Operating Department Practice BSc (Hons)
University of Portsmouth
Student rating
This is the overall rating calculated by averaging all live reviews for this uni on Whatuni.
( 4.2) View reviews

Want to know what it's like to study this course at uni? We've got all the key info, from entry requirements to the modules on offer. If that all sounds good, why not check out reviews from real students or even book onto an upcoming open days?

Different course options
academic-cap
Qualification

Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)

location-pin
Location

Main Site

beaker
Study mode

Full Time

calendar
Start date

SEP-25

time
Duration

3 Years

Course info

Select a course option


Qualification

Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)

Location

Main Site

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

SEP-25

Duration

3 Years

SELECTED

Subjects

Select a subject


Paramedic Science
SELECTED

Exam type

Select a an exam type


A level
SELECTED

Scottish Advanced Higher
SELECT

UCAS Tariff
SELECT

Access to HE Diploma
SELECT

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
SELECT

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
SELECT

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
SELECT

Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF)
SELECT

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
SELECT

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
SELECT

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
SELECT

T Level
SELECT

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

Location

Select student location


England
SELECTED

Scotland
SELECT

Wales
SELECT

Northern Ireland
SELECT

Channel Islands
SELECT

Course info

**Overview**Are you enthusiastic, great with people and keen to make a living improving and saving lives?Operating Department Practitioners (ODPs) are an essential part of the surgical team. They take care of patients, prepare the operating theatre and surgical equipment, and act as a vital link between the surgical team, other hospital departments and patients.Our BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice degree course, which weve developed with local NHS Trusts and the private sector, provides ...Read more


Overview

Are you enthusiastic, great with people and keen to make a living improving and saving lives?Operating Department Practitioners (ODPs) are an essential part of the surgical team. They take care of patients, prepare the operating theatre and surgical equipment, and act as a vital link between the surgical team, other hospital departments and patients.Our BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice degree course, which we've developed with local NHS Trusts and the private sector, provides you with the skills and knowledge you need to work in this demanding and rewarding role.- Practise examinations and procedures on human patient simulators in our Centre for Simulation in Health and Care, one of the country’s leading healthcare teaching environments- Spend more than 50% of your time gaining experience in real operating theatres and wards at our partner hospitals and NHS Trusts, with one-to-one mentorship from a registered healthcare practitioner- Learn on a course with 100% overall student satisfaction (NSS, 2021)- Become eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as an Operating Department Practitioner when you graduate


Approved by:

This course is approved by the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC).


Careers and opportunities

The role of an Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) is to care for patients undergoing surgery in hospital, from preparing the operating theatre and anaesthetic, to ensuring the surgical team have the equipment they need during an operation and supporting patients as they recover. ODPs are vital to the safe and effective running of an operating theatre, and many are need in both the NHS and private healthcare sector in the UK, now more than ever. As many operations were postponed due to the pandemic, there is high demand for Operating Department Practitioners to help patients get the surgery they need.Once you complete this Operating Department Practice degree, you'll be eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), which you'll need to work as an ODP in the UK, in areas including anaesthesia, surgery and recovery.With more training, you could become a surgical care practitioner able to carry out some surgical procedures, under supervision of a consultant surgeon.


What jobs can you do with an Operating Department Practice degree?

As a registered Operating Department Practitioner, you'll be able to progress and develop towards roles such as:- surgical care practitioner- advanced critical care practitioner- team leader- theatre manager- sterile supply manager- practice educator- research fellow


Potential salary

As an Operating Department Practitioner in the NHS in 2021, you could expect a starting salary of £25,655 moving up to £31,534 (Band 5).With more experience as a senior ODP or team leader, you could earn from £32,306 to £39,027 (Band 6).


Clinical placements

Key stats

WUSCA ranking:
WUSCA student ranking
These are the 2024 rankings, based on ratings given by past and current students.
48/101
CUG Subject Ranking
CUG Subject Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
12th
CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
49th
Nursing (Non-Specific)
Drop-out rate
Drop-out rate
The percentage of students who didn't finish the course.
Calculated by 100% - (% of students continuing course + % of students completed course)
100 - 90 = 10% Drop-out rate Source: UNISTATS, 2019
10%
Employment rate
Employment rate
The percentage of students in full-time work 6 months after finishing their course.
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
100%
Average salary
Average salary
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
Nursing (Non-Specific) graduate salary at this uni
£42,000
UK Nursing (Non-Specific) graduate salary
£22,000
What students say
K
Kamila
08 Nov 23

