Program Overview

Perioperative Practice (Top-Up) BSc (Hons)

Overview

The Perioperative Practice (Top-Up) BSc (Hons) course is designed for Operating Department Practitioners and Registered Nurses who work in a perioperative setting. This online course is endorsed by the Association for Perioperative Practice (AfPP) and aims to develop the skills and expertise needed to transform practice as a healthcare professional.

Study Options

• Part-time: 1-2 years
• UK fee: £5,250 (2024/25)
• International fee: £5,250 (2024/25)
• Start dates: September, January, May
• Location: Online

Course Description

This course will prepare you as a practitioner within perioperative care to demonstrate critical competence in clinical practice, care management, clinical practice leadership, and clinical practice development. You will also develop comprehensive subject-specific and transferable skills and knowledge appropriate for critical evaluation, independent study, professional development, and work-focused study.

Who is the Course Aimed At?

This course is ideal for anyone working in a perioperative practice setting, including:

• Operating Department Practitioners (ODPs)
• Registered Nurses (RN)
• Operating theatre professionals
• Military staff working in perioperative environments

Why Choose the Perioperative Practice BSc (Hons) Top-Up Course?

As an ODP, RN, or healthcare professional working within a perioperative setting, you know that your role can be challenging and dynamic, providing care to often acutely unwell patients undergoing surgery. This top-up course focuses on specialising practice, leadership, and education, and research and evidence-based practice, which are all key curriculum areas not generally covered sufficiently by pre-registration preparatory programmes.

Modules

• Care of the Surgical Patient
• Developing Competence and Capability
• Educating in Health and Social Care
• Integrating Practices
• Managing the Acutely Ill Patient
• Preparing for Research and Evidence-Based Practice
• Research and Evidence in Practice

Module Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:

1. Critically appraise your own role in relation to care of the surgical patient
2. Critically examine contemporary issues and challenges in surgical care
3. Critically appraise relevant and recent research/evidence to facilitate the provision of safe and effective care for the surgical patient

Module Content

Module content will include:

• Roles and responsibilities of the multidisciplinary team involved in the care of the surgical patient
• Legal, ethical, and professional issues
• Preoperative care and assessment
• Patient preparation for surgery
• Intraoperative care and techniques (anaesthesia and surgery)
• Postoperative care and complications
• Theatre environment and infection control
• Physiological, pathological, pharmacological, and psychological needs of the surgical patient
• Human factors and non-technical skills
• Risk management and patient safety
• Classifications of surgery
• Surgical technology and advancing techniques

How You Will Learn

• Pace of study: The academic year is made up of three 10-week terms, known as trimesters. We recommend about 20 hours of study per week to complete one 20-credit module over a 10-week trimester.
• Assessment method: This course is assessed through 100% coursework with a range of methods, such as essays, research reports, presentations, group work, and practical reports.
• Student support and guidance: Whilst we encourage our students to become independent, life-long learners, we also recognise that offering the right support and guidance will help you to achieve your goals.

Careers

During your studies, you will have the opportunity to participate in a wide range of activities, projects, and assessments. Each of these is designed to contribute towards an enhancement of your employability, and you are able to use these to build a portfolio of work which could be demonstrated to any future employer.

Through studying this course, you will gain valuable industry knowledge that you can apply directly into your role in health and social care. Completion of this course will also give you the level 6 qualification needed to operate within a perioperative setting.

Entry Requirements

The course is suitable for all Operating Department Practitioners and Registered Nurses who work in a perioperative setting.

If you are an Operating Department Practitioner (or equivalent), you are required to:

• Have a Diploma of Higher Education, City and Guilds 752, NVQ level 3 or Cert HE in Operating Department Practice or equivalent
• Have been working in a perioperative setting for a minimum of one year, which will be evidenced through an employer reference and supporting statement
• Possess current and unrestricted registration with the Health and Care Professionals Council or an international equivalent
• If English is not your first language, an IELTS of 7.0 (or equivalent) in all areas is required
• If you are an international student, normally your qualification will need to be mapped to the UK equivalent course to ensure that you are entering the programme with at least 120 academic credits at level 5

If you are a Registered Nurse, you are required to:

• Have a Diploma of Higher Education or Advanced Diploma of Higher Education in Nursing
• Have been working in a perioperative setting for a minimum of one year, which will be evidenced through an employer reference and supporting statement
• Possess current and unrestricted registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council or an international equivalent
• If English is not your first language, an IELTS of 7.0 (or equivalent) in all areas is required
• If you are an international student, normally your qualification will need to be mapped to the UK equivalent course to ensure that you are entering the programme with at least 120 academic credits at level 5

Fees and Funding

• 2024/25 for new entrants: £5,250
• 2025/26 for new entrants: £5,430

How to Apply

Please look at our application deadlines before you apply.

• Apply directly to the University.
• Documents to support your application:
  • Official photo identification such as a passport or driving licence
  • NMC PIN or HCPC Registration or relevant equivalent health regulator
  • Written reference supplied on headed paper from either a manager, supervisor, tutor, or teacher
  • Copies of certificates and transcripts or a letter of testimony for previous qualifications