BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice Studies at Teesside University

Programme overview

A three-year degree preparing students to work as operating department practitioners across the perioperative environment, including anaesthesia, surgery and post-anaesthetic care. More than half of the course is spent on hospital placements on rotation across the North East, and graduates are eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council.

What you will study

Year 1 covers Foundations of Perioperative Care, Introduction to Human Physiology, Perioperative Practice Year 1, Professionalism and Evidence-based Practice. Year 2 covers Clinical Decision Making in the Perioperative Environment, Perioperative Pharmacology, Perioperative Practice Year 2 and Dissertation Planning. The final year covers Advancing Perioperative Practice, a Dissertation and Preparation for Mentoring and Coaching in the Operating Department.

Career pathways

Operating department practitioner roles in surgery, anaesthetics or post-anaesthetic care, with openings in accident and emergency, intensive care and specialist theatres; employers include NHS hospital trusts, private hospitals, primary care clinics and the armed forces. Progression routes include postgraduate study towards surgical care practitioner roles, teaching and theatre management.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Typical offer 96-112 UCAS tariff points. Minimum two GCSEs at grade 4 (C) including English language and maths (Level 2 Functional Skills can substitute). Accepted qualifications: 96-112 points from two or three A levels or T levels (one AS level can contribute); Access course with 96-112 UCAS points; BTEC Extended Diploma 96-112 points (MMM); CACHE Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health & Social Care 96-112 points; foundation degree pass in any subject; Irish Leaving Certificate 96-112 points from four or five Highers; NVQ Level 3 plus 40 credits at Level 4; Open University 60 credits at Level 4; Scottish Highers 111 points; Advanced Highers 96-112 points. Offers are conditional on evidence of the required academic qualifications, a successful work-based risk assessment, satisfactory references and, where required for placements, an enhanced DBS check. Selection includes shortlisting on the application form, personal statement and reference, followed by an interview mapped to NHS Constitution values. International applicants: IELTS 7.0 overall with at least 6.5 in every component, or TOEFL 100/120 combined with a Teesside University English language test, before an unconditional offer; interviews for shortlisted applicants are held in person, by video call or by secure web link.

Domestic applicants: GBP 9,790 a year (2026/27) Source

International applicants: GBP 17,000 a year (2026/27). International undergraduate degree rate; tuition only Source

Intake: September

Duration: 3 years full-time

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