City

What you'll study

This three-year undergraduate programme combines theory, practical skills and supervised clinical practice to prepare you for work as an Operating Department Practitioner (ODP). Core subject areas include anatomy and physiology, pharmacology relevant to anaesthesia and surgery, perioperative care, aseptic technique and infection control, patient safety and human factors, clinical decision-making and emergency response.

Practical learning takes place in clinical skills laboratories and simulated theatre environments and is integrated with a series of assessed placements in NHS and private operating theatres, anaesthetic rooms and recovery areas. You will also study research methods and evidence-based practice, professional, legal and ethical responsibilities, and communication skills for working with multidisciplinary teams and patients.

• Fundamental biomedical sciences: human anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology
• Pharmacology for anaesthesia and perioperative care
• Perioperative practice across anaesthetic, scrub and recovery roles
• Clinical skills and simulation (airway management, monitoring, aseptic technique)
• Patient safety, quality improvement and human factors
• Research skills, evidence appraisal and applied project work
• Professional practice, law, ethics and interprofessional working
• Supervised clinical placements with assessed competencies

Entry requirements

Typical academic entry routes include A levels, BTECs or equivalent qualifications in health- or science-related subjects. Universities often expect a combination of grades at a specified standard; relevant prior learning or a foundation year may be considered for some applicants. GCSEs including English, Maths and Science (or equivalent) are commonly required.

Applicants are usually expected to demonstrate relevant values and aptitude for clinical practice. Practical requirements include satisfactory occupational health screening, an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, and any required immunisations. Work experience in a healthcare setting is advantageous but not always mandatory. International applicants may need to meet English language requirements such as IELTS or equivalent.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared to work as registered Operating Department Practitioners in anaesthetic, perioperative (scrub) and recovery roles. Typical employers include NHS hospitals, private hospitals, ambulatory surgery centres and specialist surgical units. ODPs work in a wide range of surgical specialties including orthopaedics, general surgery, obstetrics, ENT, neurosurgery and vascular surgery.

Career development pathways include senior clinical roles, theatre co-ordination and management, practice education, advanced clinical practice, research and quality improvement roles. Many graduates undertake postgraduate study such as MSc programmes in perioperative practice, advanced clinical practice or healthcare leadership, or pursue specialist competencies and non-medical prescribing where eligible.

Why study at City

City, University of London offers a programme designed around close collaboration with local NHS trusts to provide varied and supported clinical placements. You will benefit from clinical staff and academic tutors with active theatre experience, dedicated simulation suites and practical skills facilities to build confidence before placement.

The university emphasises interprofessional learning within its health and life sciences provision, preparing students for team-based practice typical of modern perioperative environments. Placement support services, assessment of practice against nationally recognised competency frameworks and links with employers help graduates make a direct transition into the workforce or progress to postgraduate study and specialist roles.