Curious about studying Operating Department Practice - BSc (Hons)at University of Leicester? We've gathered all the key details—entry requirements, modules, fees, and more. Hear from real students by checking out reviews, or take the next step by booking an open day to explore it for yourself.
Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Main Site
Full Time
Sep 2027
3 Year
Surgery requires an immense amount of patience, expertise and level-headedness. Operating Department Practitioners (ODPs) have these skills in abundance and they set the highest standards for patient care in the UK. ODPs work with nurses, surgeons anaesthetists and more - from the lead up to surgery right through to recovery and beyond. Working in the Operating Theatre, you’re truly at the sharp end of the care provided to patients undergoing surgery. An operation is often an important step on the road back to normal life, and you’ll become a key member of a team that cares for patients at a crucial time. Working as an ODP is an extremely rewarding career that gives you a real sense of privilege. This degree blends academic study and work-based learning - we believe that this is the best way to develop your knowledge and skills. In the classroom, you'll study areas fundamental to an ODP's role, such as biological sciences, operating department technology, clinical leadership and management and the legal, ethical and professional issues that affect clinical practice. However, building your confidence and breadth of experience with patients is vital, so 65% of your time is spent on placement in one of our partner hospitals. We have partner hospitals all over the East Midlands and surrounding areas, all providing high quality, supportive placements where you will be mentored, taught, supervised and assessed to ensure you have what it takes to step into the professional environment.
This module will provide the opportunity for you to learn the foundation principles of anaesthetic practice and experience the duties that make up the role of the ODP as an anaesthetic practitioner. You will observe, participate in and reflect on the principles that underpin evidence based practice within the clinical aspects of the anaesthetic role at foundation level, during routine elective surgery. You will undertake some of the basic responsibilities required of ODPs participating within the anaesthetic role under the close supervision of registered practitioners. You will develop the key skills needed to become members of an anaesthetic team and specialist skills that allow you to ensure the safety and wellbeing of surgical patients. You will consider the academic skills that you need to develop as an anaesthetic practitioner. Through the use of reflections you will evaluate your practical experience against underpinning knowledge. You will focus on academic content that informs your clinical experience within routine anaesthetic practice in elective surgery. You will also undertake a search of literature, clinical guidelines, and policies relating to anaesthetic practice.
This module will provide the opportunity for you to learn the foundation principles of working in the operating department and to discover the duties that make up the generic role of the ODP. You will be given the opportunity to spend time in the operating department where you will become familiar with the way that the department works, health and safety practices, mandatory training, the roles of members of the inter-professional team and what your role will be as an ODP. Opportunities will be provided for you to undertake some of the basic tasks required of ODPs under the close supervision of qualified practitioners. You will consider the key skills needed to become members of an operating department team and ensure the safety and wellbeing of surgical patients. You will be inducted in to the university and begin to consider the academic skills you will need to succeed.
This module will provide you with the foundation to develop your professional practice. The scope of professional practice includes, professionalism, the principles of care, evidence based practice and inter-professional working. These topics will be developed further in years two and three of the course. In this year one module you will actively demonstrate these skills in clinical practice, supported by a mentor. This will be fostered by reflection and the internalisation of professional values.
This module will provide the opportunity for you to learn the foundation principles of surgical practice. You will observe, participate in and reflect on the principles that underpin evidence based practice within the clinical aspects of the surgical role at foundation level, during routine elective surgery. You will demonstrate, under close supervision of a registered practitioner, the core operational skills and procedures involved in the role of a surgical practitioner, whilst carrying out circulating and scrubbed duties. You will consider the academic skills to develop your role as a surgical ODP. Through the use of reflections you will be able to evaluate your practical experience against underpinning knowledge. You will focus on academic content that informs your clinical experience within routine elective surgery.
This Module will provide the opportunity for you to consolidate the skills you have learned during the first year of the programme. You will spend time in the operating department carrying out the anaesthetic and surgical role of the ODP in conjunction with a registered practitioner. During surgical lists, that are undertaken during routine elective surgery, you will show that you have developed a full set of skills to equip you with subject specific and key transferable skills to embark on Year 2 of the degree. Professional skills will be demonstrated to enable you to become members of the inter-professional team and you will develop specialist skills that allow you to ensure the safety and wellbeing of surgical patients. You will consolidate the academic knowledge that supports skills you have acquired and apply your knowledge across a range of patient care areas to appreciate how it relates to clinical practice.
This module will provide you with the opportunity to learn the principles of anaesthetic and surgical practice within critical care and non-elective areas. You will discover the duties, gain the knowledge and skills required and understand what your role will be as an ODP undertaking emergency and critical care duties. You will understand the principles and practices of the management of unplanned surgery and acute clinical emergencies. You will undertake many of the responsibilities required of ODPs under the supervision of a registered practitioner. You will consider the key skills needed to become a member of the inter-professional team and develop specialist skills to be able to modify and adapt your practice to emergency situations to ensure the safety and wellbeing of surgical patients. You will reflect on and evaluate your practice and academic development and will undertake a search of literature, clinical guidelines, and policies relating to critical care and non-elective practice. You will utilise current evidence and guidance to provide an optimum environment for the care and treatment of the peri-operative patient and promote assessment of the individual needs of patients.
