Health Sciences

BSc (Hons) OPERATING DEPARTMENT PRACTICE

Key details 

BSC (HONS) OPERATING DEPARTMENT PRACTICE

Start Year
2023
Attendance
Full Time
Award
Degree of Bachelor of Science
UCAS course code
B990
Entry Requirements
BBC
Duration (years)
3

Assessment for Year 1

A wide range of assessments are used ensuring, reflecting the modules being studied. These will include but are not limited to Oral Viva, Multiple choice exams, online drug calculation exams, written assignments, poster presentation, case study, “Dragons Den” style proposal, Practice assessment Documents and a Literature review. 

September 2023 opportunities. Discover more   
Register interest   
Open Days   

Assessment for Year 2

A wide range of assessments are used ensuring, reflecting the modules being studied. These will include but are not limited to Oral Viva, Multiple choice exams, online drug calculation exams, written assignments, poster presentation, case study, “Dragons Den” style proposal, Practice assessment Documents and a Literature review. 

September 2023 opportunities. Discover more   
Register interest   
Open Days   

Assessment for Year 3

A wide range of assessments are used ensuring, reflecting the modules being studied. These will include but are not limited to Oral Viva, Multiple choice exams, online drug calculation exams, written assignments, poster presentation, case study, “Dragons Den” style proposal, Practice assessment Documents and a Literature review. 

September 2023 opportunities. Discover more   
Register interest   
Open Days   

Assessment for Year 1

A wide range of assessments are used ensuring, reflecting the modules being studied. These will include but are not limited to Oral Viva, Multiple choice exams, online drug calculation exams, written assignments, poster presentation, case study, “Dragons Den” style proposal, Practice assessment Documents and a Literature review. 

September 2023 opportunities. Discover more   
Register interest   
Open Days   

Important Information

Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring and review of modules. Where this activity leads to significant change to a programme and modules, the University will endeavour to consult with affected students. The University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. Availability of optional modules may be restricted owing to timetabling, lack of demand, or limited places. Where this is the case, you will be asked to make alternative module choices and you will be supported during this process.

Assessment for Year 2

A wide range of assessments are used ensuring, reflecting the modules being studied. These will include but are not limited to Oral Viva, Multiple choice exams, online drug calculation exams, written assignments, poster presentation, case study, “Dragons Den” style proposal, Practice assessment Documents and a Literature review. 

September 2023 opportunities. Discover more   
Register interest   
Open Days   

Important Information

Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring and review of modules. Where this activity leads to significant change to a programme and modules, the University will endeavour to consult with affected students. The University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. Availability of optional modules may be restricted owing to timetabling, lack of demand, or limited places. Where this is the case, you will be asked to make alternative module choices and you will be supported during this process.

Assessment for Year 3

A wide range of assessments are used ensuring, reflecting the modules being studied. These will include but are not limited to Oral Viva, Multiple choice exams, online drug calculation exams, written assignments, poster presentation, case study, “Dragons Den” style proposal, Practice assessment Documents and a Literature review. 

September 2023 opportunities. Discover more   
Register interest   
Open Days   

Important Information

Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring and review of modules. Where this activity leads to significant change to a programme and modules, the University will endeavour to consult with affected students. The University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. Availability of optional modules may be restricted owing to timetabling, lack of demand, or limited places. Where this is the case, you will be asked to make alternative module choices and you will be supported during this process.

Entry Requirements

A Levels

BBC. If you are taking an EPQ and three A Levels, we may offer you a one grade reduction on our advertised typical offer if you achieve an A in the EPQ.

T Levels

Obtain an overall Pass including a B in the core of the T Level and a Merit in the Occupational Specialism. Acceptable subjects: Health, Healthcare Science, Science

BTEC

DMM in Health, Care or Science

Access course

Pass with Merit in 36 credits at Level 3 and Pass in 9 credits at Level 3, in a Health, Care or Science subject

International Baccalaureate

30 points

Additional entry requirements

2.2 or above
55% or above
55% or above in Year 2
65% or above
55% or above in a Health, Care or Science subject in Year 2
60% or above in a Foundation Year of an undergraduate degree programme at a UK university, in a Health, Care or Science subject
1 subject at H2, 5 subjects at H3
Grade B or above in Child Care and Education (Early Years Educator)

Grade B or above in one of the following subjects:

  • Children's Care, Learning and Development
  • Children and Young People's Workforce
  • Health and Social Care (including Technical Level)
60 credits at 55% or above, in a Health, Care or Science subject

CCD or above.

