Birmingham City University
Operating Department Practice DipHE
Birmingham City University

Key Course Facts

Course Description

This is a specially designed two-year Diploma to prepare you to become a fully qualified Operating Department Practitioner - a vital part of the operating theatre team who supports surgeons, nurses, anaesthetists and patients throughout surgery.

ODP's are a vital part of the operating theatre team, with their role varying from day to day. Working alongside surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses and healthcare support workers, ODP's ensure that every operation is as safe and effective as possible. While receiving continuous individual support and guidance, this course prepares you to become an independent practitioner within the operating department environment, able to respond to changes in health care needs and priorities.

You will learn and practice in a real-life operating theatre, within our state-of-the-art £71 million City South Campus and will benefit from excellent graduate employability rates. Successful completion of this course means you will be eligible to apply for registration as an ODP with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), and can work within a multidisciplinary operating theatre team.

Entry Requirements / Admissions

Qualification requirements

Including a relevant subject/science @ C or above (80 UCAS tariff points)

ALL applicants must possess a Level 5 qualification, such as an HND or FdA in a relevant area in order to be considered for this course. A copy of your HND/FdA module transcripts will be requested, and the original required to be seen at enrolment.

D*D in the BTEC Level 3 Diploma plus grade A in A-level mathematics. or DD in the BTEC Level 3 Diploma plus grade A* in A-level mathematics. We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme. We do not accept the BTEC Extended Diploma without A-level maths. Applicants with a BTEC Extended Diploma should apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics/Geophysics Foundation Year.

Considered at confirmation

Access to HE Diploma

Considered with a maximum of 3 other Level 3 qualifications to obtain 88 pts Preferred subjects:- Art and Design, Business and Economics, Construction and Built Environment, Design Technology, English, Geography, History, Languages, Land Based and Environment, Music, Performing Arts and Drama, Science Excluded subjects:- Hair and Beauty, Health and Social Care, Hospitality, Early Years, Customer Service, Citizenship, Accounting, PE and Sport, Public Services and Uniformed Services, Travel & Tourism Applicants doing Media subjects will be considered on an individual basis by Admissions Tutor.

Including one in a relevant subject/science (80 UCAS tariff points)

A minimum of DDM with the main subjects being Science or Maths. Also required: GCSE at C or above in English or English Language, Mathematics and in either Chemistry, or Physics or Dual Award Science.

With this BTEC you must also achieve grades BB in two A Level subjects.

D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus grades A*A in two A-levels including mathematics (minimum grade A) or D* in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus grades AA in A-levels including mathematics. We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme. We do not accept the BTEC Extended Diploma without A-level Maths. Applicants with a BTEC Extended Diploma should apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics/Geophysics Foundation Year.

BTEC Level 3 National Diploma: DD plus A Level English at grade B. Preferred:- Performing Arts, Art & Design, Digital Film and Video Production,Business IT, Applied Science,Sport, Sport and Exercise Science

Grade combinations between 112 - 128 points considered when combined with other Level 3 qualifications including AS and Extended Project to achieve 112 - 128 points. (Subject grades achieved at AS level and then taken at A2 do not count).

Considered with a maximum of 3 other Level 3 qualifications to obtain 88 pts Preferred subjects:- Art and Design, Business and Economics, Construction and Built Environment, Design Technology, English, Geography, History, Languages, Land Based and Environment, Music, Performing Arts and Drama, Science Excluded subjects:- Hair and Beauty, Health and Social Care, Hospitality, Early Years, Customer Service, Citizenship, Accounting, PE and Sport, Public Services and Uniformed Services, Travel & Tourism Applicants doing Media subjects will be considered on an individual basis by Admissions Tutor.

31-30 overall or 665-655 in 3 HL subjects.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

Including one in a relevant subject/science (90 UCAS tariff points)

We consider the National Foundation Diploma for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to this course.  Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Foundation Diploma with a Distinction grade, PLUS one A-level at Grade A in an essay-based arts, humanities or social science subject, PLUS an EPQ or AS at Grade B.

In a relevant subject/science (112 UCAS tariff points)

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate: D plus AB in two A Levels to include English. Preferred:- Performing Arts, Art & Design, Digital Film and Video Production,Business IT, Applied Science,Sport, Sport and Exercise Science

Combined with other level 3 qualifications to achieve 112 - 128 tariff points.

Combined with other level 3 qualifications to achieve 112 - 128 tariff points.

More about foundation year programmes By studying a foundation year in either Health and Life Sciences, Children, Childhood and Education or Sport and Exercise Science, your first year will be spent learning a wide range of broad subject areas which then open up opportunities for you to specialise further in your next year – which would be the first year of a full degree programme. You will study very broad subjects in your foundation year, which is designed to prepare you for a range of courses and not just one particular BSc or BA degree. So although you are studying a BA or BSc in a specific course – for example, Children’s Nursing, Health Studies, Midwifery among many of possible options – the foundation year sets you up for a number of other possible degrees starting the following year. It may be that you don’t end up doing a degree in precisely the same subject as your foundation year. This flexibility is one of the great things about foundation year categories (Health and Life Sciences, Childhood and Education or Sport and Exercise Science), allowing you to find out more about your interests and talents before focusing on a three year degree. The foundation year also helps us at BCU to make sure we help to match you to the degree that fits you best. Important Note: Upon completion of your Foundation Year, you will be required to successfully complete the University’s selection process for the specific programme which will include an interview in order to proceed onto year one of the full degree programme. Entry onto year one of the degree programme will also be subject to a satisfactory DBS and Occupational Health Assessment.

English language requirements

test Grade Additional Details
IELTS (Academic) 7

with no subtest below 6.5

Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Operating Department Practice, DipHE, if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Costs

Tuition Fees Operating Department Practice DipHE

EU £9250 year 1
England UK £9250 year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 year 1
Scotland £9250 year 1
Wales £9250 year 1

Average student cost of living in the UK

Rent £518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) £50
Supermarket shopping £81
Clothing £35
Eating out £33
Alcohol £27
Takeaways / food deliveries £30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) £24
Holidays and weekend trips £78
Transport within city £17
Self-care / sports £20
Stationary / books £13
Mobile phone / internet £13
Cable TV / streaming £7
Insurance £51
Other £95
  
Average student cost of living £1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

How to apply

Application deadline:

January 1, 2025

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.

Possible Entry Points:

  • year 1 (Default entry point)

University Rankings

Positions of Birmingham City University in top UK and global rankings.

See all 15 university rankings of Birmingham City University

About Birmingham City University

Founded in 1853, Birmingham City University (BCU) is located in the city of Birmingham, England. The student population of this institution is made up of students from over 80 nationalities, which allows newly arrived foreign students to quickly feel welcome and at home. State-of-the-art facilities and resources await students on all courses, including the latest Engineering technology, 3D Printing studios, and Horology Workshops, just to name a few. BCU maintains a reputation for having a selective admissions process, so all applicants are recommended to prepare for their interview thoroughly.

List of 310 Bachelor and Master Courses from Birmingham City University - Course Catalogue

Student composition of Birmingham City University

undergraduates:
20675
postgraduates:
5010
Total:
25685
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Where is this programme taught

City South Campus, Edgbaston
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Similar courses

Program University Student satis­faction Unem­ployed Drop­out Tuition (UK) Tuition (Inter­national) UCAS Tariff City
Operating Department Practice DipHE Coventry University 100% 3% 2% £9250 - 152 Coventry On campus Full-time
Operating Department Practice DipHE Birmingham City University - - - £9250 - - Birmingham On campus Full-time