Occupational Therapy Course Admission: Occupational Therapy Courses are educational programmes that are planned to train aspirants to help others with physical and mental challenges or disabilities perform daily activities. The occupational therapy courses are about 4 to 5 years long programmes which can cost around INR 30,000 to INR 8 lakhs. These courses are available at the UG, PG, and Ph.D levels, other than Diplomas and Certificates. To get admission in occupational therapy courses, one should be eligible with 50% minimum total marks in class 12 with the science stream (physics, chemistry, biology). Students need to pass the entrance exams, such as NEET, IPU CET, AIPMCET, and many more, to get enrolled in the desired universities or institutes such as Amity University, Manipal College of Health Professions, and so on.
Occupational Therapy Courses Admission Latest Update:
- Santosh Institute of Allied Health Science is currently taking admission in Bachelor’s in occupational therapy courses. Students keen to apply can fill out the application form. Submission of the application form will be considered till 20th Sep 2025*. Source
Occupational Therapy Courses Admission Highlights
| Occupational Therapy Courses Level | UG, PG, Diploma, Certificates |
| Offer Courses | Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (BOT) programme,
Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT), Diploma in Occupational Therapy, Certified Hand Therapist, Neuro-development Treatment, etc. |
| Average Duration | 4 to 5 years |
| Admission Criteria | Undergraduate – Merit-Based
Postgraduate – Entrance Based |
| Eligibility Criteria | 50% (and 45% for reserved castes) total marks in class 12 with science stream, especially Biology included. |
| Entrance Exams | IPU CET, NEET, NEET PG, AIPMCET, and many more |
| Popular Institutes and Universities | Manipal College of Health Professions, Jamia Hamdard, Annamalai University, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education, etc. |
| Average Fees | INR 30,000 to 8 Lakh |
| Career Opportunities | Rehabilitation Therapists, Clinical Assistants,
Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapists Assistants etc. |
What are Occupational therapy courses?
Occupational therapy course admission could be the best choice if a person wants to help others and bring changes in society. Courses like the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (BOT) programme, Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT), and Diploma in Occupational Therapy are some examples of the occupational courses candidates can pursue at different levels of degree.
These courses focus on helping persons with disabilities, mental impaired, who are unable to do their daily activities independently. These programmes mostly include theoretical and practical experiences through internships and coursework in areas like rehabilitation, psychology, physiotherapy, etc. The fee amount for these courses is around INR 30,000 to INR 8 Lakh. The duration of these courses varies from 4 to 5 years, depending on the levels.
Occupational therapy as a career offers candidates golden opportunities as the awareness of long-term care among the citizens is increasing, which is simultaneously leading to an increase in demand for Occupational Therapists. The starting income could be earned around INR 31,000 per month and approximately INR 2.3 to 6 LPA in India.
Occupational Therapy Course Eligibility Criteria
To get enrollment in the occupational therapy courses, students need to clear their class 12 with science stream (Physics, Chemistry, and Biology) with a minimum aggregate of 50% (45% for SC/ST/OBCs) is required. Aspirants should pursue the 12th from any recognized board like CBSE, ICSE, etc.
The admission in the institutes and universities generally occurs based on merit-based entrance examinations like CUET. Some universities may conduct their entrance exams. NEET and MBBS as entrance exams are not necessary for an Undergraduate degree and a diploma in it. However, NEET PG, MBBS, and other private entrance exams could be asked at the postgraduate level and diploma as well.
Usually, Certificate Courses in Occupational Therapy do not require entrance exams.
Occupational Therapy Course Admission Process 2025:
For admission in the Occupational Therapy Courses, candidates must be eligible for the courses by passing class 12 with a science stream as mentioned above. Below are the steps one can follow to get admission in these courses in your desired universities and institutes.
- Go to the official Website of the university.
- Search for the Admission tab.
- Register yourself there by filling in accurate data.
- Fill the application form with Accurate data and check it thoroughly.
- Submit the required documents.
Documents Required
- Marksheet of Class 12 Board
- Identity proof ( Adhaar card or government-verified IDs)
- Cast Certificate ( if applicable)
- Two passport-sized photos
- Entrance exam scores
Occupational Therapy courses IGNOU Admission:
IGNOU provides paramedical courses to the students with the skills and knowledge necessary to become qualified paramedical therapists. Indira Gandhi National Open University IGNOU is a Distance learning educational institute. It covers topics like physiology, psychology, anatomy etc. in their occupational therapy courses. IGNOU offers Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (BOT), Diploma in Occupational Therapy (DOT), and Certificate in Occupational Therapy (COT) to interested students. BOT is for about 3 years, DOT is 2 years, and COT is 1 year long in duration.
Eligibility for Occupational Therapy courses in IGNOU is to graduate in 12th with a science stream, especially Biology, and with 50% minimum aggregate score. The selection process will be merit-based for these courses, which means students need to prepare themselves for the entrance examinations. Interested students can go to the official website of IGNOU for admission and can fill the registration form with accurate information.
| Occupational Therapy Courses in IGNOU | ||
| Offered Courses | Average duration | Fee Amount |
| Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (BOT) | 3 years | INR 10,000 |
| Diploma in Occupational Therapy (DOT) | 2 years | INR 8,000 |
| Certificate in Occupational Therapy (COT) | 1 year | INR 5,000 |
Occupational Therapy Courses Fee Structure
The fee amount may vary depending on the institutes and levels.
| Level | Offered Courses | annual Fees |
| Undergraduate | Bachelor of Occupational Therapy | INR 50,000 to 2 LPA |
| Postgraduate | Master of Occupational Therapy | INR 1 to 4 LPA |
| Certificate of Occupational Therapy | INR 50,000 to 2 LPA | |
| Diploma of Occupational Therapy | 30,000 to 8 LPA |
Occupational Therapy courses Career Options
The following table represents a bundle of career options with their expected salaries.
| Career Opportunities in Various Fields | Expected salary |
| Occupational Therapist | INR 1.2 to 4 LPA |
| Care manager | INR 4 to 5 LPA |
| Health Improvement Practitioner | INR 1.4 to 7 LPA |
| Ergonomist | INR 4 to 5 LPA |
| Advice Worker | INR 2 to 5 LPA |
| High Intensity Therapist | INR 8 to 8.5 LPA |
| Special Educator | INR 3.6 to 7,2 LPA |
| Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner | INR 2.8 to 7 LPA |
FAQs:
Q) What are the qualifications required for an Occupational Therapy Course Admission?
Ans: Interested candidates need to complete their 12th with a science stream (Biology mandatory) with the required marks. After that, they must prepare for an entrance exam like NEET (not mandatory) and pursue a Bachelor’s in Occupational Therapy to become an Occupational Therapist.
Q) Is NEET mandatory to pursue Courses in Occupational Therapy?
Ans: No, NEET is not necessary for admission in the UG level, which is Bachelor’s in Occupational Therapy. However, Students may need to give NEET for their PG enrollment, but not every university requires NEET, as some universities conduct private entrance exams.
Q) Is there any scope in the Occupational Therapy Courses Admission
Ans: Yes, Occupational Therapy Courses can offer wonderful opportunities to individuals, as the demand and awareness about the benefits of occupational therapy are increasing among the population.
Q) What is the best course in Occupational Therapy?
Ans: Bachelor of Occupational Therapy is common and well-known among students as it provides both theoretical and practical experience along with excellent career prospects.
