BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice with foundation year Bachelor's degree at Coventry University
BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice with foundation year at Coventry University received Gold for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023. You'll study in English at the Coventry campus.
About this course
CU Coventry is committed to high quality, cost-effective learning opportunities. We are also committed to keeping our pricing structure simple, transparent and easy to understand. From the provider’s course page.
BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice with foundation year is a Bachelor's degree (BSc (Hons)) at Coventry University, based in CU Coventry. It runs 4 years, studied full-time.
For Health sciences (non-specific) graduates from this provider, 95% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 100% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £28,500. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Nursing & Health, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Limited evidence Published sample: 10; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 95% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 86% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year one 6 modules
- Fundamentals of SurgeryCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module introduces you to the fundamental surgical aspects of operating department practice and is designed to develop the ability to plan and deliver care for patients undergoing surgical procedures in the perioperative environment. You will explore the intricate anatomy and physiology relevant to surgical procedures. You will aim to establish a theoretical foundation and cultivate basic proficiency in essential skills such as scrub technique, gloving and gowning, instrument recognition, pa
- Fundamentals of Anaesthetic and Post-Anaesthetic CareCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module introduces you to, and prepares you for, anaesthetic practice. With a focus on instilling core principles of safe and effective anaesthesia, you will explore basic anaesthetic techniques, airway management and anatomy, equipment utilisation and patient monitoring. Guided by national standards, you will aim to develop an understanding of evidence-based practice, laying a robust groundwork of professional practice. Through diverse teaching methods, including simulation, you will aim to
- Placement 1: Surgical PracticeCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module aims to familiarise you with the surgical environment, emphasising your role in ensuring safe and effective personalised patient care. Undertaken in the perioperative practice setting, it integrates theory with hands-on experience, enabling the application of basic perioperative surgical care principles and the development of clinical skills. Gaining insights into both circulating and scrub practitioner roles and the role of sustainability in practice, you will aim to apply your tech
- Placement 2: Anaesthetic PracticeCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module focuses on perioperative practice learning within an anaesthetic environment where you will aim to apply an understanding of the basic principles of perioperative anaesthetic care and practice opportunities to experience a range of clinical skills. You will explore knowledge of professional behaviour, the importance of communication and the benefits of interprofessional working within a multi-disciplinary team.
- Becoming a Professional PractitionerCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module aims to equip you with the values, behaviours and actions essential for professional practice. We will support you to develop your personal and academic skills, providing you with opportunities to reflect on your knowledge, skills and values. We will work with you to foster a culture of professionalism, collaboration and valuing diversity to prepare you to work within multi-professional environments.
- Evidence: Your Profession in a Global ContextCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module aims to equip you with the knowledge and skills required to understand and appreciate the role of evidence in both your profession and the wider health and care sector. The module supports you in understanding how your personal views and experiences may influence your thinking in developing your professional identity. This module will help you develop critical thinking skills by encouraging you to question, challenge and reflect. You'll learn to use evidence to build your approaches,
Year two 6 modules
- Developing Surgical CareCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module aims to develop your knowledge in surgical care. Legislation, national policy and local protocols will be examined to assess their impact on perioperative patient care. The module also focuses on the management of patients with complex needs requiring surgery. You will aim to further develop communication skills, to ensure you treat individuals with respect and compassion irrespective of background. Emphasising interprofessional collaboration, the module builds on year one experience
- Developing Anaesthetic CareCompulsory20 credits
Module details
In this module, you will delve deeper into the complexities of anaesthetic practice. You will aim to expand your understanding of airway anatomy, advanced anaesthetic techniques, perioperative management and strategies with an emphasis placed on critical thinking and clinical decision-making within diverse anaesthetic scenarios. Through immersive experiences and simulations, you will aim to develop your proficiency in collaboration and communication, in preparation for the dynamic challenges of
- Placement 3: Developing Anaesthetic PracticeCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module aims to enable you to apply your understanding of a wider range of knowledge and skills related to anaesthetic practice whilst increasing in complexity. You will further develop your understanding of the role of the anaesthetic practitioner as you are exposed to more complex aspects of the patient's surgical journey. You will continue to develop vital skills and behaviours such as communication, teamworking, professionalism and the use of evidence to inform your practice.
- Placement 4: Developing Surgical PracticeCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module aims to enable you to build upon previous practice placement experiences and apply your understanding of a wider range of knowledge and skills related to surgical practice whilst increasing in complexity. You will apply this to develop your understanding of the role of the surgical practitioner as you are exposed to more complex aspects of the patient's surgical journey, as well as further developing vital skills and behaviours such as communication, teamwork, professionalism and the
- Pharmacology in Perioperative PracticeCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This modules explores the understanding of pharmacological principles of drugs utilised in anaesthesia, surgery and post-anaesthetic care with emphasis on drug storage, preparation, administration and drug effects on perioperative patients. The module also delves into the broader aspects of pharmacology such as relevant policies, procedures and legislative considerations. You will aim to develop the essential skills and knowledge necessary to carry out drug calculations with confidence.
