BSc (Honours) Operating Department Practice

Year of Entry 2025/26
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: £9,535 per year
    International/EU: £19,155 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 2025


Course summary

  • Qualify with College of Operating Department Practitioners accreditation. 
  • Learn theory in operating theatres, maternity units, critical care and A&Es. 
  • Get hands-on practice in a simulated operating theatre, ward and anatomy labs, 
  • Gain real-world experience in a variety of placement settings. 
  • Be eligible to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). 

Operating department practitioners (ODPs) are the only undergraduate allied health professionals in the UK trained to work in operating theatres. You’ll learn to work effectively alongside anaesthetists, surgeons and others to prepare and assist during surgical and anaesthetic procedures. As an autonomous practitioner, you’ll be able to transform the experiences of care for patients.

If you don't meet the entry requirements for this course, or you’d like extra preparation before starting degree-level study, we recommend you join the foundation course.

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

 

This course is designed by practising ODPs registered with the HCPC. You’ll be taught by professionals who are active in their field of practice and research, having worked in many specialisms across health. This wealth of innovative professional knowledge and interprofessional practice experience provides you with an in-depth understanding of what it means to be an ODP in the real world.

You’ll experience a blended approach to learning and teaching – on campus, online and in practice placements within the critical care environment. While specialising as an ODP, you’ll also have opportunities to learn with, from and about practitioners from a range of health and social care professions. This will enable you to develop an in-depth understanding of person-centred care and patient pathways.  

You learn through:  

  • Keynote lectures  
  • Seminars 
  • Scheduled learning experiences 
  • Simulated learning
  • Workshops
  • Tutorials  
  • Academic advising   
  • Practicals

Key Themes

You'll start by learning about safe perioperative practice and caring for the healthy elective patient. You'll then learn about co-morbidities in practice and how these may change the care ODPs provide to surgical patients from a holistic perspective. Finally you’ll learn how to overcome and deliver safe care in the emergency environment – being able to safely manage anything that may occur in the perioperative environment. 

We’ll develop you from a novice at entry level, towards a skilled graduate who can register with the HCPC upon qualification. You’ll progress through minor procedures towards complex procedures at level 6. 

From lectures and seminars to workshops and simulated learning, you’ll prepare to work alongside professionals in the clinical environment. You’ll apply theory to practice – learning by doing. Beyond the basics of operations, you’ll learn the anatomy and physiology alongside the procedure, further increasing your knowledge and understanding.

Course Support

Our supportive staff will nurture your creativity, encouraging you to ask compelling questions and providing you with the tools to answer them. With our high ratio of staff to students, you’ll always be able to receive the support you need on your learning journey towards highly skilled, graduate-level employment. This includes: 

  • Preparation for practice and skills rehearsal learning, including simulated practice and observation of practice 
  • Support and learning from a wide range of professionals and peer support  
  • Supervised delivery of care within the clinical environment 
  • Supervision and facilitation of learning through reflection on practice 
  • Support from the ODP academic team which includes advisers to look out for you
  • A student support adviser to help if outside problems affect your studies 
  • An academic adviser to support your learning journey
  • An employability adviser to help you choose and build the right career

Applied learning

Work Placements

Throughout your time on the course, you’ll spend time in the clinical practice environment to develop your knowledge and skills – working alongside registered professionals caring for perioperative patients. Here you’ll gain a deep understanding and be able to practise under supervision as a Student ODP. 

You’ll develop your skills and experience with placements designed to explore the four pillars of practice. Previous students have gained valuable experience in areas such as research, education or leadership, which has influenced their professional practice post-qualifying. 

In our state-of-the-art facilities we’ll prepare you for placement during our simulated placement weeks. Working with your peers you’ll explore case studies and practise the skills needed to care for these patients in a simulated environment.  

Your placement experiences are developed throughout the programme to enable you to build personal experience and grow as a practitioner. We have a variety of settings – including the NHS and the private sector. 

Field Trips 

We strive to organise field trips that help you understand how your academic experience is used in professional settings.

Previous students have visited Swann-Morton to discover how they make surgical blades that are distributed globally, and how to use them safely. We also organise trips to Steris to tour the sterilisation process they offer to NHS trusts, learning what happens to the surgical instruments after they leave the perioperative environment.

Networking Opportunities

Throughout the course, there are numerous opportunities for you to engage with career planning and development, career fairs and workshops, employer presentations, field visits and professional career advisers.

These are all great opportunities to enhance your confidence, skills development and future employability.


Future careers

There are a variety of career pathways for ODP and from our recent graduates, including employment in:

  • Healthcare trusts (NHS and private)  
  • Universities 
  • Healthcare company rep roles 
  • Private clinics 
  • Scrub specialisms i
  • Anaesthetics specialisms
  • Clinical specialisms such as paediatrics  
  • Physicians Associate in Anaesthesia (PAA) roles
  • Surgical First Assistant (SFA) roles
  • Advanced Clinical Practice roles 
  • Physicians Associate roles 
  • Education mentoring or teaching 
  • Research roles 
  • Leadership roles 
  • The armed forces 

And all our graduates have the option of postgraduate study and continued professional development – within our Faculty of Health and Wellbeing and beyond.

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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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

Our on-campus teaching is delivered across a range of settings. This includes our simulated operating theatre, specialist equipment and clinical ward environments – where you can collaborate with your peers to develop and apply the theoretical knowledge gained in preparation for practice. 

On the course, you’ll work with and have access to: 

  • A simulated operating theatre 
  • Anaesthetic machines 
  • Operating table and positioning equipment 
  • Clinical ward environments 
  • High-fidelity simulation equipment 
  • Specialist manikins 
  • An extensive specialist visiting lecturer pool 
  • A dedicated learning and teaching support librarian 
  • A specialist health and wellbeing learning resource centre 
  • An experienced student support officer network

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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.

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 University student support staff and explore any issues you may have.

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

Important notice: The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Following any changes, 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 Practical(100%)
Odp Clinical Practice 1
Credits -
Assessment
Odp Introduction To Odp And University Life
Credits 40
Assessment Practical(100%)
Odp Principle Roles Of Odp
Credits 40
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Personal And Professional Development
Credits 20
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Year 2

Compulsory modules

Module
Credits
Assessment
Assessing And Addressing Complexity In Practice
Credits 20
Assessment Practical(100%)
Evidence And Enquiry For Practice
Credits 20
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Odp - Clinical Practice 2
Credits -
Assessment
Odp Developing Intraoperative Practice
Credits 40
Assessment Practical(100%)
Odp Management And Care Of Acute And Critical Patients
Credits 40
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Final year

Compulsory modules

Module
Credits
Assessment
Complexity & Leadership In Professional Practice
Credits 20
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Odp Clinical Practice 3
Credits -
Assessment
Odp Developing The Practice Educator
Credits 40
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Odp Enhanced Perioperative Practice
Credits 20
Assessment Practical(100%)
The Advancing Professional
Credits 40
Assessment Coursework(100%)

Fees and funding

Home students

Our tuition fee for UK students on full-time undergraduate courses in 2025/26 is £9,535 per year. These fees are regulated by the UK government and therefore subject to change in future years.

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 2025/26 is £19,155, which includes an annual placement supplement of £2,000.

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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

The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.

General course additional costs

Additional costs for Health and Social Care (PDF, 165.7KB)

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

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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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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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