BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice

Core units

• Academic Study Skills: You will gain the fundamental academic and research skills required for degree level study. The unit will introduce you to a broad grounding in literature searching, literature review, data collection, methodological approach, data analysis and interpretation and ethical practice. It will also support you to begin to develop a critical and analytical approach to your work and identify areas for personal development. 
• Applied Sciences: You'll gain a basic understanding of some fundamental aspects of science underpinning more specific disciplines, and an appreciation of how various scientific disciplines impact human life. You'll understand the differences between pure and applied science, as well as the roles of different ways applied science can be funded, and implications of these funding mechanisms. 
• Introduction to Biology: Biology is the study of life and hence knowledge of plant and animal cell biology is fundamental to understanding wider concepts in biology. This unit also introduces key themes in human, environmental and ecological sciences to provide a sound underpinning in knowledge for future studies. 
• Introduction to Psychology: This unit is designed to prepare you for advanced coursework in psychology. You will complete the unit with a good understanding of the various areas of psychology and how they seek to explain behaviour. 
• Mathematics in Science: You will build your confidence in mathematics, in order to perform calculations on a range of scientific data from biology, chemistry and psychology and to be able to represent the findings in an appropriate format, including graphs. In order to carry this out, it is essential to be able to convert the data between systems of units and to understand how to present very large and very small numbers in standard form. Basic statistical analysis of tabulated data will be carried out to introduce the concept of confidence limits and familiarisation of statistical testing.
• Foundation Year Project: You will carry out a research task on scientific topics chosen by the unit leader which you will be able to conduct a scientific investigation on. You will devise your own investigation and produce a literature review as a final scientific report. 

Core units

• Foundations of Surgical Care:  An introduction to the basic concepts and skills required for surgical practice and care. 
• Foundations of Anaesthetic Care:  An introduction to the basic concepts and skills required for anaesthetic practice and care. 
• Foundations of Postanaesthetic Care:  An introduction to the basic concepts and skills required for postanaesthetic practice and care.
• Anatomy & Physiology for Perioperative Practice: Develop the fundamental scientific knowledge that underpins clinical practice. Gain the understanding of human anatomy, physiology, medical physics and basic pharmacology - based on core subjects that are typical in the perioperative setting.
• Foundations of Operating Department Practice: This unit underpins your first year of study and introduces the foundations and principles of Operating Department Practice that are developed in detail in other units. 
• Learning in Higher Education for Healthcare Practice: Develop the personal and academic skills necessary to learn effectively in higher education and to support your development as a healthcare professional.

Core units

• Developing Surgical Care: This unit provides a framework to explore the multidimensional nature of intra-operative practice, and to develop an understanding of individual responsibility in the delivery and coordination of safe and dignified care, using the principles of evidence-based practice.
• Developing Anaesthetic Care: Develop knowledge of anaesthetic care, and gain opportunities to engage in the practice and coordination of advanced anaesthetic interventions to deliver safe and dignified care. 
• Developing Postanaesthetic Care: Develop knowledge of postanaesthetic care, and gain opportunities to engage in the practice and coordination of safe and competent care to patients with more complex needs. 
• Perioperative Science: Develop a deeper understanding of how science underpins the core principles of perioperative science. Core topics include pathology, pharmacology, physiology, physics and biochemistry. 
• Research for Professional Practice: Develop advanced skills in research, thinking and problem-solving, enabling critical engagement with evidence-based practice. Gain confidence in the skills required to critically appraise professional research literature and appreciate its significance for practice.
• Medicines Management for Perioperative Practice: Develop your knowledge of medicines management in the perioperative environment and explore the responsibilities of the Operating Department Practitioner. Core topics include various aspects of medicines management, such as pharmacology, legislation and adverse reactions.
   

