Operating Department Practice BSc
Study of how to support patients and surgical teams before, during, and after operations - combining clinical care, technical skills, and teamwork in the fast-paced world of surgery.
Is this for you?
This degree could suit you if you:
Want to work in operating theatres
Enjoy practical healthcare work
Are detail-focused
Can work under pressure
Want a technical healthcare role
Popular Career Fields
Healthcare & Public Health
Government & Public Sector
Private Healthcare
Research & Academia
Your Personality Might Be:
Calm under pressure
Government & Public Sector
Detail-focused
Technically skilled
What is it?
What Is an Operating Department Practice Degree?
Operating Department Practice (ODP) focuses on the care of patients throughout their surgical journey. You’ll learn how to assist in anaesthetics, surgery, and recovery, ensuring patient safety and comfort at every stage.
Why Study Operating Department Practice?
If you enjoy hands-on work, teamwork, and helping others, ODP offers a dynamic and rewarding career. You’ll play a vital role in hospital operating theatres, working closely with surgeons, anaesthetists, and nurses to deliver high-quality patient care.
Course Summary
Study of how to support patients and surgical teams before, during, and after operations - combining clinical care, technical skills, and teamwork in the fast-paced world of surgery.
What you'll study
Most ODP degrees cover:
Anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology
Anaesthetic and surgical care
Postoperative (recovery) care
Infection prevention and control
Patient monitoring and safety
Communication and teamwork in healthcare
Professional ethics and law
Later in your degree, you may focus on areas such as emergency care, paediatric surgery, or leadership in perioperative practice.
Degree Type
BSc (Bachelor of Science) or BSc (Hons) — both lead to registration as an Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
Skills You'll Gain
An ODP degree helps you build both clinical and transferable skills, which might include:
Surgical Environment Skills – preparing and managing the operating theatre for safe surgical procedures.
Anaesthetic Support – assisting anaesthetists with equipment, medications, and patient monitoring.
Intraoperative Care – maintaining patient safety, instrumentation, and sterile conditions during surgery.
Post-operative Recovery – monitoring patients as they wake from anaesthesia and responding to complications.
Critical Decision-Making – acting quickly and effectively in high-pressure, emergency or complex surgical situations.
Pathways, Placements and Work Experience
CAREERS
Career Pathways
After graduation, you can register as an Operating Department Practitioner (HCPC) and work in:
NHS hospitals and private surgical centres
Emergency and intensive care units
Education, management, or clinical research
Work Experiences & Placements
All ODP degrees include clinical placements, where you’ll work with patients and healthcare professionals in real hospital settings such as:
NHS and private operating theatres
Day surgery units and recovery wards
Intensive care and emergency departments
Placements give you essential experience in patient care, surgical teamwork, and hospital practice.
Salary Profile
Coming soon
Qualifications, Personal Satement, What to do Next?
AM I ELIGIBLE?
Entry Requirements
A-levels or equivalent including at least one Science (Biology, Chemistry, or Psychology preferred). Some universities accept a broad range of subjects.
Personal Statement Tips
Explain why you’re interested in surgical or hospital care.
Mention any experience in healthcare, volunteering, or teamwork.
Highlight compassion, reliability, and communication skills.
Show understanding of the ODP’s role in patient care and surgery.
Some universities may invite you to an interview or selection day, including practical or scenario-based tasks.
What to do Next
Volunteer or gain experience in hospitals or healthcare settings.
Attend open days to explore simulation suites and theatres.
Learn about NHS surgical services and perioperative care.
Keep up to date with developments in medical technology and patient safety.
Wider Reading
The Language of Kindness by Christie Watson – A moving look at life in hospital care.
This Is Going to Hurt by Adam Kay – Honest and humorous insight into working in the NHS.
Perioperative Practice: Fundamentals of Operating Department Practice by Brian Smith – A core text for ODP students.
Being Mortal by Atul Gawande – Exploring compassion and ethics in healthcare.