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Image from Operating Department Practice
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Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)

Operating Department Practice

Entry requirements

Here's what you will need to get a place on the Operating Department Practice course at University of Gloucestershire.

Select a qualification to see required grades

A level

B,B,C

You may also need to

Attend an interview

Tuition fees

LocationFees
England£9,535 per year
Scotland£9,535 per year
Wales£9,535 per year
Northern Ireland£9,535 per year
EU£17,425 per year
International£17,425 per year

Course summary

What this course is about

UCAS code: B990

Here's what University of Gloucestershire says about its Operating Department Practice course.

Why Operating Department Practice? Our Operating Department Practice degree has been designed to give you the skills and knowledge to work successfully as a crucial member of an operating department team. The programme has been developed with input from our partners in the NHS and private healthcare to ensure you benefit from the very latest ideas, technologies and techniques and can meet the needs of health employers in modern society. Pending approval by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), our course will enable you to apply to register and practice as an Operating Department Practitioner on graduation and begin a rewarding career delivering vital care to surgical patients.

You’ll study the fundamentals of anatomy, physiology and pathology and how to apply your knowledge to clinical situations. You’ll work with cutting-edge specialist equipment and develop advanced technical skills, as you learn to manage patients through the 3 phases of perioperative care - anaesthesia, surgery and recovery. Work placements will form an essential element of your learning on the course and you’ll have the chance to work with experienced healthcare practitioners in a variety of clinical settings. By the time you graduate therefore, you’ll have built the experience and confidence necessary to undertake a key role working alongside other professionals, such as nurses, surgeons, anaesthetists and healthcare support workers.

Why University of Gloucestershire? At University of Gloucestershire, we’ve been encouraging students to meet every ambition since 1847. Join us and you’ll benefit from our three UoG promises:

1. UoG Career Promise – if you are not in a job 6 months after graduating, we’ll guarantee you 6 months of free support post-graduation should you need it, followed by the offer of a paid internship and lifetime career coaching* (*eligibility conditions apply). 2. UoG Accommodation Promise – we guarantee all first-year students accommodation on, or near, the campus you’re studying at. 3. UoG Connections Promise – whilst at UoG, you’ll find the connections to reach your goals. With over 4,000 placements and more than 60 clubs and societies to join, you’ll make connections for life.

Our ambition is boundless. Experienced lecturers promote a real-world ethos and treat our students as more than just a number. Alongside our strong support system, guest speakers, networking events and influential partnerships will help you prepare for life after graduation, whether that be in a successful career in your field or onto further study. Students never tire of finding inspiration here in the unique county of Gloucestershire – innovation and bravery thrive here. Cheltenham and Gloucester offer the best of city and country living, with the rolling hills of the Cotswolds paired with vibrant nightclubs and stunning parks in the bustling town and city centres.

After the course Your story doesn’t end with us at graduation. We support our graduates to balance purpose with ambition, and 95% of University of Gloucestershire graduates are in work or further study within six months of completing their course*. *Graduate Outcomes Survey published 2024 and based on 2021/22 leavers.

Experience an open day Book yourself a place at a University of Gloucestershire open day at www.glos.ac.uk/BookAnOpenDay. Our open days have been designed to inform you, inspire you, and help you make the right decision about your next step. It’s your chance to see the university for yourself, get a real insight into what we're about and meet your potential course tutors and lecturers. Our friendly student ambassadors will also be on hand to show you round your campus.

To find out more information about this course, visit www.glos.ac.uk/OurCourses, email us on [email protected] or call 03330 14 14 14.

Source: University of Gloucestershire

Course details

Qualification

Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)

Department

School of Health and Social Care

Location

Oxstalls Campus - Gloucester | Gloucester

Duration

3 Years

Study mode

Full-time

Subjects

• Operating department practice

Start date

18 January 2027

Application deadline

14 January 2026

University of Gloucestershire reviews

(3.8)
Based on 66 reviews from University of Gloucestershire's students and alumni
5 star
33%
4 star
28%
3 star
26%
2 star
7%
1 star
5%
All reviews

Showing 57 reviews

3rd year student

I really like that the student union put on so many events, though this is mainly helped with clubs and societies. I like the Christian union who put on a whole week long event list of things, and there are also events related to my field of illustration which I can go to get inspiration. It can be ...

