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Operating Department Practice

Study level:
Undergraduate

Course options

Study mode:
Full-time
Qualification:
Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Duration:
3 Years
Start date:
09/2026
Campus:
City South Campus, Edgbaston
2025-20262026-2027
Apply

Course summary

Are you interested in a rewarding career in perioperative care? Have you got excellent management skills and a passion for supporting others? Start your journey to becoming a vital part of the theatre team with our BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice (ODP) course.

Operating Department Practitioners provide holistic care for a diverse range of patient groups, both within and beyond the operating theatre. This BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice course uses the Modernising Allied Health Professions Career Framework, which spirals through each of the three years to align to the ‘Four Pillars of Practice’, to maximise the choice available to you within the operating theatre and beyond. Successful completion of the course will allow you to be eligible to apply for registration with the Heath and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and gain employment as an Operating Department Practitioner (ODP).

Using the Allied Health Professions career framework, the course embeds the ‘Four Pillars of Practice’ within each year to provide a spiralling curriculum covering:

  • Pillar One: Clinical Practice (anaesthetics, surgery and post-anaesthetic care)

  • Pillar Two: Facilitation of Learning (of self and others)

  • Pillar Three: Leadership

  • Pillar Four: Evidence, Research and Development

The proportion of teaching and learning of each pillar varies in each year, with the first year aimed at preparing you for academic work and self-development, supported by clinical placement experiences to underpin the principles of evidenced-based perioperative care for patients undergoing elective surgery.

In year two, the clinical practice emphasis shifts to providing care for patients undergoing complex and emergency surgery. You will learn to understand the principles of leadership whilst supporting others to learn as well as developing inquiry-based learning in order to support research and development.

You will work towards becoming an autonomous practitioner in year three, developing proficiency in anaesthetics, surgery and post-anaesthetic care as well as gaining experience in acute care beyond the operating theatre and developing in the role of a Surgical First Assistant (SFA). You will also have the opportunity to explore your own specialist interests as well as developing your leadership skills in order to manage people and resources within the perioperative environment, as you transition to a registered ODP as you prepare to register with the HCPC.

Professional bodies

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

  • Health and Care Professions Council

Apply by
14 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
B772
Institution code:
B25
Campus name:
City South Campus, Edgbaston
Campus Code:
E
Points of Entry:
Year 1

Birmingham City University has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

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:
B772
Institution code:
B25
Campus name:
City South Campus, Edgbaston
Campus Code:
E

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - 112 points

If your level 3 qualifications do not meet the UCAS tariff for this course, you may be offered a place on our Foundation Year instead. You do not need to submit a separate application but will automatically be considered for this if your predicted grades fall below the UCAS entry tariff.

A level - BBC

112 UCAS tariff points from three A Levels. Grades BBC (or equivalent). Required subjects: Health and Social Care, Psychology, Social Science or Science subject at A Level or level 3 equivalent. Excluded subjects: General Studies; Critical Thinking; Extended Project.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

112 UCAS tariff points. Diploma accepted with one A Level or equivalent level 3 qualifications. Extended Certificate accepted with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications. Extended Diploma - accepted subjects: Health and Social Care; Applied Science. National Diploma/Extended Certificate - accepted subjects: Either this qualification or the accompanying A-level / level 3 equivalent must be in Health and Social Care or a relevant Science subject (e.g. Applied Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics).

Access to HE Diploma

Pass with 60 credits, 45 credits at level 3. Accepted subjects: Health and Social Care or Science-related pathway.

Scottish Higher

112 UCAS tariff points from three Advanced Highers (CCD) or two Advanced Highers (CD) plus two Highers (CC). Required subjects: Health or Science subject at Higher level or above.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

112 UCAS tariff points. Diploma accepted with one A Level or equivalent level 3 qualifications. Extended Certificate accepted with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications. Extended Diploma - accepted subjects: Health and Social Care; Applied Science. National Diploma/Extended Certificate - accepted subjects: Either this qualification or the accompanying A-level / level 3 equivalent must be in Health and Social Care or a relevant Science subject (e.g. Applied Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics).

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)

112 UCAS tariff points. Diploma accepted with one A Level or equivalent level 3 qualifications. Extended Certificate accepted with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications. Extended Diploma - accepted subjects: Health and Social Care; Applied Science. National Diploma/Extended Certificate - accepted subjects: Either this qualification or the accompanying A-level / level 3 equivalent must be in Health and Social Care or a relevant Science subject (e.g. Applied Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics).

