Occupational therapy
In-person programme
Occupational therapy
Course sheet
A.Y. 2026/2027
Bachelor
L/SNT2 - Health professions for rehabilitation
The main educational goal for this degree programme is to build skills in occupational science to promote the health and wellbeing of patients of all ages who have limitations during daily living. At the end of the study period, students must be able to seek out, process, and apply information, possess a high degree of clinical thinking and skills with respect to their patients, and in their group work. Such skills must fall within the following areas:
-the relationship amongst individual-occupation-environment, and its connection to health
-patient and professional relationships
-the occupational-therapy process
-professional conduct and reasoning
-the professional-practice environment
The Bachelor's degree programme strives for a series of specific objectives. We describe these below, in their three-year course sequence.
-the relationship amongst individual-occupation-environment, and its connection to health
-patient and professional relationships
-the occupational-therapy process
-professional conduct and reasoning
-the professional-practice environment
The Bachelor's degree programme strives for a series of specific objectives. We describe these below, in their three-year course sequence.
Occupational therapists work to prevent, treat, and rehabilitate persons afflicted with physical and mental illnesses and disorders, which might be either temporary or permanent. OTs use expressive, manual-representative activities, play therapy, and everyday living situations to treat their patients. Those earning a degree in occupational therapy, in concert with the diagnosis and prescriptions given by the patient's physician, within the scope of their skill set, and in collaboration with other social and healthcare professionals, conduct a functional and physiological assessment of the patient. Based on this assessment, they develop (whether individually or as part of a multi-disciplinary team) a rehabilitation programme for the patient. The goal is to identify and help the disabled person overcome their needs, and to put them on track towards independence, both in terms of daily life as well as integration into the community. OTs treat physical, mental/psychiatric, temporary/permanent conditions in patients of all ages. They use both individual and group therapies, promoting the recovery and optimisation of a person's faculties so that they might reintegrate, adapt, and adjust to their personal environment, whether at home or in the community. They discern a person's potential to adapt, and motivate them towards their goals, within the scope of specific occupational therapy; they take part in choosing and designing braces or orthotics, for use alone or in tandem with assistive devices; they propose (where necessary) modifications to the person's living environment, and provide education to the person in treatment, to families, and to the community at large; they ensure alignment between the rehabilitative strategy chosen, and the patient's functional and psycho-social recovery objectives; they conduct study and research, teaching, and provide support where their specific professional competencies are sought; they contribute to the training and professional development of support staff; they practice in public or private clinics and hospitals, as either employees or independent professionals.
Employment statistics (Almalaurea)
Employment statistics (Almalaurea)
International opportunities for students enrolled in bachelor's degree programmes began in 1987, through the efforts of the European Community with the institution of ERASMUS, which stands for "European Region Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students". European university students were given the opportunity to complete a for-credit study-abroad period on an international campus partnering with the student's home campus.
UNIMI's Bachelor's Degree programme in Occupational Therapy, established in 2001, launched an international exchange programme (within the Erasmus framework) with the University of Burgos, Spain, beginning in the 2008/2009 academic year. Since then, about a dozen Spanish students have taken Year III coursework on the Milan campus, with stays ranging from six to nine months. These students have attended lessons and completed practicums.
The European Community's Erasmus+ programme was renewed for the 2014-2020 period, providing students study-abroad and traineeship/internship opportunities for 3-12 months thanks to bilateral agreements between the degree programmes. The Bachelor's degree programme also provides students, on an individual basis, contacts with short-term (from a few weeks to a few months) international-university experiences, in the U.S. in particular. As with other degree programmes where students have studied abroad, we have found students to be very happy with their experience. In many cases they have found inspiration for their thesis, and contacts for work opportunities after graduation.
The Erasmus experience and international exchange are not just a university experience, but an opportunity to learn from, and live with, persons of a different culture and language. It's about more than learning a different language: it's a chance for the student to begin to take on responsibilities, and to begin to feel a part of a professional community that includes students from different countries.
UNIMI's Bachelor's Degree programme in Occupational Therapy, established in 2001, launched an international exchange programme (within the Erasmus framework) with the University of Burgos, Spain, beginning in the 2008/2009 academic year. Since then, about a dozen Spanish students have taken Year III coursework on the Milan campus, with stays ranging from six to nine months. These students have attended lessons and completed practicums.
The European Community's Erasmus+ programme was renewed for the 2014-2020 period, providing students study-abroad and traineeship/internship opportunities for 3-12 months thanks to bilateral agreements between the degree programmes. The Bachelor's degree programme also provides students, on an individual basis, contacts with short-term (from a few weeks to a few months) international-university experiences, in the U.S. in particular. As with other degree programmes where students have studied abroad, we have found students to be very happy with their experience. In many cases they have found inspiration for their thesis, and contacts for work opportunities after graduation.
The Erasmus experience and international exchange are not just a university experience, but an opportunity to learn from, and live with, persons of a different culture and language. It's about more than learning a different language: it's a chance for the student to begin to take on responsibilities, and to begin to feel a part of a professional community that includes students from different countries.
Attendance of all educational activities contemplated in the study programme is mandatory.
