Bachelor in BSc Honours Operating Department Practice with Foundation Year

Tuition fees are 20,900 GBP per year.

Operating department practitioners (ODPs) represent the only undergraduate allied health profession in the UK specifically trained to orchestrate the high-stakes environment of the operating theatre. You will begin your journey by stepping into simulated operating theatres, wards, and anatomy labs, where you learn to work seamlessly alongside anaesthetists and surgeons. This course is designed to transform you into an autonomous practitioner capable of delivering expert care during surgical and anaesthetic procedures.

This programme features a dedicated foundation year, providing a supportive bridge for students who require additional academic preparation or who seek to strengthen their foundational knowledge before advancing to the BSc (Hons) level. You will gain extensive, real-world experience through clinical placements in diverse settings, including maternity units, critical care, and A&E departments. By the time you graduate, you will be eligible for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), equipped with the clinical experience and professional confidence to deliver transformative, person-centred care.

Applied Clinical Immersion

Beyond the classroom, you will engage in field trips to industry leaders like Swann-Morton to witness the precision manufacturing of surgical blades and visit Steris to explore advanced sterilisation processes, ensuring your education is deeply rooted in the practical realities of the modern healthcare sector.

Sheffield Hallam University, established in 1843 and based in Sheffield, is a large modern university serving around 31,000 students, including approximately 3,100 international learners. The university is known for applied teaching, industry-aligned courses and strong professional links across disciplines from business and health to engineering and the creative industries. Students benefit from modern facilities, well-equipped labs and specialist studios tailored to career-focused learning.

The campus ethos emphasizes employability: placements, work-based projects and employer partnerships are embedded across many programs, helping students gain practical experience and build professional networks. Academic staff work closely with industry and regional employers on applied research and innovation, creating pathways into internships and graduate roles. Dedicated student support services assist with academic skills, careers advice and wellbeing.

Sheffield itself is a friendly, affordable student city with good transport links to the north of England and easy access to green spaces and cultural venues. International students often highlight the city’s welcoming community, active student societies and opportunities to balance study with outdoor activities. For those seeking a practical, career-oriented university experience in the UK, Sheffield Hallam offers strong employer engagement, supportive services and an accessible urban lifestyle.