• Undergraduate

Operating Department Practice (Pre Registration) BSc (Hons)

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Overview

Overview

Why study at the University of West London?
  • Ranked 30th university in the UK - The Guardian University Guide 2025
  • Number 1 London university for overall student satisfaction - National Student Survey 2024**
  • Best university for Student Experience and Teaching Quality in the UK - The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024

Would you like to become a skilled healthcare professional working with a team of surgeons, anaesthetists and theatre nurses? 

This Operating Department Practice (ODP) course will train you to become a practitioner able to provide high standards of compassionate care at each perioperative stage – from anaesthetic to surgery to recovery. 

You will learn from highly experienced staff, develop your confidence using modern simulation centre facilities and benefit from personalised feedback throughout the course.

Half of your study time will be spent gaining clinical practice with an NHS trust operating theatre. You can find out more about placements in the Course Details section or watch this operating department practitioner video by Health Education England. 

You are eligible to apply for the NHS Learning Support Fund, including a training grant of £5000. You may also qualify for additional financial support. Read the eligibility criteria and find out how to apply for the fund on www.healthcareers.nhs.uk. The funding will not need to be repaid. Eligible students can also continue to access funding for tuition and maintenance loans from the Student Loans Company.

Select your desired study option, then pick a start date to see relevant course information:

Study options:
We support flexible study by offering some of our courses part-time or via distance learning. To give you real world experience before you graduate, we also offer some courses with a placement or internship. All available options are listed here. Your choices may affect some details of your course, such as the duration and cost per year. Please re-check the details on this page if you change your selection.

Start date:

If your desired start date is not available, try selecting a different study option.

Why study Operating Department Practice (Pre Registration) with us?

Why study Operating Department Practice (Pre Registration) with us?

A collage of students

What our students say…

UWL has truly state-of-the-art facilities. I feel like I'm learning something new every day.

Nicolas Gutierrez
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Students can receive a £5000 grant per year on this course
Top modern university London for nursing Times and Sunday Times 2023
This course has simulation centres in London and Reading
Lifelong careers support from the UWL Careers Service.
Course detail & modules

Course detail & modules

On this course you will learn in both classroom settings and in clinical practice so that you can apply your new knowledge to real situations. These opportunities reflect modern healthcare practice and will develop your ability to meet patient needs. 

This course aims to develop you into a perioperative practitioner who: 

  • is safe, compassionate and confident
  • is professional and accountable
  • can work effectively as part of a mixed specialist team
  • is research-minded and able to use problem-solving and critical-thinking skills to inform the clinical decisions you make in practic
  • is able to integrate theory to practice, promoting innovation and effective change
  • is an independent, highly motivated, reflective lifelong learner
  • meets the Standards of Proficiency for Operating Department Practitioners as set out by the HCPC and is eligible to apply to register.

Standards for registration

To meet the HCPC requirements for entry on the professional register, you will work to develop these broad skills:

  • effective communication
  • effective team-working
  • problem-solving
  • information technology (IT)
  • life-long learning.

Facilities and support

We will provide a supportive learning environment to help you gain confidence. You will learn using high-tech, innovative resources that make your classes fun and engaging. In addition, you will have:

  • teaching staff who are highly committed, passionate subject specialists 
  • a personal tutor to guide you through your course
  • regular personalised feedback on your progress in theory and practice components
  • access to a variety of practice placements, thanks to our many partners.

Placement partner 

Your placement is an essential part of your course. It will give you practical experience to apply what you learn in a real-world setting. 

We currently partner with the following healthcare organisations: 

  • Frimley Health
  • Royal Berkshire Hospital (for RG postcodes only)
  • Ashford and St Peters
  • West Middlesex Hospital
  • London Northwest (Ealing, Central Middlesex and Northwich Park)
  • Imperial (St Marys, Hammersmith and Charing Cross)
  • Basingstoke and Winchester North Hampshire hospital trust
  • Barking and Havering foundation trust Kings and Queens
  • Redhill Hospital
  • Kingston.

