Operating Department Practice

Why choose this course?
BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice will qualify you to become a HCPC registered Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) and enable you to make a difference to people’s lives, working within teams of surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses, and more in the operating theatre, critical care, and emergency departments.

This course:

Is accredited by the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) 
Is endorsed by the College of Operating Department Practitioners 
Is in partnership with the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
Incorporates placements and practical learning 
Utilises state-of-the-art simulation equipment and facilities at the University 
is a Welsh Government Bursary commissioned programme 
*This course is part of a subject area ranked

1st in the UK for Student Experience
Joint 1st in the UK for Graduate Prospects
1st in Wales and top 10 in the UK for Teaching Quality
in the Subjects Allied to Medicine subject area league table in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2025

*This course is rated 1st in Wales in the Health Studies subject area league table in the Daily Mail University League Table, 2024.

*This course is rated 4th in the UK for Satisfied with Teaching in the Health Professionals subject area league table in the Guardian University Guide, 2025.

Key Course Features:
This course integrates interprofessional teaching and learning, allowing you to learn from other students working towards various roles in the healthcare industry 
The course is designed around a Spiral curriculum, meaning that topics are introduced in Year One, and then expanded upon in Years Two and Three
Develop knowledge and understanding of multi-professional care, autonomy and accountability within a professional framework and clinical problem-solving skills 
The main delivery site for this course is our Wrexham campus. Occasional interprofessional education sessions may be delivered from our St Asaph campus with students from various nursing and allied health courses
Case study approach to teaching, learning and assessment

What you will study
YEAR 1 (LEVEL 4)
Year one is an introduction to the main topics of Operating Department Practice, including clinical, professional, research and life sciences topics.

MODULES
Introduction to Operating Department Practice: Introduction to the fundamental topics of anaesthetics, surgery, and post-anaesthetic care
Introduction to Perioperative Clinical Skills: Introduction to the practice placement element of being an ODP. This module will focus mainly on elective, scheduled cases.
Introduction to Life Sciences (IPE): Introduction to the life sciences, including physical anatomy and physiology and mental health
Foundations in Professional Practice (IPE): Introduction to the professional roles and responsibilities of an Allied Health Professional covering topics such as confidentiality, dignity, care, and reflection
Foundations in Research (IPE): Introducing students to the concepts of research, becoming familiar with research articles, assignment writing, and statistics

YEAR 2 (LEVEL 5)
Year two will expand on topics which were introduced in the first year. There will be greater complexity, and greater application to practice of an ODP.

MODULES
Developing Operating Department Practice: Expanding on the theory behind anaesthetics, surgery, and post-anaesthetic care
Developing Perioperative Clinical Skills: More complex skills introduced within the practice element of the programme. More focus on emergency scenarios, emergency anaesthetics and surgery.
Applying Life Sciences to Perioperative Practice: Re-visiting topics of life sciences with an application to anaesthetics, surgery, and post-anaesthetic care. Expanding on the considerations for, and treatment of body systems within the perioperative environment.
Contemporary Studies in Operating Department Practice: Exploring policies which govern and shape modern Operating Department Practice, beginning with WHO Safe Surgery Saves Lives
Evidence in Practice (IPE): Exploring how research directly impacts the practice of Allied Health Professionals in their clinical work.

YEAR 3 (LEVEL 6)
Year three introduces you to expanding roles of ODPs, including Surgical First Assistance, Critical Care and Resuscitation. You will also be prepared for practice by exploring elements such as audit, research, leadership, and management.

MODULES
Advanced Operating Department Practice: Exploring the theory behind surgical first assistance, critical care, resuscitation, and caring for patients with complex needs.
Advanced Perioperative Clinical Skills: The practice placement element of more advanced perioperative practice with placements in departments outside of the theatre department to expose students to a greater depth of their scope of practice
Research for Practice (IPE): You will complete a research project exploring an area of Operating Department Practice where they will be able to collect their own data.
Transition to Professional Practice (IPE): You will explore leadership and management theories, preparation for employment and professional registration, and quality policies and procedures.

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the programme that will take the form of either core or option modules. Modules are designated as core or option in accordance with professional body requirements and internal academic framework review, so may be subject to change.

Teaching & Assessment
Teaching, learning and assessment will follow a blended approach with online content, videos, small group sessions and practical sessions. We have a case study format throughout, relating concepts to the real-life environment. The Active Learning Framework (ALF) will be used throughout each module, at each level. There is a broad range of assessments, using practice, case study portfolios, presentations, and posters.

Assessment methods include:

Essays
Presentation
Examination
OSCE