Clinical Ophthalmic Practice MSc

London, Old Street

This programme will allow you to develop advanced knowledge of the eye, eye diseases and treatment and the research underpinning clinical practice. It is delivered by ophthalmologists, researchers and nurses who are at the forefront of ophthalmic research clinical practice at the Institute of Ophthalmology and Moorfields Eye Hospital Trust both institutions will be involved in the teaching.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2023/24)
Fees to be confirmed
£7,050
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Overseas tuition fees (2023/24)
Fees to be confirmed
£16,050
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Duration
Not applicable
2 calendar years
5 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2023
Applications accepted
All applicants: 17 Oct 2022 – 30 Jun 2023
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Entry requirements

A minimum of a second-class Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Candidates will need to have a professional healthcare qualification (in nursing or an allied healthcare profession). Students are also required to have at least one year’s ophthalmic experience and to be currently working in the field of ophthalmology.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 1

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level. International Preparation Courses

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

By the end of your programme you should have acquired advanced knowledge about common eye disease and some specialities and be more confident in your clinical practice underpinned by a knowledge of relevant current ophthalmic research. You will also acquire skills in academic writing, problem based learning and group work, independent research and analytical skills.

Who this course is for

This programme is suitable for nurses or allied healthcare professionals working an ophthalmic clinical setting.

Applicants who have successfully completed the PG Cert in Clinical Ophthalmic Practice from UCL can apply directly to the MSc Clinical Ophthalmic Practice programme through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process.

What this course will give you

This programme will give you the underpinning research and evidence-based knowledge to develop their clinical knowledge base.

This programme is delivered using a blended learning approach. You will have access to face-to-face classroom teaching and virtual learning, both individually as well as through collaborative and cooperative learning approaches, to help you acquire the academic knowledge and skills required for evidence-based practice.

The UCL Institute of Ophthalmology is ranked as the best place in the world to study ophthalmology (CWUR Rankings by Subject 2017).

The foundation of your career

As a graduate of this programme, you will have enhanced your employment prospects with employers both in the UK and overseas, as you will have broadened your ophthalmic knowledge and skills and have a foundation in research. These skills will be transferable within all areas of ophthalmic practice.

Employability

Undertaking an MSc in Clinical Ophthalmic Practice is now considered a prerequisite for any specialist ophthalmic nursing roles and can lead to opportunities to progress into advanced ophthalmic practice roles and nurse consultant roles.

Teaching and learning

The course has been designed with the working professional in mind. The programme will take place mainly online (both through live/synchronous sessions and through other online materials you will be expected to cover), with the remaining part of the programme being delivered face-to-face.

There will be assessments for each module you study. An overview of module assessment information can be found on the UCL module catalogue, but this is subject to change year to year. Confirmed detailed information about your module assessments will be communicated to you when you are on the programme.

There will be a mixture of face-to-face and online live (synchronous) sessions as well as online content you will be expected to go over independently. It is recommended that for every 1 hour of teaching your receive, you should undertake up to 2/3 hours of self-study. Learning will involve participating in group activities, developing clinical skills and carrying out personal reading and research.

Modules

Students on the two year part-term MSc Clinical Ophthalmic Practice programme take four 15 credits modules in the first year (equivalent to the PG Cert. version of the programme). In the second year, they take all the remaining 120 credits worth of modules, this consists of a compulsory 30 credit module, 30 credits worth of optional modules that students select and a compulsory 60 credit dissertation module. The MSc programme is 180 credits in total.

Students on the modular/flexible MSc Clinical Ophthalmic Practice programme have up to five years to complete all modules on the programme. Students must take the PG Cert. level modules first (four 15 credit modules) before proceeding to take the remaining 120 credits worth of modules - this consists of a compulsory 30 credit module, 30 credits worth of optional modules that students select and a compulsory 60 credit dissertation module that is taken in the final year. The MSc programme is 180 credits in total.

Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Clinical Ophthalmic Practice.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support & Wellbeing team.

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Introduction to Clinical Ophthalmic Practice MSc / PG Cert

Join the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology to find out more about our exciting Clinical Ophthalmic Practice PG Cert programme. This programme will allow you to develop advanced knowledge of the eye, eye diseases and treatment and the research underpinning clinical practice. It is delivered by ophthalmologists, researchers and nurses who are at the forefront of ophthalmic research clinical practice at the Institute of Ophthalmology and Moorfields Eye Hospital Trust.

Online - Open day

Clinical Ophthalmic Practice MSc / PG Cert Virtual Information Event

This event will feature an introduction from Programme Lead Tendai Gwenhure to provide you with insight into these exciting courses. There will also be a Q&A so you can ask questions about the courses.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2023/24) Fees to be confirmed £7,050
Tuition fees (2023/24) Fees to be confirmed £16,050

Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

There are no additional costs for this programme.

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.

Funding your studies

Visit the UCL Scholarships and Funding webpage here to find out more about scholarship and funding support.

The Institute of Ophthalmology sometimes offers scholarships for successful applications on specific programmes. You can find out more information about these here.

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

Institute of Ophthalmology International Excellence Scholarships

Deadline: 30 June 2023
Value: £5,000 towards fees (1yr)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: EU, Overseas

Next steps

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications and £115 for paper applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • why you want to study Clinical Ophthalmic Practice at graduate level
  • why you want to study Clinical Ophthalmic Practice at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to the chosen programme
  • how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this challenging programme
  • where you would like to go professionally with your degree

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.