BSc Operating Department Practice
About this course
BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice is an undergraduate health sciences degree training students to provide holistic care as part of anaesthetic, surgical and post-anaesthetic teams. Core topics include Research Methods, Clinical Skills, and Ethics & Professional Practice. Successful completion allows graduates to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council. The first year introduces foundational human biosciences, evidence-based practice and the role of allied health professionals through compulsory modules such as Essential Biosciences for Operating Department Practice, Foundations of Care in Operating Department Practice, Foundations of Evidence Based Practice, Becoming an Allied Health Professional, and Foundations of Operating Department Practice in Clinical Practice. The second year expands into complex surgical and anaesthetic care delivery alongside leadership development via Diversifying surgical care delivery, Diversifying anaesthetic and post-anaesthetic care delivery, Application of Evidence Based Practice, Identifying & Developing Leadership Skills for the Operating Department Practitioner, and Development of Operating Department Practice in Clinical Practice. The final year prepares students for autonomous practice and specialized roles through Acute Care Beyond the Operating Theatre, Surgical First Assistance, Independent Research within Operating Department Practice, Negotiated Professional Practice, and Proficiency of Operating Department Practice in Clinical Practice.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
Standard offer: 112 UCAS Tariff points. Learn more about UCAS Tariff points . Accelerate offer: 96 UCAS Tariff points. Find out more about BCU Accelerate . Applicants will also need to complete an interview for this course; see interview arrangements below. If your level 3 qualifications do not meet the UCAS tariff for this course, you may be offered a place on our Foundation Year instead. You do not need to submit a separate application but will automatically be considered for this if your predicted grades fall below the UCAS entry tariff. Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Prior to enrolling on the course, successful candidates will be required to obtain a satisfactory occupational health check and an enhanced DBS check via the School. Qualifications, personal statement, interview and references all form part of the selection criteria for this course. If you have any queries please refer to DBS Frequently Asked Questions or contact admissions@bcu.ac.uk . In addition to the A Level, BTEC and other level 3 requirements below, applicants for this course also need GCSE English Language or English Literature and GCSE Maths at grade C/4 or above. If you do not have these or are not undertaking them, we accept other level 2 equivalents, or we may ask you to pass BCU's GCSE equivalency tests. A Level: 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 Pearson BTEC (Diploma / Extended Diploma/ Extended Certificate): 112 UCAS Tariff points Diploma accepted with one A Level or equivalent level 3 qualifications Extended Certificate accepted with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications Extended Diploma - accepted subjects: Health and Social Care; Applied Science National Diploma/Extended Certificate - accepted subjects: Either this qualification or the acc
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What students say
Based on about 32 final-year students who answered
- Teaching on my course: 86%
- Learning opportunities: 73%
- Assessment and feedback: 81%
- Academic support: 80%
- Organisation and management: 60%
- Learning resources: 81%
- Student voice: 76%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 60 students who started
- Continued on course: 78%
- Left higher education: 20%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 2%
What graduates do next
Based on about 8 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 75%
- Working and studying: 5%
- Further study: 5%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Other Health Professionals: 75%
- Caring personal services: 10%
- Nursing Professionals: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 90%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 75%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 80%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 115 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 8%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 1%
- East Midlands: 9%
- West Midlands: 51%
- East of England: 8%
- London: 9%
- South East: 5%
- South West: 4%
- Wales: 4%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 65 students who started
- A levels: 75%
- Access course: 19%
- Other HE qualification: 6%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- Accredited by the College of Operating Department Practitioners (CODP).
- Approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) for the purpose of providing eligibility to apply for registration with the HCPC as an operating department practitioner.
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Gold for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Essential Biosciences for Operating Department Practice
- Foundations of Care in Operating Department Practice
- Foundations of Evidence Based Practice
- Becoming an Allied Health Professional
- Foundations of Operating Department Practice in Clinical Practice
- Diversifying surgical care delivery
- Diversifying anaesthetic and post-anaesthetic care delivery
- Application of Evidence Based Practice
- Identifying & Developing Leadership Skills for the Operating Department Practitioner
- Development of Operating Department Practice in Clinical Practice
- Acute Care Beyond the Operating Theatre
- Surgical First Assistance
- Independent Research within Operating Department Practice
- Negotiated Professional Practice
- Proficiency of Operating Department Practice in Clinical Practice
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Operating Department Practice at Birmingham City University earn?
The median salary is £30,000 after 15 months, £25,000 after 3 years, £30,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £20,500 and £34,000. The £30,000 median after five years is £2,500 more than the UK median for Nursing (other).
What do graduates of BSc Operating Department Practice at Birmingham City University do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Operating Department Practice at Birmingham City University?
86% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BSc Operating Department Practice at Birmingham City University?
The typical offer is BBC at A level. The average entrant had 135 UCAS points.
Is BSc Operating Department Practice at Birmingham City University accredited?
Yes. Accredited by the College of Operating Department Practitioners (CODP). Approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) for the purpose of providing eligibility to apply for registration with the HCPC as an operating department practitioner.
How many students continue on BSc Operating Department Practice at Birmingham City University?
78% of students continued into their second year, and 20% left higher education.