Clinical Optometry  MSc / Postgrad Diploma / Postgrad Certificate

Overview

The MSc Clinical Optometry prepares students to provide enhanced clinical care to patients. The emphasis is on the co-management of patients and the expansion of the optometrist's role in ocular therapeutics.

The course is designed to be flexible allowing optometrists to build up a portfolio of training where they can accumulate module credits to meet their needs. Students can choose to take stand-alone modules to improve skills in specific areas, or work towards a Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma or undertake a project or dissertation to qualify with an MSc. 

The course has an international reputation for quality and is at the forefront of continuing education in clinical optometry. As a practitioner you will acquire cutting-edge skills and knowledge from leading UK experts in a dynamic learning environment.

City has a thriving research community who are undertaking a range of pioneering research in the vision sciences. We also have well-established links with local centres of excellence such Moorfields Eye Hospital and the Institute of Ophthalmology.

All modules are accredited for CET points.

Who is the course for?

The course is for practising optometrists who wish to build up a portfolio of training.

Why study Clinical Optometry at City?

  • Study on a flexible, modular course developed to meet your needs as a busy practising optometrist.
  • Study within an internationally renowned optometry and visual sciences division.
  • Acquire skills and knowledge which are both cutting edge and relevant.  
  • Undertake modules which are of direct relevance to practising optometrists and are taught by experts in the field. 
  • Benefit from well-established links with local centres of excellence in the visual sciences.

Course Fees:

  • Part-time EU: £2011/12 - £730 per 15 credit module. Research Methods & Statistics module £440.. 2012/13 - 750 per 15 credit module. Research Methods & Statistics module £470.
  • Part-time Non EU: £2011/12 - £1,060 per module. 2012/13 - £1,100 per module

Start Date:

You may join the course at the beginning of any module throughout the academic year.

How to Apply

Entry Requirements

  • You should be a UK registered optometrist satisfying all legal requirements to be eligible to practice in the UK
  • You should also be registered with the General Optical Council
  • Overseas optometrists will be accepted on an ad-hoc basis providing your undergraduate syllabus and clinical responsibilities are similar to those of a UK optometrist.

English Requirements

For those students whose first language is not English, one of the following qualifications is also required:

  • IELTS: 7
  • TOEFL (internet-based): 100.

Visa Requirements

The way that you apply may vary depending on the length of your course at City, there are different rules for:

  • Students on courses of more than 6 months
  • Students on courses of less than 6 months
  • Students on a pre-sessional English Language course

For more information see our main Visa page.

When and Where

Start Date:
You may join the course at the beginning of any module throughout the academic year.
Duration:
Part time: up to seven years to graduate with an MSc, up to six years for a Postgraduate Diploma and up to three years for a Postgraduate Certificate depending on the number of modules you select each year. Modules normally run over three days with an examination approximately 6 weeks later. The first day of most modules is delivered by distance learning.

Course Content

The taught component of most modules takes place over two days during the week. The first day of most modules will be delivered by distance learning to reduce the time away from your practice and to provide a blended learning experience. Students can start acquiring credits towards the Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma or MSc at the beginning of any module throughout the academic year. 

Course Structure

This is a flexible, modular course developed to meet the needs of busy practicing clinicians.

• Anterior segment eye disease
• Binocular vision
• Contact lens practice
• Diabetic eye disease
• Glaucoma
• Paediatric optometry
• Posterior segment eye disease
• Refractive surgery co-management
• Vision in the aged
• Visual impairment

Additional supply and independent prescribing modules:

• Principles of therapeutics (module 1)
• Principles of prescribing (module 2)
• Independent prescribing (module 3).

Each module is a stand-alone certificated course. You can therefore quickly attain formal qualifications based on a milestone approach:

• Four modules for a Postgraduate Certificate Clinical Optometry within three years of registration
• Eight modules for a Postgraduate Diploma Clinical Optometry within six years of registration
• An MSc is awarded upon successful completion of the research and statistics module and a project/dissertation within seven years of registration.

Teaching and Assessment

Teaching methods vary between modules, and may include didactic lectures, clinical training, videos, seminars and discussion of clinical case scenarios.

Purely didactic modules are examined by means of multiple-choice question papers, whereas modules with a significant practical element may also have an objective structured clinical examination or a test of visual recognition of clinical signs and/or patient case scenarios.

Fees

  • Part-time EU: £2011/12 - £730 per 15 credit module. Research Methods & Statistics module £440.. 2012/13 - 750 per 15 credit module. Research Methods & Statistics module £470.
  • Part-time Non EU: £2011/12 - £1,060 per module. 2012/13 - £1,100 per module

Applicants need to pay an extra £80 for Glaucoma and the Principles of Prescribing examinations. CET day - the first lecture day of each module costs £200. Research Methods and Medical Statistics fee £440.

Funding

For up-to-date information about tuition fees, living costs and financial support, visit Undergraduate Fees and Finance or Postgraduate Fees and Finance.

Career Prospects

You will be equipped to provide enhanced clinical care to patients, particularly in the field of ocular therapeutics - you may choose to become an additional supply optometrist or an independent prescriber (includes supplementary prescribing) as part of your MSc training.

About the School and Department

Find out more about City University London

Download the application form and guidance notes

Information for overseas students

You can fill in the form electronically but a signature is required so please print, sign and send your completed form to our Admissions Officer:

Miss Rita Kaur
School of Health Sciences
The Health Building
20 Sebastian Street
London
EC1V 0JA

You should receive confirmation of your place on the course within 4 weeks of applying.

You will be invoiced by the University. Payment can be made by credit/debit card, cheque or BACs.

You will be eligible to apply for the MSc Clinical Optometry after you have passed two modules.

The application for the MSc course can be found on Moodle, the virtual learning space all students have access to upon enrolling onto a module.

Further Information

Contacts

Dr Michelle L Hennelly (programme/module/professional/overseas queries)
MSc Programme Director
City University London
Northampton Square
London
EC1V 0HB
United Kingdom
T:+44 (0)20 7040 8352 (Monday - Wednesday)
E: M.Hennelly@city.ac.uk

Ms Rita Kaur (Admissions/Adminstrative queries)
Senior Programme Officer
The Health Building
20 Sebastian Street
London
EC1V 0JA
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0)20 7040 3934
E: rita.kaur.1@city.ac.uk