Study Occupational Therapy

BSc Occupational Therapy or Bachelor of Occupational Therapy, 4 years (NQF 8), plus 1 year compulsory community service

Pay in South AfricaR470–540ka year · typical R500k Work abroad4.2 of 5best: New Zealand, United Kingdom AI outlookSteadyAI changes little of the daily work

Getting inHighcompetition for places · 4 years + 1 year compulsory community service

R57 573 to R96 000 first-year fees 2 bursaries list Occupational Therapy

School subjects: Maths required at some universitiesPhysical Sciences required at some universitiesLife Sciences required at some universitiesPhysical Sciences or Life Sciences requiredMaths Literacy accepted at some institutions

Entry details and typical minimums

English (Home or First Additional) at level 4 at UKZN, UP and Wits, 60% at UFS and 65% at UCT. Among the universities we cover that offer occupational therapy, UP requires Physical Sciences, Stellenbosch requires Life Sciences, and UCT, UFS, UKZN and Wits accept Physical Sciences or Life Sciences.

Typical minimums: UCT: Maths 60% or Maths Literacy 70%, Physical or Life Sciences 65%, English 65%, sub-minimum APS 340, 70 places. UKZN: APS 30 with Maths. UFS: APS 33, Maths 50%.

Sources: UCT 2027 Undergraduate Prospectus, BSc Occupational Therapy · UKZN Undergraduate Prospectus · UFS Faculty of Health Sciences undergraduate admission · UCT 2027 Undergraduate Prospectus, p.44 (BSc Occupational Therapy: Mathematics 60% or Mathematical Literacy 70%, Physical Sciences or Life Sciences 65%) · UP Faculty Brochure Health Sciences 2027, p.20 (Bachelor of Occupational Therapy: Physical Sciences level 4) · Stellenbosch: guidelines for the selection of B of Occupational Therapy students 2026 for the 2027 intake, p.2 (Life Sciences 50%)

Pay

Yearly gross pay, turned into rand at the exchange rate. The dot is the typical figure. How pay is measured

USAR1.5–2.1m
NetherlandsR1.1–1.6m^~
CanadaR1.1–1.4m
AustraliaR920k–1.3m
IrelandR920k–1.3m
UAER820k–1.3m^~
UKR860k–1.2m
GermanyR750k–1.1m
New ZealandR710–870k
South AfricaR470–540k

~ limited evidence

Working abroad 4.2 of 5

Score out of 5. Tap a country for steps and visas.

AI outlook

SteadyAI changes little of the daily work

Hands-on, highly individual work with patients in their own environments, under a licence.

Hands-on In-person care Licensed & accountable

How AI changes each field

Careers

Occupational therapist (hospital or rehab)
Paediatric or school-based OT
Mental health OT
Hand therapist
Vocational rehabilitation consultant
Assistive technology and seating specialist

WFOT Education Standards

All eight SA occupational therapy degrees are listed by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists as meeting WFOT Education Standards. This helps recognition in most countries, but it is not a licence anywhere and does not satisfy the US master's-level entry rule.

Where to study 6

First-year tuition, as published. My Matric Map can check your results against each of these. Tap a university for its entry requirements and dates. Compare study costs

Country by country: steps, exams, visas and pay sources

Helping people of all ages do the everyday activities that matter to them after illness or injury. All eight SA programmes meet WFOT standards, which opens doors almost everywhere except the USA.

Professional regulator: HPCSA: Occupational Therapy, Medical Orthotics, Prosthetics and Arts Therapy Board

Where it can take you

Occupational Therapy → New Zealand

Overall 5/5 · Excellent prospects

New Zealand names South Africa in a fast-track pathway: no exam, usually no English test, fast residence.

Recognition: 5/5 · Open door. Unregulated there, or the South African qualification is accepted as it is.
Demand: High demand

Sources: OTBNZ Abridged Overseas Qualified Pathway · OTBNZ Policy 704: English language for registration · Immigration NZ Green List roles

Qualification and licensing guide

Pay, in rand at the exchange rate

Typical gross pay in each country, turned into rand at the exchange rate. Compare salaries switches between the exchange rate, buying power and after tax, and says how each works.

United States R1.5–2.1m3.6× SA

Netherlands R1.1–1.6m^*2.7× SA

Canada R1.1–1.4m2.4× SA

Australia R920k–1.3m2.3× SA

Ireland R920k–1.3m^*2.2× SA

United Arab Emirates R820k–1.3m^*2.1× SA

United Kingdom R860k–1.2m2.1× SA

Germany R750k–1.1m1.8× SA

New Zealand R710–870k1.6× SA

South Africa R470–540k^*

South Africa · line: the South African figure · pay range · starting pay · hover or tap a bar for details · gross pay a year, low to high estimate; the bar ends at the typical figure · * weaker figure

