Clinical Placement Partner Hospitals

As a degree apprentice at the Leicester School of Operating Department Practice, you will study alongside our other ODP students and have the same learning opportunities and assessment requirements. The course blends academic study and work-based learning - we believe that this is the best way to develop your knowledge and skills. In the classroom, you'll study areas fundamental to an ODP's role, such as biological sciences, operating department technology, clinical leadership and management and the legal, ethical and professional issues that affect clinical practice. However, building your confidence and breadth of experience with patients is vital, so 65% of your time is spent on placement with your employing hospital. We partner hospitals all over the East Midlands, all providing high quality, supportive placements where you will be mentored, taught, supervised and assessed to ensure you have what it takes to step into the professional environment. We're really proud to have some of the most satisfied ODP students in the UK. Our exceptional teaching and learning environment was reflected in our National Student Survey (NSS) 2024 results, where we were ranked 8th in subjects aligned to ODP for overall positivity (according to Times Higher Education NSS 2023 methodology applied to the NSS 2024 data). The 2024 NSS comprised 27 core questions covering academic experience, teaching and assessments, and well-being services. It is completed by almost 346,000 final year students in the UK and gives feedback on their university experience. With over 40 years' experience in ODP education, you'll learn from a dedicated team of experts with a huge amount of experience in supporting you to succeed. Not only that, our course entitles you to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), as a Registered ODP and we are proud to have an employability rate of 100%.,

• T Levels: Merit in either: Health (with an Occupational Specialism in Supporting the Adult Nursing team), or Health (with an Occupational Specialism in Supporting the Midwifery team), or Health (with an Occupational Specialism in Supporting the Theatre team), or Health (with an Occupational Specialism in Dental nursing), or Healthcare Science (with an Occupational Specialism in Pharmacy Services Assistant), or Healthcare Science (with an Occupational Specialism in Healthcare Science Assistant).
Please note: Advice and feedback on whether you meet the entry criteria can only be provided after we have received your application. If you receive an offer of a place on the course, this will be subject to occupational health clearance and a DBS check (for which there is an associated cost covered by the University)., School of Healthcare students are expected to undertake all routine and selected vaccinations as recommended by Occupational Health and in line with the Green book recommendations (Immunisation of healthcare and laboratory staff: the green book, chapter 12 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)), in order to be able to attend clinical placements. These vaccinations are a requisite for students to successfully complete their course. Students that do not engage with the relevant immunisation programmes and do not have the required vaccinations will not be able to participate in their clinical placements. Consequently, they will not be able to complete their course requirements and will therefore not be able to successfully complete their degree. There may be exceptions for students who have a medical reason as to why they cannot be vaccinated. This should be supported by evidence from a doctor who is licensed to practice in the UK and has appropriate expertise in immunisation/vaccinations. This will likely be the student's GP. This will be reviewed and advice will be sought from the Occupational Health team. Offers are also subject to a satisfactory enhanced check with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Overseas Students School of Healthcare students are expected to undertake all routine and selected vaccinations as recommended by Occupational Health and in line with the Green book recommendations (Immunisation of healthcare and laboratory staff: the green book, chapter 12 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)), in order to be able to attend clinical placements. These vaccinations are a requisite for students to successfully complete their course. Students that do not engage with the relevant immunisation programmes and do not have the required vaccinations will not be able to participate in their clinical placements. Consequently, they will not be able to complete their course requirements and will therefore not be able to successfully complete their degree. There may be exceptions for students who have a medical reason as to why they cannot be vaccinated. This should be supported by evidence from a doctor who is licensed to practice in the UK and has appropriate expertise in immunisation/vaccinations. This will likely be the student's GP. This will be reviewed and advice will be sought from the Occupational Health team. Offers are also subject to you providing a Certificate of Good Standing or Good Conduct Letter from your embassy or local police force, which should be no more than 6 months old prior to starting the course. This must specifically include confirmation that there is no known reason that you cannot work with vulnerable adults and children., We would advise that you create a free account on NHS Jobs and set alerts for ODP apprenticeship opportunities. This way you will be notified when positions are advertised. Vacancies may be advertised throughout the year and are not linked to existing UCAS and university application deadlines. Although most employers advertise these positions to external applicants, at times some will limit them to internal candidates only. Therefore we also recommend getting in touch with your local healthcare provider.Teaching and learning The Operating Department Practice BSc is a vocational degree, designed to maximise your experience. You can start the course in April or September. Unlike a typical degree, which runs over three terms or two semesters with a long summer break, we run on an 'all year' timetable, with a short summer break and two weeks off in December. We also provide additional annual leave, which can be booked throughout the year. This can also be used to book time off for religious holidays and celebrations. You will receive the timetable for the full three year course when you begin studying with us. Over the three years you will spend 30 weeks in the classroom. The rest of the time is spent undertaking your practical clinical placements and self-directed study. The course is divided in to 15 modules covering key areas, including biological sciences, principles of peri-operative care, operating department technology and the legal, ethical and professional issues that affect clinical practice. We use a variety of learning methods, including classroom sessions, private study and critical evaluation, as well as experiential learning and reflective practice. You will be assessed through practicals, student assignments, presentations, projects as well as examinations. Along with classroom study, you will work with real patients and expert ODP teams, allowing you to get varied and detailed experience. This wealth of first-hand experience will enable you to develop and enhance your clinical skills and confidence., When not attending lectures, seminars or other timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking research in the library, preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for exams. To help with your independent learning, you can access the Library and our social study spaces in halls of residence.

