BSc Operating Department Practice

The Canterbury Christ Church University BSc Operating Department Practice course prepares students for a career as an operating department practitioner, an essential role within the perioperative team. This programme is accredited by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), allowing graduates to apply for professional registration. The course strongly emphasises hands-on experience, providing access to state-of-the-art simulation suites, including a simulated operating theatre and scrub room.

Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, group discussions, and reflective practice on clinical experiences. Students also learn from expert practitioners such as consultant anaesthetists, surgeons, nurses, and paramedics. Assessment involves objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs), essays, case studies, written exams, reflective studies, online assessments, and student-led presentations. Approximately 50% of the course comprises clinical placements, assessed by Practice Placement Mentors.

Canterbury Christ Church University is a top institution that combines strong academics with practical learning, located in a historic city with deep community ties. For more than fifty years, the university has given people the knowledge and abilities they need for good careers and to help society. The university is known for its advanced research and its commitment to making lives better through education, providing a supportive and encouraging place for students to succeed. The university also provides a long list of undergraduate and postgraduate courses for students to choose from.

To be enrolled, you need to submit a personal statement discussing your reasons for applying for the course and other relevant information regarding your studies. A relevant academic and/or employer reference is also required. You have the option to upload your CV to show your work experience.

Grade Requirements: 

• You need A-Levels (BBC), BTEC (DMM), Access to Higher Education Diploma (15 Distinctions and 30 Merits), or 29 points from the International Baccalaureate. 
• A-level equivalent international qualifications are also accepted by the university.

English Proficiency: 

• If English is not your primary language, you will need an IELTS score of 7.0 overall, with no less than 6.5 in each component.
• You can submit other equivalent English language test scores, like PTE and TOEFL.

For the 2025/26 academic year, the annual tuition fee for the BSc Operating Department Practice at Canterbury Christ Church University is £15,500.

Students on the BSc Operating Department Practice course may be eligible for financial support from the NHS Learning Support Fund, which provides at least £5,000 per year. There is also potential for additional funding of up to £3,000 per year. The university also offers other awards like the Academic Excellence Scholarship, Bell Scholarship, and International Student Scholarship, among others, with eligibility depending on individual circumstances and chosen subject area.

Graduates are eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), enabling them to work as qualified Operating Department Practitioners. Potential career paths include:

• NHS Operating Department Practitioner
• Private Sector ODP
• Anaesthesia Associate
• Surgical Care Practitioner
• Theatre Manager
• Clinical Educator

You can submit your applications for this course through UCAS. Please speak to our trained counsellors for help.