School of Optometry and Vision Sciences Postgraduate Taught Programmes www.cardiff.ac.uk/optometry
www.cardiff.ac.uk/optometry 1 Welcome Contents Choose Cardiff 3 About the School 4 Why study with us? 6 Our modules and programmes 9 • Modules 10 We collaborate with • Professional Higher leading external Qualifications 12 • Clinical Optometry institutions such as (MSc,PgDip PgCert) 14 £22 million Bristol Eye Hospital, purpose-built • Therapeutic Prescribing for UCL, University of Optometrists (PgCert) 16 optometry facility Bristol and other • Eye Care Governance (PgCert) 18 with on-site GW4 universities as Why Cardiff University? 20 eye clinic well as Schepens Eye Cardiff: a capital city 21 Research Institute Entry requirements 22 (Harvard) Next steps 23
Many of our In the latest REF, we modules and programmes are ranked 4th in the UK with an Our teaching is accredited by Highly environmental informed by our the General experienced ranking of 100% leading Optical Council staff in research, and 90% of our (GOC) or the research teaching and practice research deemed College of ‘outstanding’ Optometrists
www.cardiff.ac.uk/optometry 1 Choose Cardiff
We are delighted to showcase our suite of postgraduate taught programmes and modules for optometrists and other health care professionals who wish to gain further qualifications.
Our postgraduate taught programmes and encourage an ethos of enquiry and and modules not only offer the evidence-based learning and practice. opportunity for specialisation in one or Should you choose to study with us, more of a wide range of subdisciplines you will be supported by our highly within optometry, but they’re also experienced postgraduate teaching designed to be flexible to your study team, many of whom are world-leading requirements, relevant to your day to experts in their fields. day work in practice and to fit around Completion of a postgraduate your home and family life. optometry qualification provides the Many of our programmes are also springboard for many different types of accredited by professional bodies and exciting careers and specialisms within academic institutions so you can be eye care and I very much hope you will sure that the programmes and modules decide to enhance your professional we provide are of the highest standard. career by choosing to study with us. I believe that you will find your The School is renowned for delivering postgraduate studies in the School excellent teaching with outstanding both rewarding and interesting and with professional prospects – we place a excellent support along every step of strong emphasis on vision sciences the way!
Professor John Wild “Head of the School of Optometry and Vision Sciences
2 ”www.cardiff.ac.uk/optometry 3 About the School
We are the only optometric training department in Wales and have a world- class reputation for our education and our vision sciences research.
Courses Location As well as our leading optometry Our School is based in a £22 million undergraduate programme, we purpose-built optometry facility and offer flexible part-time and full-time is situated at the Innovation Campus postgraduate optometry programmes. at Maindy Park. Our modules are designed for the We are conveniently located close modern eye-care professional and are to the other academic buildings, the meaningful in everyday ophthalmic Students’ Union, city centre shops, practice. attractive parkland and several of Our teaching activities are further the student residences. enhanced by our on-site optometry clinic which provides opportunities for involving patients in a clinical setting.
Accreditation Many of our modules and programmes are accredited by the General Optical Council (GOC) or the College of Optometrists towards Higher Professional Qualifications, and most are accredited for GOC Continuing Education and Training (CET) points. Flexibility Teaching Our programmes and modules are Our teaching is informed by evidence flexible and offer you the opportunity based advanced clinical research and to study full-time or part-time. You many of our teaching staff are leading can choose the modules that suit you experts in their fields. Our academics and you can study at a distance or in have vast experience in ophthalmic Cardiff. Each mode of study makes practice and have won prestigious use of our virtual learning environment awards for their vision sciences research and includes direct contact with your including the Queen’s Anniversary Prize. tutors.
4 www.cardiff.ac.uk/optometry 5 Why study with us?
We offer an outstanding teaching and learning experience and studying with us puts you in control of your studies.
