Operating Department Practice

Why Operating Department Practice?
Our Operating Department Practice degree has been designed to give you the skills and knowledge to work successfully as a crucial member of an operating department team. The programme has been developed with input from our partners in the NHS and private healthcare to ensure you benefit from the very latest ideas, technologies and techniques and can meet the needs of health employers in modern society. Pending approval by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), our course will enable you to apply to register and practice as an Operating Department Practitioner on graduation and begin a rewarding career delivering vital care to surgical patients.

You’ll study the fundamentals of anatomy, physiology and pathology and how to apply your knowledge to clinical situations. You’ll work with cutting-edge specialist equipment and develop advanced technical skills, as you learn to manage patients through the 3 phases of perioperative care - anaesthesia, surgery and recovery. Work placements will form an essential element of your learning on the course and you’ll have the chance to work with experienced healthcare practitioners in a variety of clinical settings. By the time you graduate therefore, you’ll have built the experience and confidence necessary to undertake a key role working alongside other professionals, such as nurses, surgeons, anaesthetists and healthcare support workers.

Why University of Gloucestershire?
At University of Gloucestershire, we’ve been encouraging students to meet every ambition since 1847. Join us and you’ll benefit from our three UoG promises:

1. UoG Career Promise – if you are not in a job 6 months after graduating, we’ll guarantee you 6 months of free support post-graduation should you need it, followed by the offer of a paid internship and lifetime career coaching* (*eligibility conditions apply).
2. UoG Accommodation Promise – we guarantee all first-year students accommodation on, or near, the campus you’re studying at.
3. UoG Connections Promise – whilst at UoG, you’ll find the connections to reach your goals. With over 4,000 placements and more than 60 clubs and societies to join, you’ll make connections for life.

Our ambition is boundless. Experienced lecturers promote a real-world ethos and treat our students as more than just a number. Alongside our strong support system, guest speakers, networking events and influential partnerships will help you prepare for life after graduation, whether that be in a successful career in your field or onto further study. Students never tire of finding inspiration here in the unique county of Gloucestershire – innovation and bravery thrive here. Cheltenham and Gloucester offer the best of city and country living, with the rolling hills of the Cotswolds paired with vibrant nightclubs and stunning parks in the bustling town and city centres.

After the course
Your story doesn’t end with us at graduation. We support our graduates to balance purpose with ambition, and 95% of University of Gloucestershire graduates are in work or further study within six months of completing their course*.
*Graduate Outcomes Survey published 2024 and based on 2021/22 leavers.

Experience an open day
Book yourself a place at a University of Gloucestershire open day at www.glos.ac.uk/BookAnOpenDay. Our open days have been designed to inform you, inspire you, and help you make the right decision about your next step. It’s your chance to see the university for yourself, get a real insight into what we're about and meet your potential course tutors and lecturers. Our friendly student ambassadors will also be on hand to show you round your campus.

To find out more information about this course, visit www.glos.ac.uk/OurCourses, email us on enquiries@glos.ac.uk or call 03330 14 14 14.