Bachelor of Science in Ergoterapia

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Bachelor Ergoterapia

The Bachelor's degree in Ergotherapy trains professionals to promote health and well-being through activities and employment , in order to support independence and autonomy in everyday life and social participation in different environments (home, work, school and community).

SUPSI Course Overview

Overview

  • Degree awarded

    Bachelor of Science SUPSI in Ergoterapia

  • Credits

    180,0 ECTS

  • Study modes

    Full Time (TP), from 3 years

  • Applications

    November 20th, 2023 - April 15th, 2024

  • Start date

    September 2024

  • Language

    Italian

  • Semester fee

    From CHF 800.-

  • Location

    Manno, stabile Piazzetta

Da non perdere

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The aim is to train professional operators who can make a valid contribution to the prevention and resolution of health problems, adapting to an increasingly complex and changing healthcare system. At the end of the course of study, the SUPSI occupational therapist is able to assume all the roles described in the competency profile (LINK TO PDF ATTACHED) developed by the Rectors' Conference of the Swiss Universities: occupational therapy expert, team member, health promoter, member of the profession, manager, communicator, learner and teacher.
 
The students' performance in Ergotherapy also complies with the code of ethics of the Swiss Association of Ergotherapists.

The occupational therapist supports the person through the use of occupational therapy and activities in multiple clinical fields:
  • Pediatrics
  • Geriatrics
  • Neurology
  • Orthopedics
  • Mental health
  • Preventive medicine and health promotion
  • Occupational medicine and corporate health
The SUPSI occupational therapist can work in the following environments in Switzerland:
  • Public hospitals and private clinics
  • Welfare institutions
  • Rehabilitation clinics
  • Day care centers and day hospitals
  • Medical centres
  • Retirement homes
  • Private practices
  • Home based care
  • Cantonal educational services
  • Local municipal and social services
Internationally, the occupational therapist also works within schools, prisons, in community projects for migrants, and collaborates with international cooperation organizations.  It is, in addition, possible to develop a career in healthcare management as a department head/team leader, in the field of education as a lecturer, coordinator of programmes or training courses, as well as a researcher.

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The Bachelor's degree in Ergotherapy provides access to Master's programs in related fields (e.g. Master of Science in Ergotherapy) offered by universities in Switzerland and abroad or to continuing education programs nationally and internationally, such as:

  • Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS)
  • Diploma of Advanced Studies (DAS)
  • Master of Advanced Studies (MAS)


SUPSI offers continuing education courses aimed at occupational therapists in various fields.

  • Four practical internships

    The first internship lasts eight weeks, the second ten, and the third and fourth twelve. The course requires the student to practice in a variety of settings in Switzerland, abroad and, for those who wish, in international cooperation. The professional practice experience must be complemented by internships involving all age groups, at least one of which is carried out outside Ticino Canton.

  • Mobility

    Opportunity to carry out: 
    - internships in other regions of Switzerland: from the second internship the opportunity to gain practical experience in other regions of Switzerland 
    - internships abroad as part of international cooperation projects with associations operating in different countries (including Ecuador, Philippines, India, Morocco, Nicaragua, Romania, Sudan, Uganda) 
    - semester of study abroad through the SEMP programme (Swiss-European Mobility Program, formerly Erasmus) in Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain. 
    For more information see the SUPSI International Office website. 

  • Professional skills and interdisciplinarity

    Continuous contact with students from the Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Physiotherapy courses through attendance of common modules. Pedagogical and educational choices, in addition to enabling the acquisition of skills relevant to the profession (through specific modules), promote collaboration and openness to other professional worlds by preparing students for interprofessional collaboration.

  • Diversified teaching methods

    Use of innovative teaching methods such as seminars, practical workshops, integrated teaching, project methodology, problem-based learning, flipped classroom, group work, role play and simulations. Various educational activities take place with local collaboration, for example at the Paraplegia Center in Nottwil, the Rivabella residence in Magliaso, the Bioggio Kindergarten, the Accademia Teatro Dimitri in Verscio and the Cantonal sociopsychiatric organization.

  • Bachelor's thesis

    Qualifying opportunity for the student to apply theoretical concepts to professional contexts through literature reviews, case studies, participation in research projects, documentation of experiences based on the application of models, methods and tools to a specific professional situation.

