About this degree

The UCL Institute of Ophthalmology along with expertise from Moorfields Eye Hospital, one of the leading eye hospitals in the world, will provide you with a rewarding PG Cert programme in Optometry and Ophthalmology.

The aim of the programme is to develop clinical practice and to contribute to the advancement of eye care delivery in primary, secondary or tertiary care settings. The programme has been developed by practicing clinicians and researchers for multidisciplinary ophthalmic non-medical clinicians such as optometrists, orthoptists, and ophthalmic nurses.

The structure of the programme is based on the four main pillars in healthcare: clinical, leadership, education, and research. Modules that are offered to you provide training in the four busiest ophthalmic specialties in the UK and worldwide: Glaucoma, Medical Retina, Ophthalmic Emergencies and Cataract.

Non-medical ophthalmic professionals are extending their scope of practice to help manage the increasing burden of patient care in these areas.

There are two routes available to you:

Optometry and Ophthalmology PG Cert route:

On successful completion of this academic programme, you will gain a PGCert in Optometry and Ophthalmology.

Optometry and Ophthalmology (Enhanced Clinical Practice) PG Cert route:

By choosing this PG Cert, you will undertake the academic programme as above, but you will also be expected to undertake work-based learning and assessments which are arranged and led by either your employer or yourself.

You will have to have an agreement with your employer or the organisation you have arranged this with, who must support this. They will be expected to have structures in place for you to undertake this training and assessment in the workplace and be able to allocate you an education supervisor and appropriate clinical supervision. A portfolio of practice and a quality improvement project will need to be submitted and approved prior to submission of your dissertation for you to attain your degree.

You should only apply to this route if you have the workplace learning and assessment arrangements in place. You can apply to the Optometry and Ophthalmology (ECP) PG Cert programme here.

Links to other professional qualifications

1. College of Optometrists Professional Higher Qualifications

For UK based, GOC registered optometrists and HCPC registered orthoptists only:

This PG Cert programme provides the academic component of the College of Optometrists Higher Qualifications in the professional certificate in medical retina, the professional certificate and higher certificate in glaucoma. You will need to undertake further assessments outside the degree and arrange work-based learning and assessments (placements) to complete the qualifications. UCL does not arrange placements on your behalf.

If you choose the Optometry and Ophthalmology (ECP) PG Cert route, your placement can be put towards the Higher Qualifications to achieve these professional qualifications.

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.

2. Ophthalmic Practitioner Training

Work-based learning and assessments undertaken as part of the Optometry and Ophthalmology (ECP) PG Cert route can be put towards attaining parts of the OPT qualification with the Royal College of Ophthalmologists. Students will need to arrange registration with the Royal College of Ophthalmologists independently and may need to undertake further assessments.

Access to observerships at Moorfields Eye Hospital

There are a limited number of observerships available at Moorfields Eye Hospital which will incur an extra charge. These are available on a first come, first served basis to students. You should organise this directly with the Moorfields Observership Scheme. Note that observerships cannot substitute placements.