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Enhanced Practice in Ophthalmology Apprenticeship PG Cert

Distance learning programme

UK students International students

Study mode

Flexible

UK tuition fees (2024/25)

See Fees Note

The fees for UK apprenticeship courses can only be covered by an employer's Apprenticeship Levy. Fees for this programme are available on request from the department for eligible applicants who can confirm they have agreement with their employer to cover the fees through their Apprenticeship Levy after an initial assessment has been conducted. Applicants who are planning to be self-funded, or are eligible for funding from NHS England or other non-apprenticeship sources are advised to view our other courses.

Overseas tuition fees (2024/25)

See Fees Note

Duration

Not applicable

3 calendar years

Programme starts

September 2024

Applications accepted

Applicants who require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 31 Jul 2024

Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 30 Aug 2024

Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

A minimum of an upper second-class UK Bachelor's degree in Optometry, Ophthalmology, Orthoptics or Nursing with an Ophthalmic speciality (Ophthalmic nurses who already have OPT level 1 and 2 competencies desirable). Applicants also require a minimum of level 2/GCSE grade C or equivalent in Mathematics and English. In addition, applicants will need to be employed in the UK by an employer with access to apprenticeship funding who is willing to support throughout the course both financially and in completing work e.g. providing a minimum 20% off the job (OTJ) training time, providing an Educational Supervisor to support locally, managing OTJ activities and hours. Applicants will also need to be working at least 30 hours per week for the employer hosting the apprenticeship.

The English language level for this programme is: To be confirmed

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.

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

This programme is available to UK based practitioners in relevant employment only. The aim of the programme is to develop your clinical practice and to contribute to the advancement of eyecare delivery in primary, secondary, or tertiary care settings.

The programme has been developed by practicing clinicians for multidisciplinary ophthalmic non-medical clinicians, such as optometrists, orthoptists, and ophthalmic nurses.

The modules that are offered to you provide training in the four highest volume ophthalmic sub-specialties in the UK: Glaucoma, Medical Retina, Ophthalmic Emergencies, and Cataract.

These ophthalmic specialties have a shortage of medical staff and increasingly, ophthalmic professionals are undertaking extended roles to help manage the increasing burden of patient care.

Links to other professional qualifications:

College of Optometrists Higher Qualifications

For UK based, GOC registered optometrists:

The PGCert provides the academic component of the College of Optometrists Higher Qualifications in medical retina and glaucoma subjects. For UK based optometrists, you will at the also be able to get CPD points required to maintain your professional registration on completion of academic modules on the Programme.

Glaucoma and medical retina modules on this programme are going through the process of being re-accredited by the College of Optometrists, a quality assurance process that occurs every three years. Currently, these modules are not accredited until the procedure is successfully completed.

Ophthalmic Practitioner Training

Work-based learning and assessments can be used towards attaining the OPT qualification with the Royal College of Ophthalmologists. Students will need to arrange this with the College independently.

Who this course is for

The programme is only available to UK based registered ophthalmic practitioners whose employer can support and fund them through the programme.

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

ECP is defined as a level of practice within the healthcare workforce. They are experienced clinicians working at the level of “proficient” and work autonomously within their specific scope of practice.

ECPs will provide clinical supervision to others and will have the ability to make complex clinical decisions while being supported by others (e.g. Advanced Practitioners) to develop an overall management plan.

This is a highly valued, broad and essential level of practice, and this PG Cert programme will underpin the Clinical, Research, Leadership and Education pillars of ECP.

Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

2024/25 will be the first cohort so graduate outcomes data is not yet available. Extended roles in primary and secondary ophthalmic settings will be more accessible for graduates of the programme.

Employability

On completion of this programme, you will gain both the theoretical knowledge and the practical skills to enable you to understand and undertake enhanced clinical practice roles within Ophthalmology in a community or hospital setting.