A combination of Advanced Highers and Highers may be acceptable, please contact Admissions for further information.

ABBBB or above

We welcome and value a wide range of alternative qualifications, and we also recognise that some students might take a mixture of some of the qualifications above. If your qualifications aren’t listed, or if you are taking a combination of qualifications that isn’t specified, please contact Admissions.

UEA are committed to ensuring that Higher Education is accessible to all, regardless of background or experiences. One of the ways we do this is through our contextual admissions schemes. 

Please note that we do not consider A Levels in General Studies or Critical Thinking, Apprenticeships, NVQs (any level) or Work-based Level 3 Diplomas (previously NVQs) to meet the minimum academic entry requirements, although these can be used as evidence of recent study. We’ll also be unable to consider you for this course if you’ve obtained an academic fail from a previous health based degree programme, including where an exit award has been achieved.

GCSE REQUIREMENTS 

Mathematics and English Language at minimum grade C or grade 4 required, alongside all other specified requirements.

In place of English Language GCSE we can also consider:

  • Functional Skills Level 2 English
  • Essential Skills Wales L2 Communication
  • Essential Skills Northern Ireland L2 Communication

In place of Mathematics GCSE we can also consider:

  • Functional Skills Level 2 Mathematics
  • Essential Skills Wales L2 Application of Number
  • Essential Skills Northern Ireland L2 Application of Number

RECENT STUDY 

We would prefer you to be able to demonstrate evidence of recent academic study within 5 years of the start of the course. If your last qualification will have been completed more than 5 years ago by the time the course starts, please contact Admissions.

AGE ON ENTRY

Applicants for this course need to be aged 18 or over by 31 December 2023. This is owing to the integrated nature of placements within the first year of the course and safeguarding implications. In view of this, applicants who will not be 18 years old or over by this date, should consider applying for deferred entry.

INTERNATIONAL REQUIREMENTS 

We accept many international qualifications for entry to this course. For specific details about your country, view our information for International Students.

Note that you must be eligible for ‘home’ fees to be able to apply for this programme: Home or Overseas fees basics (UKCISA).

Students for whom english is a foreign language

If English is not your first language, we will require evidence of proficiency in English (including reading, writing, speaking and listening) at the level of IELTS 7.0 overall (minimum 7.0 in each component).

Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.

INTO UEA also offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study:

English Language Courses at INTO UEA

Interviews

The strongest applicants will be invited to interview. Please note that meeting (or being predicted to meet) the minimum academic entry requirements will not guarantee that you will be selected for interview.

Interview invitations will be sent by email. Please keep a close eye on all emails from UEA after you submit your UCAS application.

Our interviews for 2023 will take place online with an academic staff member from the School of Health Sciences. You will be invited to the interview session by email, which will last about 30-40 minutes. The email will include a link to access the interview and will confirm the start time. You will not need to download any software or set up an account prior to your interview, access to your interview will be available through a web browser. You should ensure that you have access to a computer, tablet or phone with audio and camera functionality. Email admissions@uea.ac.uk if this will present you with any problems. 

Note that we will not disclose interview questions in advance of the interviews, but in general terms the interviews will explore a range of issues, including your suitability for the profession and the NHS values (as reflected in the NHS constitution). We’ll look to consider your motivation to study this course, as well as whether you have an interest in people and a clear understanding of the profession (ideally with relevant voluntary or paid work in healthcare).

We are aware that it is a difficult time to try to gain relevant experience in healthcare. First time applicants to Nursing, Midwifery and the Allied Health Professions will all be in a similar situation. We will take this into account and will adapt our expectations.

Keep in mind that clinical work experience is not generally a requirement for applying to train in healthcare, but it is important to show that you are able to work with people and appreciate the health and social care setting. It is important to remember why we look for work experience in an application; this in turn can help you think of the numerous ways that you might be able to demonstrate how you have acquired relevant experience.

We will want to see that you understand what a career in Health involves. Work experience, and other related experiences, are only as valuable as the way you talk about them and what understanding you take from them. While we will expect you to show some understanding of what it is like to be the professional of your choice, part of this involves demonstrating that you know what it is like to work in a responsible role, particularly with the public.