To be allowed to sit the for-credit exam, students must have attended at least 75% of the educational programming contemplated for each course.
To be allowed to sit the for-credit exam, students must have attended at least 75% of the educational programming contemplated for each course.
Enrolment
Admission into the programme is capped, at a national level, pursuant to Law no. 264 of 2 August 1999.
To be admitted into the degree programme, a candidate must have an Italian secondary-school diploma or similar diploma obtained overseas and deemed equivalent.
The number of students who may be admitted is set each year pursuant to a decree of the Ministry of Universities and Research (MUR), based on findings provided by the university in terms of available instructional, classroom, and clinical resources (human and otherwise), as well as the demand for the type of professionals contemplated for this Class as determined by the Region of Lombardy, and the Ministry of Health.
The admission test is given in accordance with directives and timetables established from year to year by the MUR.
The admission test will be administered as a national exam, generally in the month of September. The date will be set pursuant to a decree of MUR.
Additional learning requirements (OFA)
Students who answered less than 50% of the Biology and Chemistry questions on the admission test will be required to finish a set of additional learning requirements (OFA). These prerequisites may be met through specifically assigned remedial work. Any failure to complete the OFA will make it impossible for the student to sit exams in: Biological and Morphological Life Sciences - Physiopathology
Timely notice of the various courses will be posted to: https://terapiaoccupazionale.cdl.unimi.it/it
To be admitted into the degree programme, a candidate must have an Italian secondary-school diploma or similar diploma obtained overseas and deemed equivalent.
The number of students who may be admitted is set each year pursuant to a decree of the Ministry of Universities and Research (MUR), based on findings provided by the university in terms of available instructional, classroom, and clinical resources (human and otherwise), as well as the demand for the type of professionals contemplated for this Class as determined by the Region of Lombardy, and the Ministry of Health.
The admission test is given in accordance with directives and timetables established from year to year by the MUR.
The admission test will be administered as a national exam, generally in the month of September. The date will be set pursuant to a decree of MUR.
Additional learning requirements (OFA)
Students who answered less than 50% of the Biology and Chemistry questions on the admission test will be required to finish a set of additional learning requirements (OFA). These prerequisites may be met through specifically assigned remedial work. Any failure to complete the OFA will make it impossible for the student to sit exams in: Biological and Morphological Life Sciences - Physiopathology
Timely notice of the various courses will be posted to: https://terapiaoccupazionale.cdl.unimi.it/it
Places available: 25 + 1 reserved for non-EU citizens
Call for applications
The call for applications is being finalized. Please refer to the call, once it is available, for admission test dates and contents, and how to register.
Application for admission: application deadlines will be published shortly.
The call for applications is being finalized
Online services
Learn more:
Programme description and courses list
year
| Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Clinical Training, 1st Year | 16 | 400 | Italian | MEDS-26/C |
First semester
| Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Biological and Morphological Bases of Life (biology, anatomy and histology) | 6 | 60 | Italian | BIOS-10/A BIOS-12/A BIOS-13/A |
| - Anatomy | 3 | 30 | BIOS-12/A | |
| - Experimental biology | 2 | 20 | BIOS-10/A | |
| - Histology | 1 | 10 | BIOS-13/A | |
| Occupational Therapy I | 7 | 90 | Italian | MEDS-26/C |
| Sociological, Psychological and Pedagogical Sciences | 6 | 70 | Italian | GSPS-05/A PAED-01/A PAED-02/B |
| - Educational research | 1 | 15 | PAED-02/B | |
| - General sociology | 3 | 30 | GSPS-05/A | |
| - Theories and science of education and social education | 2 | 25 | PAED-01/A | |
Second semester
| Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Clinical and Developmental Psychology | 6 | 65 | Italian | PSIC-02/A PSIC-04/B |
| - Clinical psychology | 4 | 40 | PSIC-04/B | |
| - Developmental and educational psychology | 2 | 25 | PSIC-02/A | |
| Occupational Therapy Ii | 7 | 90 | Italian | MEDS-26/C |
| Physiology and Pathology | 5 | 50 | Italian | BIOS-06/A MEDS-02/A |
| - Experimental medicine and pathophysiology | 2 | 20 | MEDS-02/A | |
| - Physiology | 3 | 30 | BIOS-06/A | |
Open sessions
There are no specific sessions for these activities.
| Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Computer Science Course | 3 | 30 | Italian | INFO-01/A |
Study plan rules
Elettivi - Lo studente, al primo anno, deve altresì maturare 2 CFU in attività formative a scelta.
