Why study Operating Department Practice at AV?

  • Enjoy purpose-built, cutting-edge facilities, including an operating theatre simulation suite with highly accurate and life-like manikins
  • Gain hands-on experience working in surgical theatres with multiple and varied practical work placements that make uparound halfof your time on the course
  • Benefit from a diverse range of placements and future career options: from working in operating theatres to pre-operative assessment, intensive care, A&E, patient transfer teams and other more specialised areas of care
  • Course is HCPC approved and graduates have high employment rates. Graduates areeligible to apply for registration as a qualified ODP. 100% of studentswere in employment or further study after completing the course
  • Receive expert teaching from an experienced academic team of registered ODPs who still work clinically (many are also HEA fellows, senior fellows and are engaged in research).

Find out more about the content of this course

We also offer aBSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice (Apprenticeship), however, to apply you must first have a suitable employer who can support your application. AV can support you toencourage your employerto offer an apprenticeship.

Funding support: ODP studentsmay be eligible for a non-repayable government training grant ofat least £5,000 a year. information about the funding.Please notethat this funding is not available for students on the Foundation Year, however you will be able to access it once you complete the foundation year and move onto the degree.

Approved by HCPC:

This three-year course is approved by the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) meaning that, upon successful completion of the programme, you will be eligible to apply to the Health & Care Professions Council for registration as an Operating Department Practitioner. Please note that the Foundation Year part of the course is not approved by the HCPC.

Key information

Next start date:

September 2025, September 2026

Location:

AV, Lansdowne Campus. Foundation Year: AV, Talbot Campus.

Duration:

3 years, including mandatory placements or 4 years with the Foundation Year (1 year, followed by 3 years including mandatory placements)

Required subjects:

All subjects considered

Entry requirements:

For September 2025 entry:104- 120 UCAS tariff points including a minimum of 2 A-levels or equivalent. Foundation Year: 48-72 UCAS tariff points. For more information check out our full entry requirements.

International entry requirements:

For September 2025 entry:If English is not your first language you'll needIELTS (Academic) 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in writing and 6.5 in speaking, listening and reading.For more information check out our international entry requirements.