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BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice

How to apply Come to an Open Day

Introduction to our Operating Department Practice degree

Hear from ODP student Sophie

Studying Operating Department Practice at ARU

Don your scrubs and head straight into the theatre with our highly practical BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice degree validated by the HCPC.

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Study at an award-winning university

We're the Times Higher Education (THE) University of the Year. We've also been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework – a reflection of the outstanding education we offer our students.

If you’re fascinated by the surgical environment, our Operating Department Practice degree is for you.

From the word go, you’ll be spending time in a real theatre, out on placement and in true-to-life skill labs, building up all the knowledge and skills you need for a successful career as an Operating Department Practitioner (ODP).

As a graduate, you’ll find there are opportunities in a host of specialisms from anaesthesia to intensive care and beyond. And, thanks to our course meeting the standards set by the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC), you’ll be able to dive right into your career as an ODP.

Course options

Course options

Key facts

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Entry Requirements

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Fees and Paying for University

Facilities and accreditation

Facilities and services

Study Operating Department Practice at ARU and benefit from:

  • a purpose-built mock theatre offering the very best in experiential learning
  • registered, practising tutors and lecturers who’ll make sure you’re being taught the latest techniques and give you the support you need to succeed
  • training grants for ODP students worth least £5,000 a year.

Take a guided tour and meet our students.

HCPC accredited

Our Operating Department Practice degree meets the standards set by the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) so when you graduate, you’ll be able to register and get to work as an Operating Department Practitioner.

Royal College of Surgeons

This course is accredited by the Royal College of Surgeons, so you can be sure you'll graduate with the skills you need to succeed as an Operating Department Practitioner.

Careers

Our Operating Department Practice BSc (Hons) is validated by the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC), meaning when you graduate you’ll be eligible to register as an Operating Department Practitioner. Most of our students have secured jobs in their third year of study.

As an ODP your career options are wide-ranging, and could see you specialise in any number of areas including anaesthesia, intensive care work, joining a transplant team or even being involved with helicopter emergency services and management.

Sophie

"I am enjoying each area of the role so much, it just feels impossible to choose. I feel incredibly lucky that I have a great placement location and I hope that I can work here when I qualify to develop my skills further."

Sophie

BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice

Read Sophie's blog

Apply now for BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice

Vibrant campuses

Choose where you study: we offer this degree course in the heart of Cambridge and Chelmsford.

Explore our campuses

Want to talk to someone?

Do you have a question that we haven't answered so far? Talk to our application experts. You can also ask our Student Ambassadors about life at ARU.

We're here Monday-Thursday 9am-5pm (please note we close at 3.30pm on the first and third Thursday of the month for staff training), and Friday 9am-4.30pm.

Taster Days

If you want to know more about our Operating Department Practice BSc (Hons) course, we're offering virtual taster days where you can meet our lecturers and current students, learn more about the course and the role of the ODP, and pick up useful tips for your application and interview.

Find out more about our Taster Days

Placements

You’ll spend around 24 hours a week on placement. It’s a great chance to get hands-on experience in hospitals and surgical settings.

Your guide to placements

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