Operating Department Practitioner, BSc Hons
If you are passionate about delivering high-quality care to surgical patients within the operating room and associated care settings, our Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) degree is for you.
This BSc Hons Operating Department Practitioner course will prepare you to provide high standards of care to patients undergoing surgery. You will learn to work with a team of highly skilled surgeons, anaesthetists and nurses in an Operating Department in NHS Trust Hospitals and the Independent sector.
The course combines both academic and clinical practice. This allows you to put your learning into practice and develop the skills required to care for patients, primarily in the operating department.
Graduates of this course will be eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a registered Operating Department Practitioner.
UCAS points
112 (full requirements below)
Course/institution codes
B704 A
School
Location
Duration
3 years full-time
5 years part-time
Start month
September
Home fees 2025/26
£9,250
What you should know about this course
What you will study
Geeta Hardath
Senior Lecturer, Perioperative Nursing
Emma H Townsend
Teaching Fellow, Operating Department Practice
About the course team
You will be taught by an experienced team of experts which includes senior academics and Healthcare Practitioners with relevant clinical experience. Trained postgraduate researchers may also contribute to seminar teaching with the module leader. Teaching is informed by our research and consultancy work, and 97 per cent of our lecturers hold a teaching qualification.
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To find out more about our Open Days and Campus Tours or if you need any assistance, please email opendays@gre.ac.uk.
Entry requirements
Qualifications
Programme not open to overseas applicants requiring a Student Visa.
- 112 UCAS Tariff points. We accept A Levels, T Levels, BTECs, Access to HE and all other qualifications with UCAS Tariff points.
- In addition, you will need: GCSE Mathematics at grade 4/C and GCSE English Language at grade 4/C. Equivalent qualifications may be considered.
We make Contextual offers to this programme. Applicants that meet specific eligibility criteria will be made a contextual offer with a reduced tariff of up to 16 UCAS Tariff points. Other entry requirements such as GCSEs, Interview, etc., will still need to be met. For further information, please see our Contextual Admissions policy.
Application and selection
- Suitable applicants will be required to attend an interview.
- Applicants will also be required to:
- Provide an academic or professional reference.
- Demonstrate an interest in, and understanding of, the programme they are applying to within the personal statement.
- Complete a Suitability Declaration.
- Pass an Occupational Health check.
- Pass an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. - Applicants are encouraged to obtain appropriate healthcare experience through work shadowing or observation either voluntary or paid.
For more information, use our contact form or call us on 020 8331 9000.
You can also read our admissions policy.
Available to overseas students?
No
Can I use Prior Learning?
We will consider applicants with prior academic learning and substantive and relevant work experience. We will guide you on how to claim for your prior learning to be accredited.
Enhanced disclosure
Applicants for this course are required to complete a suitability declaration, an enhanced disclosure and barring service (DBS) check, and an occupational health check.
How you will learn
Teaching
Learning takes place through a combination of timetabled learning and independent study.
You can view more information about how each module is taught within our 'What you will study' section.
Seminars and workshops enable you to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures in smaller groups. You will also be able to meet your personal tutor. Timetabled learning may fall between 9am and 9pm depending on your courses and tutorials.
Class sizes
Class sizes vary by module. Lectures are normally attended by larger groups, and seminars/tutorials by smaller groups. This can vary more widely for modules that are shared between degrees. All students will have opportunities for 1-to-1 time with their tutors.
Independent learning
Outside of timetabled sessions, you are also expected to dedicate around 30 hours a week to self-study. This may involve further reading and research, preparing coursework and presentations, and preparing for tests and exams. Our facilities are designed to support you in these activities.
We encourage you to join societies and participate in sporting and other activities to engage in the wider life of the university community.
Overall workload
If you are studying full-time, you should expect the workload to be similar to a full-time job. For part-time students, this will reduce in proportion with the number of courses you are studying.
Each module you study towards this degree is worth 15 or 30 credits. These represent around 150 or 300 study hours respectively. If you receive 100 contact hours for a 30-credit module, you should expect to commit 200 hours to independent study to complete it successfully.
Assessment
You can view how each module is assessed within our 'What you will study' section.
Each course has formal assessments which count towards your grade. Some courses may also include 'practice' assignments, which help you monitor progress and do not count towards your final grade.
Feedback summary
We aim to provide feedback on assignments and to release examination results within 15 working days.
Dates and timetables
Full teaching timetables are not usually available until term has started. For any queries, please call 020 8331 9000.
Official statistics on Discover Uni
Full time
Fees and funding
Your time at university should be enjoyable, rewarding, and free of unnecessary stress. Planning your finances before you come to university can help to reduce financial concerns. We can offer advice on living costs and budgeting, as well as on awards, allowances and loans.
| Cohort | Full time | Part time | Distance learning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home | £9,250 | N/A | N/A |
Accommodation costs
Whether you choose to live in halls of residence or rent privately, we can help you find what you're looking for. University accommodation is available from £126.35 per person per week (bills included), depending on your location and preferences. If you require more space or facilities, these options are available at a slightly higher cost.
Funding your study
There is a range of financial support options available to support your studies, including the Aspire@Greenwich award for study resources that many full-time students will receive.
Discover more about grants, student loans, bursaries and scholarships. We also provide advice and support on budgeting, money management and financial hardship.
- Books for your studies (estimate, £150 per year)
- Shoes (£60) and clothing (£100) (dependent on field, non-uniform policy).
- Eligible students taking allied health professional subjects (BSc Hons) as a second degree can access student finance support (including tuition fee loans) on the same terms as a first degree.
- We cover the £303 you would pay as an excess liable for student payment on the student loans system. The government will also cover accommodation costs for attending clinical placements if you can show it's for educational purposes and reflects value for money.
- Students with children may also be eligible to receive £1,000 each year to assist with childcare costs.
Careers and placements
Will I have a work placement?
You will have placements in the Operating Theatre Department and other associated clinical practice areas, completing a minimum of 1,800 hours in practice.When on placement, you will be allocated a practice educator who supports your learning and development and completes the formal assessment of your clinical practice learning.
What sort of careers do graduates pursue?
Graduates will be eligible to apply for professional registration as an Operating Department Practitioner with the Health and Care Professions Council and to commence your career as a registered Operating Department Practitioner.
ODP graduates can also pursue higher degrees at Master's and PhD level.
Do you provide employability services?
Our Careers Service is committed to supporting our students and recent graduates in their transition towards a rewarding graduate destination. We strive to deliver a professional service with the aim of empowering our students to achieve their potential. We provide the following:
- CV and cover letter checks
- Application support
- One-to-one careers advice
- Interview tips and support
- Careers fairs
- Internships
- Graduate jobs.
Support and advice
Academic skills and study support
We want you to make the most of your time with us. You can access study skills support through your tutor, our subject librarians, and our online academic skills centre.
Where appropriate, we provide support in academic English and mathematics. If you need to use particular IT packages for a specific module, we provide training for this.
Not quite what you were looking for?
We've got plenty of other courses for you to choose from. Browse our undergraduate courses or check our related courses below.....
Health and social care at the University of Greenwich
You’ll learn from our expert, research-active tutors and be well supported during your work placement. You’ll benefit from great job prospects thanks to our strong links with NHS trusts and social care providers.
Visit our health and social care degrees page.
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