Compulsory modules

  • Human Anatomy and Physiology

    The module enables you to understand and gain experience of the structure and function of the main organs within the human, how homeostasis is maintained through regulation via processes such as alteration in blood flow, neuronal input, and endocrine control. 

    This module also enables you to understand the common methodologies used to analyse and measure physiological parameters and to interpret common abnormalities found in the clinical investigation of patients.

  • The Context for Professional Practice

    This module aims to help you develop an understanding of the context of professional practice and the issues that influence your role in Operating Department Practice.

    You will identify the legal framework of perioperative practice and regulatory requirements and be introduced to the concept of human factors, risk assessment and teamwork.

  • Principles of Perioperative Practice

  • Essential Skills for Higher Education and Healthcare

    On this introductory module you will get to grips with the worlds of higher education and healthcare, both of which are transforming rapidly. You will learn about the University and your role within it. You will also be encouraged to think innovatively about modern healthcare practice and the values expected of all healthcare professionals.

  • Search for Health

    During this module you will begin to develop your information skills, identifying and sourcing relevant clinical guidelines, research evidence, and other sources. This will help you to use information effectively, which is essential if you are treating illness or improving or promoting the health of others.

  • Clinical Skills for Perioperative Practice 1

    You will gain essential experience required to meet the clinical learning outcomes for your first year of the course. You will take a reflective approach to the learning and assessment opportunities available.

Compulsory modules

  • Becoming an Effective Practitioner

    You will enhance your professional identity as an effective Operating Department Practitioner on this module. You will also understand how to use diverse forms of healthcare information to underpin perioperative care.

  • Surgical Practice

    You will develop the theoretical knowledge and clinical skills needed to support the development of surgical competence across a range of specialities. You will be encouraged to reflect on the delivery of patient care and their roles and responsibilities as an ODP. 

  • Care of Patients with Complex Conditions

    Your understanding of the needs of patients with long-term conditions will be enhanced on this module. You will develop awareness of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics and understand their implications in the operating theatre.

  • Anaesthesia and Post Anaesthetic Practice

    On this module you will develop theoretical knowledge and clinical skills to enhance and support the development of anaesthetic and post-anaesthetic competence across a range of specialities. You will be encouraged to reflect on the delivery of patient care and your role as ODP.

  • Clinical Skills for Perioperative Practice 2

    You will gain the essential experience required to meet the clinical learning outcomes for your second year of the course. You will take a reflective approach to the learning and assessment opportunities available.

Compulsory modules

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

104 UCAS points required from level 3 qualifications

These can include:     

  • A Levels at grade B, C and C, or above   
  • BTEC Extended Diploma with Distinction, Merit, Merit   
  • Access to HE Diploma
  • T Levels

You also need GCSE English and Maths (grade 9 - 4 / A* - C) or Level 2 equivalents.

We will also consider your application if you have an Access to Nursing / Health or Social care / Science qualification with a Merit / Distinction profile.

Experience and recent study

We recommend you should have some experience of:

  • studying in the past five years
  • working in a health/social care setting (paid/voluntary)

You will be asked to provide a satisfactory reference along with your application form.

Occupational Health and DBS

All offers are subject to satisfactory:

  • enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
  • occupational health clearance - the Department of Health requires all new Exposure Prone Procedures (EPP) workers, including students, are tested for HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. The consent, test and managed process of results will be carried out by our Occupational Health Provider. 

Find out more about the occupational health clearance requirements, tests and immunisations. (pdf, 723kb)

Selection Process

If you have the qualifications for this course, you will be asked to attend an individual values-based interview with an academic, clinician and service user/carer.

Fees & funding

Fees & funding

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On Wednesday 18 December 2019 the Government announced it is introducing an annual maintenance payment of at least £5,000 for all new and continuing pre-registration nursing, midwifery and many allied health students, from September 2020.

The funding will not need to be repaid and students will also be able to continue to access funding for tuition and maintenance loans from the Student Loans Company. You can find details of this announcement on the Gov.uk website. 

