Operating Department Practice BSc/DipHE

 

Course Code

UCAS Code: B990 - DipHE
B991 - BSc
International Code: HLSU201

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

 

Study mode

Full-time

Duration

3 years full-time
2 years full-time (DipHE)

Start date

September 2022

How to apply
Book an Open Day
Download a prospectus
Register for updates

Course overview

Study level: Undergraduate

Operating Department Practice (ODP) is an exciting and rewarding career where you will support a variety of patients at their most vulnerable.

  • Accredited by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) enabling you to register as an operating department practitioner upon successful completion (additional requirements and costs may apply).
  • Receive a payment of £5,000 a year through the NHS Learning Support Fund that does not need to be paid back, with additional bursaries for students incurring childcare costs.
  • State-of-the-art teaching facilities including mock operating theatre and scrub room, ambulance, high-tech manikins, hospital wards, critical care settings and other real-life environments relevant to practice.
globe decorative icon

Global Ready

An international outlook, with global opportunities
human silhouette teaching in front of a blackdoard

Teaching excellence

Taught by lecturers who are experts in their field
Resume icon displaying a paper and a pen

Employability

Career ready graduates, with the skills to succeed

Why you should study this course

Operating Department Practitioners (ODPs) are a crucial part of the inter-professional team interacting and supporting a variety of patients throughout their perioperative journey. The role of the ODP is continually evolving beyond the borders of the operating department. ODPs are increasingly adapting their range of skills and abilities to develop their practice to work in non-traditional acute areas such as the emergency department, Interventional Radiology, cardiac catheterisation, MRI and CT scanning as well as endoscopy units.

  • The skills you will learn and the knowledge you will gain whilst studying towards either the ODP DipHE or BSc (Hons) will be facilitated through simulated activities such as role play and clinical skills development. These will take place in facilities which replicate those found in modern hospitals, include a mock operating theatre and scrub room, mock ward setting, high dependency bays, and utilising high-tech manikins which respond to the treatment provided.
  • Teaching and learning is supported by highly trained, clinically current and experienced staff, clinical partners, service users and peer-supported learning both from fellow ODP students and inter-professionally with students from a range of health courses across the school. Our learning through exploration approach provides a hands-on style of learning which provides context and is designed to prepare you for real-world situations.
  • Successful completion of the course will allow you to contribute fully as part of the perioperative multidisciplinary team in all areas of operating department practice. In the mandatory practice placements throughout your programme (sourced for you by the university), you will apply theory to practice on a daily basis, providing you with a platform to grow in confidence, develop your clinical skills and abilities to enable you to become a safe, confident and competent practitioner. As the course leads to eligibility to apply for professional registration with HCPC, you are required to meet attendance requirements both at university and on placement.
  • By studying two years full-time, you can complete the DipHE and in three years, you can complete the Operating Department Practice BSc (Hons). Both of these awards lead to eligibility to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) for registration as an ODP (subject to additional costs). With the DipHE you are eligible to apply for registration with the HCPC after two years and seek employment, so you can enter the workforce more quickly than degree students. The BSc can increase your employability opportunities following successful completion of the qualification. It can enable faster career progression by providing the foundational skills in leadership and management, the surgical first assist role, coaching and supporting learners in practice.
100%

student satisfaction for the DipHE course

NSS 2018, 2019 and 2020

Accreditation and Professional Recognition

This course is accredited and recognised by the following bodies:

HCPC logo

Health and Care Professions Council

This course is accredited by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) for the 2022/23 intake.

CODP logo

College of Operating Department Practioners

This course also has College of Operating Department Practioners (CODP) accreditation for the 2021/22 intake.

The Alison Gingell Building is home to the UK’s first stand-alone 5G network. Find out how we use this in teaching, including taking the students on a virtual journey through the body.

More than just a degree

If you come in with an open mind, a willingness to learn and a compassion for others, you will thrive.

Max Samuel, Operating Department Practice DipHE student, 2019
Max Samuel working in the mock operating theatre

What you'll study

Successful completion of the course will allow you to contribute fully as part of the perioperative multidisciplinary team in all areas of operating department practice. In the mandatory practice placements*, which are sourced for you by the university, throughout your programme you will apply theory to practice on a daily basis, providing you with a platform to grow in confidence, develop your clinical skills and abilities to enable you to become a safe, confident and competent practitioner.

As the course leads to eligibility to apply for professional registration with HCPC you are therefore required to meet attendance requirements both at university and on placement.

Year one for both the DipHE and the BSc courses is shared and is concerned with the principles and underpinning skills and knowledge required in practice - safe and effective, developing confidence and competence as a student practitioner.