The Bachelor's degree allows students to acquire 180 ECTS in accordance with the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). One ECTS credit corresponds to about 30 hours of study (lectures, individual and group projects, assisted and individual study).
3 years (6 semesters).
One academic year corresponds to 60 ECTS credits (1800 hours of work). 
The course is structured in modules, with compulsory attendance, and combines a basic scientific and cultural background with specific professional skills developed also during the four training internships (lasting a total of 42 weeks)

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SUPSI Course Responsibles

Stefania Moioli

Responsabile corso di laurea Ergoterapia - Dipartimento economia aziendale, sanità e sociale

Marianna Fasani

Co-Responsabile BSc Ergoterapia, Docente FB DEASS - Dipartimento economia aziendale, sanità e sociale

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In view of the limited number of places available (23), all candidates for the Bachelor's degree in Ergotherapy must take a ranking examination (written and second aptitude test).
For the purpose of federal and cantonal funding, a limited number of candidates who are not residents of Switzerland are admitted to each Bachelor's degree program with a DEASS ranking examination. For the Bachelor's degrees in the Health area, in principle this quota amounts to 10 percent; exceptions are considered legitimate when compliance with the 10 percent non-resident quota would not allow the needs (in terms of graduates) of the Ticino labor market to be met, in view of the available places offered by the degree programs.
The application for admission is submitted exclusively by following the online procedure available on the Student Portal.
 
After a few days, once the application has been assessed, an e-mail communication containing the invitation to the written ranking examination will follow. 
Candidates who pass the written examination will receive an invitation to the aptitude tests (second oral part) by e-mail.  After passing the latter, a final confirmation will follow, informing them of their direct admission to the Bachelor's degree or admission after completion of the complementary modules (see section "Admission requirements").

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To enter the degree course, there is a two-part graduation examination:
  1. First written part aimed at testing text comprehension, logic and data interpretation skills
  2. Second aptitude part consisting of an interview aimed at probing personal aptitudes, motivations and perception of the implications of future training and professional activity

The candidates with the best results in the written examination are invited to the aptitude test.
The ranking examination generally takes place during the months of May and June.

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Candidates with one of the following qualifications are admitted to the Bachelor's degree course in Ergotherapy:
  • Vocational baccalaureate health and social work (MPSS)
  • Specialised baccalaureate in health or social work
  • Professional school-leaving certificate in the fields of economics and services (MPES); technology, architecture and life sciences (MPT); creation and art (MPA) or nature, landscape and food (MPN)
  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • Foreign diploma or equivalent 

Admission to the Bachelor's degree (subject to passing the ranking examination)
  • Socio-healthcare baccalaureate: students with a socio-healthcare baccalaureate enter the Bachelor's degree directly 
  • Other baccalaureates: candidates who do not have a socio-healthcare baccalaureate begin their training after completing one year of "complementary modules" consisting of weeks of training at school and practical training in socio-healthcare institutions. The Department recognises OSS (Operatore socio-sanitario) training of 1,000 hours, carried out in Italy, as equivalent to the complementary modules. For all information on the complementary modules (purpose, training structure, school calendar, certification, etc.) please consult the programme document on the side

Requirements for other profiles
Candidates over the age of 25 may be admitted to the Bachelor's degree course without the required qualifications, but considered by the Management to have significant training and experience (applications on dossier). In this case, there is a preliminary examination aimed at testing basic elements of general culture, as well as knowledge of the Italian language, argumentative and synthesis skills. Successful completion of the general culture exam will allow the ranking exam to be held.

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The application for admission must be submitted by the deadline (see overview).

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Fee
The fee is CHF 1600 per semester, respectively CHF 800 for students benefiting from the application of the Intercantonal Agreement on Universities of Applied Sciences and Arts (Swiss nationality or tax domicile in Switzerland or Liechtenstein). Specific agreements apply for students resident in Campione d’Italia.
Administrative and logistical costs
A flat fee of CHF 160 per semester is also required as a contribution to administrative and logistical costs.
Application fee
A fee of CHF 200 must be paid online when applying for admission. This fee is neither refundable nor deductible from the semester fee.
Scolarships
​​​​​​​Various public and private institutions offer support to students in need. More information on scholarships available here.

Following the Cantonal Parliament's approval of the PRO SAN 2021-2024 communication, starting from the 2022-23 academic year, SUPSI Bachelor's degree nursing students will receive a fixed monthly allowance paid by the Canton starting from the first month of enrolment, even outside internship periods. The State Council has defined the following allowances:
Academic Year 2023-24
  • 1st year: CHF 700.–
  • 2nd year: CHF 850.–
  • 3rd year: CHF 1'050.–

From Academic Year 2024-25
  • 1st year: CHF 900.–
  • 2nd year: CHF 1'000.–
  • 3rd year: CHF 1'100.–
In addition, a new tertiary training allowance has been introduced that will also provide Bachelor's degree nursing students with minimum subsistence coverage during training, should there be an unmet need despite the monthly salary.  The allowance can be granted up to the coverage of overhead and training costs.

More information on applications for study support is available on the website of the Department of Education, Culture and Sport (DECS) of the Canton of Ticino.

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The health area of the Department of Business Administration, Health care and Social work regularly offers refresher courses that are valid for the recognition of foreign degrees in Switzerland.

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  • Department of Business Economics, Health and Social Care

    Bachelor in Nursing, Occupational Therapy and Physioterapy and Master in Nursing

  • Stabile Piazzetta, Via Violino 11
    CH-6928 Manno

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  • T +41 (0)58 666 64 00

    deass.sanita@supsi.ch

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