonomics are popular areas.
What APS do I need for Occupational Therapy?
What do occupational therapists earn in South Africa?
Is Occupational Therapy a good career in South Africa?
Salary ranges are indicative for South Africa 2026 based on market data. Actual salaries vary by employer, location, and experience.