About the course
On this course, you develop the skills you need to become a qualified operating department practitioner (ODP), able to offer coordinated, patient-centred peri-operative care alongside surgeons, anaesthetists and theatre nurses.
This degree is designed for healthcare workers with an interest in becoming registered operating department practitioners, able to offer compassionate, safe and effective care through the peri-operative period, a time when people can be at their most vulnerable.
With an emphasis on reflective, practice-based development, your studies and training take place both at the university and in clinical practice, where you work alongside a qualified mentor in a range of peri-operative care settings: anaesthetics, operating theatres, emergency departments, intensive care and recovery.
On completion of this course, you are eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council as an operating department practitioner.
Why choose this course?
- It has a high overall student satisfaction rating of 92% (NSS 2022)
- Develop the knowledge, competencies and clinical skills to provide high-quality, evidence-based care and to work confidently within a multi-professional team
- Practise your skills in high-tech simulation suites supported by staff who are healthcare professionals
- Gain hands-on experience across a range of healthcare environments
- Benefit from a course that offers you the support of a qualified mentor
- Hone your critical thinking and decision-making skills so you can respond quickly to complex critical situations
- Gain a HCPC-approved qualification and a skill-set much sought after in the job market
The NHS Constitution brings together details of what staff, patients and the public can expect from the National Health Service. It sets out the principles and values that guide how the NHS should act and make decisions. The NHS Constitution states that the NHS "aspires to the highest standards of excellence and professionalism”. Applicants are expected to demonstrate their understanding and application of these values throughout the selection process. View the Constitution here
Units
- Academic Skills (OPE008-1) Compulsory
- Fundamentals Of Perioperative Practice (OPE016-1) Compulsory
- Inclusivity And Diversity In Care (OPE009-1) Compulsory
- Professional Identities For Operating Department Practitioners (OPE017-1) Compulsory
- Sciences For Perioperative Practice (OPE019-1) Compulsory
- Advancing Perioperative Practice (OPE032-2) Compulsory
- Change Management And Innovative Practice (OPE027-2) Compulsory
- Enhanced Anaesthetic Practice (OPE025-2) Compulsory
- Evidence Based Practice For Operating Department Practice (OPE030-2) Compulsory
- Mental Health Matters (OPE031-2) Compulsory
- Pharmacology And Pathophysiology For Perioperative Practice (OPE028-2) Compulsory
- Emerging Care Roles For Operating Department Practitioner (OPE002-3) Compulsory
- Medicines Management And Pharmacology (OPE008-3) Compulsory
- Operating Department Practice Project (OPE006-3) Compulsory
- Supervision And Leadership For Perioperative Practice (OPE007-3) Compulsory
The course assessment strategy is closely aligned to the teaching and learning strategy which is designed to have: immediate relevance to practice; draw on expertise-by-experience; foster active learning and be learner-centred in approach. A distinct feature of the course is the range of assessment tasks, including those that allow you to undertake workplace relevant assessments that can have an immediate impact in practice. Examples include: written assignments ranging from reflective pieces to academic essays culminating in a service improvement project, assessed practice within your placements; computer based examinations and oral presentations. Use of professional and theoretical literature will increase in complexity, depth and breadth as you progress through the course. In the first year, you will be expected to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the evidence-based literature and apply this to practice. In contrast, the second year will demand deeper analysis and evaluation of the literature and its applications. For example, you will develop your ability to study and practice more independently. You will be expected to identify a subject that particularly interests you based upon the NHS values, and propose a service improvement project supported by appropriate literature. Assessments of clinical skills will begin with observation of your participation in caring for patients/service users during practice placements. Expectations of the levels of skill demonstrated by you will increase over time and by the final assessments you will be expected to manage more complex and challenging encounters in a non-judgemental, empathic manner in accordance with NHS values.
Why study in the School of Community, Society and Health?
