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Operating Department Practice

Course details
  • BSc (Hons)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-time
  • 09/2026
  • Undergraduate
Course location
Main Site

Course summary

Please check the Sheffield Hallam University website for the latest information

Course summary

  • Qualify with College of Operating Department Practitioners accreditation.

  • Learn theory in operating theatres, maternity units, critical care and A&Es.

  • Get hands-on practice in a simulated operating theatre, ward and anatomy labs,

  • Gain real-world experience in a variety of placement settings.

  • Be eligible to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Operating department practitioners (ODPs) are the only undergraduate allied health professionals in the UK trained to work in operating theatres. You’ll learn to work effectively alongside anaesthetists, surgeons and others to prepare and assist during surgical and anaesthetic procedures. As an autonomous practitioner, you’ll be able to transform the experiences of care for patients.

Accredited by:
College of Operating Department Practitioners (CODP) Health and Care Professions Council, the (HCPC)
This course is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). You must be registered with the HCPC in order to practise as an operating department practitioner in the UK.

This course is endorsed/approved by the College of Operating Department Practitioners.

How you learn
This course is designed by practising ODPs registered with the HCPC. You’ll be taught by professionals who are active in their field of practice and research, having worked in many specialisms across health. This wealth of innovative professional knowledge and interprofessional practice experience provides you with an in-depth understanding of what it means to be an ODP in the real world.

You’ll experience a blended approach to learning and teaching – on campus, online and in practice placements within the critical care environment. While specialising as an ODP, you’ll also have opportunities to learn with, from and about practitioners from a range of health and social care professions. This will enable you to develop an in-depth understanding of person-centred care and patient pathways.

You learn through:

  • Keynote lectures

  • Seminars

  • Scheduled learning experiences

  • Simulated learning

  • Workshops

  • Tutorials

  • Academic advising

  • Practicals

Key Themes
You'll start by learning about safe perioperative practice and caring for the healthy elective patient. You'll then learn about co-morbidities in practice and how these may change the care ODPs provide to surgical patients from a holistic perspective. Finally you’ll learn how to overcome and deliver safe care in the emergency environment – being able to safely manage anything that may occur in the perioperative environment.

We’ll develop you from a novice at entry level, towards a skilled graduate who can register with the HCPC upon qualification. You’ll progress through minor procedures towards complex procedures at level 6.

From lectures and seminars to workshops and simulated learning, you’ll prepare to work alongside professionals in the clinical environment. You’ll apply theory to practice – learning by doing. Beyond the basics of operations, you’ll learn the anatomy and physiology alongside the procedure, further increasing your knowledge and understanding.

Applied learning
Work Placements

Throughout your time on the course, you’ll spend time in the clinical practice environment to develop your knowledge and skills – working alongside registered professionals caring for perioperative patients. Here you’ll gain a deep understanding and be able to practise under supervision as a Student ODP.

You’ll develop your skills and experience with placements designed to explore the four pillars of practice. Previous students have gained valuable experience in areas such as research, education or leadership, which has influenced their professional practice post-qualifying.

Modules

Important notice: The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on this page.

Year 1

Compulsory modules

Collaboration For Individual And Community Wellbeing
Odp Clinical Practice 1
Odp Introduction To Odp And University Life
Odp Principle Roles Of Odp
Personal And Professional Development

Year 2

Compulsory modules

Assessing And Addressing Complexity In Practice
Evidence And Enquiry For Practice
Odp - Clinical Practice 2
Odp Developing Intraoperative Practice
Odp Management And Care Of Acute And Critical Patients

**Final year **

Compulsory modules

Complexity & Leadership In Professional Practice
Odp Clinical Practice 3
Odp Developing The Practice Educator
Odp Enhanced Perioperative Practice
The Advancing Professional

Assessment method

Coursework | Practical

Professional bodies

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

  • Health and Care Professions Council
  • Operating Department Practitioners, College of

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
B990
Institution code:
S21
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Open days

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - 112 - 120 points

With at least 64 points from two A levels or equivalent BTEC National qualifications. We do not accept AS levels or General Studies. For example: BBC-BBB at A Level DDM in BTEC Extended Diploma Merit overall from a Health or Science T level qualification. A combination of qualifications

Access to HE Diploma - M: 15 credits

Access to HE Diploma from a QAA recognised Access to HE course in health studies, health science, nursing or another science- based course. Normally we require 15 credits at Level 2 and 45 at level 3 of which at least 15 credits should be graded at merit level.

