Primary Care Ophthalmology MSc (Online Learning)

This programme will help you acquire applied knowledge in the basic ophthalmic sciences, with particular regard to the recognition, diagnosis and treatment of ocular disease. The MSc will clearly signal your aspiration to specialise in ophthalmology and will contribute to learning for fellowship examinations in the UK and Ireland.

The Year 3 MSc research project also serves as an opportunity to conduct applied research in your sub-speciality of interest and to develop an academic career.

This programme is taught entirely online by the University of Edinburgh in partnership with the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, and is designed to be completed alongside an ophthalmic clinical post.

This programme provides an opportunity if you are a postgraduate or health professional working in secondary and primary care, including in the following roles:

• optometrist
• dispensing optician
• orthoptist
• ophthalmic nurse
• other ophthalmic allied health professionals

This programme is also highly relevant if you are a medical or surgical trainee entering speciality training in ophthalmology, or if you are a general medical practitioner with a special interest in ophthalmology.

The programme is designed to be completed alongside an ophthalmic clinical post.

Key information

• This programme is three years of online, part-time study
• The three-year programme leads to the degree of Master of Science (MSc). There are also exit points after one year of study (PG Certificate) and two years of study (PG Diploma)
• The MSc in Primary Care Ophthalmology is accredited by the Royal College of Nursing and the British & Irish Orthoptic Society (April 2021)

Online learning

Our online learning technology is fully interactive, and award-winning and enables you to communicate with our highly qualified teaching staff from the comfort of your own home or workplace.

Our online students not only have access to Edinburgh’s excellent resources, but also become part of a supportive online community, bringing together students and tutors from around the world.

What to expect at the University of Edinburgh

As a student within the College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine, you will join more than 7,000 students studying a range of postgraduate programmes. Following the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, our vet school and our medical school were both among the UK top five, ranked by research power (Times Higher Education, Overall Ranking of Institutions REF 2021).

Your postgraduate experience here will be supported and enhanced by the wealth of resources and opportunities we offer. We are committed to delivering high-quality, innovative teaching. The latest report from the Quality Assurance Agency awarded us the highest rating possible for the quality of the student learning experience.

The University of Edinburgh is currently ranked 15th in the World in the QS World University Rankings 2023.

This programme in Public Health is suitable for:

• Postgraduates or health professionals working in secondary and primary care, including those working as optometrists, dispensing opticians, orthoptists, ophthalmic nurses and other ophthalmic allied health professionals
• Medical or surgical trainees entering speciality training in ophthalmology
• General medical practitioners with a special interest in ophthalmology

The MSc supports learning for achievement of the outcomes of the UK’s Ophthalmic Practitioner Training (OPT) programme which is based on the Ophthalmic Common Clinical Competency Framework (OCCCF), developed by the Royal College of Ophthalmologists in collaboration with the:

• College of Optometrists
• Royal College of Nursing (RCN)
• British and Irish Orthoptic Society (BIOS)
• Association of Health Professions in Ophthalmology (AHPO)

This degree is aligned with the curricula of the:

• Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd)
• Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCOphth)

This supports learning for their membership and fellowship examinations, making the programme very attractive to domestic and international students.

Why study an MSc in Primary Care Ophthalmology

This programme is designed for you if you wish to enhance your knowledge with particular regard to diagnosis and treatment of ocular disease as you take on an increasingly expanding role in the management of eye disease as part of a multidisciplinary healthcare team.

Students come from different health backgrounds, including:

• optometrists
• orthoptists
• ophthalmic nurses
• other ophthalmic allied health professionals
• ophthalmologists
• ophthalmology trainees/residents/registrars

This programme may also be of interest if you are a medical or surgical trainee and aspire to specialise in ophthalmology or are a GP or GP Specialist Trainee with a Special Interest in Ophthalmology. The MSc is also relevant if you are a dispensing optician, a family medicine physician, or other eye healthcare professional seeking to advance your understanding of primary care ophthalmology and its interface with secondary care.

The degree supports your learning for professional examinations such as:

• Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (FRCSEd)
• Fellowship of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists (FRCOphth)
• equivalent

The award of MSc will highlight your commitment to continuing professional development in your chosen career and will ensure a competitive edge when applying for clinical positions.

The MSc will also help prepare you for an academic or research career.

How The University of Edinburgh can support you

We are committed to helping you to develop skills and attributes that will enhance your ability to compete in the job market, to progress your career, and to achieve your full potential within the global community. In addition to the provision of dedicated support through our award-winning Careers Service, we broker strategic partnerships between academics, industry specialists and other institutions, to enhance your personal and professional development and provide relevant career insights.

Our graduates are ranked 24th in the world by employers, making the University an excellent choice for a postgraduate education with prospects (QS World University Rankings 2023).

Programme structure

Delivered through an online learning environment, this programme runs on a semester basis over three years and involves approximately 10-15 hours of study each week in a flexible, modular manner. All modules are compulsory and are taught and assessed using a clinical problem-based approach and involve participation in discussion boards and reflective portfolios.

Students accumulate credits by completing a series of modules leading to a Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma or Master of Science degree. The minimum time for completion of the full Master's programme is three years, and the maximum time for completion is six years.

At the certificate and diploma levels, students must attend an end-of-year examination, held in Edinburgh for UK-based students or with a pre-approved partner institution for international students.

Year 1: Certificate

• Basic Ophthalmic Science: Anatomy, Pathology, Physiology of the Ocular Structures
• Basic Examination & Investigation Techniques
• Basic Glaucoma
• Basic Macular Disease
• Basic Acute Eye Disease & Vision Loss
• eTriage and Referral Refinement

Year 2: Diploma

• Advanced Ophthalmic Science: Anatomy, Pathology, Physiology of the Ocular Structures
• Advanced Examination & Investigation Techniques
• Advanced Glaucoma
• Advanced Macular Disease
• Advanced Acute Eye Disease & Vision Loss
• Advanced eTriage and Referral Refinement

Year 3: Masters

The final year involves a supervised master's research project, which will be undertaken on an approved topic that reflects your subspecialty interest and will require the submission of a written project report.