Who this German-taught B.Sc. fits – and what you must bring

This programme is for practising occupational therapists who already hold a completed German professional training (staatlich anerkannte Ausbildung in Ergotherapie) and want an academic upgrade alongside work. Typical profiles: (1) a licensed OT from Germany working in a clinic, rehab centre or private practice who needs a bachelor’s for senior roles or teaching; (2) an experienced OT with German training now living abroad who prefers a fully online degree with flexible exams; (3) a therapy professional aiming at leadership, quality management or didactics and ready to specialise in areas such as management or prevention.

Admission requirements

Admission is selective and tied to your prior professional qualification in Germany. In brief, you need an OT training completed in Germany plus a recognised route into higher education.

• Mandatory professional qualification: completed Ausbildung as an occupational therapist in Germany. Foreign OT trainings are not accepted for admission or credit.
• With school-leaver certificate: general or subject-specific higher education entrance qualification (Abitur/Fachabitur) + German OT Ausbildung. International school certificates (e.g., IB) are subject to an equivalency check (Anabin).
• Without Abitur: admission is possible with a completed German OT Ausbildung and at least three years of full-time professional experience as an occupational therapist.
• Teaching language: German. If you did not complete your schooling in German, you must provide one of the following German certificates (typically no older than five years, to be submitted before start): TestDaF (TND3, min. 3 in all parts); DSH-1; telc Deutsch B2; ÖSD B2. The university may accept other B2 (CEFR) proofs at its discretion.
• Mode of study: 100% online with regular interactive live sessions; exams online or at test centres. Start dates are flexible.

Personal requirements

Studying remotely from abroad works well if you are organised and realistic about time. Plan for around 20–30 hours per week in the common 24–36-month tracks; the fast 18-month option requires more. You should be comfortable reading academic texts, writing evidence-based assignments, and engaging in online discussions. Reliable internet, a quiet study space, and readiness to sit proctored online exams across time zones are essential. Because teaching, assessments and live classes are in German, you will need confident B2-level comprehension and writing; C1 makes literature work and exam performance easier. Expect scheduled virtual classes (attendance recommended) and self-study phases; there are no additional on-site practicals, but reflection modules draw on your existing OT practice. Persistence, self-motivation and steady weekly routines are the key determinants of success in this programme.

What will you study in the Occupational Therapy at IU International University?

This programme is taught in German. You will need proof of German at about B2 level, typically via TestDaF (min. 3 in all parts), DSH-1, telc Deutsch B2 or ÖSD B2. As a German Fernstudium (distance learning), it is delivered fully online by a Fachhochschule (a practice-oriented university of applied sciences) and approved by the ZFU – Germany’s state authority for distance-learning courses.

You build on your professional training in occupational therapy and complete the academic components at bachelor level. The degree totals 180 ECTS; with a completed OT Ausbildung, 90 ECTS are recognised and you start directly with higher-semester modules. You conclude with a bachelor thesis; no additional clinical placements are required within the programme.

Evidence-based OT and clinical decision-making: You deepen evidence-based practice and clinical reasoning, linking theory and complex casework. Typical modules include Evidence-Based Practice, Clinical Reasoning and Collaborative Work (interprofessional teamwork and communication).

Research skills for practice: You gain a solid methods toolkit to appraise and generate evidence, with Qualitative Research Methods, Quantitative Research Methods and an Introduction to Scientific Work for Psychology and Health.

Health systems, management and quality: You examine the German and international health landscape in Introduction to Health Economics, Framework Conditions of the Health Market and Quality Management in Healthcare. These modules help you argue outcomes, quality and value in clinics and community settings.

Neuro- and pathophysiological foundations in therapy: You revisit and sharpen scientific underpinnings for therapeutic reasoning in Neuro- and Pathophysiology in Therapy – Foundations and connect them with OT theory and practice models.

Guided reflective practice: Several seminar formats focus on structured reflection based on real cases from your work: Reflective Practice in the areas of Self-Care, Play and Leisure, and Work Life. These bind together models, diagnostics and goal planning in day-to-day contexts.

Electives: You choose one 10-ECTS specialisation to align the degree with your goals, e.g. Clinical Specialisation for Occupational Therapists, Management for Therapists, Didactics for Therapists, Prevention and Health for Therapists, Digitalisation in Therapy and Care, Sign Language, or a digital skills option (Mastering Prompts).