AS - Not accepted

GCSE/National 4/National 5

GCSEs (single or double) in: Science at grade C or 4 or equivalents Maths at grade D or 4 or equivalents English Language or Literature at grade C or 4 or equivalents Science equivalents: OCR Science level 2 Science units gained on a level 3 BTEC or OCR National Diploma or Extended Diploma qualification; Science credits gained on Access to Higher Education Diplomas (at least 12 credits at level 2 or 6 credits gained at level 3); Science equivalency test from www.equivalencytesting.co.uk. Math equivalents: Level 2 Key Skills / Application of Number; Level 2 Maths credits from an Access course; Maths equivalency test from www.equivalencytesting.co.uk. English equivalents: Level 2 Literacy; Level 2 Key Skills.

FdSc Professional Practice in Health & Social Care - If you are in the process of completing or have successfully completed the above programme at one of our partner colleges (Sheffield College, Barnsley College, Chesterfield College, North Lindsey College, Dearne Valley College, Manchester College, Stockport College and Doncaster College) and are looking to progress your career as a registered professional within the Health & Social Care sector, we would welcome an application from you via UCAS, to commence this programme at Year 1.

Successful completion of our Foundation Year in Health, Sport & Social Care.

Please note that this information is subject to change without notice by Sheffield Hallam University.

Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.

Additional entry requirements

Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)
Health checks
Occupational Health Screening: You will need to undertake occupational health screening to determine your suitability to undertake the course. This will be provided by the University free of charge. As part of this assessment you are expected to provide all relevant, truthful and accurate information to ensure a safe environment for yourself and service users. Immunisations: You must undertake a programme of immunisations as required by the Department of Health and meet the immunisation and immunity requirements of placement providers. This will be provided by the University free of charge. Please obtain details of your immunisation history from your doctor so you can submit this during your Occupational Health Screening. Other professional suitability information: Your full enrolment on your course will be confirmed when the Professional Issues Team have verified that your Enhanced DBS Disclosure (and overseas criminal record check where relevant) indicates that you are suitable to work with vulnerable groups including children and clearance from your health screening has been received. If your personal circumstances change in relation to any of the professional requirements, from when you apply to the end of your course, please tell the Professional Issues team immediately by calling 0114 225 5637 or emailing HWB-Professional-Issues@shu.ac.uk. Disability support: We strongly recommend that you tell us about any long term health conditions, learning difficulty or disability you may have. This is so we can assess whether we can deliver the course in such a way that you can meet the Health and Care Professions Council standards of proficiency and take part without disadvantage both in University and on placement. You can contact our disability coordinator on 0114 225 2588 to explore any issues you may have, or you can contact our university disabled student support team on 0114 225 3964 (voice and Minicom).
Interview
Other
Experience: Experience of interacting with members of the public from a range of backgrounds in different settings is essential when applying to a health or social care course. This is so you will have an understanding of the diversity of the population who access health and social care. It is important to be able to understand and explain how your experiences relate to the activities and qualities which are required for the profession at your interview. Reference: You must provide a reference from a current or recent employer or educational institution with your UCAS application. Course enrolment - professional requirements: Before enrolling you must fully declare the following information on the pre-admission declaration form provided during the admissions process: unfiltered criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings. For further information on unfiltered offences please see the Disclosure and Barring Service website. involvement in disciplinary proceedings during paid or voluntary employment or education establishments involvement with safeguarding proceedings, social services or related organisations enrolment on a health or social work professional course at another University Pre-course Day: After completing the above professional checks, if you reside in the UK it is important for you to make every reasonable attempt to attend a Pre-Course Day event to undertake the next stage of the professional requirements for your course. The pre-course day is also a good opportunity to meet fellow applicants on the health & social care courses who will be starting their studies at the same time as you, as well as some current students and teaching staff. We will look forward to welcoming you on the day.

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6.5If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, or equivalent.
If your level of English language is currently below IELTS 6.5 we recommend you consider an appropriate Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve the required level of English. Please note that the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) require IELTS 7.0 with no element below 6.5 for registration.

Please click the following link to find out more about English language requirements for this course https://www.shu.ac.uk/courses/operating-department-practice/bsc-honours-operating-department-practice/full-time

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

When you apply to Hallam, we consider your personal circumstances as well as your grades, experience and personal statement. In some cases, we will make you a contextual offer. Contextual offers ensure that all applicants have a fair chance of getting a place, regardless of their background.

Learn more on the Sheffield Hallam University website

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
England£9535Year 1
Northern Ireland£9535Year 1
Scotland£9535Year 1
Wales£9535Year 1
Channel Islands£9535Year 1
Republic of Ireland£9535Year 1
EU£19155Year 1
International£19155Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

Our tuition fee for UK students on full-time undergraduate courses in 2025/26 is £9,535 per year. These fees are regulated by the UK government and therefore subject to change in future years.

If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found at www.shu.ac.uk/study-here/terms-and-conditions-and-student-regulations.

Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2025/26 is £19,155, which includes an annual placement supplement of £2,000.

Sponsorship information

Scholarships, discounts and bursaries may be available to students who study this course.

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