BSc Operating Department Practice
About this course
BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice is an undergraduate degree focused on perioperative care, surgical procedures, and anaesthetic practice within operating theatres. Core topics include Clinical Skills, Research Methods, and Ethics & Professional Practice. Regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council, the course integrates clinical placement opportunities across NHS Trusts and private sector partners alongside simulated theatre environments. The first year covers foundational subjects through Applied Anatomy and Physiology for Operating Department Practice, Principles of Anaesthesia for Operating Department Practice, and Principles of Surgery for Operating Department Practice, alongside initial clinical placement experience. The second year progresses into specialized areas with Critical Care of the Perioperative Patient, Patho-physiological Processes Related to Peri-operative Practice, Theories of Perioperative Practice, and a second placement block. Unspecified year modules further develop advanced competencies through Developing Perioperative Practice, Leadership and Management in the Perioperative Environment, a final placement module, and a Perioperative Research-based Project.
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
BBC-BCC at A Level. 112-104 UCAS tariff points from a combination of Level 3 qualifications. DMM-MMM in BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma. Pass at T level with grade C or above on core. NCFE CACHE Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma/Level 3 Extended Diploma at grade C. Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits, 15 at Distinction, and 30 at Merit. 112-104 UCAS tariff points from International Baccalaureate qualifications.
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What students say
Based on about 9 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 85%
- Learning opportunities: 81%
- Assessment and feedback: 81%
- Academic support: 67%
- Organisation and management: 63%
- Learning resources: 86%
- Student voice: 67%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 45 students who started
- Continued on course: 80%
- Left higher education: 10%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 10%
What graduates do next
Based on about 73 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 79%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 1%
- Unemployed: 6%
Most common jobs
- Other Health Professionals: 54%
- Therapy professionals: 31%
- Caring personal services: 3%
- Welfare and housing associate professionals: 2%
- Elementary occupations: 1%
- Find their work meaningful: 97%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 89%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 88%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 235 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 3%
- North West: 14%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 69%
- East Midlands: 4%
- West Midlands: 3%
- East of England: 1%
- London: 2%
- South East: 2%
- South West: 1%
- Wales: 1%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 40 students who started
- A levels: 80%
- Access course: 15%
- A degree: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 10%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- 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): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Developing Perioperative Practice
- Leadership and Management in the Perioperative Environment
- Managing Enhanced and Complex Perioperative Practice (Placement 3)
- Perioperative Research-based Project
- Applied Anatomy and Physiology for Operating Department Practice
- Introduction to Perioperative Practice and Patient Care (Placement 1)
- Principles of Anaesthesia for Operating Department Practice
- Principles of Surgery for Operating Department Practice
- Research and Professional Accountability for Operating Department Practice
- Critical Care of the Perioperative Patient
- Implementation of Perioperative Practice (Placement 2)
- Patho-physiological Processes Related to Peri-operative Practice
- Research and Professional Accountability for Operating Department Practice 2
- Theories of Perioperative Practice
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Operating Department Practice at University of Huddersfield earn?
The median salary is £30,000 after 15 months, £26,000 after 3 years, £30,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £21,000 and £35,500. The £30,000 median after five years is £2,000 less than the UK median for Health sciences.
What do graduates of BSc Operating Department Practice at University of Huddersfield 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 University of Huddersfield?
85% 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 University of Huddersfield?
The typical offer is BBC at A level. The average entrant had 131 UCAS points.
Is BSc Operating Department Practice at University of Huddersfield accredited?
Yes. 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 University of Huddersfield?
80% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.