Many attracted to new programme
The new Occupational Therapy programme received many applications for the first term after the summer. Photo: Mikael Wallerstedt.
Hello there, Maria Borgestig, programme director for the new Occupational Therapy Programme, which received a large number of applications ahead of its inaugural term this autumn.
What are your thoughts on the application outcome?
“It feels really great that there are so many who have shown interest in our new programme. After all, it’s the first time that applications have been open, but it seems like we have reached out to many who are interested.”
In total, 445 people have applied for the new Occupational Therapy Programme – 71 of them as their first choice. Nationally, the number of applicants to Occupational Therapy Programmes has increased by 25 per cent (SCHE 2024).
“It’s very good, but of course, we want even more in the future. Compared to other institutions and their number of applications, we are somewhere in the middle of the statistics. What is encouraging is that the number of applications to various Occupational Therapy programmes has increased significantly,” says Maria Borgestig.
“Above all, it feels fun and exciting to realise our plans for the programme,” says Maria Borgestig, programme manager for the new Occupational Therapy programme. Photo: Mikael Wallerstedt.
What reasons do you see for Uppsala University attracting so many?
“If we look at the Uppsala region, there is, just like nationally, a huge need for occupational therapists, so I think that is an important factor. The job market is strong, and the profession is described as one for the future. Furthermore, I believe the fact that we have two different profile areas during the programme, Innovative Occupational Therapy and Health-promoting and Preventive Occupational Therapy, might have been a contributing factor.”
You have been involved in the entire process around the programme. How has the work been?
“What I can say to summarise it is that we are truly ready. Recently, the teachers on the programme have been intensely planning the teaching and everything around it, but now that we have completed that part, we feel confident and secure that we will offer a good education,” says Maria and continues:
“We have been working on this for three and a half years, so it has been a long process with many people involved from various areas of the University. We have also been thorough in gathering feedback from, for example, a student group.”
Finally, what are your thoughts ahead of the actual start after the summer?
“Above all, it feels fun and exciting to realise our plans for the programme, to execute and launch everything that we have been working for. It’s really about time,” concludes Maria.
Robin Widing
Did you know that...
...practical skills training will take place in a new and modern training environment with dedicated rooms designed for occupational therapy training? In the training environment, there are, among other things, residential environments and innovation rooms. Here, the prospective occupational therapists will also naturally meet students from other programmes, such as the Physiotherapy Programme, Pharmacy Programme, and Medical Programme, who also train in the environment.