This module will enable you to spend time in the operating department and in other areas of the hospital where you will have the opportunity to experience and demonstrate under limited supervision the key transferable skills concomitant with safe and ethical practice as a developing health care professional. The experience within the operating theatres and in the wider hospital environment will provide an insight into the patient's holistic surgical experience. This Module will enable you to apply the principles of professionalism to patient care. It will identify all aspects of governance and its application to healthcare, and explore the principles of quality assurance and the contribution of research methodology to this process and its application to clinical practice. You will explore how inter-professional collaboration contributes to patient care, safety and effective clinical outcomes.
This module will enable you to observe, participate in and reflect on the principles that underpin best practice within the post anaesthetic and critical care aspect of the ODP role. The module will integrate the necessary skills and knowledge to develop your ability to deliver individualised patient care and undertake appropriate post-anaesthesia care interventions. Opportunities will be provided for you to undertake responsibilities required of ODPs under the supervision of a registered practitioner. You will consider the key skills needed to become members of the post anaesthetic care unit and high dependency Unit team and develop specialist skills that allow you to ensure the safety and wellbeing of post-surgical patients. You will utilise an evidence based approach to the care of the patient in anaesthesia, post anaesthesia and critical care.
This module will provide the opportunity for you to consolidate the skills you have learned during the second year of the programme. You will spend time in the operating department carrying out the anaesthetic, surgery, recovery and critical care roles of the ODP under the supervision of a registered practitioner. During surgical lists, that are undertaken during elective and emergency surgery, you will show that you have developed a full set of skills to equip you with subject specific and key transferable skills to embark on Year 3 of the course. Professional skills will be demonstrated to enable you to become members of the Inter-professional team and you will develop specialist skills that allow you to ensure the safety and wellbeing of surgical patients. You will consolidate the academic knowledge that supports skills you have acquired and apply your knowledge across a range of patient care areas to appreciate how it relates to clinical practice.
This module will enable you to observe, participate in and reflect on the principles that underpin best practice within the anaesthetic and surgical role of the ODP for elective procedures in a range of surgical specialities, under the supervision of a registered practitioner. You will consider the key skills needed to become members of an operating department team and develop specialist skills that allow them to ensure the safety and wellbeing of surgical patients. You will demonstrate core operational skills beyond those practiced in year 1 and explore the differences and enhancements that are required to carry out the ODP role across an expanded range of specialist surgery.
This module will enable you to spend time in the operating theatre department -and in other areas of the hospital- where you will have the opportunity to demonstrate independently the key transferable skills associated with the safe and ethical practice of a developing health care professional. The experience within the operating theatres and in the wider hospital environment will give you an insight into the patient?s holistic surgical experience. This module will enable you to apply all aspects of professional practice in healthcare, the principles and application of quality assurance and research methodology to clinical practice. You will explore how inter-professional collaboration contributes to patient care, safety and effective clinical outcomes.
This module will provide the opportunity to manage your own clinical workload, that of your immediate team and subsequently of the department, under the limited supervision of an appropriate mentor. Your experience will include both elective and unplanned care situations and will include the management of all associated resources and conflicts, alongside supporting, clearly communicating with, and leading the multidisciplinary team. You will be actively involved in any local clinical audit process to give you an insight in to the process of quality assurance and its? impact on clinical care. You will be introduced to the concepts of organisational culture, leadership and management styles and techniques, how to manage change, risk management and managing conflict and its application to an inter-professional working environment. You will develop an understanding of quality, service improvement, outcome measures and audit trails. This module will prepare you for the responsibilities of a registered ODP.
This module will provide you with the opportunity to learn and demonstrate competence in the enhanced anaesthetic, surgical and post anaesthetic skills that are required whilst working as an ODP in the operating department and other peri-operative areas. You will spend time in various clinical specialities and clinical skills centres where you will learn, practice and develop enhanced skills, and practice as an accountable, responsible practitioner.
This module requires you to complete a supervised major project on a topic of your choice and relate it to professional and clinical practice of the ODP. You will also undertake a period of negotiated clinical placement in relation to your topic. The module will give you a deeper understanding of the enquiry and research skills linked to your chosen topic and the broader role of the ODP. This includes understanding of the research process including ethics of research, promotion and application of evidence based practice and critical evaluation. The major project will allow you to demonstrate a high level of understanding, personal control and individual creativity. This module will encourage you to be ambitious in your scope and demonstrate awareness of the contemporary work, critical thinking and innovations relating to your chosen aspect of peri-operative practice.
This module will provide the opportunity to consolidate the skills you have developed during the third year of the programme. You will spend time in the operating department carrying out the enhanced and core anaesthetic, surgery, recovery and critical care roles of the ODP independently under minimum supervision of a registered practitioner. You will undertake many of the responsibilities required of ODPs across a range of elective and non-elective surgical procedures of varying complexity including emergency and trauma.
BBC Grades/points required
Not currently available, please Contact University for up to date information.
4.3