- Exploring Knowledge Through CuriosityCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module explores methods of enquiry utilised in daily practice. You will aim to develop your ability to analyse the knowledge, theory and practice-based evidence within health and care. This module explores how daily inquiry methods can be transformed into more systematic approaches to data collection and analysis. It covers quantitative and qualitative research, evaluation and audit techniques. Through exploration and debate, you will aim to develop an appreciation of interdisciplinary and
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
This four-year course opens with a foundation year to prepare you for nursing practice, then moves into degree-level study. You'll typically begin with core clinical skills, communication and person-centred care, alongside anatomy and physiology, grounded in your first placement in a supervised healthcare setting. Year 2 progresses to acute and long-term care management, medicines and pharmacology, with broader placement experience across community, mental health or specialist settings. In Year 3 and beyond, you'll focus on complex care, leadership and evidence-based practice, consolidating your competence through placements leading to NMC registration. Throughout, a course like this normally alternates classroom learning with supervised practice placements, accounting for around 50% of your study. You may specialise in areas such as adult nursing, mental health, children's nursing, community and primary care, or leadership.
Who it's for
This course suits those interested in healthcare practice and clinical environments. If you're considering related fields, you might explore specialisations such as Adult Nursing, Mental Health, Child Health, Midwifery, Public Health, Physiotherapy, Social Work and Paramedic Science. The foundation year provides additional preparation for students who need it before progressing to honours-level study.
University & format
This BSc (Hons) in Operating Department Practice is delivered full-time over four years at Coventry University, located in Coventry, England. Teaching is in English. The university is a recognised UK degree-awarding body; your degree will be nationally recognised. Coventry University holds Gold for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023. The university also offers bursaries and scholarships. Check its funding pages for details.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Names detected beside accreditation or recognition copy on the provider course page; verify the route and intake.
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
Entry & how to get in
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 93% |
| another higher-education qualification | 4% |
| a previous degree | 1% |
| an Access course | 1% |
| No / unknown prior qualifications | 1% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Accepted students typically held strong UCAS tariffs. Check how your predicted grades compare and whether a contextual offer applies.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course. One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Standard capped home fee at English providers (2026/27); Scotland, Wales & NI differ.
Check fees at Coventry University →For students who normally live in England
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.
National funding for this subject
- NHS Learning Support Fund: Eligible nursing, midwifery and allied-health students can receive a non-repayable training grant. Official guidance
We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Careers & earnings
What Nursing & Health graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £28,500 | £27,000 – £30,000 | 10 |
| 3 years after | £23,000 | £18,500 – £27,500 | 140 |
| 5 years after | £28,000 | £22,500 – £35,500 | 155 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Limited evidence. Published sample: 10; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
- 1Newly Qualified PractitionerPreceptorship / first post · 0–2 yrs
- 2Registered PractitionerAutonomous practice · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / SpecialistSpecialist or team lead · 5–10 yrs
- 4Advanced / Consultant PractitionerAdvanced practice or management · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Nursing & Health nationally
National figures for Nursing & Health graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Limited evidence. Published sample: 10; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Nursing & Health courses at the same study level.
Compared with 1,506 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Other Health ProfessionalsSOC 2020 225 · 100% of published destinations · ASHE median £42,902
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 25; response rate: 60%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Job market & outlook
How Nursing & Health graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine documentation and triage support
- Scheduling and records admin
- First-pass risk flags from data
- Standard reference look-ups
More human than ever
- Hands-on, compassionate care
- Clinical judgement and accountability
- Communicating with patients and families
- Ethics and safeguarding decisions
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Nursing & Health graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- NHS trusts
- Private healthcare
- Care providers
- Community & mental-health services
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Nursing & Health graduates.
Nursing Home ManagerJarrodean Healthcare RecruitmentSenior Charge Nurse Uist Community Nursing teamNHS National Services ScotlandCare Assistant - Nursing Home | Flexible Hours, Weekly PayMpa RecruitmentCare Assistant (Nursing) - Nightshift - RatheaneMacklin Care Homes LimitedSenior Support Worker: Meaningful Care & Flexible ShiftsPotens GroupDental NurseBupa Dental CareIs this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
Student finance
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.
Where graduates go
95% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £28,500. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 8.3 out of 10: NSS 67% · in work or study 95% · continued 86%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
Coventry University
Subjects allied to medicine across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around CU Coventry
2,605 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Nursing & Health right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to Coventry University from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is set per course by Coventry University; international fees are typically £12,000–£30,000/year for classroom subjects and higher for lab/clinical ones. You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check Coventry University’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with Coventry University and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at Coventry University
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates go on to do?
What will it cost me?
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