Perioperative Practice (Top-Up)

The UK's first online Perioperative Practice BSc (Hons) Top-Up degree to be endorsed by the Association for Perioperative Practice (AfPP), this course can help you to develop the skills and expertise needed to transform your practice as a health care professional working in a perioperative setting.

Operating departments require transferable skills sets, as the need to work across other areas such as emergency departments, intensive care units, obstetric units and in the ambulance service has increased.

This course is endorsed by the Association for Perioperative Practice (AfPP).

Who is the online Perioperative Practice BSc (Hons) Top-Up 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
• Healthcare assistants
• 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. By studying the programme, you will develop a deep understanding of the advanced perioperative theories and specialist skills required to work within a perioperative setting.

This focused attention on theory linked to specialised areas of practice will encourage the development of higher order thinking and the ability to transfer skills where required in the critical care areas. You will develop an analytical approach to practice enabling you to access career progression and more specialist roles. You will also be able to reflect on and consolidate your own practice since registration.

As a BSc (Hons) Perioperative Practice graduate, you will have the ability to inspire others and lead practice in your own area with leadership being a core learning aspect throughout the course.

An innovative virtual reality simulation learning approach

Through inspiring case studies, pedagogic design and teaching staff who are experts in their field of study, the course aims to help you transform your practice through the use of online simulation where you will take advantage of virtual patients that can be treated safely and effectively, allowing you to learn in a secure environment.

The use of a three-dimensional virtual reality platform is used to increase your sense of perspective and presence in a challenging clinical scenario. You will exercise decision-making as you take a virtual patient through the perioperative journey from pre-assessment, to theatre and through to post-operative care.

Developing competence and capability with our virtual one day conference

You will be required to complete a 0 credit module – ‘Developing Competence and Capability’ which will provide you with rich learning opportunities to successfully meet the requirements of this programme.

Build on your Diploma to achieve a Bachelor’s degree

As a qualified ODP, Registered Nurse or registered health professional with a diploma (level 5) academic qualification, this top-up degree enables you to gain a bachelors qualification in 12 months. Becoming degree qualified will give you further confidence in your career and the employability attributes which can be applied to senior perioperative roles in the management and leadership of safe patient surgery.

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. Within each module you will also identify and propose recommendations to enhance service delivery and provision of perioperative care.

We will advise you of your study plan - the running order and availability of the modules - when you are invited to enrol.

If we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, this may not be offered. In addition, where demand is high, some modules may be subject to a cap.

To gain the award for BSc (Hons) Perioperative Practice you will need to complete a total of 120 credits (6 core, 20 credit modules) and complete Developing Competence and Capability (0 credit module).

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

Pace of study

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. There is a wealth of support available to you at the University, from your dedicated Personal Tutor and Online Learner Advisor, through to our:

• Library
• Health and Wellbeing Centre
• Careers and Employability Service
• IT Support
• Union of Students

All these services, and more, are available to you as an online student at the University of Derby.

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
• A professional reference on letter headed paper stating your job role and how long you have been in the position and signed by a manager or HR department. You will also need to provide the following documents when you apply.

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
• A professional reference on letter headed paper stating your job role and how long you have been in the position and signed by a manager or HR department. You will also need to provide the following documents when you apply.

Non-standard entrants:

If your qualifications do not match the criteria above, you are a ‘non-standard’ entrant and you may be required to submit evidence of experience or have an interview with the academic lead for the course, before being offered a place as a direct entrant to ensure that you have the necessary capacity for critical awareness and reflection.

For applicants for whom English is not a first language, the minimum English language qualifications acceptable is IELTS level 7.0*

If you have not studied at this level before or it has been a considerable time since your last University-level study we may ask you to complete the Certificate of Credit in Health and Social Care Studies prior to commencing this course. The Certificate of Credit in Health and Social Care encourages professional development, self-awareness, critical reflection, and will enable you to succeed at this level of study.

*We may accept other equivalent English Language qualifications with supporting evidence so please provide full details with your application.

Find out more about our English language requirements

Recognition of Prior Learning

Due to the coherent and integrated nature of this programme, Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can only be offered for the Educating in Health and Social Care module. No other modules are eligible.

^‡2023/24 for new entrants

Starting between September 2023 and August 2024.

About your fees

This figure would be the total cost of this course based on the fee in the current academic year. However, please note that fees normally increase in line with inflation and the University's strategic approach to fees, which is reviewed on an annual basis. The total fee you pay may therefore increase if your course lasts longer than one year.

If you are required to undertake any associate study or additional study as a condition of your offer for the programme, please be aware that the cost for this will be in addition to the programme cost stated above.

Flexible payment plans available

Choose from three payment plan options:

• Pay monthly and only for the modules you are studying

• Pay your full course fees upfront, receive 5% discount and avoid annual increases*

• Pay for all modules studied in the year and receive a 5% discount (September enrolment only)*

*Please note: the discount for paying your fees up front, either for the full programme or the academic year, will only be available to students enrolling for eligible online studies between August 2023 and July 2024 and will not be available for the September 2024 intake onwards.

Undergraduate funding options

Depending on where you are from in the UK or EU, and on your pace of study, you may be eligible for an undergraduate student loan. Accessible through Student Finance, this is a non-income based loan to meet the cost of tuition fees.

If you are considering applying for a student loan, please also see our additional guidance on Loans for Online Students.

If you already hold an honours degree, and you are looking to re-skill or up-skill, you may still be eligible for a loan to study this course.

Students should apply directly to the University.

Apply now

For support with completing your application, view our guide to the application process.

Documents to support your application

In order for your application to be assessed, you will need to provide the following documents when you apply:

• 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*

*Documents not in English or Welsh must be accompanied by a certified translation by a professional translator/translation company. Each translation must contain:

• Confirmation from the translator that it is an accurate translation of the original document
• The date of the translation
• The full name and signature of the translator, or an authorised official of the company
• The translator’s contact details

A list of approved translators can be found on the UK Government website

Please note: failure to submit any documentation when requested, may result in your application being withdrawn.

Application deadlines

All of our online courses have set start dates throughout the year. We require time to review your application and get back to you with a response before your course starts. Take a look at information regarding applying for an online course to see full details of deadlines and term dates.

During your studies, you will have the opportunity to participate in a wide range of activities, projects and assessments. Each of these are 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. 

This course is ideal if you are looking for career progression, to enhance management and leadership skills and to enable yourself to demonstrate a critical, evidence-based approach to perioperative practice.

Whilst undertaking this programme you will already be employed in a variety of perioperative settings locally, nationally or internationally. However the knowledge and skills gained from studying this programme will enhance your ability to develop your career and enrich professional practice. Furthermore the programme can enhance your academic ambitions such as progressing on to Masters or Doctoral level studies.

Utilise our Careers and Employment Service​

Whilst you are a student at the University of Derby, and for 3 years after you graduate, our Careers and Employment Service can assist you with job search advice, CV creation, workshops and events, as well as one-to-one appointments with employment advisers to help with career planning and interview preparation.

Contact us

Contact the University of Derby Online Learning:

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