I really recommend this University to everyone, the amount of support you cam receive it's unreal. Tutors, Asdac team, mental health support, study skills, all kinds off..Read more

L
Lauren
07 Dec 22

Na..Read more

Modules

Modules (Year 1)
Modules (Year 2)
Modules (Year 3)
IDP Connect

Entry requirements

Exam type

A level

A level:

BBC - BBB Grades / Points required

Scottish Advanced Higher:

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

UCAS Tariff:

112 - 120 Grades / Points required

Access to HE Diploma:

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal:

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme:

29 Grades / Points required

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017):

H3,H3,H3,H3,H4 - H3,H3,H3,H3,H3 Grades / Points required

Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF):

DDM - DMM Grades / Points required

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016):

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016):

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016):

DDM - DMM Grades / Points required

T Level:

M Grades / Points required

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

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

112-120 points from 3 A levels, to include 32 points from a Science subject (Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, Applied Science, Sports Science, PE).

112-120 Tariff points from 3 Advanced Highers, to include a Science subject (Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, Applied Science, Sports Science, PE) at grade D.

112-120 points from 3 A levels, or equivalent, to include 32 points from a Science subject (Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, Applied Science, Sports Science, PE).

112-122 Tariff points from the Access to HE Diploma (Science, Health & Social Care or Nursing), to include a minimum of 21 level 3 credits in Science subjects at merit or above.

Cambridge Pre-U score of 54-56, to include a Principal Subject in a single Science subject (Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, Applied Science, Sports Science, PE) at M3.

29 points from the IB Diploma, with 664, 655 or 754 at Higher Level, to include 5 points from a Higher Level in a Science subject (Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, Applied Science, Sports Science, PE).

To include a Higher Level Science subject (Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, Applied Science, Sports Science, PE) at H3.

Must be in a Science subject

Acceptable when combined with other qualifications.

Acceptable when combined with other qualifications.

Must be in a Science subject.

Acceptable T Level Subjects:T Level in Health, T Level in Healthcare Science, T Level in Science

112-120 points from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate including 2 A levels, to include 32 points from a Science subject (Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, Applied Science, Sports Science, PE), plus the Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate.

Popular A-level subjects

Nursing (Non-Specific)

Top 5 A-levels taken by students who study this subject at uni.

Biology
46%
Psychology
24%
Chemistry
22%
Mathematics
14%
Sociology
12%
HESA

Tuition fees

Students living in

England

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from England

This is the fee you pay if you live within England. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within England. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Scotland

This is the fee you pay if you live within Scotland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Scotland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Wales

This is the fee you pay if you live within Wales. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Wales. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Northern Ireland

This is the fee you pay if you live within Northern Ireland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Northern Ireland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Channel Islands

This is the fee you pay if you live within Channel Islands. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Channel Islands. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

UCAS/IDP Connect

Latest reviews

Latest Hospital Operating Assistant Skills reviews

Hospital Operating Assistant Skills
Hospital Operating Assistant Skills
K
Kamila
08 Nov 23
Operating Department Practice BSc (Hons)
I really recommend this University to everyone, the amount of support you cam receive it's unreal. Tutors, Asdac team, mental health support, study skills, all kinds off...
Read more
Review breakdown
University rating
University rating
Students' union
Societies and Sports
University halls
Facilities
Lecturers and teaching quality
Local life
Career prospects
Student support
Location
Campus look and feel
Student life
Course rating
Course content
Work placements and internships
Tutor contact time
Subject facilities
University location
Cost of living
Safety
Public transport
Part-time work opportunities
Graduate employment opportunities
Diversity
Location
Safety
Room allocation
Internet/wifi
Value for money
Property management

How Hospital Operating Assistant Skills students rated:

Student rating
( 4.2) 5 reviews
5 star
40%
4 stars
40%
3 stars
20%
2 stars
0%
1 star
0%

How all students rated:

Student rating
( 4.2) 2,508 reviews
5 star
40%
4 stars
47%
3 stars
12%
2 stars
1%
1 star
0%
Search reviews that mention

Uni info

University of Portsmouth
University of Portsmouth , Portsmouth

The University of Portsmouth is located in the centre of the UK’s only island city....

Student rating
( 4.2) View reviews
CUG ranking
49th
University of Portsmouth
University House Winston Churchill Avenue Portsmouth PO1 2UP United Kingdom
Nearest train station: Portsmouth & Southsea  0.1 miles away

Find a course

  • Undergraduate
  • HND / HNC
  • Foundation degree
  • Access & foundation
  • Postgraduate