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Operating Department Practice - DipHE

Currently viewing course to start in 2023/24 Entry.

This is a specially designed two-year Diploma to prepare you to become a fully qualified Operating Department Practitioner - a vital part of the operating theatre team who supports surgeons, nurses, anaesthetists and patients throughout surgery....

  • Level Undergraduate
  • Study mode Full Time
  • Location City South
  • School School of Health Sciences
  • Faculty Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences

Overview

This is a specially designed two-year Diploma to prepare you to become a fully qualified Operating Department Practitioner - a vital part of the operating theatre team who supports surgeons, nurses, anaesthetists and patients throughout surgery.

Our Operating Department Practice course here at Birmingham City University has an excellent track record of developing high quality professionals who meet the needs of a range of care providers nationally.

This course is not open to International students.

What's covered in this course?

The course combines theoretical and practical skills, complemented with clinical placements in a range of specialities and settings. Our approach to learning means that you should leave with clinical competence and the ability to apply best knowledge to direct patient care in contemporary healthcare settings.

Your work will be assessed using a mix of methods including text based submissions, written examinations, oral examinations, presentations and clinical skills assessment both in placement and simulated in university. Simulation activities will prepare you for clinical practice, by allowing clinical skills and behaviours to be rehearsed before applying these in the clinical setting.

You will be encouraged to develop and demonstrate a range of skills to prepare you for a successful career as an Operating Department Practitioner, including confidence in care delivery, the ability to research, appraise and evaluate evidence. 

Where will I study?

You will study at our recently extended £71 million City South campus in Edgbaston, Birmingham, complete with a fully equipped operating theatre and specialist surgical simulation facilities to support you as a practitioner throughout the course.

Our academic team are dedicated to your development and have many years of experience in delivering perioperative education in academic and clinical settings. Our experience provides an excellent resource that will help you develop a clear understanding of the relationship between theory and practice.

Why Choose Us?

  • Funding - Allied health profession students in receipt of a student loan will receive at least £5,000 a year in additional funding for maintenance and associated study costs. Download the funding FAQs
  • Learn in our innovative education facilities that simulate real-life medical situations - including an anaesthetic room, operating theatre and recovery unit to practice your core skills as an ODP.
  • Our strong partnerships with the NHS and independent health providers across the West Midlands and surrounding areas mean you will benefit from quality placement learning experiences to develop your skills and professional relationships.
  • During your second year you have the opportunity to do Intermediate Life Support (ILS) and Paediatric Intermediate Life Support (PiLS) courses, both of which are nationally recognised resuscitation courses.
  • Wide variety of career opportunities available upon successful completion, such as working in orthopaedic clinics, transplant teams, research and education.
  • Learn from the experts - many of our staff are still active operating department practitioners, so you can rely on them for all the practical guidance, advice and knowledge you need to prepare for a successful career in a healthcare environment.

Similar Courses

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Join us for an on-campus Open Day where you'll be able to meet us in person. You'll get the chance to learn about courses in subject talks, chat to students and explore our campus and accommodation. We'll post you a detailed event programme to help plan your day and find your way.

Next Open Day: Saturday 24 June 2023

Book your place

Entry Requirements

These entry requirements apply for entry in 2023/24.

All required qualifications/grades must have been achieved and evidenced at the earliest opportunity after accepting an offer to help confirm admission and allow for on-time enrolment. This can also include other requirements, like a fee status form and relevant documents. Applicants can track their application and outstanding information requests through their BCU mySRS account.

We accept a range of qualifications, the most popular of which are detailed below.

If your Level 3 qualifications do not meet the UCAS tariff for this course, you may be offered a place on our Health Sciences Foundation Year instead. This course offers an alternative pathway onto our Allied Health Professions courses. You do not need to submit a separate application but will automatically be considered for this if your predicted grades fall below the UCAS entry tariff. Find out more about the Foundation Year.

Essential

88 UCAS tariff points from A/AS Level

Candidates who are successfully shortlisted are required to undertake an interview. Interviews are currently online via Microsoft Teams. Find out more about online interviews.

Places are subject to a satisfactory Occupational Health Check, Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service report and registration with the Independent Safeguarding Authority.

Qualifications, personal statement, interview and references all form part of the selection criteria for this course.

Applicants must normally have evidence of formal study within the last five years. However, we are sometimes able to waive this requirement if a candidate has a significant amount of professional experience in a relevant field, for example healthcare, social care, or education.

Applicants’ qualifications that are not listed will be considered on an individual basis.