Modules

  • The aim of the module is to enhance your knowledge of human anatomy and physiology and the importance of maintenance of homeostasis. Although the main emphasis of the module will be normal biological structure and function, you will also be introduced to some common illnesses and altered pathophysiology which may have an impact on perioperative management. You will be introduced to medical terminology and additionally the module will enable you to explore some basic principles of pharmacology relating to the body systems.

    Compulsory

    Assessment: test, viva

  • This module has been developed in order to introduce you to the knowledge, skills and underlying principles of safe and effective anaesthetic practice in preparation for your Year One Anaesthetic placement. You will focus on basic anaesthetic care techniques, equipment, monitoring and the importance of working within national standards and organisational guidelines to deliver high quality, evidence-informed practice, allowing you to develop transferable knowledge and skills. Successful completion of this module will provide you with a thorough knowledge of basic anaesthetic care which subsequent modules will build upon.

    Compulsory

    Assessment: test, OSCE (Observed Structured Clinical Exam)

  • The aim of this module is to introduce you to your role and responsibilities as Scrub Practitioners. This module is designed to provide you with a broad introduction to the principal surgical skills, theoretical knowledge and terminology necessary for working in the circulating and scrub practitioner roles within the operating department. You will also learn about the management of patients undergoing surgical interventions and their individualised care plan, an appreciation of infection control, sepsis and the significance of homeostasis.

    Compulsory

    Assessment: coursework, OSCE (Observed Structured Clinical Exam)

  • The aim of this module is to introduce you to the Anaesthetic setting and your role in supporting the Anaesthetist within the perioperative environment, in support of the care of the patient throughout their perioperative journey. You will explore the basic principles of perioperative anaesthetic care, to include anaesthetic adjuncts, pharmacology, anaesthetic techniques, including the anaesthetic assessment, planning and implementation of patient care.

    Compulsory

    Assessment: placement, viva

  • The aim of this module is to introduce you to the surgical care setting and your role in supporting the surgical team within the perioperative environment, in support of the care of the patient throughout their perioperative journey. The module aims to provide you with a wide-ranging introduction to the principles of perioperative surgical skills and care, including associated theory essential for practising within the sterile field. Additionally you will learn about the management of the patient undergoing a surgical intervention, and the planning and implementation of an individualised patient care plan.

    Compulsory

    Assessment: placement, viva

  • This module aims to develop your knowledge and understanding of the social, politico-economic, cultural and environmental factors that influence individual and community health and wellbeing. You will examine key international, national and local initiatives to support your understanding of this area.

    Compulsory

    Assessment: coursework

  • Throughout this module you will be introduced to the basic principles of research design and data collection as well as searching strategies available to identify relevant evidence related to practice challenges. You will utilise key academic skills in order to appraise relevant literature, developing key lifelong study skills that will enable you to apply evidence to support your academic learning and professional development in the context of the perioperative environment.

    Compulsory

    Assessment: coursework

Year two for both the DipHE and BSc courses is shared and is concerned with developing the skills and knowledge from year one and working towards independent practice, experiencing patients with more complex care needs.

Modules

  • This placement module aims to enable you to build upon previous placement experiences in Year One. You will experience working inter-professionally as a member of the multidisciplinary team in order to demonstrate the safe planning, delivery and evaluation of patient care in the role of Scrub Practitioner and Circulating Practitioner.

    Compulsory

    Assessment: placement, viva

  • The aim of this placement module is to further develop your knowledge and clinical ability in your role in both anaesthetic and post anaesthetic care. You should learn how to assess, apply and evaluate care delivery not only in elective, non-scheduled and emergency situations but also when dealing with complex and diverse patient groups and the deteriorating patient. You will learn how to interpret clinical data, plan care and recognise individual patient’s needs.

    Compulsory

    Assessment: placement, viva

  • This module aims to further develop your skills, competencies, knowledge and understanding of the role of the scrub and circulating ODP. Building on the experiences of Year One, this module will further develop your ability to become a safe, efficient and capable surgical practitioner.

    Compulsory

    Assessment: coursework, viva

  • This module aims to further develop you as a student ODP, building upon the knowledge and skills from previous placement experiences and their application of theory into practice, whilst demonstrating the safe planning, delivery and evaluation of care in the anaesthetic and postoperative environments.

    Compulsory

    Assessment: group presentation, OSCE (Observed Structured Clinical Exam)

  • This module aims to develop and extend your understanding of evidence-informed practice, building on the first year module Foundations of Evidence-Informed Practice. You will strengthen your searching and appraising skills, enabling you to effectively locate and appraise appropriate evidence in the context of the peri-operative environment.

    Compulsory

    Assessment: coursework

  • This module aims to develop you to be a professionally aware, autonomous and reflective practitioner, addressing the professional, leadership, management and development issues of operating department practitioners. This will support your continued development and transition to being a qualified practitioner and registered with the Health and Care Professional Council (HCPC) (additional costs may apply).

