Operating department practitioners (ODPs) are vital members of the surgical team who care for patients before, during and after surgery.
With this degree approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), you’ll split your time between learning in our award-winning new Allam Medical Building and on clinical placements.
This means you’ll graduate with the skills, experience and confidence to start your career as an Allied Healthcare Professional and you’ll be able to apply for registration as an Operating Department Practitioner.
This course is accredited by
100%
of students in work or further study 15 months after graduating1
Receive £5k a year
or more through the NHS Learning Support Fund2
50/50 split
between classes and placements
Register as an ODP
when you graduate
Ranked 9th in the UK
for learning opportunities3
Ranked 10th in the UK
for Teaching Quality4
About this course
Operating Department Practitioners (ODPs) work as part of a multidisciplinary team in a variety of surgical theatre specialties.
At Hull, you’ll be taught by experts in the field and develop high-quality skills in anaesthetic, surgical and post-operative/anaesthetic care.​​
Our simulated clinical practice teaching takes place in the cutting-edge facilities of our award-winning new Allam Medical Building on this programme and our course boasts an incredible employability rating – so the career prospects couldn’t be better.
In fact, our degree has been designed in collaboration with local NHS trusts and private healthcare providers to meet the growing demand for ODPs both locally and nationally.
Plus, students studying this course may also receive a payment of at least £5,000 a year. This doesn't need to be paid back and is in addition to any financial support received through your student loan.
Discover more about health placements - learn why they matter, explore potential destinations, and hear first-hand feedback from fellow health students.
Don’t have the qualifications you need for this course? Our part-time, flexible University Certificate in Health and Social Care Practice has no formal entry requirements - and can open the door to a career as a nurse, midwife, operating department practitioner, paramedic, or social worker.Â
Learn by getting your hands dirty and clean.
Module options
Each year, you’ll study modules worth a certain number of credits, and you need 120 credits per year. Most modules are 20 credits – so you’ll study six modules each year. Some longer modules, such as a dissertation, are worth more. In these cases, you’ll study fewer modules - but the number of credits will always add up to 120. Some modules are compulsory, some are optional, so you can build a course that’s right for you.
Filters
Introduction to Evidence-Based Practice
You'll be discussing research, reviews and guidelines, learning how to assess each to best influence your care for patients.
compulsory
20 credits
Anatomy and Physiology
Develop your knowledge of human anatomy and physiology, exploring homeostasis whilst evolving your understanding of key systems, their interactions and interdependence.
compulsory
20 credits
Clinical Practice Education
You will learn the basic skills of operating department practice in terms of clinical practice and self-development.
compulsory
20 credits
Selfcare in Healthcare
You will be equipped with the tools, knowledge and strategies to identify, address, and manage the challenges of working in a high-pressure profession
compulsory
20 credits
Safety and Risk Management
You will develop an understanding of patient safety, risk assessment and strategies to mitigate errors within the perioperative environment.
compulsory
20 credits
Introduction to Perioperative Practice
You will explore fundamental principles of perioperative care, preparing you with essential knowledge and skills to support patient safety, teamwork and decision-making in the perioperative environment.
compulsory
20 credits
Pathophysiology
You'll examine the pathophysiology of shock, heart failure, myocardial infarction and respiratory failure.
core
20 credits
Research Methods
You will develop the critical thinking skills needed to access and apply research findings to your clinical decision-making process.Â
core
20 credits
Interprofessional Working
This hands-on module allows you to experience and navigate the complexities of interprofessional collaboration in controlled environments, preparing you for the challenges of actual emergency situations. You'll understand the importance of holistic, patient-centred care and be equipped with essential skills for effective communication and collaboration with professionals from diverse healthcare backgrounds.Â
core
40 credits
Our facilities
Watchlist
Degrees that live up to life
Course montage
1 min
BSc Operating Department Practice
Course overview
2 mins
Olayemi Elizabeth Ajayi - Operating Department Practice - Student Stories
Student Story
4 mins
Our healthcare family
Course Highlight
4 mins
Featured academics
Our staff combine teaching and clinical practice with the opportunity to be involved in high-quality research projects.
Their expertise sees them consult with regulatory bodies and government to drive improvement in healthcare and their research is recognised internationally for its quality.daly
Rebecca Daly
Lecturer
Rebecca is an Operating Department Practitioner who joined the University of Hull in 2013. She is currently the programme admissions tutor and teaches across all levels of undergraduate study as well as on the level 7 Advanced Practice programme.
Natalie Teal
Lecturer
Natalie is an experienced operating department practitioner, clinical practice educator and surgical first assistant. She joined the University of Hull in 2015 and is now Programme Director for Operating Department Practice.
Entry Requirements
What do I need?
When it comes to applying to university, you'll need a certain number of UCAS points. Different qualifications and grades are worth a different amount of points. For this course, you'll need 112 UCAS points.
At least 80 points must come from A levels, BTEC, or other equivalent qualifications.
We consider experience and qualifications from the UK and worldwide which may not exactly match the combinations above.
But it's not just about the grades - we'll look at your whole application. We want to know what makes you tick, and about your previous experience, so make sure that you complete your personal statement.
Typical offer
112 UCAS points
A levels
BBC
BTEC
DMM
Fees & Funding
How much is it?
Tuition fees for 2027 entry have not been confirmed. Please use 2026-27 information as a guide.
For UK students, our standard course fee is £9,790 per year. Keep in mind that some courses are longer - for example, spending your third year abroad will make your degree four years in total.
How do I pay for it?
Home students studying this course may receive a payment of at least £5,000 a year. This doesn't need to be paid back and is in addition to any financial support received through your student loan.
You can take out a tuition fee loan to cover the full cost of your course. One you’ve successfully applied for this, you don’t need to do anything else – the money is sent straight to us.
You can also take out a maintenance loan of up to £10,544 a year to cover your living costs, depending on your household income.
Remember, you won’t start paying your loans back until you’ve left University and earn more than £25,000 per year.
See our full fees and finance information for more details and to find out what support we can offer.
Standard Tuition Fee
£9,790 / year
The amount you pay may increase each year, in line with inflation - but capped to the Retail Price Index.
Future prospects
Our degree has an incredible graduate employability rating so the career prospects couldn’t be better.
You’ll graduate with the skills and experience to be a professional healthcare practitioner and eligible to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
Most of our graduates will go on to work in the NHS – but others find positions overseas, in private practice and the Armed Forces. Future progress options could include roles in medical associate professions such as surgical care practitioners and anaesthesia associate.
Learn more about BSc Operating Department Practice
Become part of the next generation of futuremakers
Like what you've seen? Then it's time to apply.
The standard way is to apply through UCAS. This will give you the chance to showcase your skills qualities and passion for the subject, as well as providing us with your academic qualifications.
Not ready to apply yet?
Visit our next Open Day, and see all that the University of Hull has to offer. Talk to our lecturers about your subject, find out what university is really like from our current students, and take a tour of our beautiful campus and amazing facilities.
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100% employability (Perioperative care) UK domicile full-time first degree leavers; Higher Education Graduate Outcomes statistics, for the academic year 2022/23, published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency June 2025
Available to all undergraduate students studying Nursing, Midwifery, Paramedic Science or Physiotherapy. You don't need to pay this back, and you'll get it as well as your student loan.
Health Sciences: Ranked 9th in the UK for learning resources. National Student Survey (NSS) 2025, HEIs only.
Subjects allied to medicine: Ranked 10th in the UK for Teaching Quality. The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026.
All modules presented on this course page are subject to availability and this list may change at any time.