BSc Operating Department Practitioner (Graduate Apprenticeship) at University of the West of Scotland

Programme overview

The UWS BSc Operating Department Practitioner Graduate Apprenticeship mirrors contemporary Operating Department practice. It places a strong emphasis on experiential learning to ensure that graduates possess the requisite knowledge and skills to deliver safe, effective, person-centred care in the 21st century. This is a three-year, full-time study programme. Students will spend four days per week in clinical practice with one day learning online.

Duration: 3 years, full-time work-based learning and online modules | Study mode: full-time; online; graduate apprenticeship | Intake: Online: September | Location: Paisley, Scotland, United Kingdom

What you will study

Throughout your 3 years of study, you will combine theory with work-based learning. You will gain experience a variety of different placements including scrub and circulating, anaesthetic and post anaesthetic care. Specialities, such as shared airway, emergency and dual life, also form part of the programme. Module 1 (core) - Introduction to Operating Department Practice (20 credits at SCQF level 7) Year 1: Module 3 (core) – Life Sciences (20 credits at SCQF level 7). Year 2: Module 8 (core) - Holistic Perioperative Care (20 credits at SCQF level 8), Module 9 – Pathophysiology (20 credits at SCQF level 8), Module 10 - Intermediate Scrub Practice (30 credits at SCQF level 8).

Career pathways

This programme will prepare you for a successful career in Operating Department Practice. You will graduate with enhanced employability skills in the context of a dynamic and evolving healthcare system. For individuals and Health Boards who wish to find out more about the BSc Operating Department Practitioner (Graduate Apprenticeship), please contact our dedicated team at [email protected]

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Academic requirements: SQA National Qualifications; Passes in the Scottish National Qualifications in five subjects, including three at higher level. Applicants with equivalent/non-standard qualifications (including Foundation Apprenticeships, Modern Apprenticeships, SVQs/ NVQs, HNC, HND and access programme will also be considered. For those applicants who do not meet our Standard Entry Requirements, applications may be considered on an individual basis from those who possess a minimum of one years’ relevant work experience and meet the previous DipHE entry criteria (Passes in the Scottish National Qualifications in five subjects including two at higher level or equivalent). GCE; Four passes in GCSE / GCE in four subjects including one at A level; Other experience; All students must be in full-time employment with an individually contracted Health Board. You must be able to provide evidence of managerial support to complete the full programme through online and work-based learning – including the provision of placements and to support programme completion. UCAS code N/A.

Domestic applicants: GBP 1,820 a year (2026/27). Scottish: cost per year of study (usually paid by the Scottish Government via SAAS*) Source

Intake: Online: September

Duration: 3 years, full-time work-based learning and online modules

Apply through the official page: https://www.uws.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/undergraduate-course-search/operating-department-practitioner-graduate-apprenticeship

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