    You will explore the moral, legal, ethical and professional standards expected of a practitioner and organisational topics and by applying HCPC policy and procedures recognise the importance of the professional in care delivery, managing and adapting to a changing environment, lifelong learning and career development.

    Compulsory

    Assessment: coursework

BSc (Hons) only
Year three - the final year of the BSc (Hons) course - builds on the knowledge, skills and abilities developed in years one and two to enhance your experiences in more acute and challenging clinical, managerial and coaching roles as well as developing a more in-depth understanding of evidence-based practice.

Modules

  • This module aims to support the development of the leadership behaviours and management skills you will need to function effectively as a newly qualified registered healthcare professional working within the multi-professional team in the delivery of high-quality care. You will examine clinical leadership and “followership” models and the concept of empowerment and distributed leadership, to gain understanding of ethical leadership, culture and values within the delivery of care.

    Compulsory

    Assessment: coursework, group presentation

  • This module is designed to provide you with the skills to take an individual and holistic approach to the assessment, planning, management and evaluation of care for acutely ill patients undergoing complex, non-scheduled or emergency care. You will build upon prior knowledge, skills and experiences as an anaesthetic care practitioner acquired in the first and second year modules in order to provide competent and skilled anaesthetic and critical care assistance.

    Compulsory

    Assessment: coursework, placement, viva

  • This module aims to enhance and develop your skills to a level commensurate with the first assistant role assisting the surgeon throughout the perioperative journey of the patient. It will provide the underpinning knowledge and practical skills required to ensure the practitioner becomes competent and safe to practice in the first assistant role. The module is designed to enhance your ability to engage in this evolving and challenging role in any operative environment and specialty whilst maintaining patient safety. Support in the clinical environment will be gained from Consultant Surgeons and Clinical Practice Mentors. The theoretical components will include accountability, consent, risk assessment, problem-solving and the legal and ethical issues in the role as well as the clinical aspects.

    Compulsory

    Assessment: coursework, placement

  • This module aims to provide an opportunity for you to produce an individual research proposal developed from an aspect of perioperative practice. You will build on the skills developed from successfully completing Foundations of/Developing Evidence-Informed Practice modules.

    Compulsory

    Assessment: project

  • In this module you will review the accountability and responsibility of the registered Operating Department Practitioner in clinical practice. You will explore the key attributes of accountable practice such as individual accountability, escalating concerns, managerial responsibilities, safety, quality, delegation and clinical decision-making within the context of the provision of safe, effective, person-centred compassionate care.

    Compulsory

    Assessment: coursework, presentation

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.

How you'll learn

We aim to provide you with a range of learning environments and styles of teaching and learning which will suit the varied subject matter within the different modules and support your needs at all levels of the course. Teaching and learning will take place in the context of lectures, seminars, workshop activities and practice area placements, each supported by a comprehensive course of tutorial support.

These range from formally taught sessions to case studies, group work, online discussions, online quizzes and practical hands-on sessions in our state-of-the-art facility with a mock operating theatre and scrub room which is equipped with a range of equipment you would expect to be exposed to, and use on a daily basis, in a real operating theatre.

You will normally have around 15 hours per week contact time, which consists of a mixture of lectures, workshops and practical skills sessions in our clinical simulation areas.

Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which could vary depending upon the module. We employ a variety of methods such as academic coursework, online examinations, Viva Voce (oral interviews/discussions), Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE), poster presentations (individual and group) and work-based practical observations.

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. Assessments may include exams, individual assignments or group work elements.

Job ready

Our ‘learning through exploration’ approach is designed to prepare you for real-world situations, and using the mock operating theatre and scrub room will provide the opportunity to undertake realistic scenarios before you go onto your placements.

Your mandatory practice placements (sourced for you by the university) enable you to apply theory to practice on a daily basis, providing you with a platform to grow in confidence, develop your clinical skills and abilities to enable you to become a safe, confident and competent practitioner.

International experience opportunities

Students may have the opportunity to engage in international experiences whilst on the course such as internships, work experience, industry visits, field trips or study abroad opportunities*.

Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2022 entry.

Requirement What we're looking for
A level BCC (DipHE) BBC (BSc) which should typically include one Physical Science. Excludes General Studies
GCSE Minimum 5 GCSE's graded 9-4 / A* - C including English, Mathematics and a Physical Science
BTEC MPP (DipHE) DMM (BSc) in the BTEC Extended Diploma in a Health and Social Care Related subject (will accept Sports Courses)
IB Diploma 24 points
Access Diploma DipHE: An overall pass in a health-related Access to Higher Education Diploma (60 credits) with 45 Level 3 credits, 15 at Merit
BSc: An overall pass in a health-related Access to Higher Education Diploma (60 credits) with a minimum of 15 at Distinction and 30 at Merit, and Mathematics at grade 4/C

We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

Chat with UK admissions

Portfolio

Applicants for both courses will be required to attend and undertake a successful interview as well as provide a suitable reference from a professional email address. Evidence of experience of healthcare e.g. residential or nursing homes, voluntary work with elderly/children/disabled care assistant work or work-based placements in the care sector is preferable but not essential. Satisfactory health and Disclosure and Barring Service clearance is required to undertake clinical placement.