Professional development patient interactions and are equipped with Credit accumulation a range of modern optometric equipment Our teaching portfolio aims to further your and instrumentation including high quality We offer a unique and flexible study professional development so that you slit lamps. proposition called Credit Accumulation in can provide new patient services, better which module credits can be accumulated understand the conditions you encounter from modules and put towards achieving an We have digital facilities in each room so and manage your patients’ diagnoses, MSc in Clinical Optometry. that images from instruments are sent treatment and aftercare more competently. and displayed in the room where patient Many optometrists also choose to pursue interactions occur. The Clinical Examination The system combines our clinical optometry further study to develop a clinical specialty, and Research Facility (CERF) also includes standalone modules, PGCert, PGDip and for example, independent prescribing, teaching space for break out seminars and MSc into one MSc-level clinical optometry low vision, paediatrics or glaucoma. In discussions as well as instrument rooms programme, providing you with more study addition to clinical specialties, we also with visual field screeners and Optical options, simplified administrative processes offer modules for eye care professionals Coherence Tomography (OCT) instruments. and more flexibility to your studies, ensuring interested in developing their expertise in that you can focus on what is important to other optometric areas such as research, Cardiff University’s Virtual Learning you – optometry. leadership, eye care governance and Environment (VLE) clinical teaching. Support We make extensive use of Cardiff Our administration team are always on Facilities University’s Virtual Learning Environment hand to resolve any technical issues (VLE), where you can watch online lectures Our teaching, research and clinical practice and the online platform has full Cardiff and complete online tutorials at a time and are housed in a purpose-built School University support. Our assessments use pace that works best for you. Our courses equipped with outstanding facilities. online tools and quizzes as well as practical blend online learning and practical days for assessments, where and when this is We have twelve cubicles designed for our when patient contact and clinical teaching necessary. postgraduate programmes. They enable is necessary.
The School of Optometry and Vision Sciences at Cardiff University is one of the largest providers of optometry postgraduate taught courses in the UK and many of our teaching staff are leading advanced eye care practitioners and experts in their fields. Our programmes tend to be highly vocational, focused on enhancing the careers and knowledge base of optometrists and other eye health care professionals. We are “committed to provide an outstanding teaching and learning experience and we aim to provide our professional learners with enhanced clinical and academic skills and an understanding of the evidence base that can inform working practices. This brochure will give you more information about us, the programmes that we offer, and our admissions requirements. If you would like further information, please visit our website or contact us directly. Professor Barbara Ryan Director of Postgraduate Taught Programmes ” 6 www.cardiff.ac.uk/optometry 7 Our modules and programmes
Our postgraduate programmes provide opportunities to engage in advanced study in a dynamic, stimulating and research-led environment.
Modules Programmes We offer a wide portfolio of over thirty Our programmes provide pathways for modules providing routes for pursuing eye care professionals studying single specialist interests and for continued modules for continuing professional professional development. Many are development (CPD), and for those accredited for College of Optometrists’ pursuing a university award of Higher awards and you can combine Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate them to achieve a number of different Diploma, or MSc. qualifications. Our modules provide specialist Clinical Optometry (MSc,PgDip PgCert) training in a wide range of areas - Full time or part time in optometry, including glaucoma, independent prescribing, acute eye Therapeutic Prescribing for care, paediatrics, medical retina, Optometrists (PgCert) - Part time clinical teaching and leadership among others. Eye Care Governance (PgCert) - Part time
8 www.cardiff.ac.uk/optometry 9 Modules
Modules Our part-time programmes provide flexibility and fit around your busy schedules. Here are some examples of pathways to achieving credits: Our modules have been designed with you in mind – a busy professional who needs postgraduate studies to be flexible, to fit in with your work and home life, to fulfil CET requirement and to achieve something worthwhile.
