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Operating Department Practice (ODP) is an exciting and rewarding career where you work within the perioperative theatre environment caring for patients undergoing surgery.
Year of entry
2025-26
Location
Coventry University (Coventry)
Study mode
Full-time
Duration
3 years full-time
Course code
HU10
Start date
September 2025
Operating Department Practitioners (ODPs), unique among undergraduate Allied Health Professions in the UK, receive specialised training for operating theatre roles. Throughout your training, you'll develop autonomy as a practitioner, collaborating with anaesthetists, surgeons, and other professionals to prepare and assist in surgical and anaesthetic procedures, thereby enhancing patient care experiences.
Operating Department Practitioners (ODPs) play a crucial and unique role in patient care. They are responsible for a wide spectrum of tasks essential for the smooth running of perioperative environments. As an ODP you may prepare and maintain operating theatres, ensure the availability of equipment and drugs, manage patient safety and support patients' emotional and physical needs throughout their surgical journey, from pre-anaesthesia to post-anaesthetic care in recovery. Staying calm in pressured environments, ensuring safety and ensuring everyone has a voice to speak up when needed are all vital skills you’ll be developing on the course.
Careers in operating department practice enable you to develop a mix of technical, management and communication skills to support a diverse range of patients during their most vulnerable moments.
Gain the skills and experience to transform lives, communities and the future of healthcare delivery. We aim to empower you to become a stand-out healthcare professional, capable, competent and confident in your field and role within the wider healthcare team.
While continuously developing your sense of professional identity as an operating department practitioner from day one, you'll also collaborate with learners from other School of Health and Care fields, learning in an environment that puts inclusivity, diversity and dignity at its heart.
for Health Professions
Guardian University Guide 2024
This course is accredited1 and recognised by the following bodies:
This course is currently accredited by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)1. Following changes that have been made to improve the course, we will apply for re-accreditation for entrants of 2025-26. If any changes occur with respect to our accreditation, we will notify applicants and students as soon as possible. This is a normal part of the process of continuous improvement of our courses to ensure they remain up-to-date and reflect best practice.
This course is currently accredited by the College of Operating Department Practitioners1. Following changes that have been made to improve the course, we will apply for re-accreditation for entrants of 2025-26. If any changes occur with respect to our accreditation, we will notify applicants and students as soon as possible. This is a normal part of the process of continuous improvement of our courses to ensure they remain up-to-date and reflect best practice.
During your three-year course, you will study:
All modules are compulsory.
We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.
We understand that everyone learns differently, so this course will consist of structured teaching sessions which can include:
As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year. A typical 20 credit module requires a total of 200 hours study. This is made up of teaching contact hours, guided and independent study.
Teaching hours vary each semester, year of study and due to module selection. During your first year you can expect 15-18 teaching hours each week. You will also have the option to attend optional sessions including time with a progress coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback. As you progress through your studies, teaching hours may reduce.
Practice-based learning forms an essential and significant part of your learning experience. Practice hours will differ between placements and different health and care courses. You will have access to university staff, but should expect to spend the majority of your contact time with practice collaborators undertaking placement activity. Overall, the hours you undertake in practice-based learning will need to satisfy the eligibility requirements set by the professional body regulating the profession, the HCPC. No less than 2112 practice-based hours gained from a combination of placement and simulated learning will need to be completed over the course of your degree.
Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You'll be digging deeper into topics, review what you've learnt and complete assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress through your studies, you'll spend more time in independent study.
As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.
This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.
Assessment methods may include:
The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.
I am proud to be a part of the team that helps our students become confident and competent practitioners. Here at Coventry, we are an enthusiastic teaching team all with a wealth of experience to assist your learning and development. We are lucky to have use of the amazing facilities which allows us to simulate real life situations in a safe and controlled environment.
George McSharry, lecturer, quoted in 2022
Typical entry requirements:
Student | Full-time | Part-time |
---|---|---|
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man | 2025/26 fees TBC 2024/25 fees - £9,250 per year |
Not available |
EU | 2025/26 fees TBC 2024/25 fees - £9,250 per year with EU Support Bursary** 2025/26 fees TBC 2024/25 fees - £19,850 per year without EU Support Bursary** |
Not available |
International | 2025/26 fees TBC 2024/25 fees - £19,850 per year |
Not available |
A non-repayable grant of £5,000 and extra payments worth up to £3,000 may be available to eligible students for each year of study6. Read more about this in the NHS Learning Support Fund information booklet.
For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see the university’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.
The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permits an increase in tuition fees, the university may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.
For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.
We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.
The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:
The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.
Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.
Develop your skills and knowledge using our cutting-edge simulation facilities. These include mock operating theatre, simulated ward settings, high dependency bays and the use of advanced manikins4.
Our operating theatre is set up to accommodate procedures that would take place during hospital surgery. It includes a scrub room and the machines, equipment and lighting you will need to use to be an effective operating department practitioner.
Our state-of-the-art Alison Gingell Building features a mock ambulance, high-tech manikins, hospital wards, critical care settings and therapy suites. This gives you the opportunity to learn in situations that mirror real life scenarios.
We have two fully-equipped mock hospital wards, each containing 4 beds. The wards are built to NHS standards and contain moveable beds, first aid equipment and patient monitoring tools, so that you can study a complete patient pathway.
Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.
Multiple pathways for professional development and progression are available for ODPs. Beyond the core role, career progression may lead to specialised roles such as Surgical First Assistant, Surgical Care Practitioner, Anaesthetic Associate, or Emergency Care Practitioner. Other opportunities exist in management, practice, and education within the field of ODP, allowing you to continually expand your skills and contribute to the advancement of perioperative care.
Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for the the NHS, private healthcare companies, global medical technology companies, universities and the Royal Navy, Army and the RAF.