Core units

• Enhancing Postanaesthetic Care: Enhance your knowledge of postanaesthetic care in patients with complex needs and develop a critical understanding of current and emerging evidence related to postanaesthetic practice.  
• Enhancing Surgical Care: Develop a critical understanding of current and emerging evidence related to extended surgical practice to enhance your clinical skills and knowledge, and to develop an autonomous and accountable standard of practice.  
• Enhancing Anaesthetic Care: Enhance your skills and knowledge in obtaining patient history and performing physical assessments of relevant body systems – distinguishing normal findings from pathological ones as part of a wider preoperative assessment team to inform anaesthetic decisions.
• Transitioning to Registered Operating Department Practitioner: Gain a thorough understanding of the multifaceted challenges and opportunities existing in contemporary healthcare, creating proactive and compassionate registered Operating Department Practitioners. This unit emphasises critical reflection on the intersection of the principles of sustainability, social equity and clinical governance in shaping the future of healthcare practice. 
• Evidence for Professional Practice: Undertake an in-depth, independent study on one aspect of professional practice. Develop skills in searching and evaluating the quality of different types of literature, and learn to analyse and synthesise your findings to identify evidence that will enhance your professional practice.
• Leading & Managing Change in Healthcare: Develop the leadership and management skills necessary to undertake a service improvement project and to work with – or within – multidisciplinary teams in your future career.
   

You will be assessed by different coursework such as journal articles, leaflet, essays, group work, written exams and practice assessment. The assessment methods for each unit can be found on the programme profile in the programme specification for the course.

Programme specifications provide definitive records of the university's taught degrees in line with Quality Assurance Agency requirements. Every taught course leading to a BU Award has a programme specification which describes its aims, structure, content and learning outcomes, plus the teaching, learning and assessment methods used.

Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the programme specification, the information is liable to change to take advantage of exciting new approaches to teaching and learning as well as developments in industry.

If you have been unable to locate the programme specification for the course you are interested in, it will be available as soon as the latest version is ready. Alternatively please contact us for assistance.

Download the programme specification (pdf 507KB)

Download the foundation year programme specification (pdf 338kb)

All of our hospital placement locations provide a high standard of care and are committed to the teaching and assessment of the future workforce. You will attend placements in different areas including anaesthesia, surgery and postanaesthesia.  

During your clinical placement you will experience the full 24-hour shift pattern which includes 10 to 12-hour shifts, evenings, weekends (advance notice will be given). For each placement, you will be assigned a qualified practitioner to support you throughout your practice placement and you will usually follow their shift pattern. You are expected to attend placement 37.5 hours each week and the shifts are organised by your practice educator.

If you are successfully shortlisted for the course, you will be asked what placement location you would consider. Some placement areas are more popular than others due to geographical location, and as placement numbers are limited, you may be offered a place at a different location to your preference.

Placement localities are allocated at the time of your offer for your course on a first come, first served basis therefore we may need to amend your placement locality if we reach capacity. You will not be able to change your main placement locality once you start the course and your locality will remain for the duration of your time on the course.

Although most of your clinical experience is usually based in one hospital, in order to achieve the minimum number of required clinical experiences expected for the course, there may be some placements where you are based in other hospitals and in other geographical locations.

We highly recommend that you live near your placement provider in order to participate in block placements. You may also want to consider living at hospital accommodation and travel to Lansdowne Campus for your taught sessions. 

Although your term-time address and method of transport are taken into consideration when allocating your placements, there is an expectation that all students will have to travel to reach their placements. Due to the more rural nature of some of the placements you may be required to travel further, and some travel will be outside normal working hours due to the nature of shift work. You must ensure that you have means to travel to your placement location at unsociable hours.

To help you with this, the NHS learning support fund may be able to support eligible UK students with placement travel expenses and dual accommodation costs.

Bournemouth University is affiliated with the following hospitals:

• Dorset Country Hospital
• Nuffield Health Bournemouth Hospital
• Salisbury District Hospital
• Somerset NHS Foundation Trust (Yeovil Hospital)
• University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust (Bournemouth Hospital and Poole Hospital)
• University Hospitals Southampton

AccessBU: AccessBU provides you with the opportunity to tell us about your circumstances that are not always evident in your UCAS application. This widening access initiative also considers relevant criteria such as being in care or if you live in an area with a low participation rate in Higher Education - if you are eligible, your offer could be up to 16 UCAS tariff points below the published tariff.

