Clinical Optometry MSc/PGDip/PGCert

Name: Clinical Optometry MSc/PGDip/PGCert
Price: 6890 GBP

Postgraduate taught degree

2026/27 entry

Clerkenwell campus

This course is not currently open for applications.

Key information

Combine the latest research and theoretical knowledge with practical learning and clinical skills on this master’s programme for practising optometrists. Our MSc enjoys an excellent reputation and you will learn with expert practitioners and researchers who are leaders in the field of eye disease and ocular therapeutics.

Start date

September 2026

Institution

City St George's, University of London

Course code

OPPDOP

Location

Clerkenwell campus

Course overview
Structure
Teaching and assessment
Fees and funding
Career
How to apply

Clinical Optometry MSc/PGDip/PGCert Course overview

Benefits of this course

You will develop your clinical and theoretical knowledge with the guidance of expert practitioners informed by the most up-to-date research.

You will gain a detailed understanding of the expanding role of optometrists in the co-management of patients.

Your studies will be underpinned by a core module in Research Methods and Applied Data Analysis to develop your critical research skills.

Elective modules will allow you to build your professional knowledge and contribute to research in your particular areas of interest.

Awards

You can select to apply for one of the available exit points for this course.

Master of Science (MSc)

Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip)

Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert)

Who is this course for?

This MSc programme is for qualified, practising optometrists who wish to increase their professional knowledge and enhance the clinical care they provide for patients.

Structure

Awards

You can select to apply for one of the three available exit points for this course.

Master of Science (MSc)

Duration:

Part-time: 3 years,

Total credits: 180

Modules:

8 in total

Core modules: 1

Elective modules: 6

Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip)

Duration:

Part-time: 2 years,

Total credits: 120

Modules:

Elective modules: 7/8

Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert)

Duration:

Part-time: 2 years,

Total credits: 60

Modules:

Elective modules: 4

Some modules on this course are also available as Continuing Professional Development (CPD) short courses. Where this is available, links are provided within the module descriptions below.

Core modules

Through all core modules you will develop the Graduate Attributes, five core skillsets that will help you launch a successful, fulfilling career. Find out more about the Graduate Attributes.

Introduction to Research Methods and Applied Data Analysis-online module (30 credits)

The aim of this module is to develop your theoretical, methodological and research skills to enhance your ability to conduct rigorous research and to reach sound analytical conclusions, which form the basis of effective service delivery in health and social care organisations.
Also available as a CPD course: Introduction to Research Methods and Applied Data Analysis. Course Code HRM001.

Discipline specific modules

Professional Certificate in Glaucoma (15 credits)

Through this module you will gain 1) the specialised and advanced theoretical and practical base necessary to become a member of a glaucoma shared care/co-management scheme and 2) the Professional Certificate in Glaucoma the Professional Certificate in Glaucoma which is accredited by the College of Optometrists.
Also available as a CPD course: Professional Certificate in Glaucoma. Course Code OVM006.
Professional Certificate in Medical Retina (15 credits)

This module provides community and hospital based optometrists with knowledge of common medical retina conditions, enabling them to make accurate and appropriate referral decisions. This module is accredited by the College of Optometrists.
Also available as a CPD course: Professional Certificate in Medical Retina. Course Code OVM056.
Professional Certificate in Low Vision (15 credits)

This module will update you on recent developments in vision research relevant to visual impairment in addition to providing you with knowledge which will help you to manage a visually impaired person in practice. This module is accredited by the College of Optometrists.
Also available as a CPD course: Professional Certificate in Low Vision. Course Code OVM013.
Principles of Therapeutics (via Moodle) (15 credits)

This module provides the theoretical knowledge to enable optometrists to manage ocular disease.
Also available as a CPD course: Principles of Therapeutics. Course Code OVM050.
Independent Prescribing (15 credits)

This module provides you with a) training in the theory and practice of independent prescribing b) skills in the assessment, diagnosis and management of common ophthalmic conditions and the ability to recognise and appropriately manage sight-threatening disease and c) management of common ophthalmic conditions and the ability to recognise and appropriately manage sight-threatening disease within the context of independent prescribing. This module is accredited by the General Optical Council.
Also available as a CPD course: Independent Prescribing. Course Code OVM053.
Principles of Prescribing (15 credits)

This module provides you with the theoretical knowledge and clinical skills to manage ocular disease within the context of the legal and regulatory framework provided by the Opticians Act and relevant medicines legislation. This module is accredited by the General Optical Council. It is available as a stand alone CPD module or can be taken as part of the theoretical training required to become an Optometric Independent Prescriber.

Dissertation

Dissertation (60 credits)

The dissertation provides you with the opportunity to undertake a piece of original, independent research focussed on the topics that are of particular interest to you, and you wish to explore in greater depth.

Programme specification

The programme specification contains more information on how the course is organised, the requirements for progression for each part and credits required for awards.

