Everything you need to know...
International/EU: £18,655 per year
Employability
100% of our graduates are in work or further study fifteen months after graduating (2019/20 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).
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
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.
Come to an open day
Find out more at our undergraduate open days. Book now for your place.
How you learn
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 | Keeping safe on Campus
Collegiate library
Collegiate Library can be found just off Ecclesall Road. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEquipment 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.
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.
- Distinction overall from a Health care 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.
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
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
| Module: Collaboration For Individual And Community Wellbeing | Credits: 20 |
| Module: Odp Applied Science | Credits: 20 |
| Module: Odp Clinical Practice 1 | Credits: - |
| Module: Odp Foundations In Clinical Practice | Credits: 20 |
| Module: Odp Foundations In Peri-Operative Practice | Credits: 40 |
| Module: Personal And Professional Development | Credits: 20 |
Year 2
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
| Module: Assessing And Addressing Complexity | Credits: 40 |
| Module: Evidence And Enquiry For Practice | Credits: 20 |
| Module: Odp – Clinical Practice 2 | Credits: - |
| Module: Odp Developing Clinical Practice | Credits: 20 |
| Module: Odp Developing Peri Operative Practice | Credits: 40 |
Final year
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
| Module: Odp – Clinical Practice 3 | Credits: - |
| Module: Odp Progressing Towards The Autonomous Practitioner | Credits: 40 |
| Module: Professional Leadership | Credits: 20 |
| Module: The Advancing Professional | Credits: 40 |
| Module: Working With Complexity In Practice | Credits: 20 |
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fees for UK students starting full-time undergraduate study in 2024/2025 are regulated by the UK government and are yet to be confirmed. For an indication, our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time undergraduate study in 2023/2024 is £9,250 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.
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 £16,655 with an annual placement supplement of £2,000.
Health and social care funding
£5,000 maintenance grant is available to fund your studies. Additionally, payments of up to £3000 per year may also be available, eligibility applies.
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.
Student success story
Operating Department Practitioners are a vital part of the surgical team. Here, our students explain what it’s like to work in an operating theatre. Learn more about Jack’s story.
