Operating Department Practice BSc(Hons)

Start date

22 September 2025

Duration

3 years full-time

Entry requirements

A Level - BBC-BCC

BTEC - DMM-MMM

See full entry requirements

Places available (subject to change)

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About the course

Reasons to study

You’ll develop your skills and put them to the test in our simulated operating theatre, enabling you to experience the operating theatre environment.
Through several perioperative environments, you’ll work as part of interdisciplinary teams and gain hands-on experience through clinical placement opportunities.
To enhance your learning, you’ll hear first-hand experiences and viewpoints from service users and carers, who are part of the Public Partnership Group.

Keen to work in a dramatic and exciting environment?

Operating Department Practitioners (ODPs) work alongside surgeons, anaesthetists, and other medical staff, to provide care for patients during surgery. A role within perioperative practice, therefore, will see you work as part of a dynamic team in an operating theatre and could prove a great career choice.

On our Operating Department Practice BSc(Hons) course, you’ll benefit from a strong grounding in the theory, exploring what’s involved in the three, interconnected aspects of the role: anaesthetic, surgical and post anaesthetic.

Why study Operating Department Practice BSc(Hons)

On this course, you’ll have the opportunity to practise your skills in our simulated operating theatre, enabling you to experience the operating theatre environment.

This course is regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), which means you’ll benefit from experienced staff, specialist skills labs and great links to NHS Trusts and our partners in the private sector. Our clinical placement opportunities enable you to gain valuable hands-on experience in perioperative environments, as well as potentially shadowing an operating department practitioner as part of interdisciplinary teams in a variety of care settings. This will allow you to see how ODPs contribute to all sorts of specialist areas in real world environments.

You’ll also have the opportunity to hear the experiences and viewpoints from service users and carers, who are part of the Public Partnership Group.

On our Operating Department Practice course:

You’ll receive support during your studies from academic staff and qualified practitioners who understand what it’s like to be an ODP.
You’ll move beyond the fundamentals, as the course progresses, to delve into the role research plays in perioperative practice and explore leadership and management strategies.
You’ll experience the University’s new Daphne Steele Building, which will open on the site of the National Health Innovation campus in 2024. This will allow our Operating Department Practice BSc(Hons) students to benefit from specialist clinical teaching facilities and world-leading research facilities, helping you boost your skills within the health sector and preparing you for a potentially rewarding career ahead.

Students on this course may be eligible to receive a non-repayable grant of at least £5,000 each year – find out more on the NHS Learning Support Fund website.

Not quite ready to start Operating Department Practice BSc(Hons)? Successful completion of our Health Foundation Pathway leading to a BSc(Hons) Degree will equip you with the foundation knowledge to study Operating Department Practice.

Course detail

Year 1

Core modules:

Applied Anatomy and Physiology for Operating Department Practice

You’ll have the opportunity to develop an understanding of a range of essential concepts related to normal and altered anatomy and physiology that underpin perioperative practice. You'll also investigate the structure and function of the human organ systems and the fundamentals of microbiology related to perioperative care.

Introduction to Perioperative Practice and Patient Care (Placement 1)

Through this practice module you'll have the opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of patient needs and how to undertake effective perioperative patient care. This will involve working as part of the multidisciplinary team under the direct supervision of qualified clinical staff. You'll also have the chance to develop and demonstrate your competence in undertaking the anaesthetic, scrub and circulating roles.

Principles of Anaesthesia for Operating Department Practice

In this module you’ll be introduced to anaesthetic techniques and will investigate the role of the anaesthetic practitioner in assisting the anaesthetist during perioperative care. You’ll also learn about anaesthetic principles including anaesthetic drugs and equipment, as well as how these ensure that service users’ care is maintained throughout their perioperative journey. You’ll explore the underpinning theory and scientific principles relating to the techniques in anaesthetic practice.

Principles of Surgery for Operating Department Practice

This module provides you with the opportunity to develop an understanding of the roles of the perioperative circulating and scrub practitioner. You’ll be introduced to specific techniques and equipment required for carrying out surgical interventions. The module also explores aspects of patient preparation, holistic care and support. Principles of safe practice will also be introduced including the function and safety of equipment and machinery.