Apprenticeships: We recognise the transferable knowledge and skills gained through apprenticeships and welcome applications from students with a Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship recognised by the Institute for Apprenticeships. Each application will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Deferred entry: We are happy to consider eligible applicants for deferred entry. If you have already submitted your application, please submit your deferral request through our website.

Direct entry: We welcome applications from students who have previously studied at degree level at other institutions and wish to transfer onto a BU course. Our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) procedure enables credit awarded from one institution to contribute to a BU award, subject to an application process. Please visit our RPL webpage for more information.

Mature applicants: We recognise that mature applicants may have a wealth of experience rather than formal qualifications, so we’ll consider your application on these merits if included in your application. You’ll need to apply to BU in the usual way through UCAS and you may be invited to an interview to discuss your suitability for the course based on the experience you tell us about in your application.

Occupational Health (OH) Checks

This is a physically and mentally demanding and you will need to be mentally and physically able to undertake your chosen course. Places are offered subject to passing an OH check, and this will be carried out by the Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust. Health conditions need to be dealt with on an individual basis e.g. deafness, blindness, eczema (or other dermatological allergic reactions) on exposed areas, epilepsy,  back problems, or mental health conditions, eating disorders and other disabilities. These do not automatically exclude you but please ensure that you fully disclose your condition to OH. The university can then consider the recommendations made by OH and whether reasonable adjustments can be made to support you on your chosen course. If you require more guidance please contact us for more information.

You will be required to provide a record of your immunity status or be vaccinated or have the required blood tests. You may need to ask your GP or current OH department or find your childhood vaccination record for details of your past immunisation records. You should be aware that there may be charges made (for which you will be liable) relating to your gaining the appropriate immunity required prior to starting your training programme.

Refusing Immunisations

The University has an expectation that all students will comply with the vaccination programme as it is Public Health England requirement for health care workers to have certain immunisations. This ensures that you will be able to undertake the wide range of training placements that your course will require and aims to keep you, as well as the people in your care as safe as possible. Please note that at this time Covid-19 vaccinations are not a mandatory requirement for healthcare workers and so are therefore not a mandatory requirement for healthcare students either. Occasionally some vaccinations are contraindicated in certain medical conditions. Occupational Health (OH) will advise the University in these cases. The University will consider students on an individual basis. Refusal to have immunisations may result in the student not being allowed to attend practice placement and being withdrawn from the course. There is no opportunity to appeal against the requirements of the immunisation policy.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check (previously known as CRB)

All successful applicants will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barred List check; this will be a condition of offer and will need to be completed prior to commencing the course. Please see the Government website for the most up to date information.

In the healthcare sector, IT is now a vital tool for accessing and maintaining patient records, accessing literature to client care and conducting clinically-related research. As a student, you will receive an introduction to IT near the beginning of your course and you will be provided with computer access and your own email address.

During the course you will be expected to use your developing IT skills to produce assignments, to conduct literature searches, and to use patient-related record systems in the clinical setting. Following instruction, some of your study will be undertaken through web-based learning tools, for example by participating in online discussions.

We select candidates for this course by looking at your application. For that reason, make sure your application really stands out from the crowd, and leave us in no doubt as to why you should be joining BU. View our flowchart for information on how we process applications for courses with additional selection measures. 
 
For our health and social care courses our admissions team use the DRIVE criteria to assess your application and evidence of this must be show in your personal statement. You can also find some handy hints about filling in your UCAS form on our how to apply web pages. 
 
Please note that interviews are part of our selection process and you must be able to demonstrate at interview that you show the necessary insight into operating department practice, as well as the motivation and commitment to work in operating theatres. 

What to expect at the interview

Your interview will take place online, on a free online video communication platform.

A member of the Admissions Team will email you with joining instructions and information about what to expect at interview.

Your individual interview is where you will have the opportunity to tell us a little more about yourself and why you would be a great candidate for the course. You will be scored using a common template and offers will be made based on these scores.

