Study Operating Department Practice, why & how to study

CONTENTS

1. What’s Operating Department Practice?

2. What Operating Department Practice degrees can you study?

3. What do you need to get onto a Operating Department Practice degree?

4. What topics does an Operating Department Practice degree cover?

5. How will you be assessed?

6. Why study Operating Department Practice?

7. Are scholarships and bursaries available to students studying Operating Department Practice?

8. What do Operating Department Practice graduates earn?

9. What jobs can you get as a Operating Department Practice graduate?

10. What are the postgraduate opportunities?

11. Similar subjects to Operating Department Practice

12. Have any questions?

What’s Operating Department Practice?

Operating Department Practice focused on the high standards of skilled care needed at each stage of the operating theatre process, namely anaesthetic, surgery and recovery. An operating department practitioner (ODP) plays a key role in these three phases of perioperative care.

Great communication and patient safety and welfare are the main priorities for an ODP. They work in multi-professional teams within the National Health Service (NHS) or private hospitals.

What Operating Department Practice degrees can you study?

ODP undergraduate degrees on offer in the UK include:

• Operating Department Practice BSc
• Operating Department Practice with Foundation Year BSc
• Operating Department Practitioner BSc

Options usually include a professional placement as part of the course.

What do you need to get onto an Operating Department Practice degree?

Must have

Entry requirements for an ODP undergraduate degree at a university are typically 88–141 UCAS points. However, they can be between 48–88 UCAS points for a degree with a foundation year attached. Qualifications range from: 

• A Levels: ABB–DDD
• BTECs: DDD–MPP 
• Scottish Highers: AABBB–CCDD (Advanced Highers: BBB–CD) 
• International Baccalaureate:  32–26

Good to have

• Studying a science or health related subject at A Level (or equivalent)
• Work or volunteering experience in settings like a NHS trust, private clinic, care home, day care centre, school, or charity like St John Ambulance
• Talking to an ODP professional about their day-to-day work
• Volunteering with a community or youth organisation such as Scouts or Guides to build your communication, team working and people skills
• Online research into what’s involved, such as the NHS-run Health Careers website or YouTube channel

What topics does an Operating Department Practice degree cover?

Typical modules for courses in this subject include:

• Professional practice
• Surgical practice
• Anaesthetic practice
• Post-anaesthetic practice
• Critical care and non-elective practice
• Clinical leadership and management
• Practice development
• Enhanced practice

How will you be assessed?

Depending on your modules, you could be assessed through:

• Practical placements
• Written coursework
• Dissertation
• Presentations
• Case studies
• Essays
• Group projects
• Exams

Why study Operating Department Practice?

Career-specific skills:

• Skills in patient-centred care and being able to engage with people from a wide range of backgrounds
• Expertise in assessing, planning and evaluating treatment in different clinical scenarios or care for complex health needs
• Collaborative working with multidisciplinary teams
• Reflective and research-based practice

Transferable skills:

• Communication
• Empathy
• Problem solving
• Resilience
• Team working

Professional accreditations:

• Degrees must be approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC); graduates will then be able to register with the HCPC and can work as an ODP practitioner in the UK

Are scholarships and bursaries available to students studying an Operating Department Practice degree?

Some universities offer students specific scholarships, bursaries, or grants so it’s worth checking if you are eligible, how to apply and what it covers such as materials, tuition fees and/or living costs.

The NHS may also offer financial support. More details on this can be found in our Guide to NHS funded courses.

What do Operating Department Practice graduates earn?

In the NHS, the entry salary for operating department practitioners is usually on band 5, which starts at around £31,000. Experienced practitioners are usually paid at Band 6 rates (£38,600–£46,500). Those taking on leadership roles, such as theatre manager, may reach Band 7, with pay up to £54,700.

ODPs in the private sector may earn more but usually need to have some postgraduate experience first.

Read more on what graduates do and earn.

What jobs can you get as an Operating Department Practice graduate?

A qualification in Operating Department Practice is highly specialised and most graduates go on to become ODP practitioners.

With experience you might decide to focus on one of the three areas of perioperative care and do further training to become an anaesthesia associate or an advanced critical care practitioner for example.

Alternatively, you might take on a leadership role heading up a team of ODPs for example.

What are the postgraduate opportunities?

You might decide to further your career by studying a postgraduate management course or developing a specific area of perioperative care. Examples of these types of postgraduate courses include:

• Surgical Care Practice MSc
• Anaesthesia and Perioperative Science MSc
• Advanced Clinical Practice (Critical Care) MSc

Similar subjects to Operating Department Practice

Other subject areas that might appeal to you include:

• Dentistry
• Nursing
• Paramedic Science
• Radiography
• Veterinary Medicine

Have any questions?

Get in touch with our experts by emailing ask@thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk.

We’ll be happy to hear from you!