Learn to work in operating theatre departments and critical care environments — providing important care for patients undergoing surgical and anaesthetic interventions.
Qualify with College of Operating Department Practitioners accreditation.
Learn theory in operating theatres, maternity units, critical care and A&Es.
Get hands-on practice in a simulated operating theatre, ward and anatomy labs,
Gain real-world experience in a variety of placement settings.
Be eligible to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Operating department practitioners (ODPs) are the only undergraduate allied health professionals in the UK trained to work in operating theatres. You’ll learn to work effectively alongside anaesthetists, surgeons and others to prepare and assist during surgical and anaesthetic procedures. As an autonomous practitioner, you’ll be able to transform the experiences of care for patients.

If you don't meet the entry requirements for this course, or you’d like extra preparation before starting degree-level study, we recommend you join the foundation course.

Theory will prepare you for practice learning experiences are designed to help you not only to apply theory to practice, but to develop critical and ethical approaches to your practice in order to become life-long, competent professionals. You are required to attend the practice learning experiences provided on the course to achieve the course practice learning outcomes.

You’ll undertake a range of practice learning experiences, helping you to build your skills, confidence, creativity, resilience, integrity and curiosity. This will take place in different practice learning environments, reflecting the range of ways in which services are currently delivered. This might include simulated learning and virtual placements alongside real world experience of services delivered face to face to service users. 

The university will ensure that the practice learning element of your course will be compliant with the requirements of the Professional and Statutory Regulatory Body (PSRB) governing your chosen profession. This is so that by the end of your course, you will have been provided with the opportunity to demonstrate attainment of the requirements to register as a professional with your chosen profession.

All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.

On this course, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills you need to enter into highly skilled employment. At every level of the course you will gain a variety of clinical experiences to give you real world experience. This will enhance your employability and prepare you for your career as an ODP in the dynamic health and social care environment.

The course is grounded in research. By learning alongside other professions and students you will develop knowledge, confidence and a strong professional identity.

You learn through

• theoretical lectures, tutorials and seminars
• clinical practice based learning
• simulation
• technology enhanced learning
• practical sessions
• virtual and distance learning
• independent learning

This course prepares you for a career in

• operating theatres
• recovery units
• critical care
• resuscitation and A&E
• further studies leading to roles such as Surgical First Assistant (SFA), Anaesthesia Associate, Surgical Care Practitioner
• leadership and management

Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for

• The National Health Service
• private healthcare companies such as BMI Healthcare Limited & Claremont Hospital
• global medical technology companies such as GE Healthcare
• universities such as Sheffield Hallam University
• The Army, Navy and RAF

 

UCAS points

112

With at least 64 points from two A levels or equivalent BTEC National qualifications. We do not accept AS levels or General Studies.

For example:

• BBC at A Level
• DMM in BTEC Extended Diploma
• A combination of qualifications

You can find information on making sense of UCAS tariff points here and use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points.

Or

• Access to HE Diploma from a QAA recognised Access to HE course in health studies, health science, nursing or another science- based course. Normally we require 15 credits at Level 2 and 45 at level 3 of which at least 15 credits should be graded at merit level.
• FdSc Professional Practice in Health & Social Care - If you are in the process of completing or have successfully completed the above programme at one of our partner colleges (Sheffield College, Barnsley College, Chesterfield College, North Lindsey College, Dearne Valley College, Manchester College, Stockport College and Doncaster College) and are looking to progress your career as a registered professional within the Health & Social Care sector, we would welcome an application from you via UCAS, to commence this programme at Year 1.
• Successful completion of our Foundation Year in Health, Sport & Social Care.

Other equivalent qualifications are considered individually.

And

GCSE's (single or double) in

*GCSE Science equivalents

**GCSE Math's equivalents

***GCSE English equivalents

• Science at grade C or 4 or equivalents*
• Maths at grade D or 4 or equivalents**
• English Language or Literature at grade C or 4 or equivalents***
  • OCR Science level 2
  • Science units gained on a level 3 BTEC or OCR National Diploma or Extended Diploma quualification
  • Science credits gained on Access to Higher Education Diplomas (at least 12 credits at level 2 or 6 credits gained at level 3)
  • Science equivalency test from www.equivalencytesting.co.uk
  • Level 2 Key Skills/ Application of Number/ Level 2 Maths credits from an Access course
  • Maths quivalency test from www.equivalencytesting.co.uk
  • Level 2 Literacy
  • Level 2 Key Skills

IELTS

If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, or equivalent. If your level of English language is currently below IELTS 6.5 we recommend you consider an appropriate Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve the required level of English. Please note that the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) require IELTS 7.0 with no element below 6.5 for registration.