Country	Typical gross pay	Range and starting pay	Occupation and source
South Africa	ZAR 504 100 Middle of the pay scale, as gross pay 2026	ZAR 472 000 to 536 200 lowest and highest point of the pay scale, 2026 · DPSA Circular 15 of 2026 OSD salary scales (1 Apr 2026), Appendix G · Converted to gross like the typical figure. PUBLIC, BASIC NOTCH. Same shared Gr 1 scale as physio; circular 31/2026 post 31/123 advertises OT Gr 1 R413,121-R472,359. Starting ZAR 334 300 During the compulsory 1-year community service, straight after the BSc OT, 2026 · DPSA Circular 15 of 2026 OSD salary scales (1 Apr 2026), Appendix G · CS notch R308,556 x 13/12; housing not added (fixed-term). After CS, Gr 1 entry = R472,000 gross.	Occupational Therapist Grade 1 (Therapeutic/Diagnostic Allied Health OSD, Appendix G) DPSA Circular 15 of 2026 OSD salary scales (1 Apr 2026) · Gross pay: basic notch midpoint R442,740 x 13/12 (13th cheque) + R24,447 housing allowance; excludes employer pension and medical subsidy. PUBLIC-SECTOR. Scale quoted as basic notches; amounts below are as quoted. Identical shared scale to physiotherapist: Gr 1 R413,121-R472,359; Gr 2 to R550,389, Gr 3 to R683,808. Private-sector cross-check: PayScale South Africa (n=80) median R302,000 (crowd-sourced, low confidence).
United Kingdom	GBP 44 040 Median 2025	GBP 36 615 to 49 167 25th to 75th percentile, 2025 · ONS ASHE 2025 (provisional), Table 14.7a Annual pay - Gross, full-time · SOC 2222 Occupational therapists, full-time, April 2025. Starting GBP 32 073 Newly qualified occupational therapist, NHS Band 5 entry, 2026 · NHS Employers: Agenda for Change pay scales from 1 April 2026 (England) · England, from 1 Apr 2026.	SOC2020 2222 Occupational therapists ONS ASHE 2025 (provisional), Table 14.7a Annual pay - Gross, full-time · Median gross annual pay, full-time employees, April 2025. CV 4.7%.
Ireland	EUR 55 291 Middle of the pay scale 2026	EUR 45 514 to 65 068 lowest and highest point of the pay scale, 2026 · HSE/Dept of Health Consolidated Salary Scales, Health Sector, effective 1 June 2026 · OT 14-point scale (same as typical; identical to physio). Senior OT starts at 65,197. Starting EUR 45 514 Newly qualified Occupational Therapist (staff grade) after the degree, 2026 · HSE/Dept of Health Consolidated Salary Scales, Health Sector, effective 1 June 2026 (point 1) · Point 1, basic pay. CSO HGO15: 2022 OT graduates' median in 2023 EUR775/wk (~40,300).	Occupational Therapist (HSE grade 3298) HSE/Dept of Health Consolidated Salary Scales, Health Sector, effective 1 June 2026 · Midpoint of the occupational therapist scale (EUR45,514-65,068, 14 points), basic salary excl. allowances/premiums. Identical to the physiotherapist scale; Senior OT starts at EUR65,197.
Netherlands	EUR 67 392 Median 2025	EUR 53 872 to 79 248 25th to 75th percentile, 2025 · CBS StatLine 86355NED Werknemers; uurloon en beroep (p25/p75 gross hourly) · low confidence · BRC 2014 1013 Fysiotherapeuten, employees, 2025: p25 25.90/h, p75 38.10/h x2080, excl. holiday pay (as typical). Ergotherapists not separate in BRC; allied-therapy proxy as typical. Starting EUR 53 934 New hbo-bachelor graduate, 1 year after leaving, 2024 · CBS StatLine 83815NED Uitstromers ho; uurloon na verlaten onderwijs (median, cohort 2022/'23, 1 yr after leaving) · low confidence, not shown on the chart · Hbo-bachelor 'Gezondheidszorg': median 25.93/h x2080, Oct 2024, employees. Whole health field, not OT alone. Hospital OTs are graded FWG 50-55 (entry 3,463-3,903/mo, 36h).	BRC 2014 1013 Fysiotherapeuten CBS StatLine 86355NED Werknemers; uurloon en beroep · Median gross hourly x2080 (40h x52). Hourly excl. holiday pay, NL full-time ~36-38h; errors largely offset. Ergotherapeuten not separately identified in BRC 2014; broader allied-therapy group.
Germany	EUR 44 340 Median 2025	EUR 37 032 to 52 032 25th to 75th percentile, 2025 · BA Entgeltatlas (Beschaeftigungsstatistik), Stichtag 31.12.2025, Vollzeit, all ages, Germany · KldB 81723, monthly p25-p75 x12. Mostly vocational training. Starting EUR 39 540 Newly state-recognised occupational therapist in public service, TVoeD E7 Stufe 1, 2026 · TVoeD/VKA Entgelttabelle 2026 (valid 1 May 2026-31 Mar 2027); EGO VKA Ergotherapeuten = E7 (per kommunalforum.de) · Grading from a secondary summary of the EGO. Private practices often pay less. Excludes annual Jahressonderzahlung.	KldB 2010 81723 Berufe in der Ergotherapie - komplexe Spezialistentätigkeiten BA Entgeltatlas (Beschäftigungsstatistik), Stichtag 31.12.2025 · Median monthly gross full-time x12. Employees in social insurance only (no self-employed/Beamte); capped at 8,050 EUR/mo. n=21,410; other levels suppressed.