Research and Professional Accountability for Operating Department Practice

You’ll have the opportunity to develop an understanding of professional attributes and lifelong learning skills, as well as research knowledge, allowing you to explore published information and implement evidence-based practice in line with registering body requirements. The research element of the module will introduce you to the role of research and evidence-based practice within health with specific consideration of the different types of research undertaken and where these are applicable.

Year 2

Core modules:

Critical Care of the Perioperative Patient

This module provides you with the opportunity to develop your understanding of the perioperative critical care environment to enable safe and appropriate patient care. You’ll be introduced to clinical emergencies and response techniques, frameworks and processes, as well as the psychological support utilised to provide a holistic care experience. You’ll examine and demonstrate the role of the ODP in managing patient care, in a simulated controlled environment of critically ill patients.

Implementation of Perioperative Practice (Placement 2)

This practice module provides the opportunity for you to further develop your understanding of patient needs and how to undertake effective perioperative patient care. You'll be allocated a clinical practice placement in which you'll be given the opportunity to develop and demonstrate your competence in undertaking the anaesthetic, scrub and post-anaesthetic care roles under direct supervision of clinical mentors.

Patho-physiological Processes Related to Peri-operative Practice

This module provides the opportunity for you to further develop your knowledge related to anaesthetic, surgical and post-anaesthetic practice in relation to altered anatomy and physiology. You'll be introduced to clinical emergencies within the hospital environment and corresponding physiological changes the patient will undergo during their perioperative care. You'll explore patient scenarios and relate these to the physiological changes that occur.

Research and Professional Accountability for Operating Department Practice 2

This module provides you with the opportunity to further explore research methodologies and develop an understanding of critical appraisal of evidence and professional implications of ethical practice while exploring profession specific research. You’ll further develop your professional awareness and understanding of quality assurance processes within Operating Department Practice. You’ll also explore practice from a moral, ethical and legal perspective and learn how to apply different frameworks and theoretical models to enhance patient care.

Theories of Perioperative Practice

This module will further develop the areas of perioperative practice you've been exposed to previously and explore how patient care can be developed and improved by exploring different clinical approaches. Exploring the anaesthetic areas of care, you’ll examine different anaesthetic techniques and the use of equipment in maintaining patient physiological status. In the surgery element you’ll explore a number of clinical specialities and the impact these can have on patients.

Year 3

Core modules:

Developing Perioperative Practice

This module provides the opportunity for you to develop an understanding of advanced perioperative practice and the patients care requirements during anaesthetic, post anaesthetic care (PACU) and surgery. You’ll explore the principles which affect perioperative practice and analyse strategies that enable enhanced performance within the theatre team. You’ll also examine professional roles and responsibilities in managing patient care and the implications of a change in perioperative practice.

Leadership and Management in the Perioperative Environment

This module provides you with the opportunity to develop the skills required so you are prepared for a leadership and management role upon qualification, where you'll lead teams, solve problems and ensure high quality care is delivered. This module will also provide you with the chance to work as a capable, independent, accountable and reflective practitioner.

Managing Enhanced and Complex Perioperative Practice (Placement 3)

This practice module provides the opportunity for you to demonstrate how you have developed the knowledge, understanding, values, attitudes and practical skills required to function as an autonomous practitioner. You'll also have the chance to develop professional, managerial and leadership awareness and demonstrate an understanding of the transition from student to practitioner.

Perioperative Research-based Project

This module provides you with the opportunity to develop the research skills you gained in Year 1 and 2 to incorporate how you can engage with evidenced-based practice. You’ll learn how to apply knowledge to devise and sustain arguments, as well as solve problems, gaining confidence and preparing you for the responsibility and accountability of the Registered ODP. You'll demonstrate understanding of research processes and how they apply to professional practice.

Teaching and assessment

An average of 9% of the study time on this course is spent with your tutors (either face to face or online) in lectures, seminars, tutorials etc and 46% is spent on placement.

Teaching and assessment on the course involves academic and clinical development, which provides links between the theory and practice in the perioperative environment.

