Operating Department Practice, BSc (Hons)

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Course Overview

Our Operating Department Practice (ODP) course will give you the skills and experience to launch a rewarding career in this essential profession.  It is a varied role, encompassing patient care, teamwork, and attention to detail.

ODPs provide skilled and holistic care and support to patients at all stages of an operation, from anaesthetics, throughout surgery, and into recovery.  They play a critical role in the hospital’s ability to carry out surgery as they also work as part of the surgery team and link this team to other teams and departments in the hospital.  They provide a vital role in managing the preparation of operating theatres, such as preparing drugs, instruments, devices and equipment for anaesthesia and surgery, including microscopes, endoscopes, and lasers.  During operations they are responsible for providing instruments and materials to the surgeon.  

The course follows a spiral design based on four 'Pillars of Practice' to help you develop the knowledge, skills, understanding, and confidence required to be eligible to apply to the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) to become a registered Operating Department Practitioner:

  • Clinical Practice (anaesthetics, surgery and post-anaesthetic care)
  • Facilitation of Learning (of self and others)
  • Leadership
  • Evidence, Research, and Development

Why Operating Department Practice at Swansea?

We draw together the disciplines of health, nursing, midwifery and social care to offer a wide range of courses that make a difference to people's lives and society as a whole. Our students tell us that our enthusiasm and passion motivates and inspires them to work hard, think differently and succeed.

Our academic staff are qualified nurses, doctors, and allied health professionals, providing an exceptional combination of theoretical rigour, professional insight, and practical expertise.

If you can commit to working in Wales for two years after graduating, you could get your tuition fees covered in full through the NHS Wales Bursary Scheme, as well as maintenance funding and a reduced rate loan from Student Finance.

Health Professions at Swansea University is ranked 1st Overall in the UK (Guardian University Guide 2025)

Please see our NHS Funding webpage to check your eligibility for funding before applying.

Your Operating Department Practice Experience

Our excellent facilities in the School of Health and Social Care include realistic clinical suites - including a simulated operating theatre - so you can learn practical perioperative skills in a safe, supervised environment before using them in a real-life situation. You will also have access to realistic workplace experiences across Hywel Dda and Swansea Bay University Health Boards.

Half of your course will be taught at our Singleton Park campus on the edge of the beautiful Gower Peninsula and the other half will take place in key clinical placements within the NHS.  

 

Operating Department Practitioner Careers

Successful completion of the course will allow you to apply for registration with the Heath and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and gain employment as an Operating Department Practitioner.  You can expect a starting salary of £28,407 rising to £42,618 for an experienced Operating Department Practitioner.

There are many opportunities to specialise, for example in management, education, research and advanced practice.  

Modules

Modules are structured around the four pillars, which vary in their amount of coverage from year to year. 

Operating Department Practice, BSc (Hons)