In order to take advantage of new approaches to learning and teaching, as well as developments in practice to benefit our students we regularly review all of our courses. This course is currently going through this process, and we will update this page to give you full information about what we will be offering once the review process has concluded. These changes will come into effect for all new students from September 2024 entry. Applicants will be notified by our admissions team of any changes.

Why study Operating Department Practice at BU?

  • ODPs work with surgeons, anaesthetists and other healthcare professionals to ensure every operation is as safe and effective as possible, to save or improve patients’ lives
  • Preparing you for placement and beyond, our purpose-built facilities include an operating theatre simulation suite with highly accurate and life-like manikins
  • Get hands-on experience working in surgical theatres with multiple and varied practical work placements that make up just over 50% of your time on the course 
  • You will be taught by actively practising lecturers and those with perioperative experience
  • Placements are diverse and career options are too: you could work in pre-assessment, intensive care, A&E, patient transfer teams and other more specialised areas of care.
  • This course has high employment rates and is approved by the HCPC, so you will be able to apply for registration as a qualified practitioner once you graduate. Within 15 months of completing the course, 100% of students were in employment or further study. 

Find out more about the content of this course

Funding support: ODP students may be eligible for a non-repayable government training grant of at least £5,000 a year. Find out more information about the funding. 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.

Foundation Year: We have a Foundation Year option for students who do not meet the entry requirements for the degree course. This additional year of study will give you a grounding in the scientific skills needed to prepare you for the ODP degree, building your confidence, knowledge and skills for further study. The Foundation Year is based at our Talbot Campus. After successful completion of the Foundation Year, you will progress to the full degree and begin your ODP study. If you apply to study the full degree and do not meet the academic entry requirements, our admissions team may consider your application for the Foundation Year and notify you accordingly.

Approved by:

This three-year course is approved by the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) meaning that, upon successful completion of the programme, you will be eligible to apply to the Health & Care Professions Council for registration as an Operating Department Practitioner. Please note that the Foundation Year part of the course is not approved by the HCPC.

Key information

Next start date:

September 2024, September 2025

Location:

Bournemouth University, Lansdowne Campus. Foundation Year: Bournemouth University, Talbot Campus.

Duration:

3 years, including mandatory placements or 4 years with the Foundation Year (1 year, followed by 3 years including mandatory placements)

Required subjects:

All subjects considered

Entry requirements:

For September 2024 entry: 104 - 120 UCAS tariff points including a minimum of 2 A-levels or equivalent. Foundation Year: 48-72 UCAS tariff points. For more information check out our full entry requirements.

International entry requirements:

For September 2024 entry: If English is not your first language you'll need IELTS (Academic) 7.0 with minimum 6.5 in each component, or equivalent. For more information check out our international entry requirements.