Operating Department Practice

Your Operating Department Practice 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.

Your interview will consist of a number of individual questions. We’ll be interested in your knowledge and understanding of the role of an Operating Department Practitioner (ODP).

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

You'll need to be prepared with knowledge and understanding of the role of an Operating Department Practitioner (ODP):

Upload documentation

You will need to upload copies of the qualifications and ID documents you have declared on your application, which must be done prior to the interview.

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 If found not to be genuine, applicants will be immediately withdrawn and will not be able to reapply.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

Interview format

We’ll be interested in your knowledge of the role of the Operating Department Practitioner (ODP), 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?

What next if I am unsuccessful at interview?