Optometry (GOC)- Independent Prescribing (Module 3 of 3)

Our Independent Prescribing module is an essential component on your route to becoming an independent optometry prescriber.

Leading clinical experts in the field teach on this Independent Prescribing module, including practicing independent optometry prescribers. You can learn from their experiences during the interactive sessions. You’ll also get plenty of support from the module leads.

With the full qualification, you’ll be able to prescribe any relevant eye drug that you’ve been trained in.

Who is it for?

This module is for UK-qualified optometrists who are currently undertaking the theoretical pathway to becoming an independent prescribing optometrist. It is only available for students who have already commenced or completed OVM050: Principles of Therapeutics

Timetable

Term 1 Module

Online Launch Date:

Oct: 12th October 2026 (Module material goes live on Moodle, from this date onwards you will have access to the online materials)

Online Synchronous Teaching Dates:

Oct: 21st October 2026

Nov: 18th November 2026

Dec: 16th December 2026

Assessment Date (face-to-face attendance required on-campus):

Jan: 13th January 2027

Term 3 Module

Online Launch Date:

May: 10th May 2027 (Module material goes live on Moodle, from this date onwards you will have access to the online materials)

Online Synchronous Teaching Dates:

May: 19th May 2027

Jun: 8th June 2027

Jul: 7th July 2027

Assessment Date (face-to-face attendance required on-campus):

Aug: 4th August 2027

Benefits

By becoming an independent optometry prescriber, you’re changing your scope of practice to take you to the highest level for an optometrist. This opens up new career options, such as working in a hospital environment or alongside a local GP.

This module is designed to be flexible in allowing you to study and reach your goals at your own pace. Our Health CPD modules are credit-bearing modules that contribute to a University degree or award.

Transfer course credits towards postgraduate taught degree

As a health care professional, once you've completed this module you could offset 15 credits as part of a postgraduate programme, continuing your study with further modules to make up a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) 60 credits, Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) 120 credits or Master of Science (MSc) 180 credits qualification (all credits must be awarded within five years of study commencing).

This independent prescribing module is an essential part of your training to become an independent optometry prescriber. The learning outcomes of this module fit hand in hand with the Principles of Therapeutics/Principles of Prescribing modules.

The module content includes:

• Pharmacology of systemic drugs
• Evaluation and management of prescribing risks
• Adverse drug reactions and interactions/comparison of drug resources
• Information systems and clinical decision making support tools
• Prescribing in at-risk groups/medicines management
• How to develop clinical management plans in relation to prescribing in the medical management of glaucoma
• Differential diagnosis of anterior segment eye disease/treatment of anterior segment eye disease – including clinical management guidelines for prescribing optometrists.

By the end of this module, you’ll:

• Show effective advanced clinical decision making in primary care and glaucoma
• Have the necessary training in the theory and practice of independent prescribing
• Have the ability to develop and consolidate skills in the assessment, diagnosis and management of common ophthalmic conditions
• Have the ability to recognise and appropriately manage sight-threatening eye disease.

Teaching

You will be taught by leading clinical experts and practicing independent optometry prescribers.  This module is a mix of blended online distance learning which can be completed at your own pace and 3 days of live interactive online synchronous teaching sessions.  All teaching is provided remotely via online methods and does not require in-person attendance.

This module will be assessed via a day of face-to-face examinations held at City St George's campus, Northampton Square.  Attendance is mandatory for successful completion of this module

Assessment

There are four computer-based assessments at the end of this module combined into two components. The first component covers key feature problems to test your clinical decision making, and patient management case scenarios. The second component is comprised of multiple choice and short-answer questions.

The pass mark for both assessments is 50%. The key feature problems and patient management case scenarios account for 60% of your overall mark, while the multiple choice and short-answer questions account for 40% of your overall mark.

Award

This is a professional and an academic qualification. On successful completion of this module you’ll receive 15 postgraduate credits, which count towards an MSc in Clinical Optometry. CPD points are also available through completion of this course

Route to Registration for Additional Supply (AS) and Independent Prescribing (IP)

To qualify for Additional Supply (AS), students must successfully complete two core modules: OVM050 and OVM058.

For those pursuing Independent Prescribing (IP), three modules are required: OVM050, OVM058, and OVM053.

All three modules must be passed prior to advancing to the clinical placement stage. This is a 12-week clinical placement within the hospital eye service.

After successfully completing the IP modules, students must register with the College of Optometrists (CoO). This includes completing a practical clinical placement, submitting a logbook, and passing the Therapeutic Common Final Assessment (TCFA) to join the IP register.

For more detailed information and to book the exam, you can visit the College of Optometrists' website at the link provided below:

College of Optometrists: Independent Prescribing Qualification

Once you have completed all parts of the prescribing programme, you will be put onto the specialist register of the General Optical Council (GOC) as an independent prescriber.

This module is provided by the School of Health & Medical Sciences.

Credits

This course is worth 15 credits toward eligible programmes.

You need to be a UK-qualified optometrist who is registered with the GOC to apply for this module.

You will need two years of experience before you are able to take the common final assessment to become an independent optometry prescriber.

• You should normally be a UK-registered optometrist satisfying all legal requirements to be eligible to practise in the UK
• You should also be registered with the General Optical Council (GOC) whilst completing all parts of the training
• Overseas optometrists will be accepted on an ad-hoc basis providing your undergraduate syllabus and clinical responsibilities are similar to those of a UK optometrist
• You need to have completed or be in the process of completing Module 1: OVM050: Principles of Prescribing.

English requirements

If your first language is not English, one of the following is required:

• A first degree from a UK university
• A first degree from an overseas institution recognised by City, University of London as providing adequate evidence of proficiency in the English language, for example, from institutions from Australia, Canada or the United States of America.
• International English Language Test Service (IELTS) a score of 7.0 is required with no subtest below 7.0
• 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, including registration with your professional regulator.