United States	USD 100 330 Median 2025	USD 82 510 to 116 670 25th to 75th percentile, 2025 · BLS OEWS May 2025 national (via BLS Public Data API) · OEWS May 2025 national annual 25th/75th percentile for SOC 29-1122; p10 $71,690, p90 $131,950; not top-coded. Starting USD 64 800 1 year after a master's in CIP 51.23 (mostly MOT/MSOT), newly licensed, 2022 · College Scorecard field-of-study data (Jun 2026 release), EARN_MDN_1YR · low confidence, not shown on the chart · Grad-weighted median of program medians, earnings 1 yr after completion (2018-20 grads, CY2020-21, 2022 $; working & not enrolled, incl. part-time). CIP 51.23 mixes OT with other rehab/therapy master's (e.g. rehab counseling), so this likely understates OT starting pay.	29-1122 Occupational Therapists BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 national · OEWS national median annual wage, May 2025.
Canada	CAD 95 680 Median 2024	CAD 83 200 to 106 080 25th to 75th percentile, 2024 · Job Bank wage data 2025 release (LFS 2023-2024), national quartiles · Job Bank Q1/Q3 hourly C$40/C$51 x2080, NOC 31203, LFS 2023-24. Low/high (~p10/p90): C$75,234/C$114,400. Starting CAD 88 380 Newly registered occupational therapist, first year (step 1) of entry structure P1, British Columbia health authorities, 2026 · HSPBA Provincial Agreement 2025-2029, Wage Schedule J, effective 1st pay period after 1 Apr 2026 (British Columbia) · P1 1st-year C$7,365/month x12. BC public health-sector scale only; private-sector pay differs. Requires an MScOT.	31203 Occupational therapists Job Bank wage data (open data), Labour Force Survey · National median hourly wage C$46.00 x 2080 h. Job Bank/LFS reference period 2023-2024, published 19 Nov 2025.
Australia	AUD 99 476 Median 2025	AUD 79 419 to 113 301 lowest and highest point of the pay scale, 2026 · NSW Health Service Health Professionals (State) Award 2025 (IRC, 14 Oct 2025), rates from 1 Jul 2026 · NSW Health Professional Level 1 yr 1 to Level 2 yr 4 (clinician grades). Senior/advanced levels 3-6 run to ~150,000+. Starting AUD 82 262 Newly qualified occupational therapist with a 4-year degree, NSW Health Level 1 year 2, 2026 · NSW Health Service Health Professionals (State) Award 2025 (IRC, 14 Oct 2025), rates from 1 Jul 2026: Level 1 Year 2 (award cl. 5.2.2: degrees over 3 years start at Year 2) · NSW public health. 3-year degree starts Year 1 (79,419); master's-entry Year 3 (87,090). GOS 2025 OT median 76,500.	Occupational Therapists (ANZSCO 2524) ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025 (customised report), via JSA Occupation Profiles · Median $1913/wk x52; FT non-managerial adult-rate employees, before tax.
New Zealand	NZD 75 682 Median 2026	NZD 68 083 to 83 281 careers service range, 2026 · Tahatu Career Navigator job profile: Occupational therapist ('most common' pay range) · Tahatu 'most common' band (full published range 60,484-95,000); Stats NZ IDI/Census + IR data, percentiles not defined, no vintage stated. Health NZ OT scale 79,014-119,300 is higher. Starting NZD 79 014 Newly registered occupational therapist, core scale step 1 (Health NZ), 2025 · Health NZ / PSA Allied, Public Health, Scientific & Technical Collective Agreement 2025-2027 (rates from 1 Dec 2025), cl. 5.2 commencing salaries · Above the Tahatu OT median 75,682 (which looks dated/low vs the scale). Tahatu OT bachelor's year-1 median income 62k (incl. non-Health NZ jobs).	Occupational therapist Tahatu Career Navigator (Ministry of Education / Tertiary Education Commission careers service) · Published range $60,484-$95,000, most common $68,083-$83,281. Range sits close to the Te Whatu Ora allied-health scale.
United Arab Emirates	AED 216 000 Middle of the advertised range 2026	AED 168 000 to 264 000 salary survey range, 2026 · SearchPlus HR UAE Healthcare Salary Guide 2026 (medical recruiter) · low confidence · Same row as typical: OT/speech therapist 3-6 yrs, AED 14k-22k/mth base x12. No starting figure published.	Occupational Therapist / Speech Therapist, 3-6 years SearchPlus HR UAE Healthcare Salary Guide 2026 (medical recruiter) · Small recruiter guide, not official. AED 14,000-22,000/month base x12. Row combines OTs and speech therapists.

General information, not immigration or legal advice. Researched 2026-10-07.