Networking

Students will have the opportunity to interact with fellow ophthalmic professional peers as well as qualified Advanced Clinical Practitioners from a range of different professions and workplaces.

Teaching and learning

In addition to online lectures, there will be webinars, group tasks and patient case discussions to enhance your learning. Cases are based on real patient episodes which are discussed with clinical ‘pearls’ from experienced practitioners and world leaders in the field of ophthalmology.

Apprenticeships are a partnership between the university and employers via the employer’s Apprenticeship Levy. The university provides the academic component of the ECP in Ophthalmology.

There are also practical components of the programme, arranged, led and delivered by your employer, which include:

Work-based learning and assessments
Support towards your portfolio of practice
Support in preparing a Quality Improvement Project proposal for the End Point Assessment

Multiple choice questions, short answer questions, patient management case scenarios, essays, visual recognition and interpretation of clinical scenarios.

Throughout the online component of the programme, tutors will be interacting with students via online forums weekly and live webinars.

Students are expected to spend at least 12 hours a week per module for self-directed study.

Modules

The structure of the programme has been designed around you, as busy professionals where the taught academic content is delivered online. In addition to online lectures, there will be webinars, group tasks and patient case discussions to enhance your learning. Cases are based on real patient episodes which are discussed with clinical ‘pearls’ from experienced advanced practitioners and world leaders in the field of ophthalmology, the majority of whom are clinicians from Moorfields Eye Hospital.

The programme duration is two years where the following modules will be undertaken:

Year 1: Fundamental Glaucoma, Fundamental Medical Retina, Fundamental Ocular Emergencies, Advanced Practice in Cataract

At the end of term two, optional practical skills days will be available in London should you wish to attend.

Year 2: ECP Research In Practice

At the end of the taught modules, students will progress through the ‘Apprenticeship End Point Assessment Gateway’ and sit the final assessments on completion of year 2.

Compulsory modules

Advanced Practice in Cataract

Fundamental Medical Retina

Fundamental Glaucoma

Fundamental Ocular Emergencies

ECP Research in Practice

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 undertaken modules to the value of 60 credits. Upon successful completion of 60 credits, you will be awarded a PG Cert in Enhanced Practice in Ophthalmology Apprenticeship.

Placement

To gain a full CoO higher qualification, a clinical placement and practical exams may be required.

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 and Wellbeing team.

Visit us

All open days and events

14 May 2024

Online - Open day

Optometry and Ophthalmology courses - Virtual Information Event

18:00 — 19:00

This virtual event is a fantastic opportunity for you to learn more about the Optometry and Ophthalmology courses which have been created to support orthoptists, optometrists or experienced ophthalmic nurses working within an ophthalmic setting to develop skills and knowledge aligned to the Advanced Clinical Practice framework.

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Optometry and Ophthalmology Courses

Watch on demand event

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students

Fee description	Full-time
Tuition fees (2024/25)	See Fees Note
Tuition fees (2024/25)	See Fees Note

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

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

See all the ways you can fund your studies

: Institute of Ophthalmology Bioscience Research & Development Scholarship

Deadline: 30 June 2024

Value: £3,500 towards tuition fees (1yr)

Criteria Based on academic merit

Eligibility: UK

Institute of Ophthalmology International Excellence Scholarships

Deadline: 30 June 2024

Value: £5,000 towards fees (1yr)

Criteria Based on academic merit

Eligibility: EU, Overseas

Next steps

Applicants are required to upload a fully completed and signed application pack with their application for it to be considered as well as evidence of Level 2 (GCSE Grade C) qualifications in English and Maths. Applicants without relevant evidence of Level 2 English and Maths may still be accepted onto the course but would be required to obtain evidence ie. by taking a course/passing an exam before they can pass through the End Point Assessment gateway in their final year and sit their End Point Assessment to complete the course.

A copy of the application pack can be found on the Institute of Ophthalmology's apprenticeship programme webpage here.

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.

This programme does not require references to be submitted in support of your application.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.