Academically we will help you to develop the theories and concepts required to complete the varied and complex roles undertaken in the perioperative environment. You'll be taught using a variety of teaching approaches including seminars, group work, practical sessions, lectures, simulation and problem-based learning. Teaching is delivered on campus and also through our University's Virtual Learning Environment.

Classroom based learning and simulated patients are used to allow you to practice skills in a safe and controlled environment. You’ll also learn and be assessed in real practice settings through clinical placements, where you'll be supported and assessed by qualified practitioners including ODP’s and Nurses.

You'll be assessed through a variety of methods including coursework, simulation assessments and examinations. Your module specification/course handbook will provide full details of the assessment criteria applying to your course.

Feedback (usually written) is normally provided on all coursework submissions within three term time weeks – unless the submission was made towards the end of the session in which case feedback would be available on request after the formal publication of results. Feedback on exam performance/final coursework is available on request after the publication of results.

Throughout the course you’ll also have access to a Personal Development Portfolio, where you can identify your strengths and weaknesses, construct a record of achievement documenting the acquisition of knowledge, skills and competencies, as well as reflect and act upon your personal, professional, academic and long term career goals.

Further information

The teaching year normally starts in September with breaks at Christmas and Easter, finishing with a main examination/assessment period around May/June. Timetables are normally available one month before registration. This is a full-time course, so you may have to attend every day of the week.

Your course is made up of modules and each module is worth a number of credits. Each year you study core modules to the value of 120 credits, adding up to 360 credits in total for a bachelor’s qualification.

If you achieve 120 credits for the current stage you are at, you may progress to the next stage of your course, subject to any professional, statutory or regulatory body guidelines.

Teaching excellence

The University of Huddersfield has been rated Gold in all three aspects of the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023. We were the only university in Yorkshire and the Humber and the North West to achieve Gold ratings in all three aspects of the TEF among those announced in September 2023. In fact only 13 Universities, out of the 96 that were announced in September 2023, were Gold in all three ratings.
Further proof of teaching excellence: our staff rank in the top three in England for the proportion who hold doctorates, who have higher degrees, and hold teaching qualifications (HESA 2024). So, you’ll learn from some of the best, helping you to be the best.
We are joint first in the country for National Teaching Fellowships, which mark the UK’s best lecturers in Higher Education, winning a total of 23 since 2008 (2024 data).
We won the first Global Teaching Excellence Award, recognising the University’s commitment to world-class teaching and its success in developing students as independent learners and critical thinkers (Higher Education Academy, 2017).

Global Professional Award

At Huddersfield, you'll study the Global Professional Award (GPA) alongside your degree* so that you gain valuable qualities and experiences that could help you to get the career you want, no matter what your field of study is. On completion of the Award, you'll receive a GPA certificate from the University of Huddersfield, alongside the specialist subject skills and knowledge you gain as part of your degree, which may help to set you apart from other graduates.

Giving students access to the Global Professional Award is one of the reasons the University won ‘Best University Employability Strategy’ award at the National Graduate Recruitment Awards 2021. Find out more on the Global Professional Award webpage.

*full-time, undergraduate first degrees with a minimum duration of three years. This does not include postgraduate, foundation, top-up, accelerated or apprenticeship degrees.

Entry requirements

BBC-BCCat A Level .

112-104 UCAS tariff points from a combination of Level 3 qualifications.

Pass at T Level with grade C or above on core.

DMM-MMM in BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma.

NCFE CACHE Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma/Level 3 Extended Diploma at grade C.
Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits, 15 at Distinction, and 30 at Merit.
112-104 UCAS tariff points from International Baccalaureate qualifications.

In addition you must have GCSE English Language or Literature and Maths at grade 4 or above, or grade C if awarded under the previous GCSE grading scheme, or equivalent Ofqual regulated qualification.

If you do not have the appropriate qualifications for direct entry to this degree you may be able to apply to our Health Foundation Pathway leading to a BSc(Hons) Degree.

You must be able to demonstrate an appreciation of the role and work of the operating department practitioner.

Offers will be subject to an interview and references. Please note all the information provided in support of your application may be checked and must be verifiable as a true record.

