Course name
University name or location
Topic or category
Find a course
Search, shortlist and compare thousands of courses to find that perfect one.
Where to study
See what makes a university special and discover where you belong.
Find a university
Search by name or city.
Get Advice
Get tips, tricks and wise words from students and experts at each stage.
Browse advice
A-level choices
Accounting personal statement examples
Law degree
Revision help
Oxbridge applications
Ucas application
Student life
Student finance
Browse all advice
Popular right now
A-level results day 2026: what to expect
Btec results day 2026: what to expect
Clearing and results day 2025: prepare your back-up plan
Clearing 2025: four things you might not know about Clearing and results day
Finding accommodation after getting a university place in Clearing 2025
A guide to Ucas Clearing 2025: how to find your university place
Clearing 2025: how to call universities
What happens if you miss the grades for your university offer?
Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Operating Department Practice
Birmingham City University
Entry requirements
Here's what you will need to get a place on the Operating Department Practice course at Birmingham City University.
Select a qualification to see required grades
A level
B,B,C
112 UCAS tariff points from three A Levels. Grades BBC (or equivalent). Required subjects: Health and Social Care, Psychology, Social Science or Science subject at A Level or level 3 equivalent. Excluded subjects: General Studies; Critical Thinking; Extended Project.
You may also need to
Attend an interview
Course summary
What this course is about
UCAS code: B772
Here's what Birmingham City University says about its Operating Department Practice course.
Are you interested in a rewarding career in perioperative care? Have you got excellent management skills and a passion for supporting others? Start your journey to becoming a vital part of the theatre team with our BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice (ODP) course.
Operating Department Practitioners provide holistic care for a diverse range of patient groups, both within and beyond the operating theatre. This BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice course uses the Modernising Allied Health Professions Career Framework, which spirals through each of the three years to align to the ‘Four Pillars of Practice’, to maximise the choice available to you within the operating theatre and beyond. Successful completion of the course will allow you to be eligible to apply for registration with the Heath and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and gain employment as an Operating Department Practitioner (ODP).
Using the Allied Health Professions career framework, the course embeds the ‘Four Pillars of Practice’ within each year to provide a spiralling curriculum covering:
-
Pillar One: Clinical Practice (anaesthetics, surgery and post-anaesthetic care)
-
Pillar Two: Facilitation of Learning (of self and others)
-
Pillar Three: Leadership
-
Pillar Four: Evidence, Research and Development
The proportion of teaching and learning of each pillar varies in each year, with the first year aimed at preparing you for academic work and self-development, supported by clinical placement experiences to underpin the principles of evidenced-based perioperative care for patients undergoing elective surgery.
In year two, the clinical practice emphasis shifts to providing care for patients undergoing complex and emergency surgery. You will learn to understand the principles of leadership whilst supporting others to learn as well as developing inquiry-based learning in order to support research and development.
You will work towards becoming an autonomous practitioner in year three, developing proficiency in anaesthetics, surgery and post-anaesthetic care as well as gaining experience in acute care beyond the operating theatre and developing in the role of a Surgical First Assistant (SFA). You will also have the opportunity to explore your own specialist interests as well as developing your leadership skills in order to manage people and resources within the perioperative environment, as you transition to a registered ODP as you prepare to register with the HCPC.
Source: Birmingham City University
Course details
Qualification
Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Department
School of Health Sciences
Location
City South Campus, Edgbaston | Birmingham
Duration
3 Years
Study mode
Full-time
Subjects
• Operating department practice
Start date
September 2026
Application deadline
14 January 2026
Tuition fees
| Location | Fees |
|---|---|
| England | £9,535 per year |
| Scotland | £9,535 per year |
| Wales | £9,535 per year |
| Northern Ireland | £9,535 per year |
| EU | £18,570 per year |
| International | £18,570 per year |
Birmingham City University student reviews
1 year ago
Birmingham City University is a wonderful place to be, very accommodative irrespective of your ethnicity. Staff are well approachable
Graduate
Showing 596 reviews
3rd year
Paramedic science
3 months ago
Great simulation facilities for practicing skills learnt in university
3rd year
Paramedic science
3 months ago
The staff are very helpful and always available when needed. I feel the course has well prepared me for life as a graduate paramedic.
3rd year
Paramedic science
3 months ago
Very supportive staff and students, wide range of activities available
Graduate
Fashion design
3 months ago
In terms of societies and events, I always found things to do on campus. The Freshers' fair was always really good with lots to do and lots of freebies. I loved the society I joined too.
