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Wrexham University · Undergraduate
BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice Bachelor's degree at Wrexham University
BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice at Wrexham University prepares you for professional practice in operating theatres and related healthcare settings.
BSc (Hons)
Award
3
Years
Full-time
Study mode
80%
in work/study (15m)
About this course
BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice is a Bachelor's degree (BSc (Hons)) at Wrexham University. It runs 3 years, studied full-time.
For Health and social care graduates from this provider, 80% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 60% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £34,000. (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.
7.4
/ 10
Strong
3 of 3 official measures
Student satisfaction
What students say in the National Student Survey
Excellent82
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)
Graduate outcomes
In work or further study 15 months after graduating
Excellent80
Limited evidence Published sample: 10; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2021-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 80% (2021-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Continuation
Students who continue past their first year
Solid60
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 60% (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 1 (LEVEL 4) 5 modules
- Introduction to Operating Department Practice
Module details
Introduction to the fundamental topics of anaesthetics, surgery, and post-anaesthetic care
- Introduction to Perioperative Clinical Skills
Module details
Introduction to the practice placement element of being an ODP. This module will focus mainly on elective, scheduled cases.
- Introduction to Life Sciences (IPE)
Module details
Introduction to the life sciences, including physical anatomy and physiology and mental health
- Foundations in Professional Practice (IPE)
Module details
Introduction to the professional roles and responsibilities of an Allied Health Professional covering topics such as confidentiality, dignity, care, and reflection
- Foundations in Research (IPE)
Module details
Introducing students to the concepts of research, becoming familiar with research articles, assignment writing, and statistics
YEAR 2 (LEVEL 5) 5 modules
- Developing Operating Department Practice
Module details
Expanding on the theory behind anaesthetics, surgery, and post-anaesthetic care
- Developing Perioperative Clinical Skills
Module details
More complex skills introduced within the practice element of the programme. More focus on emergency scenarios, emergency anaesthetics and surgery.
- Applying Life Sciences to Perioperative Practice
Module details
Re-visiting topics of life sciences with an application to anaesthetics, surgery, and post-anaesthetic care. Expanding on the considerations for, and treatment of body systems within the perioperative environment.
- Contemporary Studies in Operating Department Practice
Module details
Exploring policies which govern and shape modern Operating Department Practice, beginning with WHO Safe Surgery Saves Lives
- Evidence in Practice (IPE)
Module details
Exploring how research directly impacts the practice of Allied Health Professionals in their clinical work.
YEAR 3 (LEVEL 6) 4 modules
- Advanced Operating Department Practice
Module details
Exploring the theory behind surgical first assistance, critical care, resuscitation, and caring for patients with complex needs.
- Advanced Perioperative Clinical Skills
Module details
The practice placement element of more advanced perioperative practice with placements in departments outside of the theatre department to expose students to a greater depth of their scope of practice
- Research for Practice (IPE)
Module details
You will complete a research project exploring an area of Operating Department Practice where they will be able to collect their own data.
- Transition to Professional Practice (IPE)
Module details
You will explore leadership and management theories, preparation for employment and professional registration, and quality policies and procedures.
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
You'll study the theory and supervised practice of nursing and healthcare delivery across three years. A course like this typically starts with foundations in clinical skills, communication and anatomy & physiology, then moves into acute and long-term care, medicines management and pharmacology in Year 2. Year 3 builds toward complex care, leadership and evidence-based practice. You'll usually specialise in areas such as adult nursing, mental health, children's nursing, or community & primary care. Placements run throughout the degree, meeting NMC standards, you'll gain supervised practice in hospitals, community settings and specialist units, consolidating competence for professional registration.
Who it's for
This course suits graduates and career-changers seeking specialist training in operating department practice. Around 35% of accepted students held a previous degree, reflecting the course's appeal to those with existing qualifications. Typical entrants had a UCAS tariff of 160–175 points. If you're committed to theatre-based healthcare and want structured, hands-on preparation for this specialism, this programme offers direct pathways into the profession.
Careers & job market
Across Nursing & Health courses nationally, 90% of graduates were in work or further study within 15 months of graduating. Of those working, 87% were in highly skilled roles or pursuing further study. National graduate earnings data shows starting salaries (at 15 months) typically range from £27,000 to £30,500, rising to £23,800–£33,600 after three years and £27,200–£38,400 after five years. These figures reflect sector-wide outcomes, not university-specific guarantees. The operating department practice specialism sits within a broader healthcare landscape that includes roles such as Adult Nursing, Mental Health, Child Health, Midwifery, Public Health, Physiotherapy, Social Work and Paramedic Science.
University & format
Wrexham University is a UK university located in Wrexham. This is a 3-year full-time BSc (Hons) degree taught in English. The course leads to a nationally recognised degree from a UK degree-awarding body and supports progression to NMC registration.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively. Overall student satisfaction: 77%.
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.
Application timelineWhat happens next
- 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.
Published entry112 UCAS points typical offer
Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.
AccreditationHCPC
Names detected beside accreditation or recognition copy on the provider course page; verify the route and intake.
Open daysBook An Open Day
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
Entry & how to get in
Typical offer (from the provider)The university’s course page lists a typical A-level offer of 112 UCAS points. Always check the provider for the current offer and subject requirements.
Most entrants held a previous degree35% of accepted students came in with a previous degree (entrants over recent years).
