Bachelor in Bsc Honours Operating Department Practice With Foundation Year

The tuition fee is 20,000 GBP per year.

Operating department practitioners (ODPs) represent the only undergraduate allied health profession in the UK specifically trained to operate within the high-pressure environment of the surgical theatre. This programme provides a comprehensive pathway into this vital role, beginning with a foundation year designed for students who require additional academic preparation or who may not meet the standard entry requirements for direct entry into the degree. By engaging with this course, you will learn to work seamlessly alongside anaesthetists and surgeons, mastering the complexities of anaesthesia, surgical intervention, and post-anaesthetic recovery.

You will not merely study theory; you will be immersed in practical learning environments, including simulated operating theatres, wards, and anatomy labs that mirror the real world of clinical practice. The curriculum is deeply rooted in interprofessional collaboration, ensuring you understand the patient journey from admission to discharge. Students gain hands-on experience through diverse placements in NHS and private settings, ranging from critical care and maternity units to emergency departments.

Integrated Clinical Exposure

What sets this programme apart is its commitment to applied learning beyond the classroom. You will participate in exclusive field trips, such as visiting surgical instrument manufacturers like Swann-Morton to understand the production and safe usage of medical blades, and touring sterilisation facilities to see the lifecycle of surgical equipment. Taught by practising ODPs registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), the programme ensures you graduate not just as a student, but as an autonomous, skilled practitioner ready to make a significant impact on patient care.

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.