Description
This qualification is only available until 31 December 2016.
To claim this qualification, you must complete the required 240 credits by this date.
If you have any questions about your eligibility for this qualification please contact the Credit, Qualifications and Ceremonies Centre on +44(0) 1908 653003 or by email.
The Open University’s Foundation Degree in Operating Department Practice is suitable for staff working in operating departments and perioperative care situations. Through the foundation degree, you will have the opportunity to develop knowledge, skills and competences which underpin operating department practice. The approach of the degree course is inter-disciplinary, with opportunities for specialisation where appropriate. It combines work-based and supported Open Learning, and allows you to remain in employment while you study. It is attuned to the NHS modernisation agenda, the Knowledge and Skills Framework and the Health and Care Professions Council’s standards of proficiency.
The Foundation Degree in Operating Department Practice has been approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). This means that on successful completion of the degree you will be eligible to apply to the HCPC for professional registration as an Operating Department Practitioner.
Responsibility for your learning is shared between your employer and the OU. The OU provides study materials and tutorial support and manages the assessment procedures, while your employer substantially manages the work-based learning on the programme. The OU is able to offer support in training staff identified as workplace mentors.
The programme of study for this Foundation Degree is also offered as the Diploma of Higher Education in Operating Department Practice (E58). The Diploma of Higher Education might be of particular interest to those living and working in Scotland.
Planning your studies
Whether or not you’re new to study with the OU we recommend that you start with a module at Level 1 and that you complete your Level 1 study before going on to Level 2.
For this foundation degree you must start with Health sciences in practice (S110) or Demonstrating practice in health sciences (SZL110) alongside Introducing health sciences: a case study approach (SDK125). These modules are now discontinued.
You can claim the Certificate of Higher Education in Healthcare Sciences (K06) on successful completion of the Level 1 modules that make up this foundation degree.
Entry requirements – Although some modules in the foundation degree are available to all students, the full foundation degree is at present restricted to students who are employed within a relevant health profession and are being supported in their practice learning by their employer.
For further information, employers and individuals are invited to contact us.
Please note – if you are including discontinued modules towards this qualification they may cease to be countable five years after their final presentation.
You should also note that the University’s unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 80 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you. Before being awarded any intermediate qualifications, we advise you to check that you’ll have sufficient new credits to qualify for your foundation degree.
Career relevance and employability
The needs of experienced staff already employed in perioperative settings are central to the development of this foundation degree.
This means it will benefit both you and your work place through enhancing the skill base of the workforce. It values and builds on your experience. Level 1 study is interdisciplinary in approach. At Level 2, you will be able to continue with this general approach, while at the same time tailoring your study to your precise needs.
Careers and Employability Services have more information on how OU study can improve your employability.
Modules
For this 240-credit foundation degree you require:
90 credits from the following compulsory modules:
Level 1 compulsory modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- The discontinued 60-credit module S110 or SZL110
|
|
- The discontinued 30-credit module SDK125
-
|
|
And a minimum of 30 credits from the following optional modules:
Level 1 optional modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- An introduction to health and social care (K101)*
|
60 |
|
- An introduction to health and social care (KYN101)*
|
60 |
|
- Maths for science (S151)
|
10 |
|
- Molecules, medicines and drugs: a chemical story (SK185)
|
10 |
|
- Understanding the autism spectrum (SK124)
|
15 |
|
Or subject to the rules about excluded combinations the discontinued modules S104*, S171, S187, SDK122, SK120, SK121, SK123, SK183, SK195, SMK184, SXR103, Y158, Y178
* 60-credit module of which only 30 credits count towards this qualification
And 120 credits from the following compulsory modules:
Level 2 compulsory modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- The discontinued 30-credit module SK277
|
|
- The science of the mind: investigating mental health (SDK228)
|
30 |
|
- The discontinued 60-credit module S212
-
|
Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:
- Knowledge and understanding
- Cognitive skills
- Practical and professional skills
- Key skills
Read more detailed information about the learning outcomes, and how they are acquired through teaching, learning and assessment methods.
Credit for previous study elsewhere
If you have already completed some successful study at higher education level at another institution we may be able to give you credit for this study that you can count towards this Open University qualification. You can find out more on our Credit Transfer site. If you make a successful claim for transferred credit it may affect your choice of modules so you are advised to investigate this option as soon as possible.
On completion
On successful completion of the required modules you will be awarded a Foundation Degree in Operating Department Practice and will be entitled to use the letters FD (Open) after your name.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
How to register
If you want to study for this qualification, read the description and check you meet any specific requirements (for example, some of
our qualifications, require you to be working in a particular environment, or be sponsored by your employer). Then select the
module you wish to study first and ensure it is suitable for you before following the registration procedure for that module.
During the registration procedure you will be asked to declare which qualification you are studying towards.
See a full list of modules available for this qualification