OPT001: OPT008: OPT018: OPT029: Low Vision 1 - Theory Study and Research Skills 1 Primary Care Update - Clinical teaching, Theory education and assessment OPT002: OPT009: Low Vision 2 - Practical Glaucoma Foundation OPT019: OPT034: Primary Care Update - Ocular Therapeutics OPT030: OPT010: Practical Low Vision - Advanced Glaucoma 1 OPT035: OPT021: Practical Prescribing OPT004: OPT031: Leadership Skills for Acute Eye Care 1 Glaucoma 2 Optical Professionals OPT036: Independent Prescribing OPT005: OPT032: OPT025: Acute Eye Care 2 Glaucoma 3 (Advanced) Medical Retina OPT039: Ocular Therapeutics for OPT006: OPT013: OPT026: minor eye conditions Having completed courses at other institutions, I have found Paediatric Optometry Legal Aspects of Cataract and Refractive Surgery the courses at Cardiff University are very professionally run and UK Optometry OPT040: deliver the course aims that have allowed me to extend both OPT033: Contact lenses Paediatric Optometry - OPT014: OPT027: the breadth and depth of my practice. I feel that the higher Practical Management of Tear Anterior Segment - OPT060: “qualifications I have undertaken have allowed me to take a solid Film Disorders Clinical Examination and MSc Research Project Management step forward in my professional career and have enabled me to OPT037: deliver a much higher level of care than I had prior to studying at Advanced Paediatric OPT016: Eye Care Evidence-based Eye Care OPT028: Cardiff. Research Skills 2 and Clinical Audit Andy Britton - Optometrist Director Specsavers Haverfordwest
10 www.cardiff.ac.uk/optometry” 11 Professional Higher Qualifications
Professional Higher Qualifications
Many of our modules are accredited by Candidates complete a blended learning the College of Optometrists meaning course comprising coursework and that as well as working towards a Cardiff assessments and, at higher levels, a University part-time or full-time award, portfolio of clinical experience. This means you can also achieve Professional that the qualifications are highly accessible Higher Qualifications. The College of and fit in with busy lifestyles. Successful Optometrists’ higher qualifications enable candidates can also use the appropriate optometrists to offer enhanced services, affixes. take on more responsibility, and progress in their careers.
Professional Certificate Professional Higher Professional Diploma in Glaucoma Certificate in Glaucoma in Glaucoma (Prof Cert Glauc) (Prof Higher Cert Glauc) (Prof Dip Glauc)
This course is made up of two 10 credit This course comprises one 20 credit This course comprises one 20 credit modules, OPT009 and OPT010. It aims module, OPT031, and takes nine months module, OPT032, and takes nine months to prepare eye care practitioners to to complete. It aims to prepare eye care to complete. It aims to prepare eye care participate in services to manage patients practitioners to participate in community practitioners to work autonomously in with OHT and suspect COAG who have or hospital-based schemes involving community or hospital-based glaucoma a management plan. Practitioners that autonomous diagnosis and management clinics involving management of have completed LOCSU Glaucoma or of ocular hypertension (OHT) and suspect patients with glaucoma and glaucoma EHEW accreditations may be eligible for glaucoma, and preliminary diagnosis related conditions. It requires a hospital accreditation of prior learning. of glaucoma. It requires a hospital placement. placement.
Professional Certificate in Professional Higher Professional Certificate Professional Higher Professional Certificate Paediatric Eye Care Certificate in Paediatric in Low Vision Certificate in Low Vision in Medical Retina (Prof Cert Paed Eye Care) Eye Care (Prof Higher Cert (Prof Cert LV) (Prof Higher Cert LV) (Prof Cert Med Ret) Paed Eye Care) This course is made up of two 10 credit This course comprises one 20 credit This course is comprised of one 20 credit This course is made up of two, ten credit modules, OPT001 and OPT002, that take module, OPT030, and takes nine months module, OPT025, and takes four months modules OPT006 and OPT033 that take This course builds on the core knowledge four or nine months to complete. It aims to to complete. It is aimed at providing eye to complete. It aims to provide community 9 months to complete. The course aims to Professional Certificate in Paediatric Eye prepare eye care practitioners to be able care practitioners with the knowledge and hospital-based optometrists with prepare optometrists to be able to provide Care to enable practitioners to deliver to provide a high standard of low vision and skills to provide a high standard of knowledge to enable them to make a high standard of eye care for child eye care to more complex paediatric care (in a hospital or community setting) advanced low vision care. It builds on the accurate and appropriate referral and patients. cases and specialist populations, and to for non-complex cases. Practitioners core knowledge acquired in the Low Vision management decisions for patients with understand the evidence for developing that have completed LOCSU low vision Certificate to develop an ability to deliver medical retina conditions. management options. accreditation may be eligible for low vision care to more complex low vision accreditation of prior learning. cases and specialist populations.
