Why choose this course?
Our Operating Department Practice degree allows students to learn in a manner which matches their future employment as an Operating Department Practitioner. We use a case study format throughout our teaching and assessment, meaning that all content relates directly to the real-life operating theatre environment.
Our degree is part of a collaboration with our local NHS Trust and local service users to ensure the course fulfils the requirements of the health service and community. The support on offer from the University and teaching team reflects the core values of Wrexham University. We are committed to widening participation and providing support to students. This will be felt by students, as they will play an active part in their own development into professional registration and employment.
*This course is part of a subject area ranked
1st in the UK for Student Experience
Joint 1st in the UK for Graduate Prospects
1st in Wales and top 10 in the UK for Teaching Quality
in the Subjects Allied to Medicine subject area league table in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2025
*This course is rated 1st in Wales in the Health Studies subject area league table in the Daily Mail University League Table, 2024.
*This course is rated 4th in the UK for Satisfied with Teaching in the Health Professionals subject area league table in the Guardian University Guide, 2025.
What you will study
Our ODP degree programme is structured as a spiral curriculum, meaning that topics are introduced in Year One, and then expanded upon in Years Two and Three.
Year 1 (LEVEL 4)
Year One is an introduction to the main topics of Operating Department Practice, including clinical, professional, research and life sciences topics.
MODULES
Introduction to Operating Department Practice: introduction to the fundamental topics of anaesthetics, surgery, and post-anaesthetic care
Introduction to Perioperative Clinical Skills: introduction to the practice placement element of being an ODP. This module will focus mainly on elective, scheduled cases.
Introduction to Life Sciences (IPE): introduction to the life sciences, including physical anatomy and physiology and mental health
Foundations in Professional Practice (IPE): introduction to the professional roles and responsibilities of an Allied Health Professional covering topics such as confidentiality, dignity, care, and reflection
Foundations in Research (IPE): introducing students to the concepts of research, becoming familiar with research articles, assignment writing, and statistics
Year 2 (LEVEL 5)
Year Two will expand on topics which were introduced in the first year. There will be greater complexity, and greater application to practice of an ODP.
MODULES
Developing Operating Department Practice: expanding on the theory behind anaesthetics, surgery, and post-anaesthetic care
Developing Perioperative Clinical Skills: more complex skills introduced within the practice element of the programme. More focus on emergency scenarios, emergency anaesthetics and surgery.
Applying Life Sciences to Perioperative Practice: re-visiting topics of life sciences with an application to anaesthetics, surgery, and post-anaesthetic care. Expanding on the considerations for, and treatment of body systems within the perioperative environment.
Contemporary Studies in Operating Department Practice: exploring policies which govern and shape modern Operating Department Practice, beginning with WHO Safe Surgery Saves Lives
Evidence in Practice (IPE): exploring how research directly impacts the practice of Allied Health Professionals in their clinical work.
Year 3 (LEVEL 6)
Year Three introduces students to expanding roles of ODPs, including Surgical First Assistance, Critical Care and Resuscitation. Students will also be prepared for practice by exploring elements such as audit, research, leadership, and management.
MODULES
Advanced Operating Department Practice: exploring the theory behind surgical first assistance, critical care, resuscitation, and caring for patients with complex needs.
Advanced Perioperative Clinical Skills: the practice placement element of more advanced perioperative practice with placements in departments outside of the theatre department to expose students to a greater depth of their scope of practice
Research for Practice (IPE): students will complete a research project exploring an area of Operating Department Practice where they will be able to collect their own data.
Transition to Professional Practice (IPE): students will explore leadership and management theories, preparation for employment and professional registration, and quality policies and procedures.
The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the programme that will take the form of either core or option modules. Modules are designated as core or option in accordance with professional body requirements and internal academic framework review, so may be subject to change.
Teaching & Assessment
Teaching, learning and assessment will follow a blended approach with online content, videos, small group sessions and practical sessions. We have a case study format throughout, relating concepts to the real-life environment. The Active Learning Framework (ALF) will be used throughout each module, at each level. There is a broad range of assessments, using practice, case study portfolios, presentations, and posters.
Assessment methods include:
Essays
Presentation
Examination
OSCE
Teaching and Learning
Wrexham University is committed to supporting our students to maximise their academic potential.
We offer workshops and support sessions in areas such as academic writing, effective note-making and preparing for assignments. Students can book appointments with academic skills tutors dedicated to helping deal with the practicalities of university work. Our Student Support has more information on the help available.
In terms of particular needs, the University’s Inclusion team can provide appropriate guidance and support should any students require reasonable adjustments to be made because of a recognised prevailing disability, medical condition, or specific learning difference.
This course is not accepting applications at this time. Please contact the provider to find out more.
The following entry points are available for this course:
Wrexham University takes into account a variety of qualifications and experience when considering applications to our programmes. If you are unsure if the qualifications you currently hold will be accepted for entry, or if you're not sure you'll achieve the required UCAS Tariff points, please contact us at enquiries@wrexham.ac.uk for further advice and guidance.
Each application received is considered in the wider context of the applicant’s background and experience, considering the personal statement, reference, predicted grades and any other information provided.. The offer made will reflect the individual applicant’s circumstances, and this is continued throughout the admissions process; when results are received, we’ll consider these personal circumstances again and, where possible, be flexible with confirming an applicant's place.
This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).
It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.
Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.
This report uses your grades to show how students with similar results have done when applying to this course in the past. Sometimes, there isn’t data for every possible set of grades. When that happens, universities and colleges occasionally fill in the gaps for sets of grades that are typically accepted.
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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.
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Enquire now to join us this September
Email:enquiries@wrexham.ac.uk
Phone:01978 293439
Email:enquiries@wrexham.ac.uk
Phone:01978 293439
Plas Coch
Mold Road
Wrexham
LL11 2AW
At Wrexham University