You also need satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and occupational health clearances prior to registration. We arrange these as part of the application process. You'll be required to sign a self-declaration at the start of each year. All police contact during the course must be reported to the course leader as a matter of urgency and may lead to suspension or termination. We will request an Overseas Police Check if you have lived in a country outside of the UK for 6 months or more (whether continuously or in total) in the last 10 years before applying to us and whilst aged 18 or over.

You may be eligible to gain accreditation for your prior learning towards this course.

Placement providers for this course may require you to have received a number of vaccinations, unless medically exempt, and provide evidence of these. As a student on a course with a clinical or healthcare placement, we strongly recommend that you complete any courses of vaccinations required under current guidelines for your future profession. Failure to do so may result in your inability to undertake a placement in certain clinical settings, therefore impacting upon your academic progression, and may result in academic failure of your course.

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.5 overall with no element lower than 6.0, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our International Entry Requirements page.

Other suitable experience or qualifications will be considered. For further information please see the University's minimum entry requirements.

Please note places are limited and attainment of the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee an interview or offer. You must include details of any previous study.

Daphne Steele Building

The Daphne Steele Building which is due to open in September 2024, will be the new home to our Health Professional degree courses. This will feature state-of-the-art equipment and facilities for our midwifery, nursing, occupational therapy, operating department practice, paramedic science, physiotherapy, podiatry and speech and language therapy courses.

Watch the video to tour our new Daphne Steele Building, the first development on our National Health Innovation Campus in Huddersfield.

The profession of ODP

Watch this video to find out about the profession of Operating Department Practice, what the role of an Operating Department Practitioner involves, careers progression opportunities, as well as information about what the course involves and why you should study this Huddersfield.

Placements

Clinical placements are a compulsory element of the course and these will be undertaken in a range of settings. This provides a number of opportunities for you to develop the required clinical skills and experience a variety of placements and the diversity of procedures in the perioperative environment.

These placements which will be allocated by the University, will be undertaken in up to two or three different hospitals. As placements are undertaken in the hospitals listed below you must be prepared to travel to any or all of these.

Airedale General Hospital
Bradford Teaching Hospital
Calderdale Royal Hospital
Dewsbury and District Hospital
Harrogate District Hospital
Huddersfield Royal Infirmary
Leeds Teaching Hospital including Leeds General Infirmary, St James’ University Hospital, Chapel Allerton Hospital and Wharfedale Hospital
Pinderfields Hospital
Pontefract Hospital

Placements are also undertaken in some private hospitals including BMI The Duchy Hospital Harrogate, Huddersfield BMI, Leeds Nuffield, Spire Elland and Spire Leeds, Spire Methley Park and the Yorkshire Clinic. For more information visit our placements page.

“The placements were really useful. They provided the opportunity to gain an insight and first-hand experience of the operating department practitioner role, which made the transition from education to career easier. They also helped me to develop my confidence and leadership skills.“

Sena Kauser, graduated from Operating Department Practice in 2022 and is now an Operating Department Practitioner at Bradford Royal Infirmary.

Facilities

Simulated operating theatre.

Clinical session: airway management techniques.

Students practise skills on simulation mannequins.

Student practising surgical scrub techniques.

Students are caring for a simulated patient.

Student practising basic life support techniques.

Your career

Recent graduates from this course have become theatre practitioners in NHS hospitals.*

Other opportunities may include roles as perioperative practitioners, specialist practitioners, team leaders, managers, educators and academics both in clinical settings and universities, as well as working in other areas where critically ill patients are cared for. The course enables graduates to apply for Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration and then work as a perioperative practitioner.

* Percentage of graduates from this course who go on to work and/or further study within fifteen months after graduating (HESA Graduate Outcomes 20/21, UK Domiciled).
** LinkedIn.

90% Graduates employed*

Professional links and accreditations

This course is regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Whilst studying this course you're currently not required to register as a member with the Health and Care Professions Council, however you must follow their standards of conduct, performance and ethics.

Career support

We know you’re coming to university to undertake your course, meet new people and broaden your horizons. However, we also help you to focus on life after you have graduated to ensure that your hard work pays off and you achieve your ambition.