12 www.cardiff.ac.uk/optometry 13 Clinical Optometry (MSc,PgDip PgCert) - Full time PgCert) time or part Optometry (MSc,PgDip Clinical
Clinical Optometry (MSc,PgDip PgCert) - Full time or part time
This programme is for eye care practitioners in primary, secondary and tertiary settings who wish to advance their specialist clinical and leadership skills whilst achieving a higher degree.
Career prospects Available to study part-time and full-time, this Student records stay open for five years, in course has been designed to be completely which time you can complete between 10 Psychology graduates are favoured flexible to suit the needs of the modern eye and 120 taught credits. You can finish studying by employers because of their broad care practitioner. with a PGCert if you have between 60 and 110 skillset. A psychology degree also reflects credits, a PGDip if you have 120+ and the full a university education which not only The aim of this programme is to provide you MSc if you have 120, including OPT008, and a develops analytical skills, critical thinking with the opportunity to undertake a challenging research project. You will need to enrol each year, and literacy but also numeracy and and rewarding level seven programme in but may choose not to study any modules for up quantitative skills. clinical optometry that focuses on your personal to two consecutive years. development as professionals leading, managing Depending on your interests, you may and developing ophthalmic practice roles and Part time student records stay open want to go on to become a clinical models of care delivery. for five years, so you can study without psychologist, forensic psychologist, health disrupting employment. You can study just psychologist, occupational psychologist, A deliberately wide portfolio of modules is offered one module or finish with an award. Full time sports, neuro or educational psychologist, in order to recognise the increasing desire for students study in Cardiff and take just one year counsellor, researcher or academic. specialist training within optometry, including to complete a Master’s. glaucoma, acute eye care, paediatrics, dry eye, medical retina, clinical teaching and leadership, Full time students study in Cardiff and take just amongst others. Specific programme pathways one year to complete a Master’s. are suggested for those wishing to focus on certain areas of practice. Successful students on this programme will have an advanced standing both clinically and academically, taking them to the forefront of the profession, and enhancing their personal and professional development
This programme is part Many of the Designed to meet the of our unique credit modules available What I like about the course is that it encourages me to read continuing education accumulation offering are accredited around the subject which develops a broad knowledge base. As and training needs of which combines our by the College of for Cardiff, I’m in love with this city! It’s lovely, quiet, friendly and the modern eye care clinical optometry Optometrists the people are kind. professional whilst at standalone modules, Bader Almagren, MSc Clinical Optometry (full-time) the same time achieving PGCert, PGDip and MSc “ a higher degree into one MSc-level clinical optometry programme
14 ” www.cardiff.ac.uk/optometry 15 Therapeutic time Prescribing - Part for Optometrists (PgCert)
Therapeutic Prescribing for Optometrists (PgCert) - Part time
This programme has been designed to prepare you for extended eyecare roles as a GOC registered independent prescribing optometrist.
Independent prescribing optometrists in the strong emphasis on helping you learn how to The three modules are: UK commonly use their enhanced skills in appraise evidence and use high quality sources medical management of patients with acute and clinical guidelines to inform your practice. OPT034: Ocular therapeutics 20 credits anterior eye problems and post cataract This helps future-proof your qualification and OPT035: Practical prescribing 20 credits surgery, and for those with additional relevant enhances ongoing professional development glaucoma qualifications (Higher Certificate throughout your career. OPT036: Independent prescribing 20 credits or Diploma), in autonomous management of This programme consists of three 20 credit patients with ocular hypertension (OHT) and Please note: after completing the three university glaucoma. modules which run consecutively over one academic year. They are studied via blended taught modules, you will need to arrange a At Cardiff, we use a range of blended learning distance learning, primarily online but with one twelve day clinical placement in accordance methods including face to face contact days, face to face teaching day at Cardiff University with GOC regulations, and pass a common final online lectures and articles, online interactive per module. Attendance at Cardiff is required to assessment run by the College of Optometrists. tutorials and facilitated online discussion sit the written exam at the end of each module. In line with other UK courses, the clinical boards. Case-based learning is a feature There is no practical exam. placement is not part of the University provision. throughout the programme to help contextualise Information about the placement and common and integrate theory with practice. You will final assessment can be obtained from the learn how to approach clinical diagnosis College of Optometrists website. and management across a range of anterior segment and glaucoma related conditions that you may encounter in practice. We place a
This course meets the standards set by Course design The only Therapeutic the General Optical and delivery Prescribing for Council for the features advanced course taught element of the Optometrists clinical eyecare available in Wales therapeutic prescribing practitioners who are qualification, leaders in their field.