- Placements in Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire
- Study in simulation labs for real life scenarios
Entry Requirements
We will consider you as an individual and take into account all elements of your application, not just your qualifications. We are looking for breadth and depth in your current studies and enthusiasm for the subject you wish to study.
UCAS Tariff Points
- At least 112 points with 96 points from at least 2 A level passes
- At least 112 points with Distinction Merit Merit in BTEC Extended Diploma or Distinction* Distinction* in BTEC Diploma
- A completed Access to Higher Education Diploma (with 12 merits and 12 distinctions at level 3)
- Equivalent qualifications such as Irish Leaving Certificate, OCR Nationals, International Baccalaureate and CACHE Level 3 awards.
You can work out how many UCAS points your qualifications are worth with the UCAS tariff calculator
Contact the Admissions Team for additional guidance on whether the qualifications you currently hold or are taking would be suitable for entry.
T: +44 (0)1582 743500
E: admission@beds.ac.uk
As a general guide, to apply for a place on an undergraduate course (BA/BSc) at the University you need to have completed your high school education and have the required English qualification.
We have students from all the European Union member countries so we are quick to make decisions on most qualifications. See your country page for more details
Check Your Country page to confirm that your local qualifications are suitable or contact your International Admissions Team
Entry Requirements
We will consider you as an individual and take into account all elements of your application, not just your qualifications. We are looking for breadth and depth in your current studies and enthusiasm for the subject you wish to study.
UCAS Tariff Points
- At least 112 points with 96 points from at least 2 A level passes
- At least 112 points with Distinction Merit Merit in BTEC Extended Diploma or Distinction* Distinction* in BTEC Diploma
- A completed Access to Higher Education Diploma (with 12 merits and 12 distinctions at level 3)
- Equivalent qualifications such as Irish Leaving Certificate, OCR Nationals, International Baccalaureate and CACHE Level 3 awards.
You can work out how many UCAS points your qualifications are worth with the UCAS tariff calculator
Contact the Admissions Team for additional guidance on whether the qualifications you currently hold or are taking would be suitable for entry.
T: +44 (0)1582 743500
E: admission@beds.ac.uk
As a general guide, to apply for a place on an undergraduate course (BA/BSc) at the University you need to have completed your high school education and have the required English qualification.
We have students from all the European Union member countries so we are quick to make decisions on most qualifications. See your country page for more details
Check Your Country page to confirm that your local qualifications are suitable or contact your International Admissions Team
- English GCSE Grade C or above (or equivalent)
- Maths GCSE Grade C or above (or equivalent)
- Interview
- Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
- Written test (literacy)
- Written test (numeracy)
- Health screening
- Science GCSE Grade C or above (preferred)
How will this course improve my career prospects?
On successful completion of the course, you will be eligible to apply to register with the Health and Care Professions Council as an Operating Department Practitioner. This opens up a career path as an operating department practitioner in a range of contexts within NHS Trusts as well as the private, voluntary and independent sectors.
Postgraduate opportunities include specialising in particular clinical areas such as paediatrics, critical care and cardiovascular surgery. There are also postgraduate MSc and PhD study opportunities across a wide range of perioperative and allied health professions' specialisms. There are also education roles for graduates as hourly paid lecturers in areas such as clinical simulation.
Fees and Funding
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2022/23 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs.
See www.gov.uk/student-finance
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2022/23 is £13,500 per year. A prompt payment discount is available if you pay the full Year 1 fee before or at registration. There are also special scholarships available.
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2023/24 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs.
See www.gov.uk/student-finance
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2023/24 is £14,500 per year. A prompt payment discount is available if you pay the full Year 1 fee before or at registration. There are also special scholarships available.
Fees and Funding
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2022/23 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs.
See www.gov.uk/student-finance
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2022/23 is £13,500 per year. A prompt payment discount is available if you pay the full Year 1 fee before or at registration. There are also special scholarships available.
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2023/24 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs.
See www.gov.uk/student-finance
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2023/24 is £14,500 per year. A prompt payment discount is available if you pay the full Year 1 fee before or at registration. There are also special scholarships available.