Download course specification:

PSCOPM MSc Clinical Optometry

Teaching and assessment

You will learn through a dynamic mix of methods including:

lectures (face-to-face and online)
tutorials
discussion forums
interactive seminars
case reviews
clinical demonstrations
videos and discussion of clinical scenarios
practical classes and clinical skills laboratories.

Our purpose-built public clinic, City Sight is equipped with state-of-the-art industry standard facilities, providing exceptional learning and teaching resources.

Your modules will be led by experienced practitioners and leading researchers. You will also benefit from lectures given by external specialists, highlighting current and emerging issues in the field.

You will be assessed on each module through a range of written and practical examinations, which could include any combination of the following:

a multiple-choice question paper
visual recognition and interpretation of clinical signs tests (VRICS)
patient management case scenarios
an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE)
a professional practice portfolio.

Fees and funding

Fees for academic year 2026/27

Master of Science (MSc)

Part-time per year
Home/UK: £6,890

International: £8,420

Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip)

Part-time per year
Home/UK: £5,100

International: £5,970

Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert)

Part-time per year
Home/UK: £5,360

International: £5,970

Where applicable, tuition fees for City St George's programmes will be subject to inflationary increases in each year of study. Our policy for these increases is set out in our terms and conditions of study.

Funding

Explore up-to-date information about funding options, available financial support and typical living costs.

School of Health & Medical Sciences Funding Options

The School of Health & Medical Sciences (SHMS) is committed to providing financial support to students who show academic and/or clinical excellence. Find out about the funding options available to SHMS Postgraduate Taught applicants.

Additional expenses

Some of our degrees may involve additional expenses which are not covered by your tuition fees. Find out more about additional expenses.

20% off your study

We are offering a Graduate Loyalty Discount of 20% on tuition fees to all our alumni when applying to any of our degree courses.

To be eligible for the discount you must have successfully completed an undergraduate or postgraduate degree at legacy City, University of London or legacy St George's, University of London, as well as being self-funded.

To apply you will need to be accepted onto your intended course of study and to meet all the normal academic admissions criteria for the relevant course at City St George's, University of London.

Career

Optometry is an evolving field with optometrists taking on greater responsibility for managing and prescribing for some eye conditions, as well as being involved in the shared care of patients as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

On completing the MSc in Clinical Optometry, you will have the academic and research skills to enhance your professional expertise, opening up opportunities to specialise in a particular area of clinical practice and expand your scope of practice

You could also consider pursuing further study with a view to combining academic teaching or research with your practitioner role.

How to apply

Entry requirements

UK

You should be a UK registered optometrist satisfying all legal requirements to be eligible to practice in the UK. This includes registration with the General Optical Council.
A minimum of a 2:1 honours undergraduate degree, or the equivalent of a 2:1 honours undergraduate degree or higher from an international institution.

English language requirements

If your first language is not English, the following qualifications will meet the English language requirement for entry to a postgraduate course of study:

A first degree from a UK university
A first degree from an overseas institution recognised by City St George's as providing adequate evidence of proficiency in the English language, for example, from institutions in Australia, Canada or the USA
International English Language Testing Service (IELTS) a score of 7.0 is required with no subtest scoring below 6.5
Pearson Test of English (Academic) score 72 required
TOEFL 100 overall with 24 in Writing, 20 in Listening, 19 Reading and 20 Speaking
Other evidence of proficiency in the English language, which satisfies the board of studies concerned.

Application process

Applications directly to the MSc are currently closed, however you can apply to relevant CPD health programmes, which are credit-bearing.

On completion of 90 credits, you would have the opportunity to transfer onto this programme to complete the Research Methods and Dissertation modules and exit with an MSc award.

There is a maximum registration period of five years, therefore all credits must be awarded within five years of commencement of study in order to achieve a qualification.

When you attach these documents to your application, please ensure that you have labelled them appropriately for ease of identification during the shortlisting process e.g. passport or visa.

Failure to do so may delay the application process.

This course is not currently open for applications.

September 2026 entry

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is where we accept a previous qualification as meeting the learning outcomes (or covering the syllabus) for part of a course or module, so you don't need to take it as part of your degree.

If you have previously completed credits from a Masters level qualification that can be matched to credits on the programme qualification you would like to apply for, then you may be eligible for RPL or Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) at City.

For more information on the policy, the maximum credits permitted and how to apply, please see the Guidance on Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

Maximum transferable credits for each award

PGCert (60)

PGDip (120)

MSc (180)

45 credits

Contact the postgraduate team

Telephone: +44 (0)20 7040 5000

Email: health@citystgeorges.ac.uk

Our academics

Your studies are supported by a team of committed and enthusiastic teachers and researchers, experts in their chosen field. On occasion we also work with external professionals to enhance your learning and appreciation of the wider subject.