Please note:

  • Fees for the 2026/27 academic year and onwards may be subject to Government regulation and change.
  • Tuition fees are charged for each year of your course. If your course runs for two years or more, you will need to pay the fee for each academic year at the start of that year.
  • If your course runs for less than two years, the cost above is for your full course and you will need to pay the full fee upfront.
  • If no fee is shown above then the fees for this course are not available yet. Please check again later for updates.

Funding your studies

You may be eligible for a student loan to cover the cost of tuition fees, or a maintenance loan. Additional funding is available to some types of students, such as those with dependants and disabled students.

We offer generous bursaries and scholarships to make sure your aspirations are your only limit. In recent years, hundreds of students have received our Full-time Undergraduate Student Bursary.

There are also scholarships specifically for students in the fields of nursing, midwifery and healthcare.

View full details, including conditions and eligibility.

Funding your studies
Teaching staff

Teaching staff

Person placeholder image.

Edwina Morris

I joined the perioperative teaching team at UWL in 2016. Prior to this, I acquired over 40 years of experience working within the NHS. The majority of which was spent in the operating theatre gaining specialist qualifications.

I have had the pleasure of being course lead for three years, and during this time it has been a privilege to guide students to a successful conclusion.

I joined the perioperative teaching team at UWL in 2016. Prior to this, I acquired over 40 years of experience working within the NHS. The majority of which was spent in the operating theatre gaining specialist qualifications.

I have had the pleasure of being course lead for three years, and during this time it has been a privilege to guide students to a successful conclusion.

Study & career progression

Study & career progression

Nurses and students in an operating theatre

A career as an operating department practitioner is exciting, rewarding, challenging and demanding.

In order to practise, you will need to be eligible to apply for registration with the regulatory body, the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). This course will prepare you to do so.

As a qualified ODP, you could work in areas such as:

  • anaesthetics
  • surgery 
  • recovery 
  • leadership/management in these areas
  • resuscitation teams
  • high-dependency areas 
  • educational and research roles
  • emergency department
  • intensive care unit.

See the NHS careers website to find out more. Alternatively, you could continue your studies at UWL. This will help you to enhance your clinical knowledge and skills in a specialist area.

We also offer Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses for healthcare practitioners.

How to apply

How to apply

Search for courses

Reasonable Adjustments

We are committed to ensuring people with a disability are provided with equal access to their chosen course of study and facilities at the University of West London. Appropriate support can be provided to remove barriers faced in education because of a person’s disability. This is support is called “reasonable adjustments”. 

We strongly encourage applicants to disclose their disability and discuss support requirements at the earliest opportunity by contacting our Wellbeing Team: online via the Student Hub or by email - wellbeing@uwl.ac.uk alternatively telephone 020 8231 2739. Early disclosure enables the University time to consider the individual support requirements that you may have and to identify whether reasonable adjustments can be made to help you with your studies prior to the start of the course. Some reasonable adjustments may not be possible in a placement setting due to professional standards and core competencies of the role so it is imperative these are considered prior to starting the course. 

It is important to understand that successful progression on this course is dependent on professional standards being met. By disclosing to the University, where reasonable adjustments can be made, the University will provide you with the support you need to meet these standards. See standards of proficiency for registered nurses to explore the standards appropriate to your chosen course.

News

Important notes for applicants

Disclaimer

*Modern universities - defined as higher education institutions that were granted university status in, and subsequent to, 1992.

**The National Student Survey 2023 and 2024 - Average of answers to all questions by registered student population. Excludes specialist institutions.

Testimonials - our students or former students provided all of our testimonials - often a student from the course but sometimes another student. For example, the testimonial often comes from another UWL student when the course is new.

Optional modules - where optional modules are offered they will run subject to staff availability and viable student numbers opting to take the module.

Videos - all videos on our course pages were accurate at the time of filming. In some cases a new Course Leader has joined the University since the video was filmed.

Availability of placements - if you choose a course with placement/internship route we would like to advise you that if a placement/internship opportunity does not arise when you are expected to undertake the placement then the University will automatically transfer you to the non-internship route, this is to ensure you are still successful in being awarded a degree.