Bachelor in Operating Department Practice (Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship) - Práctica de Departamentos Operativos

Become a vital part of the operating department team. Operating Department Practitioners (ODPs) are responsible for delivering safe, high-quality care to patients during anaesthesia, surgery and post anaesthesia.

Academic Entry Requirements: For September 2025 entry: 104 - 120 UCAS tariff points including a minimum of 2 A-levels or equivalent. Foundation Year: 48-72 UCAS tariff points.

International entry requirements:
For September 2025 entry: If English is not your first language you´ll need IELTS (Academic) 6.5 (with minimum 6.0 in writing and 6.5 in speaking, listening and reading) or equivalent. Please note, the need for IELTS is in addition to an approved Level 2 English qualification where this has been included as an entry requirement.

Become an operating department practitioner while working within the operating theatre
Receive a full wage while you study
Enjoy purpose-built, cutting-edge facilities, including an operating theatre simulation suite with highly accurate and life-like manikins
Gain hands-on experience working in surgical theatres with multiple and varied practical work placements that make up just over half of your time on the course
Receive expert teaching from an experienced academic team of registered ODPs who still work clinically (many are also HEA fellows, senior fellows and are engaged in research)
Benefit from a diverse range of placements and future career options – from work in operating theatres, pre-operative assessment and intensive care to A&E, patient transfer teams and more specialised areas of care.

YEAR 1
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.

YEAR 2
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.

YEAR 3
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 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