16 www.cardiff.ac.uk/optometry 17 Eye time Care - Part Governance (PgCert)
Eye Care Governance (PgCert) - Part time
A professional qualification for UK clinical governance practitioners who provide advice to eye care commissioners or providers.
This 60 credit Level seven qualification seeks Several modules are aligned with nationally Structure to provide those involved in the governing agreed competency standards – for example, the of eye care in the UK with a professional Low Vision Service Wales and the MECS (Minor Three of the modules are compulsory, and the qualification. Eye Condition Services) scheme among others. further twenty credits can be taken from a wide variety of over twenty modules available. Whilst we also run highly successful Students who have evidence of achieving qualifications for those involved in clinical such standards within the last three years can Examples modules include: practice, this qualification is aimed at those who present this to the Director of the programme for Low Vision 2: Practical undertake clinical governance and advisory roles consideration for approved prior learning (APL) in the sector. This course consists of three core accreditation, where module credits would be Acute Eye Care in Optometry 1 modules – leadership skills, evidence-based given to the student in recognition of their prior Paediatric Optometry eye care and audit, and legal aspects of UK achievements. optometry – as well as a free choice of 20 credits Glaucoma 1 to allow you to follow your interests and increase your knowledge and understanding of a specific Cataract and refractive surgery area.
The aim of this course is to provide you with the Please view our website for full list of modules skills required to successfully oversee ophthalmic available. services, with the opportunity to become an effective leader within the sector. The course www.cardiff.ac.uk/optometry also aims to provide you with a comprehensive overview of the legal obligations in optometric practice in the UK .
How is the course delivered? The majority of the course will be delivered via Learning Central, the University’s e-Learning system. You will have access to multimedia lecture presentations, The only eye supporting resources and discussions A wide variety led by course tutors. On many of the care governance The flexibility of modules leading educators in the field of modules on also provide practical skills workshops course available open learning and tutorials. Formative and summative offer assessment is via online multiple choice in the UK questions, submitted written coursework and assignments (including group wikis and blogs) plus practical exams where appropriate.
18 www.cardiff.ac.uk/optometry 19 Cardiff: a capital city Why Cardiff University?
Dynamic. Friendly. Affordable. World-leading 95% Contemporary, welcoming and easy to get around, Cardiff is a city with character, research The most recent DLHE* heritage and ambition. Bursting with culture, cuisine, architecture, entertainment survey shows that 95% of £600 million and history, Cardiff is widely recognised as an outstanding place in which to live, With an exhilarating Cardiff is in the top tier of our postgraduate research work and study. The city is also budget-friendly: Cardiff was recently ranked as the Britain’s research universities students and 93% of our We’re undertaking our biggest and is a member of the UK’s most affordable university city (Natwest Student Living Index 2019). mix of heavyweight postgraduate taught students campus upgrade for a generation cultural sights, exciting prestigious Russell Group. We’re progressed to employment by investing £600m to improve regeneration projects, ranked second nationally for or further study within six and develop our facilities and research impact, and in the months of graduation. infrastructure. world-class sport, a top 5 universities for research prolific music scene and excellence in the UK. *Destination of Leavers from Higher Education (2016/17) “some seriously banging nightlife, it’s easy to see why Cardiff now ranks alongside London and Edinburgh as one of the Teaching excellence An international 7 UK’s most compelling We have a long history of community providing outstanding research- We’ve been awarded seven destinations. led teaching. We’re ranked With over 7,900 international Queen’s Anniversary Prizes, which among the top 40 universities in students from more than 130 recognise world-class excellence ROUGH GUIDES, 2018 Europe for teaching excellence countries, you’ll be part of a vibrant in UK Higher Education. We’re (Times Higher Education Europe community that celebrates its also home to a large cohort of Teaching Rankings, 2019). diverse culture. distinguished staff, including two Nobel Prize winners and 13 Royal Society Fellows.
