Accessibility
The University is the sole provider of Allied Health Profession education in Northern Ireland and has built a strong reputation for high quality delivery across the range of disciplines including; Dietetics, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Radiography and Speech & Language Therapy.
As part of its widening participation agenda and in order to ensure that intake target numbers are achieved, the University has put in place arrangements whereby factors other than state examination performance be taken into account in the selection process. An admission test has been introduced specifically designed for these professions and the academic entry requirements were reduced appropriately.
The test has been held since 2006 on a Saturday at the end of January/early February on the Coleraine, Jordanstown and Magee University campuses and comprises an assessment of three elements: interpersonal understanding, critical reasoning and written communication. The test protocol has been developed for Allied Health Professional applicants by the Australian Council for Educational Research, an independent non-profit making body which has been operating in this field for many years. Applications to take this test should be made alongside the UCAS process, and details are available on the HPAT-Ulster website www.hpat.org.uk. All applicants must have completed HPAT-Ulster to be considered for entry to University of Ulster Allied Health Profession programmes. Subject requirements which are essential for the more science-based programmes have not been changed as a result of the introduction of the test.
In 2008 a separate test, HPAT-Ireland, was introduced for entrants to undergraduate medicine in the Republic of Ireland in 2009. This does not provide entry to Ulster Allied Health Profession programmes and is held on a different date from HPAT-Ulster. Discussions are underway regarding possible linkages between the two tests for entry in 2010 and beyond.