be activated by the A.Y. 2027/2028
year
| Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Clinical Training, 2nd Year | 20 | 500 | Italian | MEDS-26/C |
| Internal Medicine (oncology, geriatrics, nursing, neurology) | 7 | 70 | Italian | MEDS-05/A MEDS-09/A MEDS-12/A MEDS-24/C |
| - Internal medicine | 2 | 20 | MEDS-05/A | |
| - Medical oncology | 1 | 10 | MEDS-09/A | |
| - Neurology | 3 | 30 | MEDS-12/A | |
| - Nursing sciences: general, clinical and paediatric | 1 | 10 | MEDS-24/C | |
First semester
| Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Occupational Therapy Iii | 6 | 75 | Italian | MEDS-26/C |
| Pediatrics and Neuropsychiatry | 4 | 45 | Italian | MEDS-20/A MEDS-20/B MEDS-26/C |
| - Child neuropsychiatry | 1 | 10 | MEDS-20/B | |
| - General and subspecialty paediatrics | 1 | 10 | MEDS-20/A | |
| - Occupational therapy | 2 | 25 | MEDS-26/C | |
| Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology | 4 | 40 | Italian | MEDS-11/A PSIC-04/B |
| - Clinical psychology | 2 | 20 | PSIC-04/B | |
| - Psychiatry | 2 | 20 | MEDS-11/A | |
Second semester
| Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Locomotor Pathology; Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine | 6 | 70 | Italian | MEDS-09/C MEDS-14/A MEDS-19/A MEDS-19/B |
| - Chirurgia plastica | 1 | 10 | MEDS-14/A | |
| - Malattie dell'apparato locomotore | 1 | 10 | MEDS-19/A | |
| - Medicina fisica e riabilitativa | 3 | 40 | MEDS-19/B | |
| - Reumatologia | 1 | 10 | MEDS-09/C | |
| Occupational Therapy Iv | 6 | 80 | Italian | MEDS-26/C |
Open sessions
There are no specific sessions for these activities.
| Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| English Assessment B1 (2 ECTS) | 2 | 0 | English | NN |
Study plan rules
Elettivi - Lo studente, al secondo anno, deve altresì maturare 2 CFU in attività formative a scelta.
be activated by the A.Y. 2028/2029
year
| Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Clinical Training, 3rd Year | 24 | 600 | Italian | MEDS-26/C |
First semester
| Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Evidence-Based Research Methods and Practise | 4 | 40 | Italian | MEDS-24/A MEDS-26/C PSIC-04/B |
| - Clinical psychology | 1 | 10 | PSIC-04/B | |
| - Medical statistics | 1 | 10 | MEDS-24/A | |
| - Research methods | 1 | 10 | MEDS-24/A | |
| - Research methods for occupational therapy | 1 | 10 | MEDS-26/C | |
| Health Science and Services | 5 | 50 | Italian | ECON-08/A GIUR-04/A MEDS-22/A MEDS-24/B MEDS-25/B |
| - Diagnostic imaging and radiotherapy | 1 | 10 | MEDS-22/A | |
| - Hygiene and public health | 1 | 10 | MEDS-24/B | |
| - Labour law | 1 | 10 | GIUR-04/A | |
| - Occupational medicine | 1 | 10 | MEDS-25/B | |
| - Organization studies | 1 | 10 | ECON-08/A | |
| Occupational Therapy V | 6 | 75 | Italian | MEDS-26/C |
Second semester
| Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Latest Developments in Advanced Assistive Technology and Environmental Design | 4 | 45 | Italian | CEAR-08/D IBIO-01/A |
| - Electronic and informatics bioengineering | 3 | 35 | IBIO-01/A | |
| - Industrial design | 1 | 10 | CEAR-08/D | |
| Occupational Therapy Vi | 7 | 85 | Italian | MEDS-26/C |
Conclusive activities
There are no specific sessions for these activities.
| Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Final Examination | 7 | 0 | Italian | NN |
Study plan rules
Elettivi - Lo studente, al terzo anno, deve altresì maturare 2 CFU in attività formative a scelta.
year
| Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Language and Computer Skills | 3 | 45 | Italian | NN |
Open sessions
There are no specific sessions for these activities.
| Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Professional Laboratories | 3 | 45 | Italian | NN |
Learn more
Guidance:
Admission, ranking and enrolment
Milano
Tutor
Per l'orientamento:
dott.ssa Ingela Johnson
dott.ssa Noemi Penna
Per stage e tirocini:
dott.ssa Ingela Johnson
dott. Mariano Nardiello
dott. Marco Pastori
dott.ssa Diletta Pisaniello
dott. Pietro Carlo Battain
dott. Fabio Bonora
Per mobilità internazionale:
dott. Mariano Nardiello
dott.ssa Ingela Johnson
dott.ssa Noemi Penna
Per stage e tirocini:
dott.ssa Ingela Johnson
dott. Mariano Nardiello
dott. Marco Pastori
dott.ssa Diletta Pisaniello
dott. Pietro Carlo Battain
dott. Fabio Bonora
Per mobilità internazionale:
dott. Mariano Nardiello
Quality Assurance Delegate
Reference structures
Contacts
- Academic Office for the Degree Programme
[email protected]
For students enrolled in Bachelor's, Master's and single-cycle degree programmes, tuition fees are to be paid in two instalments:
- the amount of the first instalment is the same for all students and is due upon enrolment
- the amount of the second instalment varies according to each student's ISEE University value and the degree programme in which they are enrolled
- for international students with income and assets abroad, the second instalment varies according to their country of origin.
Education incentive programmes and other benefits
The University offers scholarships, cafeterias, subsidised accommodation and other forms of financial support to students meeting specific economic and merit requirements.
More information
Official documents