Curious about studying Operating Department Practiceat University of Staffordshire? 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)
University of Staffordshire (Centre for Health Innovation)
Full Time
Sep 2026
3 Year
Learn the skills needed to deliver specialised patient care in the operating theatre and other critical areas. As an operating department practitioner (ODP), you’ll follow the patient’s journey from when they are anaesthetised through to their recovery. You’ll scrub up and prepare the surgical equipment, help manage the patient’s airway and play a major role in keeping them safe. During the course, you’ll spend half your time on placement, working alongside other ODPs, surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses and healthcare assistants. To prepare you for the operating department, we provide access to state-of-the-art simulated operating theatres. Here, you’ll practise essential skills such as patient monitoring, assessment, performing interventions, and administering treatments on both manikin patients and live service users. You will also be exposed to simulated emergencies where you’ll refine your ability to respond effectively under pressure and manage the situation. We believe healthcare is best learned through hands-on experience. That’s why, in University, we combine innovative theory lectures with practical workshops, skills sessions, and immersive simulations, ensuring you develop both the knowledge and confidence to excel in this critical role. As this degree is accredited by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), you can apply to become a registered ODP once you graduate. On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice
This is a module based primarily in clinical practice where you will apply the theory that you have learnt in university to patient care in the Operating Department. The module is supported by clinical placements where you will participate in the development and assessment of your clinical skills and applied knowledge. You will have the opportunity to develop and practice essential clinical skills in the skills laboratory as well as opportunities to practice patient care in the simulated environment. This module also has a wellbeing focus to equip you with the tools and confidence to be a resilient practitioner. This includes mindfulness, breathing techniques, peer support and introduction to a Buddying system.
This module will offer students the opportunity to practice and undertake a range of clinical skills vital for safe and effective patient care in clinical practice. This will be taught using a flipped classroom style where students use a range of technologies to inform their learning and then the opportunity to practice the skills safely within the facilities on campus. This will then link closely with student clinical practice placements, which is assessed through a separate module. Teaching and learning in this module will also link closely with the theory content for Introduction to Bioscience and Pharmacology and Clinical Practice, Simulation, and Wellbeing 1 where relevant skills will be grouped together to form part of simulated practice.
This modules focus is to introduce you to the professional context of the Operating Department Practitioner including concepts of professionalism, legal and ethical factors, and communication. This module will also give you an introduction into essay writing and assist in developing your academic study skills and writing at degree level.
This module will refresh your existing knowledge of anatomy and physiology and will link with the skills content of practice modules. This will support the student to work through the theory that links with the relevant clinical skills, aiding the links between theory and practice and promoting percentage learning. This module also links with Clinical Practice, Simulation and Wellbeing 1 where relevant skills will be grouped together to form part of simulated practice.
Studying this module will provide you with the opportunity to attend a Service Users Conference, this conference will provide you with an introduction to the many types of patients you will care for as an Operating Department Practitioner and hear their experiences of healthcare. This module also includes an introduction to human impacts and user-friendly systems (human factors and ergonomics) within the theatre environment and the national policies that underpin practice specifically linked to theatre and recovery.
Clinical Practice, Wellbeing and Simulation Part 2 builds upon all that you have covered at Level 4. At this level, focus shifts to more challenging aspects of the role of the Operating Department Practitioner. This includes areas such as challenging behaviours in practice, supporting others whilst maintaining boundaries, continuous professional development and employability, this will be achieved through a combination of taught theory, simulation, virtual placement and traditional clinical placements.
This module will give you the opportunity to develop your knowledge regarding the Holistic approach to patient care by critically exploring the role of the Operating Department Practitioner when caring for a patient with additional needs and belief systems or lifestyle choices that may be different from our own. You will also explore the care of patients across the lifespan, considering changing care needs and peri-operative care adjustments.
This module will develop your awareness of the importance of research in Allied Health. The module will give you the opportunity to explore the features that make up a research paper and the ethical considerations in relation to professional standards. You will hear from staff, trust partners and students on their own personal research projects, past and present and have opportunities to ask questions.
This module will explore the role of the operating department practitioner within post-anaesthetic care exploring enhanced recovery skills and associated pharmacology building on the knowledge previously gained at level 4. The safe management and storage of drugs, legal issues of drugs and drug errors including examples from practice and exploration of case studies will be covered whilst also exploring the concept of human factors and ergonomics and the impact this has on patient safety within the post anaesthetic care unit.
This module focuses on the more challenging elements of the role of the Operating Department Practitioner. This includes topics that will assist you in de-escalation of difficult situations, safeguarding yourself, peers and patients whilst focusing on a wellbeing approach. This module also provides opportunities to practice difficult situations in a simulated environment. You will also hear from service users with lived in experiences of recovery from surgery and illness. There is a focus upon connecting wellbeing with practice and you will achieve your final proficiencies in clinical practice during your placement experiences as part of this module.
This module will prepare you for involvement in clinical emergency situations and give you the confidence and knowledge to recognise how human factors and ergonomics affect patient safety and enhance care. This module will explore the widening role of the Operating Department Practitioner with opportunities to simulate advanced skills and difficult airway techniques. You will also attend the Resuscitation Councils Intermediate Life Support course, with the opportunity to attain one years certification.
This module will provide you with knowledge and skills which will support you to lead improvements in the quality of patient care and the development of Operating Department Practice and to look at service delivery within increasingly varied care systems.
This module will allow you to explore secondary research surrounding a topic chosen by yourself, you will interpret the quality of research and the application of ethics in the research process and formulate an extended literature review to draw a conclusion to your chosen research aim.
This module will assist in the transition from student to qualified Allied Health Professional. Undertaking this module will equip you with the skills to support and assess Allied Health students. It will also provide you with the skills to recognise your own learning and teaching style and the impact this has on you as a future Practice Educator. You will explore key themes of transition to becoming a registered professional and consider the professional responsibility you have towards yourself, colleagues, service users and the general public. You will also undertake practical preparation for employment and ongoing professional development.
Accommodation - Swan Classic (Standard Ensuite room) - £175/week, including bills
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