Any activity or life experience that helps you to prepare for training to be a healthcare professional will help. This means any activity that allows you to demonstrate that you have:

  • Had people-focused experience of providing a service, care, support or help to others, and that you understand the realities of working in a caring profession.
  • Developed some of the values, attitudes and behaviours essential to being a Nurse, Midwife or Allied Health professional such as conscientiousness, effective communication and the ability to interact with a wide variety of people. The values that we are looking for are set out in the NHS Constitution.
  • A realistic understanding of Health and Social Care and in particular the physical, organisational and emotional demands of the career.

Keep a reflective diary on what is happening in the news and online. Listen to what healthcare professionals have to say and reflect on this. All healthcare professionals can be a valuable source of information and experience, not just those that work in the specific profession that you are applying for. Demonstrating that you have a sense of all healthcare professions (and how they work together) will help you in both your personal statement and interview.

Volunteer in your spare time if you can, all forms of voluntary work can provide helpful work experience. Whilst volunteer work in the NHS might be disrupted at this time, other schemes may still be in operation and worth exploring i.e. working with other people in a caring or service role. Voluntary commitments to community groups (for example groups related to the work of churches, mosques and temples, or other groups such as Scouts or Guides) and online community support groups may also provide valuable experience of taking on responsibility, dealing with people and communicating effectively. It is likely that these sorts of volunteering opportunities will start to run again before healthcare related opportunities are available.

Remember: it is what you learn about yourself, about other people and about how effective care is delivered and received that counts. What you did is only a small part of the story; it is how you communicate what you learnt which matters.

PROGRAMME CONDITIONS 

Offers will be made to applicants after completion of successful interviews, and will be subject to a satisfactory occupational health check (including evidence of appropriate immunisations), an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and two satisfactory references. We will let you know what you need to do (and when) to meet these conditions if you are successful in gaining an offer.

PLACEMENTS

During the course, approximately 50% of your time will be spent on practice placement. This might be in a variety of settings that include NHS and private organisations. Placement allocation occurs throughout the counties of Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire.

As this course includes patient facing placements in health or social care settings, and these are a mandatory component of the course, you will need to comply with the placement vaccination policy. Failure to meet the placement vaccination policy may prevent you from joining the course or may lead to your withdrawal from the course in the future. Future employment may also be subject to this condition.

Gap year

We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. If you intend to apply with deferred entry, please let us know about your gap year plans in your UCAS application.

PROGRESSION REQUIREMENTS

Once enrolled onto your course at UEA, your progression and continuation (which may include your eligibility for study abroad, overseas experience, placement or year in industry opportunities) is contingent on meeting the assessment requirements which are relevant to the course on which you are enrolled.

Intakes

This course is open to UK applicants. The annual intake for this course is in September each year.

Course Reference Number: 6774129

Fees and Funding

Tuition Fees  

View our information for Tuition Fees. 

Scholarships and Bursaries 

We are committed to ensuring that costs do not act as a barrier to those aspiring to come to a world leading university and have developed a funding package to reward those with excellent qualifications and assist those from lower income backgrounds. View our range of Scholarships for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates. 

NHS Learning Support Fund 

If you are eligible for tuition fee and maintenance support from the Student Loans Company, you can apply for additional financial support through the NHS Learning Support Fund when studying this course. 

Course related costs

Additional costs may include fees for: 

  • Enhanced DBS check 
  • Occupational Health clearance from your GP 
  • Hepatitis B vaccination or update. 

View our information about Additional Course Fees. 

Course Reference Number: 6774129

How to Apply

Apply for this course through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Services (UCAS), using UCAS Hub.

UCAS Hub is a secure online application system that allows you to apply for full-time undergraduate courses at universities and colleges in the United Kingdom.

Your application does not have to be completed all at once. Register or sign in to UCAS to get started. 

Once you submit your completed application, UCAS will process it and send it to your chosen universities and colleges.

The Institution code for the University of East Anglia is E14.

View our guide to applying through UCAS for useful tips, key dates and further information:

How to apply through UCAS

Course Reference Number: 6774129
Key details
Attendance
Full Time
Award
Degree of Bachelor of Science
UCAS course code
B990
Entry Requirements
BBC
Duration (years)
3
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