So while you’re here (and even after you graduate) the Careers and Employability Service offer professional help, support and guidance, including industry-supported workshops, careers fairs and one-to-one guidance sessions. Find out more about the Service.

Further study

Progression to one of ourWorkforce Development courses could include studying a specialist short course, Postgraduate Certificate, Master’s or Master’s by Research. Our courses are designed to assist you in developing your career and skills in specialist areas of clinical practice.

Health Studies MSc

Our Health Studies course is a great route to a healthcare career. Learn from experienced lecturers in our safe simulated ward environment.

Find out more How to apply

Part-time

Postgraduate

Inspiring Graduate

“The ODP role is one of practicality and cannot be achieved without being in a hospital undertaking the role on placement. You go to a different hospital trust each year, where you gain knowledge from different practitioners from a variety of backgrounds. This helps to perfect your own practice and provides an insight into a wide variety of surgical specialities. You start with simple operations and over the three years as you gain knowledge and experience you build your way up to more complex cases.

“Teaching was delivered through a combination of seminars, lectures and practical sessions, providing learning methods to best suit your needs. The lectures help you to understand the evidence behind why things are done the way they are on placement.

“If you’d like a career which is rewarding, exciting and will give you a new challenge everyday then look no further than the ODP role.”

Alex Renshaw, graduated Operating Department Practice BSc(Hons) in 2021, now an Operating Department Practitioner at Nottingham University Hospitals Trust

This course is regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Career support

Health Studies MSc

Our Health Studies course is a great route to a healthcare career. Learn from experienced lecturers in our safe simulated ward environment.

Find out more How to apply

Part-time

Postgraduate

“The ODP role is one of practicality and cannot be achieved without being in a hospital undertaking the role on placement. You go to a different hospital trust each year, where you gain knowledge from different practitioners from a variety of backgrounds. This helps to perfect your own practice and provides an insight into a wide variety of surgical specialities. You start with simple operations and over the three years as you gain knowledge and experience you build your way up to more complex cases.

“Teaching was delivered through a combination of seminars, lectures and practical sessions, providing learning methods to best suit your needs. The lectures help you to understand the evidence behind why things are done the way they are on placement.

“If you’d like a career which is rewarding, exciting and will give you a new challenge everyday then look no further than the ODP role.”

Alex Renshaw, graduated Operating Department Practice BSc(Hons) in 2021, now an Operating Department Practitioner at Nottingham University Hospitals Trust

Student support

At the University of Huddersfield, you'll find support networks and services to help you get ahead in your studies and social life. Whether you study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, you'll soon discover that you're never far away from our dedicated staff and resources to help you to navigate through your personal student journey. Find out more about all our support services.

The maximum fees we will charge for UK based students on undergraduate courses in 2025/26 will be £9,535 per year for full-time students (subject to parliamentary approval). We review and revise fee levels in line with inflation (RPI-X) and regulatory permissions.

Tuition fees will cover the cost of your study at the University as well as charges for registration, tuition, supervision and examinations. For more information about funding, fees and finance for UK students, including what your tuition fee covers, please see Fees and finance.

If you are an EU or international student coming to study at the University of Huddersfield, please visit the International Fees and Finance pages for full details of tuition fees and support available.

Please email the Student Finance Office or call 01484 472210 for more information about fees and finance.

Students studying this course may be eligible to receive a non-repayable grant of at least £5,000 each year. Further information is available on the NHS Learning Support Fund Website.

Fees and Finance

Tuition Fees - full-time

Please email the Student Finance Office or call 01484 472210 for more information about fees and finance.

NHS Funding

Students studying this course may be eligible to receive a non-repayable grant of at least £5,000 each year. Further information is available on the NHS Learning Support Fund Website.

Important information

Although we always try and ensure we deliver our courses as described, sometimes we may have to make changes for the following reasons

When you enrol as a student of the University, your study and time with us will be governed by our terms and conditions, Handbook of Regulations and associated policies. It is important that you familiarise yourself with these as you will be asked to agree to them when you join us as a student. You will find a guide to the key terms here, along with the Student Protection Plan.

