Operating Department Practice

Learn the skills needed to deliver specialised patient care in the operating theatre and other critical areas.

As an operating department practitioner (ODP), you’ll follow the patient’s journey from when they are anaesthetised through to their recovery. You’ll scrub up and prepare the surgical equipment, help manage the patient’s airway and play a major role in keeping them safe.

During the course, you’ll spend half your time on placement, working alongside other ODPs, surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses and healthcare assistants.

To prepare you for the operating department, we provide access to state-of-the-art simulated operating theatres. Here, you’ll practise essential skills such as patient monitoring, assessment, performing interventions, and administering treatments on both manikin patients and live service users. You will also be exposed to simulated emergencies where you’ll refine your ability to respond effectively under pressure and manage the situation.

We believe healthcare is best learned through hands-on experience. That’s why, in University, we combine innovative theory lectures with practical workshops, skills sessions, and immersive simulations, ensuring you develop both the knowledge and confidence to excel in this critical role.

As this degree is accredited by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), you can apply to become a registered ODP once you graduate.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice

Year 1 Core: Clinical Practice, Wellbeing and Simulation Part 1; Fundamental Clinical Skills; Fundamental Professional Context; Fundamentals of Bioscience and Pharmacology

Year 2 Core: Clinical Practice, Wellbeing and Simulation Part 2; Developing the Role of Operating Department Practitioner; Holistic Care Across the Lifespan; Introduction to Research Methods; Post Anaesthetic Care and Advanced Pharmacology

Year 3 Core: Clinical Practice, Wellbeing and Simulation Part 3; Enhanced Operating Department Practice and Emergency Care; Leadership and Service Development; Research in Practice; Transition to an Autonomous Practitioner