(3)

1 year ago

3rd year student

I do feel like I have been unlucky with the people I share with because I find it harder to socialise with the party people who go out drinking and such because I am not like that. I like that everything is close together though in case I have had ended late at uni and need to head to do a food shop...

(3)

1 year ago

3rd year student

It has been easy to budget because I do that myself already without any help. It can be annoying when people take advantage of uni students and their money though by charging more, i.e the cafeteria, landlords, etc. From living in halls to living in a shared house, I do think halls is better cost wi...

(3)

1 year ago

3rd year student

There is a helpzone open during weekdays that I found helpful when I was stuck for something. There has been a library staff member who helped me and others when writing a dissertation by giving advice, how to locate the resources available, and with searching for specific things using key words. My...

(4)

1 year ago

3rd year student

The first two years I was in halls, though two different halls, and in a shared house for uni students in my final year. I found it is easier in halls despite certain difficulties because of the 24/7 security being available and it being near to campuses or on campuses. The first halls I was in was ...

(4)

1 year ago

3rd year student

As I am in my final year, I have more individual work to do, though my supervisor has been really helpful with my final major project. It helps that my supervisor is also specialised in the field of childrenu2019s books as the advice I am getting is targeted to that which will help in the long run. ...

(4)

1 year ago

National Student Survey (NSS) scores

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 University of Gloucestershire students who took the Operating Department Practice course - or another course in the same subject area.

Health sciences (non-specific)

Select an option to see a detailed breakdown

How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?

95%

high

How good are teaching staff at explaining things?

93%

med

How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?

93%

med

How often is the course intellectually stimulating?

88%

med

To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?

95%

high

How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned?

93%

med

How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?

95%

med

To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?

92%

high

To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?

78%

med

How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?

90%

med

How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?

85%

med

How often does feedback help you to improve your work?

86%

high

How often have you received assessment feedback on time?

97%

high

How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?

86%

med

How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?

76%

low

How well have teaching staff supported your learning?

92%

med

How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?

83%

med

How well organised is your course?

78%

med

How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?

90%

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?

90%

med

How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?

88%

high

To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?

85%

med

To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?

90%

high

How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?

67%

low

During your studies, how free did you feel to express your ideas, opinions, and beliefs?

95%

high

How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services?

86%

med

My contribution during placement(s) as part of the clinical team was valued.

86%

med

I was given opportunities to meet my required practice learning outcomes / competences.

92%

med

I was allocated placement(s) suitable for my course.

90%

med

I received sufficient preparatory information prior to my placement(s).

90%

high

I received appropriate supervision on placement(s).

93%

high

My practice supervisor(s) understood how my placement(s) related to the broader requirements of my course.

93%

high

Student information

See who's studying at University of Gloucestershire. These students are taking Operating Department Practice or another course from the same subject area.

Health sciences (non-specific)
Mode of study
Full-time95%Part-time5%
Gender ratio
Female76%Male24%
Where students come from
UK100%
Student performance
2:1 or above67%
Number of students215
Most popular A-levels studied
SubjectGrade
BiologyB
ChemistryB
PsychologyC
MathematicsB
GeographyC
Source: HESA

Graduate prospects

What graduates do next

Facts and figures about University of Gloucestershire graduates who took Operating Department Practice - or another course in the same subject area.

Health sciences (non-specific)

Graduate statistics

95%

In a job where degree was essential or beneficial

90%

In work, study or other activity

85%

Say it fits with future plans

60%

Are utilising studies

Top job areas

90%

Other Health Professionals

5%

Skilled trades occupations

5%

Welfare and housing associate professionals

Graduate statistics percentages are determined 15 months after a student graduates

Earnings after graduation

We have no information about future earnings from students that studied this course.

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

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University of Gloucestershire open days

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Universities will list upcoming open days on their websites. Most will also have virtual open days; these are a great alternative if you really can't get there in person. For tips on preparing for open days, check the advice section here on The Uni Guide.

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