20 ” www.cardiff.ac.uk/optometry 21 Entry requirements Next steps
When to apply Your offer MSc Clinical Optometry Therapeutic Prescribing for Eye care governance Applications will be considered There are two types of offer: Funding This Programme is suitable for graduates or Optometrists (PgCert) - Part time Students are normally expected to hold: throughout the year. However, early experienced practitioners in optometry. • Conditional: you have been A variety of funding options are Students are normally expected to hold: UK/EU Students: BSc (Hons) Optometry, application is advisable especially if Students are normally expected to hold: GOC registration or equivalent national offered a place but you’ll need to available for our postgraduate UK/EU Students: Full GOC registration. qualification. you are seeking funding. Some funding courses. UK/EU Students: BSc (Hons) Optometry or submit additional evidence such Overseas Students: Honours degree in opportunities have early deadlines and GOC registration. as qualification certificates when Optometry or a professional optometric Non UK/EU Students: Honours degree you may be required to secure an offer For more information, please visit: in optometry or Professional optometric available. Overseas Students: Honours degree in qualification. from your chosen institution prior to www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/ Optometry or a professional optometric qualification of home country. Applicants must have been in practice for two applying for funding. • Unconditional: you have been qualification. postgraduate/funding years before commencing the Therapeutic English language requirements: A score offered a place – congratulations! English language requirements: A score Prescribing course. of 6.5 IELTS (with 5.5 in all subskills) or of 6.5 IELTS (with 5.5 in all subskills) or equivalent qualification. Submitting your equivalent qualification. English language requirements: A score Equality and diversity of 6.5 IELTS (with 5.5 in all subskills) or application Important Legal Information equivalent qualification. We are committed to supporting, Postgraduate programmes start in Every effort has been made to ensure September each year, but applications developing and promoting equality that the information contained within are considered as they arrive and diversity in all of our practices this brochure is correct at the time of throughout the year. You can submit and activities. We aim to establish going to press in March 2020. However, an inclusive culture free from there is a lengthy period of time between your application directly using our printing this brochure and applications online application service, which allows discrimination and based upon the being made to and processed by Cardiff you to save your progress and return at values of dignity, courtesy and respect. University. a later time. You can track the progress We recognise the right of every person to be treated in accordance with these Please check our website at of your application in our online www.cardiff.ac.uk before making an applicant portal. values. application in case there are any changes We are committed to advancing to the course you are interested in or to other facilities and services described International students equality on the grounds of age, here. Where there is a difference between disability, gender, reassignment, the contents of this brochure and our The University recognises qualifications marriage and civil partnership, website, the contents of the website take from all over the world. To know if you pregnancy and maternity, race, religion precedence and represent the basis on would be considered for entry you which we intend to deliver our services or belief (including lack of belief), sex to you. can visit our website www.cardiff. and sexual orientation and to fostering Your degree: Students admitted to ac.uk/study/international. We have a good relations between different dedicated section for many countries, Cardiff University study for a Cardiff groups. University degree. international agents and contact details for further information. When For further information, please visit: Cardiff University is a registered charity, no. 1136855. accepting your offer, you’ll need to pay www.cardiff.ac.uk/public-information/ a deposit to secure your place. equality-and-diversity
Further information Tel: +44 (0)29 2087 6316 Email: [email protected]
22 www.cardiff.ac.uk/optometry 23 To find out more about the School of Optometry please visit our website: www.cardiff.ac.uk/optometry
Contact us Tel: +44 (0)29 2087 6316 Email: [email protected] School of Optometry Cardiff University Maindy Road Cardiff CF24 4HQ
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SchoolOfOptometryandVisionSciences
@SchoolOfOptom
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