Level 2 qualifications

GCSE

GCSE English Language or Literature, GCSE Maths and GCSE Science at grade C/4 or above. If you do not have these or are not undertaking them, we accept other Level 2 equivalents, or we may ask you to pass BCU's GCSE equivalency tests.

Irish Leaving Certificate (Ordinary Level)

See level 3 entry requirements under Irish Leaving Certificate for full details.

Scottish National 5

English Language or Literature, Maths and Science at grade C or above. If you do not have these or are not undertaking them, we accept other Level 2 equivalents, or we may ask you to pass BCU's GCSE equivalency tests.

Plus one of the following Level 3 (and above) qualifications

A level and Advanced VCE

  • CCD / 88 UCAS points
  • Including Health and Social Care, Psychology, Social Science or Science subject at A-level or Level 3 equivalent
  • Excluding General Studies, Critical Thinking and Extended Project
  • A maximum of 3 subjects are considered. These can be other A-levels or Level 3 equivalents

Access to HE Diploma

  • Health and Social Care or Science related pathway
  • Pass with 60 credits overall. At least 45 credits at Level 3 with 18 credits at Merit or Distinction (of which 12 must be in a Science or Health related subject)
  • If applying with an Access course you only need GCSE Mathematics and English Language at grade C/4 or above or accepted equivalent. You are not required to hold three GCSEs in total and GCSE Science is not required

British bachelor's degree

  • Minimum 2.2 at full honours
  • Considered on an individual basis
  • Pearson BTEC National Extended Diploma (2016 – present)
  • Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF) (2010 - 2016)
  • BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (2002 – 2010)
  • MMM
  • Must be in either Health and Social Care or Science subject
  • Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (2016 – present)
  • Pearson BTEC Diploma (QCF) (2010 – 2016)
  • BTEC Level 3 National Certificate (2002 – 2010)
  • 88 UCAS points
  • Considered with one A-level or an equivalent level 3 qualification
  • Either the BTEC level 3 National Diploma or the accompanying A-level / level 3 equivalent must be in Health and Social Care or a relevant Science subject (e.g. Applied Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
  • Pearson BTEC National Foundation Diploma (2016 to present)
  • Pearson BTEC 90-Credit Diploma (QCF) (2010 - 2016)
  • 88 UCAS points
  • Considered with one A-level or an equivalent level 3 qualification
  • Either the BTEC level 3 National Foundation Diploma or the accompanying A-level / level 3 equivalent must be in Health and Social Care or a relevant Science subject (e.g. Applied Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
  • Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (2016 – present)
  • Pearson BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (QCF) (2010 - 2016)
  • BTEC Level 3 National Award (2002 - 2010)
  • 88 UCAS points
  • Considered with two A-levels or equivalent level 3 qualification(s)
  • Either the BTEC level 3 National Extended Certificate or one of the accompanying A-levels / level 3 equivalents must be in Health and Social Care or a relevant Science subject (e.g. Applied Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
  • Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Certificate
    (2016 - present)
  • BTEC Level 3 Certificate (QCF)
    (2010 - 2016)
  • 88 UCAS points
  • Considered with two A-levels or equivalent level 3 qualification(s)
  • Either the BTEC level 3 National Certificate or one of the accompanying A-levels / level 3 equivalents must be in Health and Social Care or a relevant Science subject (e.g. Applied Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
  • NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Child Care and Education
  • NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education (Early Years Educator) (from September 2014)
  • NCFE CACHE Technical Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education (Early Years Educator)
  • Grade C overall

NCFE CACHE Level 3 Extended Diploma for Children’s Care, Learning and Development (Wales and Northern Ireland)

  • Grade C overall

NCFE CACHE Level 3 Extended Diploma for the Children and Young People’s Workforce

  • Grade C overall
  • NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Early Years Education and Care (Early Years Educator)
  • NCFE CACHE Technical Level 3 Diploma in Early Years Education and Care (Early Years Educator)
  • 88 UCAS points
  • NCFE CACHE Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care
  • NCFE CACHE Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care
  • Grade C overall

City and Guilds Level 3 Advanced Technical Extended Diploma (1080)

  • 88 UCAS points
  • Must be in Health and Social Care

International Baccalaureate Diploma

  • Obtain a minimum of 24 points overall with grade 4 or above in at least one Higher Level subject from Group 4 (Biology, Chemistry and Physics)
  • For students who do not already hold a GCSE in Mathematics at Grade C/4 or above, we will accept grade 5 in Maths (Standard Level) from the IB Diploma
  • For students who do not already hold a GCSE in English Language at Grade C/4 or above, we will accept Standard Level English Language (not literature) English A - Grade 4 or above or English B - Grade 5 from the IB

Irish Leaving Certificate (Highers)

  • Pass the Irish Leaving Certificate with a minimum of 88 tariff points, achieved in five Higher level subjects. This must include Maths and English Language taken at either Ordinary level (minimum grade O1-O4 (or A-C/A1-C3)) or Higher level (minimum grade H1-H7 (or A-D/A1-D3))
  • Must include a Health or Science related subject at Higher level

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma

  • MMM
  • Must be in Health and Social Care or Applied Science

OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma

  • 88 UCAS points
  • Considered with one A-level or an equivalent level 3 qualification
  • Either the OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Diploma or the accompanying A-level / level 3 equivalent must be in Health and Social Care or Science subject (e.g. Applied Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
  • OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Foundation Diploma
    (2016 - present)
  • OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Subsidiary Diploma
    (until-2016)
  • 88 UCAS points
  • Considered with one A-level or an equivalent level 3 qualification
  • Either the OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Foundation Diploma or the accompanying A-level / level 3 equivalent must be a relevant Health or Science subject (e.g. Applied Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
  • OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate
    (2016 – present)
  • OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma
  • 88 UCAS points
  • Considered with two A-levels or equivalent level 3 qualification(s)
  • Either the OCR level 3 Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate or one of the accompanying A-levels / level 3 equivalents must be a relevant Health or Science subject (e.g. Applied Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics)

Open University courses

  • Considered on an individual basis
  • Must be in K101 - An Introduction to Health and Social Care

Scottish Higher/Advanced Higher

  • Achieve a minimum of 88 tariff points achieved in either three Advanced Highers or from a combination of two Advanced Highers plus two Highers.
  • Where three Advanced Highers have been taken achieve a minimum of grades DDD.
  • Where a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers have been taken you must achieve (grades of DD in two Advanced Highers plus grades of DD in two Highers).
  • Must include a Health or Science subject at Higher level or above

T-Levels

  • 88 UCAS points (Pass [with C or above in the Core] overall)
  • Must be in either Healthcare Science or Science

Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate - Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)

  • 88 UCAS points
  • Considered with two A-level or equivalent level 3 qualification(s)
  • One of the A-level / equivalent qualifications being taken must be a relevant Health or Science subject (e.g Applied Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics)

Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma – Core (awarded until 2016) ESW/KS Combined component

  • 88 UCAS points
  • Considered with two A-level or equivalent level 3 qualification(s)
  • One of the A-level / equivalent qualifications being taken must be a relevant Health or Science subject (e.g Applied Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
Other qualifications

If you have a qualification that is not listed in the table, please refer to our full entry requirements on UCAS.

Further guidance on tariff points can be found on the UCAS website.

Portfolio route

Portfolio Route for those holding Level 3 Diploma in Perioperative Support (QCF)

You are required to have GCSE at Grade C/4 or above in English Language and Mathematics (or Functional Skills English and Maths) and a science subject. (GCSE equivalents are accepted, e.g. Key Skills Level 2, Adult Numeracy, Adult Literacy).

The recognition of prior learning and experience route recognises that your previous experience contributes towards entry to the Diploma in Higher Education and Bachelor of Science in Operating Department Practice and when combined with successful completion of your portfolio, may lead to you successfully gaining a place in the programme.

In order to demonstrate your previous experience, you are required to complete a portfolio which complements your certificated learning, and demonstrates your ability to study in Higher Education.

The portfolio will require:

  • A testimonial from your Diploma in Perioperative Support education provider; which confirms your progress, identifies your level of engagement in the process and your academic skills
  • A testimonial from your workplace manager; which confirms your commitment to high quality patient care delivery as part of the perioperative team, work ethic and integrity
  • 1 x 1500 written paper, in a formal style which uses the ‘Harvard’ referencing convention. This paper should discuss an aspect of perioperative practice
  • 1 x1500 written reflection, using Gibbs Model of Reflection. This element requires you to consider a time when you had a positive impact on a patient’s experience

Applicants holding the Level 3 Diploma in Perioperative Support will be invited to interview and if successful will then be asked to create the portfolio. Once completed, you will need to send it electronically to the admissions tutor who will then evaluate the work and make a judgement about its suitability for entry onto the Operating Department Practice programme.

Extra information for EU/international students

IELTS

  • Applicants who have not received their secondary school education in English will require an overall IELTS score of 7, with no subtest below 6.5
  • If English is studied at GCSE Level but as a second language, IELTS must be completed to qualify for UK L2 requirement

Fees & How to Apply

Please select your student status to view fees and apply
  • UK Student
  • International Student

UK students

Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.

Award: DipHE

Starting: Sep 2023

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees

International students

Sorry, this course is not available to International students.

Access to computer equipment

You will require use of a laptop, and most students do prefer to have their own. However, you can borrow a laptop from the university or use one of our shared computer rooms.

Printing

You will receive £5 print credit in each year of your course, available after enrolment.

Field trips

All essential field trips and associated travel costs will be included in your course fees.

Access to Microsoft Office 365

Every student at the University can download a free copy of Microsoft Office 365 to use whilst at university and for 18 months after graduation.

Key Software

You will be able to download SPSS and Nvivo to your home computer to support with your studies and research.

Key subscriptions

Subscriptions to key journals and websites are available through our library.

DBS check

You will require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check for this course. Your first DBS check is included in your fees.

Placement expenses (mandatory)

There may be some costs for travel or temporary accommodation associated with placements. The NHS Learning Support Fund can help with these costs. Information about what the fund covers and eligibility criteria can be found online

Clothing and safety equipment (mandatory)

For practice learning opportunities, you will be expected to adhere to the BCU HELS Faculty Dress Code and/or the dress code for the relevant placement provider(s). This may involve the purchase of new items of clothing and/or shoes.

Excess printing (optional)

Once you have spent your £5 credit, additional printing on campus costs from 5p per sheet.

Books (optional)

All module key texts will be in the University library, but in limited numbers. You may choose to purchase a copy.

Memberships (optional)

You may wish to join a union or professional body related to this course.

Subscriptions (optional)

You may wish to purchase subscriptions to additional journals and websites.

Accommodation and living costs

The cost of accommodation and other living costs are not included within your course fees. More information on the cost of accommodation can be found in our accommodation pages.

Guidance for UK students

UCAS

UK students applying for most undergraduate degree courses in the UK will need to apply through UCAS.

The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is a UK organisation responsible for managing applications to university and college.

Applying through UCAS
 Register with UCAS
 Login to UCAS
 Complete your details
 Select your course
 Write a personal statement
 Get a reference
 Pay your application fee
 Send UCAS your application

Our advice for applying to a health care course

Applying for a course and preparing for an interview can be a daunting process, so we have created a series of films to help you through the process, including what to put in your personal statement.

More guidance

Personal statement

Your personal statement is a highly important part of your application. It gives you a crucial opportunity to say why you’re applying and why the institution should accept you.

Here are the key areas you’ll need to address:

Course choice

Why does this course appeal? What areas are of particular interest?

Career plans

If you have a specific career in mind, say how your chosen course will help you pursue this goal.

Work experience

Mention any work that is relevant to your subject, highlighting the skills and experience gained.

School or college experience

Highlight skills gained at school/college, eg summer schools or mentoring activities.

Non-accredited skills or achievement

eg Duke of Edinburgh Award, Young Enterprise scheme.

You should also mention your future plans – if you’re planning to take a year out, don't forget to give your reasons. Talk about any subjects you’re studying that don’t have a formal assessment and any sponsorships or placements you’ve applied for. And don't be scared to add in details about your social, sports or leisure interests.

Get more information on writing personal statements.

Course in Depth

Download course specification

Download now

Course structure

Taught in state-of-the-art facilities, including an operating theatre, at Birmingham City University we use a variety of teaching methods to help you get the most from your study, reflecting the subject matter and your individual needs.

And as we're one of the largest ODP centres in the UK, we can offer you the chance to experience everything from transplant surgery to specialist oncology to neurosurgery.

From structured lectures to personal use of our multimedia facilities, we'll teach you how to:

  • Work as part of a team
  • Understand how an ODP fits into the team and what they do
  • Understand the role played by other professionals
  • Manage your clinical workload
  • Make informed decisions
  • Communicate effectively
  • Adapt to different practice settings
  • Adopt effective reporting and recording strategies

You will study 120 credits each at Level 4 and 5 and there's a 60-40 split between blocks of study and clinical placement.

Course breakdown

Year One

In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits).

Year Two

In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits).

Employability

Enhancing Employability Skills

To prepare students to meet the requirements for eligibility to apply for entry onto the Health and Care Professions Council register as Registered Operating Department Practitioners.

Combines theory with clinical placement to enhance awareness of different specialities in preparation for employment in operating theatre departments.

