Program Overview

The three-year BSc (hons) degree programme in Operating Department Practice (ODP) prepares people for an exciting and rewarding career in the peri-operative environment.  

This new programme will prepare practitioners in delivering a vital component of future health and social care needs of the population.

Working in a truly multiprofessional arena requires people who thrive on the excitement of a job that demands dynamic assessments and prompt reactions to ensure patient safety. The ODP degree programme will be located in the School of Health Sciences and complements the existing school portfolio of courses.   

The programme offers extensive Clinical experience with a 50/50 theory/ practice split, enabling ample opportunity to develop and refine your skills. Mapped to the College of Operating Department Practice curricula and HCPC standards the learning outcomes will provide experiences and learning opportunities in a wide range of clinical specialties. All clinical placements will take place with local and regional partners based mainly within Norfolk and Suffolk.

This programme will use a range of teaching methods, including lectures and seminars delivered by expert academics and clinical educators. Blended learning using online content will allow students to discuss and debate relevant topics, developing their own critical thinking skills. The use of methods including flipped classroom and simulation-based education will allow students to develop essential clinical skills and techniques in practical workshops, underpinned by academic study.   

A lifelong learning approach is used throughout the course ensuring students are supported as adult learners, to develop the graduate skills, knowledge and autonomy required of a modern healthcare professional.

You will still get to enjoy the experience of your first group Basic Life Support session, learning with and from your peers whilst on campus. There will also be many other practical skills developed in our operating theatre simulation sessions which will enable you to make a valuable contribution to patient care when in practice settings.