Course Overview
Do you want to be a part of a professional team that changes lives for the better? The Operating Department Practice course gives you the skills to play a valued role in the operating theatre.
Throughout this programme you will gain real life experiences as well as receive the theory behind the perioperative environment and care delivery. Upon successful completion of the programme you will receive the award that leads to eligibility to apply for admission on to the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Register.
You will gain the key knowledge and skills to achieve what is both required and expected within the contemporary healthcare setting through classroom based teaching, use of our simulation suite, and clinical placement throughout the duration of study.
On your placement, you’ll be placed in the operating theatre setting within one of our trusts where you will be mentored in the art of patient care.
Help change lives in the operating theatre and beyond
As an Operating Department Practitioner, you’ll have many responsibilities. Whereas nursing focuses on a range of areas around healthcare, Operating Department Practice studies has a direct focus on care within operating theatres and other associated areas. You’ll experience working in a complex care environment, helping patients through vulnerable times in their lives.
Working in such a responsible position will help you develop your ability to think quickly and independently. As a highly respected role, your experience will enhance your CV to develop both you and your career.
We attract students who are dedicated to helping and caring for other people. As a result, everyone on the course is always enthusiastic and friendly. The people you study with and work alongside will inspire you. You’ll witness incredible moments such as life-saving operations and watch patients recover, helping them back on their feet.
Diploma of Higher Education Operating Department Practice scored 100% overall satisfaction in the National Student Survey 2018.
More placements, more choices
Bucks is a Placements Plus university. So, whatever degree you do, you can be sure there’ll be plenty of industry-relevant opportunities on offer, to help you get into your chosen field.
We’ll also prepare you for work beforehand, with special skills for work training, further boosting your CV, and building skills employers will value. In recognition of the value we place on these skills we have incorporated this experience into your study time.
Placements Plus is all about helping you get some valuable experience under your belt while you’re a student. To increase your choices later, and help you get the graduate-level job you want.
Course Details
UCAS CODE: B991
Within the Operating Department Practice programme, we use a variety of teaching and assessment methods to help you succeed. You’ll benefit from simulation sessions, lectures, seminars, group activities and student-centred approaches to ensure readiness for professional registration and autonomous clinical practice. We link theory to clinical practice and patient care. Clinical placements will be undertaken throughout the programme, incorporating on-going assessment within the clinical environment.
Assessments are undertaken both within the University setting and the clinical placement using a variety of techniques and approaches to create a balanced programme.
We utilise state-of-the-art simulation facilities for learning, development and practicing of skills and are winners of the Guardian University Awards for our innovation and use of simulation to enhance our healthcare students’ learning.
We've invested in some of the best equipment for our students to practice their skills. We have an ultra-modern simulated operating theatre with the latest high fidelity simulation manikins where students can learn in a safe environment prior to entering their clinical placement.
The use of the state-of-the-art simulation suite is incorporated throughout the programme to ensure you have access to specialist equipment within a safe environment prior to exposure during your clinical placements.
Get real life experience with NHS Trusts
As clinical practice is a large part of the course, we have many trusts that provide clinical placements for our students. You’ll have the chance to gain experience in fully functional clinical settings.
When you go out onto your practice placement, a clinical member of staff will provide mentorship, supervise your experience and assess that you are meeting the requirements of the course.
Our students are highly respected within the Trusts and clinical areas in which they work. The main NHS Trusts we are currently working with include:
- Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust
- Frimley Park Hospital (Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust)
- Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust.
- Heatherwood and Wexham Park Hospitals (Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust)
- Luton and Dunstable University Hospital
- West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust
Just as in a real operating theatre, we encourage inter-professional working. Our students work in a wide variety of different environments with different professionals. You’ll be taught by staff who still practice in theatre, keeping their own skills as sharp as a scalpel.
What are the course entry requirements?
A typical offer will require a UCAS Tariff score between 112-128 points; or an Access to Nursing qualification (minimum of 30 Level 3 credits at Distinction, 12 at Merit, and 3 at Pass).
You may find it easier if you have prior knowledge of health so we prefer if you have relevant A-levels, such as Biology, Health and Social Care, Chemistry, Psychology, Physics, Physical Education, and Sociology, however, it is not essential.
In addition, you will require five GCSEs including Maths, English and Science at Grade C/4 or above (or equivalent).
Mature students without formal qualifications are welcome to apply. We advise you to contact us to discuss your application.
Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements for the three-year undergraduate programme, or those who do not feel fully prepared for a degree course, can apply for a four-year programme including a Foundation Year; find out more.
Course Modules
Module Map
This module map provides a list of the modules that make up your course.
Each module is worth a specified number of credits (typically either 15 or 30 credits for undergraduate courses). Compulsory (or ‘core’) modules cover key subject knowledge, while ‘option’ modules enable you to develop your own interests. For a full-time course you must take modules worth a total of 120 credits at each level of the course. The number of option modules you can take depends on the number of compulsory modules at each level. You can find more information about how your course is structured via the Academic Advice pages.
Our teaching is informed by research and employer requirements, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the subject area. In addition, where we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an option module, this may not be offered. If an option module does not run, we will advise you as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
The modules available on this course are as follows:
Year 1 Modules
- Foundations of Perioperative Practice
- Applying Academic Skills to the Perioperative Environment
- Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology
- Engaging in Perioperative Practice
Year 2 Modules
- Applied Anatomy and Physiology
- Developing within the Perioperative Environment
- Applying Evidence to Perioperative Care
- Expanding Skills within Perioperative Practice
Year 3 Modules
- Coaching and supervision of others within the Perioperative Environment
- Leadership in Perioperative Practice
- Research in Operating Department Practice
- Creating Autonomy within Perioperative Practice
Fees
How much does it cost
Full Time Home and EU, September 2019: £9,250 per year
Full Time International, September 2019: £12,000 per year
Most courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees.
You could benefit from financial support through a bursary or scholarship during your time as a student. For more details visit our financial support, bursaries and scholarships section.
Additional course costs
There are costs associated with all studies, additional to the tuition fee, which require consideration when planning and budgeting for expenditure. Costs are indicative and for the total length of the course shown unless otherwise stated and will increase with inflation; depending on the programme they may include equipment, printing, project materials, study trips, placement activities, DBS and/or other security checks.
How do I apply?
For application details please visit bucks.ac.uk/applynow
Teaching team
Student Testimonials
Our students are our best ambassadors and their voices here will provide you with a clear sense of their Bucks experience.
Faye Kennett
The course was amazing and I wouldn’t change any part of it. It has prepared me extremely well for work as an Operating Department Practitioner.
The lecturers are extremely passionate about the course and this even extends to regular visits when you are out in practice, which you have to do as part of the degree.
This course has opened up the world to me because I could work overseas or in the military. There’s a wealth of opportunities and I wouldn’t even rule out a return to teach at Bucks!
