14Jun
UndergraduateCourse summary
Operating Department Practitioners (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. It is a varied role, encompassing patient care, teamwork and attention to detail. We have an excellent reputation, being ranked 1st in the UK Overall for Health Professions (Guardian University Guide 2025). ODPs 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. They are also responsible for treating patients while they recover from anaesthesia or surgery until they can be discharged home or back to a ward. The course follows a spiral design based around 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
Modules
In Year 1, you will typically study areas including:
- Foundations of Academic and Professional Learning in Operating Department Practice
- Becoming an Allied Health Professional (AHP): Operating Department Practice
- Manual Handling
- Violence & Aggression Passport
- Foundations of Evidence-Based Practice for Perioperative Care
- Essential Biosciences for Perioperative Care
- Perioperative Clinical Skills
- Leadership Skills for the Operating Department Practitioner
- Application of Evidence-Based Practice for Perioperative Care
- Manual Handling
- Violence & Aggression Passport
- Pharmacology for Perioperative Practice
- Diversifying Perioperative Care Delivery
- Perioperative Clinical Skills
- Facilitation of Learning and Teaching in Operating Department Practice
- Advancing Leadership and Management for the Operating Department Practitioner
- Independent Research for Operating Department Practice
- Manual Handling
- Violence & Aggression Passport
Assessment method
Assessments will include practical OSCEs, written exams, oral presentations, written assignments, and clinical skills assessments. The range of assessment methods is chosen to develop and demonstrate a range of skills transferable to the modern healthcare environment including reflection, oral and written communication, confidence and competence in care delivery and the ability to research, appraise and evaluate evidence. Placement competency will be assessed by your practice educator during formative learning such as simulation and clinical skills delivery in specialist areas.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- Health and Care Professions Council
How to apply
29Jan
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- B991
- Institution code:
- S93
- Campus name:
- Singleton Park Campus
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
International applicants
This course is open to UK applicants only.
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 104 points
A level - BCC
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DMM
Access to HE Diploma - D: 24 credits M: 6 credits P: 15 credits
WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)
GCSE/National 4/National 5
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and an occupational health check required
Additional entry requirements
Health checks
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
Go onto work and study
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
For the latest fee information, please check the individual course page on our website. Our full range of programmes are listed here: https://www.swansea.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/
Further information on tuition fees can be found here: https://www.swansea.ac.uk/undergraduate/fees-and-funding/tuition-fees/
Sponsorship information
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. Please see our NHS Funding webpage to check your eligibility for funding before applying: https://www.swansea.ac.uk/undergraduate/fees-and-funding/student-loans-and-grants/nhs-funding/
Provider information
Swansea University
Singleton Park
Swansea
SA2 8PP