Operating Department Practice

Your Operating Department Practice (ODP) interview will take place online through Microsoft Teams. As your interview is online, we highly recommend booking onto an Open Day or Taster Day to get to know ARU.

As part of your interview, you’ll be required to prepare a poster in advance, which you'll present on the day. Your interview will also consist of small group discussions followed by an individual interview, where we’ll be interested in your knowledge and understanding of the role of an operating department practitioner.

Download the pre-interview task

Below, you'll find some helpful information about your interview and some of the things we'll be discussing. Please take the time to read this.

Before your interview

Interview preparation including interview task

You'll need to be prepared with knowledge and understanding of the role of an operating department practitioner.

• When you graduate, you'll be eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council. Therefore, you must be aware of and uphold the HCPC's professional values and behaviours.
• You will be asked to explain what professionalism means to you and the particular qualities required for the ODP profession.
• Additionally, as you’ll be working with service users at a very vulnerable time in their lives from early on in your degree, and throughout your career, you're expected to be familiar with and uphold the NHS Constitution and values.
• You will be required to prepare a poster in advance of your interview to be presented on the day. This can be prepared on paper or digitally and will be viewed as part of your application. The aim of this exercise is not to test your technology skills, but to show an understanding of the qualities required of an ODP. Download the pre-interview task

On your interview day, there's no need to feel anxious. All of our interviewers are relaxed, friendly and looking forward to seeing your potential.

Upload documentation

You will need to upload copies of the qualifications and ID documents you have declared on your application, before your interview. We will also ask to see a form of photo ID on the day (see the section 'Teams interview day' below).

If your name is now different to that listed on your certificates, you must also provide proof of this, eg marriage certificate, deed poll.

If you cannot find any of your certificates, we will check your Government Personal Learning Record (PLR) to verify these. The Personal Learning Record service is a permanent online record of your qualifications and achievements. It’s held by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA), an executive agency of the Department for Education (DfE).

If we are unable to verify your qualifications via the PLR and you do not have the certificates, you must apply for a replacement(s) immediately. This process can take in excess of six weeks and a charge is involved. It is your responsibility to ensure all this information is provided as Admissions will not follow this up for you.

Before you can register as a student, all documentation will be checked for authenticity. If found not to be genuine, applicants will be immediately withdrawn and will not be able to reapply. All relevant authorities, funding bodies and professional bodies will be informed accordingly.

Teams interview day

• Please select a suitable date on your Applicant Portal.
• If you are unable to attend the date you have chosen, up to two days prior you may cancel your current selection on e:Vision and choose another date. If your interview date is less than two days away, please email us at [email protected]
• We won't be able to admit you if you arrive late, and will ask you to reschedule your interview for another day.
• We’ll send you a link to access the interview on Teams one day prior to your interview taking place.
• Please note your interview may be recorded.
• Please ensure you monitor your emails (including any junk/spam folder) and are at a device with a camera and a microphone with a reliable internet connection. We recommend accessing the interview from a laptop rather than a mobile phone or tablet if you can. We will contact you via the email address provided on your application form.
• This is an interview for a professional course leading to a professional qualification. Please dress and conduct yourself in a professional way.
• Please have available some photo ID to show on screen when asked by the interviewer. This is a standard check that would normally be undertaken in a face-to-face interview. This will be checked by the interviewing team. This can be a passport, driving licence or ID badge from your current employer or college.
• Telling us about any learning support needs you may have is a positive step and will help us to provide the support you need. Due to the online nature of the interview, we hope that you will have the resources you need to complete your interview. However, if you do feel that there are other learning support needs, please do get in touch via email to [email protected].

Interview format

The day will include:

1. A presentation about Anglia Ruskin University and what to expect from the interview day, from the Operating Department Practice academic team. 
2. A small group discussion (in the morning) where you’ll be allocated to breakout rooms and given a scenario to discuss.
3. An individual interview (in the afternoon) to conclude the day. You’ll be asked some questions in relation to the pre-interview task that should be completed before your arrival.

Your interview day will take place from 9am-4pm (at the latest), with comfort breaks included. We recommend you have a notepad, pen and water bottle to hand.

We’ll be interested in your knowledge of the role of the operating department practitioner, your communication skills and your values.

Above all, you need to be certain that this is the profession you want to join. To succeed in the interview you’ll need to commit yourself to learning as much as you can before your interview day.

What happens next?

You’ll be notified via UCAS of the results of your interview within five working days.

What next if I am offered a place?

• Accept your offer via UCAS Hub.
• Arrange your accommodation.
• Complete your DBS and Occupational Health information.
• Notify the Admissions team of any changes to your circumstances.

What next if I am unsuccessful at interview?

• Please consider the areas which need improvement and ask for written feedback to prepare for future interviews.
• You will not be able to reapply for the same course in the same academic cycle, however we are happy to accept applications for next academic year.