Orthoptic education

Orthoptic degree courses


Orthoptic undergraduate education is undertaken in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Liverpool and University of Sheffield. The course is three years in duration and comprises an integrated theoretical and practical programme. Block clinical placements occur throughout each year and so the academic year can be extended up to 42 weeks.

The degree programmes are designed to develop not only the professional expertise of the student for clinical practice but also to develop effective communication, organisation and evaluation skills.

The courses aim to provide the student with a secure foundation of understanding of the relevant basic sciences, upon which practical orthoptic skills can be acquired, through a wide-ranging clinical teaching. Clinical experience is gained not only in the hospital setting, but also in the community and special schools.

The course content for each of the degree programmes includes; theoretical and clinical orthoptics; optics; ocular anatomy; physiology and pathology; general anatomy and neuroanatomy; ophthalmology; electrodiagnosis; paediatrics; visual perception; child health; ethics and epidemiology; interpersonal skills; first aid; NHS structure and management; research methods and information technology; statutory bodies; research dissertation.

A great amount of time early in the course is devoted to the acquisition of theoretical knowledge in order that students derive the maximum benefit from clinical teaching. Experience is gained in clinical placements and enables the student to become increasingly responsible for the diagnosis and management of patients as the course proceeds. Block clinical placements are undertaken at clinical education centres in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. Centres range in size with a varied patient workload thus allowing students experience of many different aspects of Orthoptic practice.

Theoretical and clinical work is assessed in many ways during the orthoptics course. Examinations form only part of the assessment of a student. Theoretical knowledge may be assessed by means of formal written examinations, oral examinations, continuous assessment and project work. Clinical practice is assessed continuously throughout the degree programme. Satisfactory performance in theory and clinical practice is a pre-requisite for progression throughout the course and contributes to the final degree classification. There are written and practical examinations at the end of the final year. To obtain the professional qualification, the student must pass the practical element of the final examinations. Assessed theoretical work, continuous assessment of clinical work and the research dissertation undertaken during the third year make an important contribution to the class of degree finally attained.

A staff-student committee exists within each department and there is access to personal tutorial systems in order to provide support to orthoptic undergraduates.

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Entrance requirements

Both the University of Liverpool and University of Sheffield offer 40 United Kingdom / European Union places each year, dependent on NHS funding. Approximately 600 applications are received for those places. Prospective students are advised to visit an orthoptic department. Work experience itself is not required, but it is essential to show commitment and understanding of the profession by arranging to visit a local orthoptic department.


Please use web links / e-mail addresses at bottom of this page for each university's entrance requirements.

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Grants

Means tested bursaries are available please click here for more information. Undergraduate Orthoptic students are eligible for a reduced rate LEA student loan.

Irish students may be able to avail grant assistance through the Irish Department of Health and Children; Contact your local orthoptic dept for more details

NES Scotland offers a bursary sheme to Orthoptics students. Details of the Scottish Bursary Scheme can be found here.


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Social aspects


The Universities of Liverpool and Sheffield guarantee University accommodation to all single first year undergraduates provided that they live outside the cities of Liverpool and Sheffield respectively, and provided the undergraduate accepts and confirms the offer of a place by specified dates.

The Students' Guild (University of Liverpool) and Students' Union (University of Sheffield) organise many activities throughout the academic year with many groups and sports divisions.

The University of Liverpool is situated only ten minutes walk away from the compact city centre which includes numerous theatres, a cosmopolitan selection of restaurants, a varied shopping centre and a wealth of bistros, wine bars, clubs and pubs. The Guild building houses cafes, restaurants, bars, shops, a laundrette, hairdresser, theatre, student travel service and the Mountford Hall which, with a standing capacity of 1,800, is used for gigs, concerts and discos.

The University of Sheffield offers a wide variety of live music and comedy, its own cinema and night-club in addition to bars and food outlets. Banks, shop, travel agency, printing service and laundrette are also situated in the union. A nursery offering 64 places is available, and advice and support are also readily available. Orthoptic undergraduates organise a Christmas ball each year and also several social gatherings throughout the year.

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Employment and prospects

The majority of orthoptists are employed in the National Health Service within a set grading structure. Opportunities exist for promotion to Head Orthoptist in clinical practice. There is demand both for full-time and part-time orthoptists. Many orthoptic posts are varied and include hospital and community work.

For those seeking further training, there are opportunities for graduates to study for a higher degree (MSc, MPhil or PhD) and teaching careers in orthoptics. The British qualification in orthoptics is respected throughout the world and there are opportunities for working abroad. There is great potential for future research within the orthoptic field and both universities are actively involved in the development of a large and productive research profile. Undergraduates are able to gain valuable experience in research methodology during their own research dissertations and there is the opportunity to continue after graduation as a research student reading for a higher degree, or to participate in clinical research within a hospital or community department.


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Enquiries


LIVERPOOL

Admissions Tutor
Directorate of Orthoptics and Vision Science
Thompson Yates Building
The University of Liverpool
Brownlow Hill
Liverpool L69 3GB

Tel: 0151 7945737/5731

mailto:annaoc@liv.ac.uk
http://www.liv.ac.uk/orthoptics - University of Liverpool Department of Orthoptics

SHEFFIELD

Admissions Tutor
University of Sheffield
Academic Unit of Ophthalmology and Orthoptics,
K Floor,
School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences,
Beech Hill Road,
Sheffield,
S10 2RX.

Tel: 0114 2712713

mailto:k.m.bailey@sheffield.ac.uk

http://www.shef.ac.uk/medicine/orthoptics/ - University of Sheffield Department of Orthoptics