Typical UCAS tariff: 160 - 175 pointsThe most common UCAS tariff band among accepted students. This is what entrants had, not a stated requirement.
Entry requirements are set by the universityGrades, subjects and contextual offers vary. Check Wrexham University's official course page for the current offer.
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 previous degree | 35% |
| another higher-education qualification | 30% |
| A-levels or equivalent | 30% |
| an Access course | 5% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Competitive entry
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.
Your UCAS points0
▾
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Add your grades to see where you land
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.
Apply by13 January 2027, 18:00 UK timefor this course
Typical gradesA*A*A*A-level equivalent admitted students held
UCAS codeOD22quote this on your application
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course (code OD22). 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.
💡 Many universities make a contextual (reduced-grade) offer, for example based on your school’s results, time in care, or where you live. Ask Wrexham University whether you’re eligible before you apply; it can lower the grades you need.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Internationalset by the university
Set under Wales's student-finance system; the provider's page is authoritative.
Check fees at Wrexham University →If you normally live in Wales
Living at homeup to £10,685 / yr
Away from home, outside Londonup to £12,590 / yr
Away from home, in Londonup to £15,720 / yr
2026/27 total maintenance support from Student Finance Wales. How much of it is grant and how much is loan depends on household income; the total does not. If you normally live elsewhere, use your home funding body.
Check your entitlement with Student Finance Wales →Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: paid directly to the university by Student Finance Wales.
- Maintenance support: a mix of grant and loan from Student Finance Wales, weighted to household income.
- Repayment: only above the income threshold, and written off at the end of the plan term.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
Wales runs its own system through Student Finance Wales; check studentfinancewales.co.uk for current rates.
Funding matched to this course
All Wrexham University funding →Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
Named awards published by the university. Compare the eligibility and application route before budgeting for one.
nursing and healthcare students eligible to work in Wales
Check eligibility →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
Amounts, exclusions and deadlines can change. An award is not guaranteed unless the university confirms it.
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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 | £34,000 | £30,000 – £36,500 | 10 |
| 3 years after | £27,000 | £19,500 – £30,000 | 35 |
| 5 years after | £31,000 | £18,500 – £35,500 | 50 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Limited evidence. Published sample: 10; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2021-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
80%
in work or further study 15 months on
60%
in highly skilled work or study
60%
continue past their first year
90%
find their work meaningful
75%
say work fits their future plans
- 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
Starting (15 months) HESA GO
£34,000
£27,000 – £30,500After 3 years LEO
£27,000
£23,800 – £33,600After 5 years LEO
£31,000
£27,200 – £38,400national rangethis course’s medianaxis £22,500 – £39,500
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.
80 of 100
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
65% working10% working and studying5% in further study60% in highly skilled work or study
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2021-23. Limited evidence. Published sample: 10; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2021-23. 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.
This course £31,000Peer median £31,500Middle 50% £28,000–£34,000
47th percentile
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.
- Welfare and housing associate professionalsSOC 2020 322 · 30% of published destinations · ASHE median £27,937
- Caring personal servicesSOC 2020 613 · 20% of published destinations · ASHE median £23,668
- Managers, directors and senior officialsSOC 2020 1 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £51,733
- Leisure, travel and related personal service occupationsSOC 2020 62 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £22,297
- Business and public service associate professionalsSOC 2020 35 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £38,760
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: 50; response rate: 50%. 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.
90%
in work or further study 15 months after graduating, across Nursing & Health courses nationally.
Graduate Outcomes87%
of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study.
highly skilled85%
of students continue past their first year (still enrolled or completed).
continuationHow 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 CareLive from the StudySmarter job board · as of 2026-08-01.See all matching jobs
Is this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
💷
Student finance
Fees for this course are set under Wales's own student-finance system, not the England cap; check the provider's course page for the exact figure. If you normally live in Wales, Student Finance Wales can pay an eligible Tuition Fee Loan directly to the university, and maintenance support is a mix of grant and loan weighted to household income. You repay only above the income threshold.
📈
Where graduates go
80% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £34,000. 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 7.4 out of 10: NSS 82% · in work or study 80% · continued 60%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
Wrexham University
All students8,560
International22.9%
Aged 25+65.3%
Subjects allied to medicine across the UK
Students360,360
Aged 25+51.5%
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around Wrexham University, Wrexham
1,151 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Violent Crime 400Shoplifting 217Anti Social Behaviour 203Criminal Damage Arson 95Public Order 79
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 Wrexham University from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is set per course by Wrexham 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 Wrexham 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 Wrexham University and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at Wrexham University
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
Entry is competitive. Accepted students typically held strong UCAS tariffs. The most common tariff band among recent entrants was 160 - 175 UCAS points. Use the calculator on this page to see where your predicted grades would put you; many universities also make lower contextual offers.
What are the entry requirements?
Set by Wrexham University. Most accepted students held a previous degree. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
What do graduates go on to do?
For Health and social care graduates from this provider, 80% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 60% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £34,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
What will it cost me?
Fees for this course are set under Wales's own student-finance system, not the England cap; check the provider's course page for the exact figure. If you normally live in Wales, Student Finance Wales can pay an eligible Tuition Fee Loan directly to the university, and maintenance support is a mix of grant and loan weighted to household income. You repay only above the income threshold. See Fees & funding on this page to work out your numbers.
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