Helping your application succeed

Experience

Experience of interacting with members of the public from a range of backgrounds in different settings is essential when applying to a health or social care course. This is so you will have an understanding of the diversity of the population who access health and social care.  It is important to be able to understand and explain how your experiences relate to the activities and qualities which are required for the profession at your interview.

Reference

You must provide a reference from a current or recent employer or educational institution with your UCAS application.

Interview

If you are shortlisted, we will invite you to an online interview. To confirm your identity on the day please bring a valid form of photo ID with you, preferably a passport or photo driving licence.

View our interview guidance to ensure you understand the interviews process and how you can prepare for this.   

Course enrolment - professional requirements

Before enrolling you must fully declare the following information on the pre-admission declaration forms provided during the admissions process:

• unfiltered criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings. For further information on unfiltered offences please see the Disclosure and Barring Service website.
• involvement in disciplinary proceedings during paid or voluntary employment or education establishments
• involvement with safeguarding proceedings, social services or related organisations
• enrolment on a health or social work professional course at another University

In addition

Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Criminal Record Check

• you will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) criminal record check prior to or during the enrolment week of your course. This will be provided by the University free of charge.
• you will need to present valid identity documents (PDF) as part of the application process
• if you have lived outside of the UK for more than six consecutive months in the last five years you must provide an overseas criminal record check. Further information on obtaining an overseas criminal record check.
• where your DBS Enhanced Disclosure certificate contains any recorded information you must present this to the Professional Issues Team within ten working days of receipt of the certificate.

Occupational Health Screening

You will need to undertake occupational health screening to determine your suitability to undertake the course. This will be provided by the University free of charge. As part of this assessment you are expected to provide all relevant, truthful and accurate information to ensure a safe environment for yourself and service users.

Immunisations

You must undertake a programme of immunisations as required by the Department of Health and meet the immunisation and immunity requirements of placement providers. This will be provided by the University free of charge. Please obtain details of your immunisation history from your doctor so you can submit this during your Occupational Health Screening.

Pre-course Day

After completing the above professional checks, if you reside in the UK it is important for you to make every reasonable attempt to attend a Pre-Course Day event to undertake the next stage of the professional requirements for your course. The pre-course day is also a good opportunity to meet fellow applicants on the health & social care courses who will be starting their studies at the same time as you, as well as some current students and teaching staff. We will look forward to welcoming you on the day.

Other professional suitability information

Your full enrolment on your course will be confirmed when the Professional Issues Team have verified that your Enhanced DBS Disclosure (and overseas criminal record check where relevant) indicates that you are suitable to work with vulnerable groups including children and clearance from your health screening has been received. 

If your personal circumstances change in relation to any of the professional requirements, from when you apply to the end of your course, please tell the Professional Issues team immediately by calling 0114 225 5637 or emailing HWB-Professional-Issues@shu.ac.uk.

Disability support

We strongly recommend that you tell us about any long term health conditions, learning difficulty or disability you may have. This is so we can assess whether we can deliver the course in such a way that you can meet the Health and Care Professions Council standards of proficiency and take part without disadvantage both in University and on placement.

You can contact our disability coordinator on 0114 225 2588 to explore any issues you may have, or you can contact our university disabled student support team on 0114 225 3964 (voice and Minicom).

The Disability Disclosure booklet provides information for students on health and social care courses and will help you understand the importance of disclosing your disability at the earliest possible stage. This is so you can be assessed for the support you may require to succeed on the course.

Open day

Our online open days give you an opportunity to chat live to our teaching staff and current students. You can explore the campus and view our facilities virtually as well as asking any questions you may have. To book your place at one of our online open days please follow this link: University open days.

Please note the University will only admit students who are aged 18 or over at the point of enrolment.

Important notice:

The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on this page.

 

Year 1 Compulsory modules
Module	Credits	Assessment
Collaboration For Individual And Community Wellbeing	20	Practical
Odp Clinical Practice 1
Odp Introduction To Odp And University Life	40	Practical
Odp Principle Roles Of Odp	40	Coursework
Personal And Professional Development	20	Coursework

 

Year 2 Compulsory modules
Module	Credits	Assessment
Assessing And Addressing Complexity In Practice	20	Practical
Evidence And Enquiry For Practice	20	Coursework
Odp - Clinical Practice 2
Odp Developing Intraoperative Practice	40	Practical
Odp Management And Care Of Acute And Critical Patients	40	Coursework

 

 

  

Final Year Compulsory modules
Module	Credits	Assessment
Complexity & Leadership In Professional Practice	20	Coursework
Odp Clinical Practice 3
Odp Developing The Practice Educator	40	Coursework
Odp Enhanced Perioperative Practice	20	Practical
The Advancing Professional	40	Coursework