Enhanced Practice in Ophthalmology Apprenticeship PG Cert

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:

1. 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.

1. 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.

UCL Institute of Ophthalmology is offering you a rewarding postgraduate certificate programme (PG Cert) in Enhanced Clinical Practice (ECP) in Ophthalmology as a funded apprenticeship.

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.

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.