Satisfactory health clearance and enhanced criminal record disclosure is also required. As part of the health clearance checks you will be required to provide information about your immunity and vaccination status. You will also be required to provide information about your COVID-19 vaccination status. We therefore recommend that you are fully vaccinated including the COVID-19 vaccine. The information you provide will be used to determine your eligibility to go on placement(s). Placements are provided at the placement provider’s discretion. The University is therefore unable to guarantee the provision of placements or the location and type of placement offered.

In line with the National Health Service Constitution we use a values-based recruitment approach in seeking candidates with the appropriate values to support effective team working in delivering excellent patient care.

Degree Level Apprenticeship

Applicants do not apply via UCAS and are required to meet the entry criteria as per the BSc (Hons) course. The apprenticeship route is for applicants who are in relevant employment and sponsored by their employer.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

Europe

Americas

Middle East

South Asia

South East Asia

East Asia

Africa

Russia and Central Asia


You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

Portfolio

Applicants for both courses will also be required to attend and undertake a successful interview as well as provide a suitable reference from a professional email address. Evidence of experience of healthcare e.g. residential or nursing homes, voluntary work with elderly/children/disabled care assistant work or work-based placements in the care sector is preferable but not essential. Satisfactory health and Disclosure and Barring Service clearance is required to undertake clinical placement.

In line with the National Health Service Constitution we use a values-based recruitment approach in seeking candidates with the appropriate values to support effective team working in delivering excellent patient care.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 7.0 overall

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course. 

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

Chat with International admissions

Fees and funding

Student Full time Part time
UK £9,250 per year Not available
International £18,050 per year Not available

A non-repayable grant of £5,000 and extra payments worth up to £3,000 is available to eligible home students for each year of study. Read more about the Training Grant on The NHS Business Services Authority website.

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.

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.

Facilities

Our multi-million-pound Alison Gingell Building features a range of mock healthcare settings, including hospital wards, ambulance, therapy suites and community houses, giving you the opportunity to replicate real-life situations before you go on placement.

Students in scrubs in the mock operating theatre

Mock operating theatre

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.

Students practicing patient care in an ambulance

Alison Gingell Building

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.

Students and a tutor with a manikin in the hospital ward

Mock hospital wards

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.

360° virtual tour

360° Virtual Tour of Coventry University's Mock operating theatre

Careers and opportunities

OPDs are sought after employees and we provide support for all Coventry University graduates to help them secure employment on completion of the course.

Where our graduates work

Past graduates have found work in the perioperative environment in both the NHS and private sector in anaesthetics, surgery and post-anaesthetic care environments.

How to apply

You may also like

Female nurses getting a patient out of an ambulance

Browse our Healthcare Professions courses
Two nursing students working on a manikin

Adult Nursing BSc (Hons)
Coventry University (Coventry) Three nurses in training on a fake baby

Children and Young People's Nursing BSc (Hons)
Nurse helping a lady settling in bed

Nursing Associate Foundation Degree

Your next steps

Student life
Accommodation
Fees and funding

Discover Uni stats

  • Student Contract

    By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the 2021/22 Contract can be found here. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.

    Tuition fees

    The tuition fee for the course that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review our tuition fees each year. For UK and EU students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, we 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. Following the UK’s exit from the European Union, EU students should be aware that there may be a change to UK laws following the UK’s exit, this may change their student status, their eligibility to study part time, and/or their eligibility for student finance. We will act in accordance with the UK’s laws in force in relation to student tuition fees and finance from time to time.

    For International students the tuition fee that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review our tuition fees each year. For international students, we may increase fees for each subsequent year of study but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation.

    Accreditations

    The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery. 

    Facilities

    Facilities mentioned on this page may not be relevant for every course. Due to the ongoing restrictions relating to COVID-19, some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) and some non-academic offerings (particularly in relation to international experiences), may vary from those advertised and may have reduced availability or restrictions on their use.

    Placements and study abroad opportunities

    Please note that we are unable to guarantee any placement or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (e.g. travel, visas and accommodation etc.), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the requirements in this regard, please contact the International Office for further details if you are an EU or International student.

    Additional costs

    This course may incur additional costs associated with any field trips, placements or work experience, study abroad opportunities or any other opportunity (whether required or optional), which could include (but is not limited to), equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas).