Studying with us in 2021/22
It is possible that the 2021/22 academic year may be affected by the ongoing disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Any arrangements put in place by the University for the 2021/22 academic year will be in accordance with the latest government public health advice, pandemic-related/health and safety legislation, and the terms and conditions of the student contract.
Are you interested in a rewarding career in perioperative care? Have you got excellent management skills and a passion for supporting others? Start your journey to becoming a vital part of the theatre team with our BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice (ODP) course.
Operating Department Practitioners provide holistic care for a diverse range of patient groups, both within and beyond the operating theatre. This BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice course uses the Modernising Allied Health Professions Career Framework, which spirals through each of the three years to align to the ‘Four Pillars of Practice’, to maximise the choice available to you within the operating theatre and beyond. Successful completion of the course will allow you to be eligible to apply for registration with the Heath and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and gain employment as an Operating Department Practitioner (ODP).
Using the Allied Health Professions career framework, the course embeds the ‘Four Pillars of Practice’ within each year to provide a spiralling curriculum covering:
The proportion of teaching and learning of each pillar varies in each year, with the first year aimed at preparing you for academic work and self-development, supported by clinical placement experiences to underpin the principles of evidenced-based perioperative care for patients undergoing elective surgery.
In year two, the clinical practice emphasis shifts to providing care for patients undergoing complex and emergency surgery. You will learn to understand the principles of leadership whilst supporting others to learn as well as developing inquiry-based learning in order to support research and development.
You will work towards becoming an autonomous practitioner in year three, developing proficiency in anaesthetics, surgery and post-anaesthetic care as well as gaining experience in acute care beyond the operating theatre and developing in the role of a Surgical First Assistant (SFA). You will also have the opportunity to explore your own specialist interests as well as developing your leadership skills in order to manage people and resources within the perioperative environment, as you transition to a registered ODP as you prepare to register with the HCPC.
Our next Virtual Open Day is taking place on Saturday 20 March. It's the perfect opportunity to virtually tour our facilities, hear from some of our staff and get a feel of what it's like to study at BCU.
We accept a range of qualifications, the most popular of which are detailed below.
112 UCAS tariff points from A/AS Level |
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Level 2 Qualifications | ||
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UK Qualification | Requirements 2021/22 | |
GCSE |
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BTEC Level 2 Diploma |
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BTEC Level 2 Extended Certificate |
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City and Guilds Level 2 Certificates in Adult Numeracy/ Adult Literacy |
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Functional Skills/ Essential Skills level 2 |
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Key Skills level 2 |
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Irish Leaving Certificate (Ordinary Level) |
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Scottish Intermediate 2 |
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Scottish Credit Standard Grade |
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Scottish National 5 |
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IELTS |
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Plus one of the following Level 3 (and above) Qualifications | ||
UK Qualification | Requirements 2021/22 | |
A level and Advanced VCE |
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Access to HE Diploma |
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British bachelor's degree |
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NCFE CACHE Level 3 Extended Diploma for Children’s Care, Learning and Development (Wales and Northern Ireland) |
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NCFE CACHE Level 3 Extended Diploma for the Children and Young People’s Workforce |
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City and Guilds Level 3 Advanced Technical Extended Diploma (1080) |
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International Baccalaureate Diploma |
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Irish Leaving Certificate (Highers) |
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OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma |
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OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma |
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Open University courses |
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Scottish Advanced Higher |
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T-Levels |
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Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate - Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015) |
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Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma – Core (awarded until 2016) ESW/KS Combined component |
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Other qualifications | ||
If you have a qualification that is not listed in the table please refer to our full entry requirements on UCAS. Applicants’ qualifications that are not listed will be considered on an individual basis. Recent relevant study to GCE A-level standard or above must have been completed within five years of the course intake date the applicant is applying for. Further guidance on tariff points can be found on the UCAS website. International candidates: Those who meet residency/academic requirements of UK students but whose language is not English will need to hold IELTS with an overall score of at least 7.0 with no element below 6.5. In addition:
I really want to become an Operating Department Practitioner but do not meet your entry requirements. What advice can you give me?
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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:
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. |
Award: BSc (Hons)
Starting: Jan 2022
Sorry, this course is not available to International students.
The University reserves the right to increase fees in line with inflation based on the Retail Prices Index or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament up to a maximum of five per cent.
From August 2020, nursing professional degree students will receive at least £5,000 a year in funding support.
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:
Why does this course appeal? What areas are of particular interest?
If you have a specific career in mind, say how your chosen course will help you pursue this goal.
Mention any work that is relevant to your subject, highlighting the skills and experience gained.
Highlight skills gained at school/college, eg summer schools or mentoring activities.
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.
We offer a wide range of professionally accredited and vocational courses that require the purchase of, among other things, uniforms, equipment, subscriptions, professional body memberships and DBS checks, and may require you to pay to attend conferences or participate in placements.
The link below provides our estimate of the possible costs associated with key activities on specific courses. Please bear in mind that these are only estimates of costs based on past student experience and feedback. The actual costs to you could vary considerably (either greater or lower than these estimates) depending on your choices as you progress through the course. We set out where we can, based on experience, where these indicative costs are for activities that are optional or compulsory.
All our students are provided with 100 free pages of printing each year to a maximum total value of £15.
We understand that it is difficult to obtain work experience in the current situation and the restrictions in place. If you are unable to obtain work experience relevant to your course, this will not affect your application. If you do want to gain some experience to help prepare you for your course, there are other options available. The UCAS website details a range of alternative activities that you might want to consider.
We offer further information on possible undergraduate financial support. This includes the type of loans, grants and scholarships available both from the government and from Birmingham City University.
In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits)
In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits).
In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits).
Taught in state-of-the-art facilities, including access to simulation suites and operating theatres, at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospitals education centres. We use a variety of teaching methods to help you get the most from your study, reflecting the subject matter and your individual needs.
From structured lectures to personal use of our multimedia facilities, the focus for learning in the classroom is to help you to:
The knowledge and skills in relation to the 3 main areas of perioperative practice; anaesthesia, surgery and post-operative care are introduced, developed and enhanced over the 3 year duration of the course.
The module delivery is arranged in blocks to allow you to apply your new knowledge in the clinical setting.
You will experience a mixture of teaching, self-directed study and practice-based clinical placements, spending 60% of your time each year on placement.
Successful completion of this programme gives eligibility to apply to the Health and Care Professions Council for registration as an Operating Department Practitioner.
This course is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council, and will give you eligibility to apply for registration if you successfully complete the course.
This course is awaiting endorsement from the College of Operating Department Practitioners, the professional body for the profession.
An operating department practitioner (ODP) is a vital part of the operating theatre team, to provide a high standard of care to patients of all ages, at every stage of their operation.
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.
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 South West.
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 and the administrative team can also advise. Additionally there is no guarantee of a placement in a specific hospital or area.
Through our courses we give you the skills and experience needed to get a head start when applying for jobs. But we offer something extra too – Graduate+.
Our unique programme gives you the chance to develop valuable skills outside of the more formal classroom learning. We award points for Graduate+ activities (including firewalking!) and these can be put towards a final Graduate+ award.
We boast up-to-date, innovative facilities that simulate the real situations that medical staff may come across. Using a mixture of modern classrooms, a skills suite and a real operating theatre we ensure that the students experience offers students a hands-on introduction to health and social care practice.
In a sector where new techniques are constantly being discovered, we work hard to ensure that students learn using the most up-to-date equipment available.
Find out more about the Research Innovation and Learning Development Building
The operating theatre is operationally used within in a hospital’s day case unit and has all of the machinery, tools and equipment necessary; however with protected, supported time you will be able to build up confidence and feel comfortable in your working environment. Operating theatres can be daunting and confusing places on first view but during clinical skills sessions, you will learn to feel more comfortable within that environment.
The library, based in the Research, Innovation, Learning and Development (RILD) building, is a specialist health education library. The state-of-the art facility offers an extensive range of range of information and reference materials set out in a relaxing environment, conducive to studying. There are comfortable seating areas, group study areas and a silent study area as well as a numerous number of computers that students can access during theory. In addition to this, students will have access to not only the online BCU catalogue but also the NHS libraries in their placement areas.
The library offers extended opening hours and has an ODP specific reading list.
As mentioned above, the RILD library has computers, full colour printers, photocopiers and scanners. Our PCs have:
The academic team are dedicated to the development of future caring professionals and have many years of experience delivering perioperative education in the academic and clinical settings. The teams’ experience of delivering perioperative care in the ‘real world’ provides an excellent resource to develop an understanding of the relationship between theory and practice. Additionally, the team are committed to the enhancement of perioperative care more widely through publication and information sharing in the wider healthcare environment.
Fiona is a Registered Nurse and during her career up to 2018, she worked within Operating Theatres of both NHS and private hospitals; her final position being that of Theatre manager. Fiona's expertise is predominantly in the surgical phase of the perioperative environment and also in team leading and management of a busy NHS department.
From 2006, she also worked closely with different Universities, supporting and mentoring their Student ODP’s and nurses whilst they were undertaking their peri-operative placements and she is passionate about the importance of a good student experience during their placements to ensure that their learning is enhanced.
Fiona has an interest in inter-professional education/learning and shared experiences and how this contributes to high quality care in the perioperative setting.
Mark is an Operating Department Practitioner registered with the Health and Care Professions Council. Clinical experience includes anaesthetic, surgical and post-anaesthetic care. He successfully completed the Surgical First Assistant training to enhance his role in surgical care.
In Mark's academic role he is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and have a Master of Science in Health and Social Care Education. He has led a variety of modules including, surgery and enhanced surgery, management and leadership at pre-registration level and a post-registration module for the surgical first assistant.
Mark has an interest in Interprofessional education/learning and how this contributes to high quality care in the perioperative setting.