If you are invited to interview, you will also be able to access online on-demand information presentations, course talks, virtual campus tours and more which you can watch before your interview. On the day of your interview you may also be able to join a live chat-room where you can ask questions to our current student ambassadors and other members of staff.

Additional reference:

In addition to the reference on your UCAS form, once we’ve received your application we may contact you to ask for a second reference; depending on the course you’ve applied for, this may be an academic reference, or from an employer or person who knows you in a professional capacity.

Our offer making will typically be based on your most recent qualifications, including any required subjects where applicable. We'll consider all qualifications when assessing your application, although these may not be part of our offer.

If you do not meet the criteria of your original offer, we may still offer you a place. We will review your whole application and consider all academic qualifications (including those not in the offer) to see if you have the academic potential to succeed on the course. If we feel the answer is yes, we will confirm your place.

We look at individual applications and make a tailored offer based on your potential to succeed on the course considering a range of factors, including your academic achievements, work and other experience, reference and personal statement, and in some cases, your performance at an interview or a portfolio review. Typically, we make an offer at the bottom of the tariff range.

If you are unable to meet the entry requirements, we may be able to make you an offer through AccessBU if you meet certain criteria e.g. you have been in care or live in an area where fewer people typically progress to Higher Education. If you don't meet our published tariff, we will accept you at least 8 points below if your personal circumstances match our AccessBU criteria.

You will be highly employable nationally. After taking on roles within operating theatres, a growing number of our graduates are moving into other areas of critical care, such as anaesthesia associate, helicopter emergency medical services, surgical first assistance, and trauma teams.

An ODP qualification is therefore incredibly versatile and can lead you into a wide range of careers and healthcare environments.

On graduating successfully, you will be eligible to apply for professional registration with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Industries worked in

• Healthcare
• Education
• Research

Once you have completed an undergraduate Honours degree, you can further develop your education by studying for a postgraduate degree. Please visit our postgraduate section for further details about our range of Master's degrees.

You can also continue your education through professional development units and courses.

What’s included in your tuition fee?

Your tuition fee covers expenses associated with your course including tuition materials, access to facilities, mandatory field trips and the following:

• Materials for laboratory and mandatory field-based teaching activity.
• Support for finding placements (UK or abroad) and/or fieldwork and non-financial support whilst on placement.
• A range of student services – advisors, help desks, counsellors, placement support and careers service.
• Access to Brightspace, our virtual learning environment, which offers a responsive and personalised learning experience with powerful learning analytics capabilities, integrated social media and advanced video features.
• The Library – access to a wide range of electronic resources (databases, e-journals and e-books), print and multimedia collections, subject librarians and study spaces.
• IT labs (some open 24/7), wireless network, AV equipment to borrow.
• Free software download to your personal device of Microsoft Office 365 ProPlus while you are studying, as well as access to applications provided on AppsAnywhere, subject to licensing and compatibility restrictions
• Disability and additional learning support, according to individual circumstances.
• The BU Language Centre to help you develop/improve foreign or English language skills.
• 24 hours a day, 365 days a year security team.
• Professional body accreditation of the course
• Occupational Health Services and checks are included but you will be charged if you do not attend Occupational Health appointments without giving appropriate notice. You are responsible for travel cost to Occupational Health appointments.
• We will provide you with one standard set of uniform. Additional uniform items must be ordered by students, and this will incur an additional cost. Students will need to purchase appropriate footwear.

Additional costs

We are committed to offering you value for money and ensuring there are no hidden costs while you are studying with us, therefore we have listed below any additional costs you may incur that are not covered by your tuition fee:

