BSc (Honours) Operating Department Practice

Year of Entry 2024/25
Medical professional on hospital ward

BSc (Honours)

Operating Department Practice

Learn to work in operating theatre departments and critical care environments - providing important care for patients undergoing surgical and anaesthetic interventions. 

Everything you need to know...

  • Pound sign

    What is the fee?

    Home: £9,250 per year
    International/EU: £18,655 per year

  • Time

    How long will I study?

    3 Years

  • Location

    Where will I study?

    Collegiate Campus

  • Bookmark

    What are the entry requirements?

    112-120 UCAS points

  • Checkmark

    What is the UCAS code?

    B990

  • Date

    When do I start?

    September 2024


Employability

95% of our graduates are in work or further study fifteen months after graduating, with 95% in highly skilled employment or further study (2020/21 Graduate Outcomes Survey).

Course summary

  • Qualify for practice with College of Operating Department Practitioners accreditation.
  • Learn theory in operating theatres, maternity units, critical care and A&Es.
  • Get hands-on practice in simulated operating theatre, ward and anatomy labs.
  • Be eligible to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) under the protected title of Operating Department Practitioner (ODP).
  • Home students can access a non-repayable maintenance grant of at least £5,000 per year.

ODPs are the only undergraduate Allied Health Profession in the UK trained to work in operating theatres. You’ll learn to work effectively as an autonomous practitioner. You’ll work alongside anaesthetists, surgeons and others to prepare and assist during surgical and anaesthetic procedures – transforming 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.



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How you learn

Watch course leader Victoria Cadman talk about the BSc Operating Department Practice course

All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.

On this course you’ll gain the knowledge and skills you need to enter highly skilled employment. At every level of the course you’ll experience a variety of clinical environments to give you real-world insight. This will enhance your employability and prepare you for your career as an ODP in the dynamic health and social care sector.

The course is grounded in research and collaboration. By learning alongside other professions and students, you’ll develop knowledge, confidence and a strong professional identity.

You learn through

  • theoretical lectures, tutorials and seminars
  • clinical practice-based learning
  • simulation
  • technology-enhanced learning
  • practical sessions
  • virtual and distance learning
  • independent learning

You will be supported in your learning journey towards highly skilled, graduate level employment through a number of key areas. These include

  • access to our unique student support triangle to help with your personal, academic and career development
  • access to our Skills Centre with one to ones, webinars and online resources, where you can get help with planning and structuring your assignments
  • industry-specific employability activities such as live projects, learning in simulated environments and networking opportunities.

Applied learning

Work placements

You’ll apply the theory you study to practice-based learning experiences. Here you’ll develop critical and ethical approaches to your practice – preparing you to become a life-long, competent professional. The experiences you’re provided with are compulsory to achieve the course’s practice-based learning outcomes.
 
These experiences will help you build your skills, confidence, creativity, resilience, integrity, and curiosity. They’ll take place in different practice-based learning environments – reflecting the range of ways services are currently delivered. This might include simulated learning and virtual placements, alongside real-world experience of services delivered face to face to service users. 
 
We’ll ensure the practice-based learning element of your course complies with the requirements of the Professional and Statutory Regulatory Body (PSRB) which governs the ODP profession. So by the end of your course, you’ll have the opportunity to show that you meet the requirements to register as an ODP.


Future careers

This course prepares you for a career in

  • operating theatres
  • recovery units
  • critical care
  • resuscitation and A&E
  • further studies leading to roles such as Surgical First Assistant (SFA), Anaesthesia Associate, Surgical Care Practitioner
  • leadership and management

Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for

  • the National Health Service
  • private healthcare companies such as BMI Healthcare Limited & Claremont Hospital
  • global medical technology companies such as GE Healthcare
  • universities such as Sheffield Hallam University
  • the Army, Navy and RAF

Where will I study?

You study at Collegiate Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.

Collegiate campus

Collegiate Campus can be found just off Ecclesall Road, a bustling student district.

Collegiate Campus map | Campus facilities 


Collegiate Campus map
Location

Collegiate Crescent
Sheffield
S10 2BP

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Students outside Collegiate Library
Collegiate library

Collegiate Library can be found just off Ecclesall Road. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.

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Equipment and facilities

On this course you work with

  • a simulation operating theatre and other clinical environments
  • clinical skills rooms
  • dissection laboratories
  • anatomy laboratories

We’ve invested over £100m in new facilities to help you study how and when you want. This means 24-hour libraries and study spaces designed by our students.