Graduate
Fashion design
3 months ago
I was mostly as City Centre campus so I was close to the city centre area. I always found things to do in my free time, had shops close by for my food shopping and could always find somewhere to meet friends. My friends and I really enjoyed the pub quiz at the Eagle and Ball and this became a week...
Graduate
Fashion design
3 months ago
I think I managed pretty well at uni with my finances. I did work a part time job which helped out with extra costs and I thankfully had family support too. My biggest financial concern would probably be financing my course itself - like my equipment and materials. But this is quite course specifi...
National Student Survey (NSS) scores at Birmingham City University
The NSS is an annual survey where final-year students are asked to rate different aspects of their course and university experience.
Here you can see ratings from Birmingham City University students who took the Operating Department Practice course - or another course in the same subject area.
Select an option to see a detailed breakdown
Teaching on my course
82%
low
Teaching on my course
82%
low
How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?
78%
low
How good are teaching staff at explaining things?
91%
med
How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?
78%
low
How often is the course intellectually stimulating?
79%
low
Learning opportunities
80%
med
Learning opportunities
80%
med
To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?
80%
med
How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned?
83%
med
How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?
82%
low
To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?
77%
med
To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?
75%
med
Assessment and feedback
77%
med
Assessment and feedback
77%
med
How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?
74%
med
How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?
76%
med
How often does feedback help you to improve your work?
80%
med
How often have you received assessment feedback on time?
85%
med
How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?
71%
med
Academic support
82%
med
Academic support
82%
med
How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?
80%
med
How well have teaching staff supported your learning?
85%
low
Organisation and management
64%
med
Organisation and management
64%
med
How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?
72%
med
How well organised is your course?
56%
med
Learning resources
89%
med
Learning resources
89%
med
How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?
88%
med
How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?
93%
med
How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g., equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?
84%
med
Student voice
77%
med
Student voice
77%
med
How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?
71%
med
To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?
84%
med
To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?
77%
med
How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?
73%
med
Other NSS questions
Other NSS questions
During your studies, how free did you feel to express your ideas, opinions, and beliefs?
85%
med
How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services?
75%
low
Healthcare and clinical practice placements
Healthcare and clinical practice placements
My contribution during placement(s) as part of the clinical team was valued.
75%
low
I was given opportunities to meet my required practice learning outcomes / competences.
81%
low
I was allocated placement(s) suitable for my course.
90%
med
I received sufficient preparatory information prior to my placement(s).
58%
low
I received appropriate supervision on placement(s).
77%
low
My practice supervisor(s) understood how my placement(s) related to the broader requirements of my course.
76%
med
Student information
See who's studying at Birmingham City University. These students are taking Operating Department Practice or another course from the same subject area.
| Most popular A-levels studied | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | Grade | |||||
| Psychology | B | |||||
| Biology | B | |||||
| Sociology | B | |||||
| English Literature | C | |||||
| History | B | |||||
Graduate prospects
What graduates do next
We have no information about graduates who took Operating Department Practice at Birmingham City University.
Earnings after graduation
Earnings from Birmingham City University graduates who took Operating Department Practice - or another course in the same subject area.
Earnings
£25.2k
First year after graduation
£30.7k
Third year after graduation
£30.3k
Fifth year after graduation
Shown here are the median earnings of graduates at one, three and five years after they completed a course related to Operating Department Practice.
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree
Discussions
Discussions
Students are talking about Birmingham City University on The Student Room.
Chat with Birmingham City University
At Birmingham City University, we make it easy for you succeed. Our focus on practical skills and real-world learning means you'll leave ready to make waves in your chosen career.
University is about more than a degree - it's an experience that shapes your future, unlocks your potential and helps you grow professionally and personally.
Located at the heart of the UK's second city, studying at BCU means you'll be at the centre of it all, experiencing student life to the fullest. Our cutting-edge facilities, vibrant and diverse city-centre location bring our students a wealth of opportunities, industry connections and not to mention, a whole lot of fun.
Birmingham City University open days
Open Days are the perfect way to find out more about university, you’ll be able to attend course talks, meet lecturers, chat to current students, find out about finance and other support services. It also offers a great way to get a feel for campus life and help you see firsthand why Birmingham City University is a great place to study.
Our next open days are taking place on:
• Saturday 4 October
Source: Birmingham City University