• Laptops, tablets and mobile devices and any software used on personal devices. Access to a personal computer is strongly recommended for your study. If you are experiencing financial difficulty, visit our website for information regarding hardship funds.
• Textbooks, general stationery and other supplies. Our award-winning library is stocked with a large range of textbooks and online resources, free of charge. The Students’ Union shop stocks a wide range of stationery supplies.
• You will need to meet the cost of an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check as a condition of enrolment, including any Post Office verification charges. 
• Accommodation and living costs. Please visit our website for more information.
• Travel costs to and from the University campus (including for occupational health referrals if required). An annual bus pass can be purchased alongside your rent if you are living in halls of residence/Unilet accommodation or may be purchased separately.
• Your placement could be at various locations across the southwest region. You will need to pay for travel costs to and from your placement (including car parking charges) and for accommodation. Eligible UK students may claim reimbursement towards travel and accommodation costs from the NHS. Please visit the NHS Business Services Authority website for more information. International students will need to cover these costs in addition to their course fee. 
• You may be able to claim reimbursement from the NHS. Please visit the NHS Business Services Authority website for more information: https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-learning-support-fund.
• There may be an additional charge for replacement uniforms.
• SportBU membership.
• You may need to pay for immunisations if they are not covered by your GP.

While all aspects of the programme, including required field trips, are included in the fee, additional, optional or extra curricula activities may be available for which a student contribution is required

If you need to repeat one or more units during your studies (with or without attendance) the pricing will be pro-rata of the full-time fee.

All UK ODP students may be eligible for a government funding of at least £5,000 a year which you will not need to pay back. The funding will be given to all new and continuing degree-level nursing, midwifery and many allied health students.

There is also further funding available for eligible students, including:

• Parental Support allowance of £1,000, on top of the £1,000 already on offer. 
• Up to £1,000 specialist subject payment for subjects such as mental health nursing. 
• A regional incentive payment in areas of the country which have seen a decrease in people accepted on some nursing, midwifery and allied health courses.

Students will not need to apply for specialist subject or incentive payments as they will be automatically added to their account, if eligible. 

This means that some students could be eligible for up to £8,000 per year, with everyone getting at least £5,000. 

Please note that this funding is not available for students on the Foundation Year, however you will be able to access it once you complete the foundation year and move onto the degree. Eligibility criteria applies to any grants.

Debbie joined BU as a Lecturer in Operating Department Practice following a clinical, academic and managerial career in General Hospitals, Clinics, Surgical Units and Higher Education in the South of Brazil.

Having trained and performed as a professional ballerina for some years, Debbie developed an interest in the human body and its abilities and limits. This led her to another academic qualification as a surgical technologist and subsequent position as a clinical skills instructor and lecturer for the surgical tech course.

After spending most of her professional life in operating theatres and academic environment, Debbie moved to England and qualified as and ODP, practicing in both private and public sectors before re-embarking on the academic life.

Nowadays, Debbie splits her time between clinical practice working as an ODP; academic life sharing knowledge with ODP students; and research doing her PhD.

“My aim as a lecturer is to facilitate learning experiences to enable my students to progress academically and develop professionally. I believe on the power of sharing knowledge to promote critical thinking and evidence based practice.”

John has a clear focus on developing and enhancing the student learning experience on the Operating Department Practice programme. Educated in Medical Sciences, John then undertook his ODP training in 1998 at Royal Bournemouth Hospital.

For a number of years, John worked as a Lecturer Practitioner, both as a Senior ODP in clinical practice (perioperative practice) and as the Programme Leader at Bournemouth University.

Emil has been a lecturer in the ODP team at Bournemouth University since 2015. Before formally joining the team, he was seconded for one day per week, from the NHS, to support teaching and clinical skills sessions on the programme. Currently, he is a part-time lecturer and still working in practice on a regular basis at several hospitals in the region.

Before Emil started his career in healthcare, he served in the British Army, which took him on deployments all over the world. As a trained surveillance officer, Emil then spent time working in the security industry before finally taking his first step into healthcare and with the support of his local hospital, he completed the ODP programme at Bournemouth University in 2011 and several years later became Clinical Educator for Surgery at Royal Bournemouth Hospital. During this time he worked at a number of hospitals in the region, supported clinical skills teaching on the ODP programme and completed his degree.

"I am very proud of the ODP programme at Bournemouth University and of the quality of our graduates. I look forward to teaching and working with you, as you begin your journey into the wonderful world of ODP!"