Although we always try and ensure we deliver our courses as described, sometimes we may have to make changes for the following reasons

Changes to a course you have applied for but are not yet enrolled on

If we propose to make a major change to a course that you are holding an offer for, then we will tell you as soon as possible so that you can decide whether to withdraw your application prior to enrolment. We may occasionally have to withdraw a course you have applied for or combine your programme with another programme if we consider this reasonably necessary to ensure a good student experience, for example if there are not enough applicants. Where this is the case we will notify you as soon as reasonably possible and we will discuss with you other suitable courses we can transfer your application to. If you do not wish to transfer to another course with us, you may cancel your application and we will refund you any deposits or fees you have paid to us.

Changes to your course after you enrol as a student

Changes to option modules:

Where your course allows you to choose modules from a range of options, we will review these each year and change them to reflect the expertise of our staff, current trends in research and as a result of student feedback or demand for certain modules. We will always ensure that you have an equivalent range of options to that advertised for the course. We will let you know in good time the options available for you to choose for the following year.

Major changes:

We will only make major changes to non-optional modules on a course if it is necessary for us to do so and provided such changes are reasonable. A major change is a change that substantially changes the outcomes, or a significant part of your course, such as the nature of the award or a substantial change to module content, teaching days (part time provision), type of delivery or assessment of the core curriculum. For example, it may be necessary to make a major change to reflect changes in the law or the requirements of the University’s regulators or a commissioning or accrediting body. We may also make changes to improve the course in response to student, examiners’ or other course evaluators’ feedback or to ensure you are being taught current best practice. Major changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, such as a key member of staff leaving the University or being unable to teach, where they have a particular specialism that can’t be adequately covered by other members of staff; or due to damage or interruption to buildings, facilities or equipment, or pandemics.

Major changes would usually be made with effect from the next academic year, but may happen sooner in an emergency. We will notify you as soon as possible should we need to make a major change and will carry out suitable consultation. If you reasonably believe that the proposed change will cause you detriment or hardship we will, if appropriate, work with you to try to reduce the adverse effect on you or find an appropriate solution. Where an appropriate solution cannot be found and you contact us in writing before the change takes effect you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the University without liability to the University for future tuition fees. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

In exceptional circumstances, we may, for reasons outside of our control, be forced to discontinue or suspend your course. Where this is the case, a formal exit strategy will be followed in accordance with the student protection plan.

The Office for Students (OfS) is the principal regulator for the University.

Health and Social Care BSc(Hons)

Exploring different aspects of health and social care, you could pursue a wide range of careers in a variety of health and social care settings.

Find out more How to apply

Full-time

Undergraduate

Health Foundation Pathway leading to a BSc(Hons) Degree

This Health Foundation Pathway leading to a BSc(Hons) Degree helps you develop your skills and knowledge in order to progress towards your chosen health or social care career.

Find out more How to apply

Full-time

Undergraduate

View more courses

Start date

Duration

Entry requirements

Places available (subject to change)

About the course

Reasons to study

Why study Operating Department Practice BSc(Hons)

Course detail

Applied Anatomy and Physiology for Operating Department Practice

Introduction to Perioperative Practice and Patient Care (Placement 1)

Principles of Anaesthesia for Operating Department Practice

Principles of Surgery for Operating Department Practice

Research and Professional Accountability for Operating Department Practice

Critical Care of the Perioperative Patient

Implementation of Perioperative Practice (Placement 2)

Patho-physiological Processes Related to Peri-operative Practice

Research and Professional Accountability for Operating Department Practice 2

Theories of Perioperative Practice

Developing Perioperative Practice

Leadership and Management in the Perioperative Environment

Managing Enhanced and Complex Perioperative Practice (Placement 3)

Perioperative Research-based Project

Entry requirements

Daphne Steele Building

The profession of ODP

Placements

Facilities

Your career

Health Studies MSc

Career support

Health Studies MSc

Student support

Fees and Finance

Fees and Finance

Important information

Changes to a course you have applied for but are not yet enrolled on

Changes to your course after you enrol as a student

Changes to option modules:

Major changes:

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Health and Social Care BSc(Hons)

Health Foundation Pathway leading to a BSc(Hons) Degree