Course guide · Courses & Degrees

BOT (Bachelor of Occupational Therapy)

Occupational therapists help people participate in daily life — a child with developmental delays learning to write, an adult recovering from a stroke returning to work, an older person staying independent at home.

3 min read · Last reviewed 26 September 2026

Duration
About 4.5 years including internship
Eligibility
Class 12 with PCB and English
Work settings
Hospitals, rehabilitation centres, schools, clinics
Related
Physiotherapy, psychology, special education

Course overview

Occupational therapy focuses on function and participation: self-care, work, learning and leisure. It overlaps with physiotherapy but places more emphasis on daily activities, cognition and environment.

Who this course may suit

  • BiPC students interested in rehabilitation and helping people live independently

Eligibility

  • Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English
  • Admission as per state or university

Entrance exams and admission

ExamUsed forNotes
State allied-health or BiPC entrance testsAllied health admissions in some states

Exam names, patterns, eligibility and participating institutions change. Check the official notification for the current year.

What you will study

Typical structure — varies by university
YearTypical subjects
Years 1–2Anatomy, physiology, psychology, occupational therapy fundamentals
Years 3–4Paediatric, neurological, orthopaedic and mental-health occupational therapy
InternshipSix months of clinical training

Skills you will develop

  • Functional assessment
  • Activity-based therapy
  • Adaptive equipment and environment modification

Where the course is offered

Medical and allied health colleges.

Want help applying this to your own situation? Career Counselling After Class 12 on the Career Captain website.

Indicative fees

Private colleges commonly charge about ₹60,000 to ₹2 lakh a year.

Fees differ widely between government, aided, private and deemed institutions, and change every year. Any figures here are broad indications only — check each institution's official fee notice, and ask about scholarships and fee waivers.

Career options after the course

Physiotherapist

Closely related rehabilitation career.

Psychologist

Overlap in mental health and child development.

Higher-study options

  • MOT in a speciality
  • Licensing routes abroad

Advantages of this course

  • Meaningful rehabilitation work
  • Growing awareness in paediatrics

Challenges to consider

  • Fewer colleges and lower awareness than physiotherapy

Is this course a good fit for you?

It may suit you if…

  • You are creative and patient
  • You enjoy working with children or adults with disabilities

It may be harder if…

  • You prefer lab-based work

Similar courses to compare

Frequently asked questions

Is occupational therapy the same as physiotherapy?

No. Physiotherapy focuses on movement; occupational therapy focuses on daily activities and participation.

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