Learn more about your department

Health and Social Care Facilities Tour

Learn what it's like to study health and social care at our Collegiate Campus from our adult nursing student Alex.

Entry requirements

All students

UCAS points

112-120

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

You can find information on making sense of UCAS tariff points here and use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points.

Or

  • 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.
  • 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.

Other equivalent qualifications are considered individually.

And

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*

*GCSE 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
  • Level 2 Key Skills/ Application of Number
  • Level 2 Maths credits from an Access course
  • Maths equivalency test from www.equivalencytesting.co.uk
  • Level 2 Literacy Level 2 Key Skills

IELTS

If 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.

 

Helping your application succeed

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.

Interview

After you have submitted your application, If you are shortlisted, we will invite you to an online interview. 

View our interview guidance to ensure you understand the interviews process and how you can prepare for this.   

Course enrolment - professional requirements

Before enrolling you must fully declare the following information on the pre-admission declaration forms 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

In addition

Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Criminal Record Check

  • you will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) criminal record check prior to or during the enrolment week of your course. This will be provided by the University free of charge.
  • you will need to present valid identity documents (PDF) (PDF, 38.1KB) as part of the application process
  • if you have lived outside of the UK for more than six consecutive months in the last five years you must provide an overseas criminal record check. Further information on obtaining an overseas criminal record check.
  • where your DBS Enhanced Disclosure certificate contains any recorded information you must present this to the Professional Issues Team within ten working days of receipt of the certificate.

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.

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.

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).

The Disability Disclosure booklet provides information for students on health and social care courses and will help you understand the importance of disclosing your disability at the earliest possible stage. This is so you can be assessed for the support you may require to succeed on the course.

Additional information for EU/International students

If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.

For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.


Modules

Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change. When selecting electives, your choices will be subject to the core requirements of the course. As a result, selections may be limited to a choice between one of two or more specified electives in some instances.

Important notice: The structure for this course is currently being reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment are all likely to change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Once the changes have been confirmed, updated module information will be published on this page.

Year 1

Compulsory modules

Module
Credits
Assessment
Collaboration For Individual And Community Wellbeing
Credits 20
Assessment
Odp Applied Science
Credits 20
Assessment
Odp Clinical Practice 1
Credits -
Assessment
Odp Foundations In Clinical Practice
Credits 20
Assessment
Odp Foundations In Peri-Operative Practice
Credits 40
Assessment
Personal And Professional Development
Credits 20
Assessment
Year 2

Compulsory modules

Module
Credits
Assessment
Assessing And Addressing Complexity
Credits 40
Assessment
Evidence And Enquiry For Practice
Credits 20
Assessment
Odp – Clinical Practice 2
Credits -
Assessment
Odp Developing Clinical Practice
Credits 20
Assessment
Odp Developing Peri Operative Practice
Credits 40
Assessment
Final year

Compulsory modules

Module
Credits
Assessment
Odp – Clinical Practice 3
Credits -
Assessment
Odp Progressing Towards The Autonomous Practitioner
Credits 40
Assessment
Professional Leadership
Credits 20
Assessment
The Advancing Professional
Credits 40
Assessment
Working With Complexity In Practice
Credits 20
Assessment

Fees and funding

Home students

Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time undergraduate study in 2024/25 is £9,250 per year. These fees are regulated by the UK government and are therefore subject to changes in government policy. 

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 in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.

International students

Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2024/25 is £18,655 per year.

HSC bursary image

Health and social care funding

Home fee-paying students can access a non-repayable maintenance grant of at least £5,000 per year. You may also be eligible for additional financial support based on your circumstances.

Learn more

Additional course costs

This link allows you to view estimated costs associated with the main activities on specific courses. These are estimates and, as such, are only an indication of additional course costs. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.

Additional costs for Operating department practice courses (PDF, 178.4KB)

Legal information

Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.

 

How do I apply?

Apply now via UCAS

Not ready to apply just yet?

Why not come to our next open day? Open days are the perfect place to talk to staff and students, visit our campuses and get all the information you need. Alternatively, feel free to ask us a question.

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Why choose us?

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Teaching

We are Gold rated in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) for the outstanding quality of our teaching and student outcomes

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Funding

Home students can access a non-repayable maintenance grant of at least £5,000 per year, eligibility applies

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Training

We are one of the largest training providers of health and social care in the UK, giving you access to cross-discipline learning

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