 Develops transferable skills for working in a range of health care settings and recognising the need for life-long learning.

Placements

You will be required to travel for your clinical placements to engage in a broad range of specialities and practice areas. These placements will be with both NHS and independent health providers across the West Midlands. 

It is important you appreciate that fees for accommodation and/or travel will require personal financial outlay; these may be reimbursable to some extent, the most up-to-date information can be found on the NHS Business Service Authority website Additionally there is no guarantee of a placement in a specific hospital or area.

More about our placement opportunities

Examples of real graduates and their roles

Previous graduates are now holding management posts within the NHS and private sector.

Alumni have senior educational posts in the NHS and as part of the course teaching team. This includes individuals who have published and presented at a national level.

Facilities & Staff

We have invested £340 million in our facilities, including an upgrade to our Skills and Simulation facilities at City South Campus. We boast up-to-date, innovative facilities that simulate the real situations that you may come across in the workplace. These resources are essential in offering you a hands-on introduction to health and social care practice.

Mock Wards

These are set up to look like typical hospital wards, with four to six bays. Depending on the topic in hand, different manikins can be used as patients and relevant equipment is provided to practise clinical skills. Some of the manikins are interactive and can simulate different scenarios e.g. some allow you to cannulate, check pulses, intubate etc, and some can talk to you. One ward is often used as an adult ward, and the other as a child ward.

These rooms also allow for scenarios to be set up for other professions such as dietetics, paramedic science and social work.

The Operating Theatre and Recovery Suites

The operating theatre and recovery suite gives you the sense of what it would be like in a real surgical environment.

These spaces emulate the full surgical journey from anaesthetics, through surgery and into recovery. ODP students can practice a range of skills including gowning, hand washing, preparing instrument trays, and working with a patient. Nurses and midwives may experience a surgical placement and need to go to theatre or be part of the midwifery team involved with caesarean sections. Many other Allied Health Professionals may also see patients in recovery if necessary.

Home Environment Room

This space is used to simulate non-clinical settings, as not everything health professionals deal with is hospital based. This is used for simulations of home visits and home births. It also houses soft matting and a bubble machine that are used by the Learning Disability Nursing team.

Assisted Living Space

This space replicates a flat and is used for scenarios such as home visits. The sitting room area provides a different space to practise skills and simulations and work with service users and other students.

Assisted Kitchen

This specially designed kitchen has different areas where you can practice cooking, cleaning, boiling the kettle etc., with someone who has actual or simulated visual impairments. There are adapted devices to help, and simulation glasses for you to wear to experience visual impairments.

Physiotherapy Room

This is a space for physiotherapy students to use, with various equipment to practise client meetings.

Radiotherapy Planning Computer Suite

Our computers allow you to plan hypothetical treatments, in terms of angles and directions, ensuring that radiotherapy reaches where it is needed on a patient’s body.

Radiography Image Interpretation and Reporting Stations Computer Suite

These facilities allow you to view and analyse x-rays.

VERT - Virtual Environment for Radiotherapy Training

This room contains 3D technology to view virtual patients and look at trajectories for treatment.

Radiotherapy

This room contains the same bed/couch used when patients are given radiotherapy treatment. While students of course do not administer radiotherapy in this room, it does allow them to practise adjusting the equipment to make sure both it and a patient would be in the correct position to receive treatment.

Telehealth Room

This room allows for small group teaching in a central area (large boardroom type table) with fiv small telehealth booths down either side. These are to allow all our health professions students to practise delivering healthcare and advice remotely, either over the phone or on a video call. This addition to our teaching reflects moves in the sector to offer more flexible access to healthcare services, particularly as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Imaging Academy

This new facility is a larger version of our existing image interpretation computer facilities and forms part of the Midlands Imaging Academy Hub, funded by Health Education England. These expanded facilities will mean we can further develop our courses and expertise in radiography and imaging.

Speech and Language Therapy Resource Room

Our Speech and Language Therapy Team have developed a collection of tools, books and resources to help you learn and understand the implications of a speech or swallowing limitation. You can practise one to one client meetings and clinics and use the video recording equipment to review role play scenarios.

Our staff

Louise Scott

Lecturer in Operating Department Practice

Louise's interest in health care started with the first aid training she acquired in the Navy, this interest was instrumental in her embarking on the ODP course in 2010. She has worked as an ODP for the last 12 years and recently moved to education. Louise's 12 years as an ODP has given her a wealth of knowledge and experience which she has...

More about Louise