Extra costs for this course
For this course you need to have appropriate clothing and equipment.
- Appropriate shoes for clinical placement (when not in operating theatre) (£20-£60)
- Theatre clogs for clinical placement (£25)
- Stethoscope/Pinard stethoscope (£5-£100)
- Fob watch (£5-£20)
DBS: You will need to pay up to £55 for the initial Disclosure and Barring Service check plus an annual update charge of £13.
Occupational Health Clearance: You may need to pay for some additional services and vaccinations if not available through your GP.
Study materials
- Stationery (printer ink, paper, pens, USB sticks, files etc (£30-£50)
- Books (£50-£200)
Travel costs
You need to ensure that you budget for travelling from your home to the University; between academic sites and to and from placements.
The base for your studies will be in Luton but you may occasionally attend the Bedford campus. You are required to attend a range of placements in hospitals or community settings. You will be working across a range of shift patterns covering the full 24 hour period.
If you drive, you need to pay for parking, in public car parks and NHS site car parks.
*The information above is for guidance only. Exact costs may vary.
Find out more about additional costs while studying at Bedfordshire. Click here
Extra Costs
Luton Campus Centre
The Campus Centre brings together all our student services under one roof including the Students’ Union and spaces to eat, drink, relax and learn.
There's a large central lecture theatre as well as a range of study rooms & breakout spaces on the upper floors.
Luton Campus Library
The library is a modern 9-storey building dedicated to study and learning.
As well as traditional library provisions it offers individual and group study spaces, a cafeteria on the ground floor and a ‘Study Hub’ offering guidance and workshops on academic writing and research skills to ensure all Bedfordshire students get the help they need to succeed in their studies.
Beds SU
When you join the University of Bedfordshire, you don't just join the university - you also become a member of Bedfordshire Students' Union (Beds SU)!
Beds SU is led by four Student Officers - a President and three Vice Presidents - who are elected annually by University of Bedfordshire students to lead the Students' Union.
We are here to help every student at the University of Bedfordshire get the most out of their university experience. We campaign on issues that you care about, as well as provide lots of opportunities for you to meet new people, develop your skills, campaign for change and try something new.
Aspire Gym
The Aspire Gym has state of the art cardiovascular equipment with smart phone compatibility. There is also an extensive range of fixed resistance machines and a small free weights area.
Changing rooms with showers and lockers are available for members to use.
Luton Campus Accommodation
The University guarantees accommodation to all new students. Fitzroy Court and Wenlock Court, the two main halls of residence, are located on campus so getting to lectures, shopping in town and participating in events and activities is easy.
STEM building
The STEM building is home to courses in the subject areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Opened in Autumn 2019, its cutting edge facilities provides four computer laboratories; workshops for subjects such as automotive engineering, cyber-security and robotics, along with three large teaching labs, and four specialist containment labs.
How to Apply
Application for most full-time undergraduate and foundation courses is via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
We expect to receive UCAS applications between 1 September and 15 January for courses starting in the following academic year, but may consider applications received after this date should places be available.
Please contact admission@beds.ac.uk for further details.
All UK schools and colleges are registered with UCAS to manage their students' applications. Advice on how to submit your UCAS application is available from your school or college.
If you are not at school or college (including mature students) you should apply independently via UCAS
EU students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply via UCAS or direct using our admissions form
International students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country
You can also apply online
Find out more about how to apply as an International student
How to Apply
Application for most full-time undergraduate and foundation courses is via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
We expect to receive UCAS applications between 1 September and 15 January for courses starting in the following academic year, but may consider applications received after this date should places be available.
Please contact admission@beds.ac.uk for further details.
All UK schools and colleges are registered with UCAS to manage their students' applications. Advice on how to submit your UCAS application is available from your school or college.
If you are not at school or college (including mature students) you should apply independently via UCAS
EU students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply via UCAS or direct using our admissions form
International students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country
You can also apply online
Find out more about how to apply as an International student