ODPs are registered specialist practitioners in the operating department, their crucial role combining technical and caring skills to deliver the best possible patient care. This degree apprenticeship is run in partnership with the NHS and other healthcare providers. You will be employed and paid a salary by them during the programme., Surgery requires an immense amount of patience, expertise and level-headedness. Operating Department Practitioners (ODPs) have these skills in abundance and they set the highest standards for patient care.,
• GCSEs: 3 passes A-C/ 4 and above (or equivalent), including Maths and English
• A-levels: BBC (or equivalent)
• Access to HE Diploma: 112 UCAS points, including 45 credits at level 3 and minimum 15 at Distinction, in a health-related subject
• BTEC Nationals: Pass relevant Diploma (preferably in a health-related subject) with DMM
• Mature Applicants (21+): Applicants aged 21 or over who in the judgement of the University submit sufficient evidence of serious previous study in the health and social care sector, and the academic aptitude to pursue a programme in Operating Department Practice, along with relevant work experience, may be eligible for admission., We welcome applications from motivated students whose predicted grades are slightly below our standard entry requirements. We understand that predicted grades are not always an accurate reflection of your final results, and we're happy to consider your application. Although we can't guarantee an offer due to the high volume of applications, if you're eligible, we may still offer you a place based on our standard requirements., If you have studied in the UK for a minimum of 12 months prior to starting the course we will not require the Good Conduct Letter but will require a satisfactory 'Disclosure and Barring Service' (DBS) check (as required for Home students) upon arrival., IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. If you do not yet meet our requirements, our English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU) offers a range of courses to help you to improve your English to the necessary standard., Year 2 builds upon these transferrable skills in clinical specialties including post anaesthetic care, obstetric and emergency specialties., Year 3 involves gaining experience in the enhanced aspects of the role including enhanced clinical skills, leadership and management and conducting your major project
  
  Applications for this degree apprenticeship programme are managed and advertised by healthcare employers e.g. NHS Jobs in partnership with the University of Leicester., About 65% of your course time is spent on clinical placement at one of our Clinical Placement Partner Hospitals. Clinical experience is crucial to develop your all round skills as a future ODP. As an Apprentice your clinical placement will likely to be with your direct employer.
We work with our hospitals to provide high quality, supportive placements where you as will be mentored, taught, supervised and assessed. Clinical placement provides you with many varied experiences that will ensure you are ready for employment; these include:
• Experiences as part of working Operating Department Teams
• Caring for patients from all backgrounds and ages
• Opportunities to experience a range of surgical specialities
• Exposure to routine, trauma and emergency surgery
• Meeting other students and professional colleagues with lots of experience
  
  Starting in September 2026 or April 2027
Learners on this degree apprenticeship programme will be employed and fees will be paid on your behalf. Employed status As an employee of a healthcare organisation you will be subject to their contractual policies and practices e.g. holiday entitlement, sickness policy and hours of work., Career opportunities are strong, there is a good starting salary and 100% of graduates are in full-time employment within the healthcare sector., We are committed to providing skills and knowledge to help prepare you tackle global challenges. We have mapped our undergraduate degrees for learning which aligns to the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. This degree includes learning which relates to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:
• Goal 3: Health and well-being, Your career prospects are superb - our ODP course has a 100% employability rate. By studying this professional qualification you will become eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council as an Operating Department Practitioner.
ODP education at the University of Leicester has been established for more than 40 years. By studying at the major provider for ODP training in the East Midlands, you'll learn from a dedicated team of experts with a huge amount of experience. Get all the practical experience you need. Placements around the East Midlands account for about 65% of the course, allowing you to develop your clinical skills and experience real life scenarios. We have partner hospitals in Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire, and Cambridgeshire, where you'll be fully supported. We have outstanding facilities, including a dedicated ODP practical room that allows for simulation and rehearsal of your clinical skills., Our Centre for Academic Achievement provides help in the following areas:
• study and exam skills
• academic writing
• presentations
• dissertations
• numerical data skills
• referencing sources
Our AccessAbility Centre offers support and practical help for students with dyslexia or other specific learning difficulties, including physical, mental health or mobility difficulties, deafness, or visual impairment.