Scottish Advanced Higher

112 UCAS tariff points from three Advanced Highers (CCD) or two Advanced Highers (CD) plus two Highers (CC). Required subjects: Health or Science subject at Higher level or above.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 28 points

Obtain a minimum of 28 points overall. Required subjects: One of Biology, Chemistry or Physics at Higher level. For students who do not already hold a GCSE in Mathematics at grade C/4 or above, grade 5 in Maths (Standard level) from the IB Diploma will be accepted. For students who do not already hold a GCSE in English Language at grade C/4 or above, English Language (Standard level) from the IB Diploma will be accepted. For English A, this must be grade 4 or above; for English B, this must be grade 5.

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)

Minimum of 112 UCAS tariff points, achieved in five Higher level subjects. Required subjects: Health or Science related subject at Higher level.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

GCSE English Language or English Literature and GCSE Maths at grade C/4 or above. If you do not have these or are not undertaking them, we accept other level 2 equivalents, or we may ask you to pass BCU's GCSE equivalency tests.

T Level - M

Merit overall. Accepted subjects: Healthcare Science; Science.

Welsh Baccalaureate: 112 UCAS tariff points. Considered with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications. Required subjects: Either this qualification or an accompanying A Level / level 3 equivalent must be in a relevant Health or Science subject (e.g. Applied Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics).

OCR Cambridge Technical qualifications: 112 UCAS tariff points. Extended Diploma - accepted subjects: Health or Science. Diploma - accepted subjects: Either this qualification or the accompanying A Level / level 3 equivalent must be a relevant Health or Science subject (e.g. Applied Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics).

NCFE CACHE Level 3 qualifications: 112 UCAS tariff points. Accepted subjects: Childcare and Education; Children and Young People's Workforce; Health and Social Care; Early Years Education and Care.

WJEC Level 3 qualifications: 112 UCAS tariff points. Considered with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualification(s).
Required subjects: Either this qualification or an accompanying A Level / level 3 equivalent must be a relevant Health or Science subject (e.g. Applied Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics).

  • Prior to enrolling on the course, successful candidates will be required to obtain a satisfactory occupational health check and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check via the Faculty, as well as registration with the Independent Safeguarding Authority. Qualifications, personal statement, interview and references all form part of the selection criteria for this course.
  • Applicants must provide evidence of having been in general education for a minimum of ten years.
  • Applicants must demonstrate evidence of literacy, numeracy, and IT skills.
  • Applicants must normally have evidence of formal study within the last five years. However, we are sometimes able to waive this requirement if a candidate has a significant amount of professional experience in a relevant field, for example healthcare, social care, or education.

"I really want to become an Operating Department Practitioner but do not meet your entry requirements. What advice can you give me?"

All applicants must meet our academic entry requirements to be considered for the course.

If you do not have sufficient Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications, we advise you to consider undertaking a course which will give you the opportunity to gain the correct entry criteria. For example, an Access course in a health/science-related field at your local further education college. This course contains the right mix of level 3 and level 2 qualifications which allow you to access higher education.

Alternatively, you could undertake the Open University K101 course, if you have the appropriate GSCE qualifications (as defined in our entry criteria) with another level 3 qualification.

See our website for details of the Portfolio route for those holding Level 3 Diploma in Perioperative Support (QCF).

Additional entry requirements

Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)
Health checks
Interview
Candidates who are successfully shortlisted are required to undertake an interview. Interviews are currently online via Microsoft Teams.

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)7overall with no less than 6.5 in each band.
If you do not meet the required IELTS score, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English courses. Please note that you must have a Secure English Language Test (SELT) to study on the pre-sessional English course.

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.

Data from:
This course and 3 other health sciences courses
Date range:
2022-2024

Grades held by accepted students

For Birmingham City University, the top and bottom 5% of student grades have been removed from these calculations. This change helps to remove any extraordinary circumstances that could impact the data. Learn more here .
ABB Most common
  1. A*AA
  2. Highest grades
  3. CCD
  4. Lowest grades

Offer rate for UK school & college leavers

29% Students aged 17/18 who applied to this course were offered a place.

How do you compare?

See how students with your grades have been accepted onto this course in the past.

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students

60 Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)

65 Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
England£9535Year 1
Northern Ireland£9535Year 1
Scotland£9535Year 1
Wales£9535Year 1
EU£18570Year 1
International£18570Year 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

  • The Government is proposing to increase the cap on full-time regulated tuition fees to £9,535 from 2025/26 onwards and the University is planning on increasing fees to that maximum level once legislation is enacted. Part-time fees are charged pro-rata, where applicable.

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