Operating Department Practice

Operating Department Practice (ODP) is an exciting and rewarding career where you work within the perioperative theatre environment caring for patients undergoing surgery.

OPDs, unique among undergraduate Allied Health Professions in the UK, receive specialised training for operating theatre roles. Throughout your training, you'll develop autonomy as a practitioner, collaborating with anaesthetists, surgeons, and other professionals to prepare and assist in surgical and anaesthetic procedures, thereby enhancing patient care experiences.

ODPs play a crucial and unique role in patient care. They are responsible for a wide spectrum of tasks essential for the smooth running of perioperative environments. As an ODP you may prepare and maintain operating theatres, ensure the availability of equipment and drugs, manage patient safety and support patients' emotional and physical needs throughout their surgical journey, from pre-anaesthesia to post-anaesthetic care in recovery. Staying calm in pressured environments, ensuring safety and ensuring everyone has a voice to speak up when needed are all vital skills you’ll be developing on the course.


• Leads to eligibility to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) for registration as an ODP (please see our website for more information).



• You will learn through simulated activities such as role play and clinical skills development.



• Facilities replicate those found in hospitals, including a mock operating theatre and scrub room, mock ward setting, high dependency bays, and utilising high-tech manikins which respond to the treatment provided.



• Learn to collaborate and thrive as an ODP and within multidisciplinary teams to coordinate safe, evidenced-based care delivery.



• Practice placements sourced for you by the university, providing you with opportunities to develop clinical skills and become a safe, confident and competent practitioner.



• Study one academic module at a time, with five weeks of learning followed by one week of assessment per module.



• All eligible students on this course can apply for a minimum payment from the government of £5,000 per year. You can apply for additional payments if you incur childcare costs.



Why you should study this course
Careers in operating department practice enable you to develop a mix of technical, management and communication skills to support a diverse range of patients during their most vulnerable moments.


• The role of ODPs is dynamic and varied. Increasingly, ODPs are also adapting their knowledge and skills to work in non-traditional acute settings like emergency departments, intensive care, interventional radiology, cardiac catheterisation, MRI, CT scanning, and endoscopy units.



• Teaching and learning are supported by highly trained, clinically current and experienced staff, clinical partners, service users, fellow ODP students and those from other health courses across the school.



• We focus on your future employability, offering you insight into roles in areas such as surgical first assistance, critical care, leadership and management.



Gain the skills and experience to transform lives, communities and the future of healthcare delivery. We aim to empower you to become a stand-out healthcare professional, capable, competent and confident in your field and role within the wider healthcare team.

While continuously developing your sense of professional identity as an operating department practitioner from day one, you'll also collaborate with learners from other School of Health and Care fields, learning in an environment that puts inclusivity, diversity and dignity at its heart.

Please visit our website for the most up-to-date information.

Coventry University, part of Coventry University Group, is a modern, globally connected university with a mission to create better futures. Founded in 1843 through innovation and enterprise, they continue to work closely with industry to equip their graduates with the real-world skills and creative thinking they need to make a difference.

Coventry is also a Top 5 Student City in England (QS Best Student Cities Index 2026), and they guarantee accommodation if you apply through Clearing. With campuses across Coventry, London, Scarborough, Dagenham, and Greenwich, you can choose to study where it suits you best.

They're rated overall Gold in TEF 2023, recognising the quality of their teaching and student experience. From academic and wellbeing support to their Phoenix+ programme of employability activities and dedicated Success Coaches, they’re with you every step of the way.