PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
Programme title:
PG Cert Ophthalmic Practice
Final award (BSc, MA etc):
PG Cert Ophthalmic Practice
(where stopping off points exist they should be
detailed here and defined later in the document)
UCAS code:
(where applicable)
Cohort(s) to which this programme
specification is applicable:
From 2014 intake onwards
(e.g. from 2015 intake onwards)
Awarding institution/body:
University College London
Teaching institution:
University College London
Faculty:
Brain Sciences
Parent Department:
Institute of Ophthalmology
(the department responsible for the administration of
the programme)
Departmental web page address:
(if applicable)
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/ioo/education/msc
Method of study:
Full time and Part time
Full-time/Part-time/Other
Criteria for admission to the
programme:
Length of the programme:
(please note any periods spent away from UCL, such
as study abroad or placements in industry)
Level on Framework for Higher
Education Qualifications (FHEQ)
(see Guidance notes)
Relevant subject benchmark statement
(SBS)
(see Guidance notes)
Professional health qualification (nursing or allied health
professional). A degree in a relevant health related subject min
2:2.
It is a requirement that candidates will be working in an
ophthalmic unit, have the full support of an ophthalmic mentor
(medical or ophthalmic qualified nurse with a recognised
teaching and assessing qualification) in order to complete the
practical element of the course.
Candidates will need to have had at least one year of
ophthalmic experience prior to applying on the course
FT one academic year
PT two academic years
Masters level (Level 7)
None at this present time
Brief outline of the structure of the
programme
and
its
assessment
methods:
(see guidance notes)
This course will allow students to develop an in-depth
understanding of the field of ophthalmic practice which is
tailored to the area of practice that the student is working in.
Students will graduate with an in-depth knowledge of the
causes of pathological eye conditions from a physiological
perspective and how that links to assessment, diagnosis and
therapies in their clinical practice. Additionally, students will
develop critical thinking with regard to research studies in this
area and acquire an understanding of the various
methodologies, governance and ethical considerations related
to clinical research.
The course may be taken either as a full-time one year course,
or as a part-time programme over two academic year.
Each module is worth 15 credits
Students will commence the course with a module on anatomy
and physiology of the eye which will enable them to understand
how the physiology relates to ophthalmic pathology and
conditions.
The second module is an introduction to research methods and
statistics, as it is essential for any health care professional to
be able to perform basic research and be able to interpret
results from empirically- based peer reviewed journal articles.
This critical evaluation will enable students to adopt best
evidence based practice in their clinical work.
The third module introduces student to an array of common
and less common eye conditions in the form of clinical case
studies relating to ophthalmic pathology. This will allow
students to broaden and deepen their knowledge of clinical
conditions, assessment and diagnosis and therapeutic
interventions. The case studies will be developed from the vast
array of material that Professor Sue Lightman has acquired
over the last two decades of working at Moorfields Eye
Hospital and the Institute of Ophthalmology.
The final module is work-based and relates to and assesses
students’ acquisition of specific clinical skills vital to their
particular clinical work in Ophthalmology. Students will
complete a skills portfolio which requires them to demonstrate
generic core skills in ophthalmic practice and then more
advanced skills in relation to their ophthalmic specialisation,
under supervision by their mentor in their home hospital, plus a
reflective portfolio.
Board of Examiners:
Name of Board of Examiners:
MSc Clinical Ophthalmology
Professional body accreditation
(if applicable):
N/A
Date of next scheduled
accreditation visit:
EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME:
Students will acquire the underpinning knowledge related to pathological ophthalmic conditions,
develop core generic assessment and diagnosis skills and advanced skills in their speciality. In
addition, students will also develop analytic skills which will enable them to adopt a more evidence
based practice and consequently improve their clinical care and the patient experience.
Student will be taught by internationally recognised experts in the field of ophthalmic care from the
institute of Ophthalmology and Moorfields Eye hospital offering a unique educational experience.
PROGRAMME OUTCOMES:
The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding,
qualities, skills and other attributes in the following area
A: Knowledge and understanding
Knowledge and understanding of:
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
1.
Anatomy and Physiology of the eye
relating to ophthalmic disease
2.
Research and statistics relating to
ophthalmic care
3.
Interpretation of results in research
papers
4.
Underpinning knowledge base of
skills acquisition and the
interpretation of their results
5.
Acquisition of underpinning
knowledge base required to perform
clinical skills and the interpretation
of their results








Workshops in which students work together on
research problems
Seminars
Student-led presentations
Video case studies
Individual tutorials
Completion of coursework assignments
Completion of work book
Completion of supplementary reading and
materials on line via Moodle.
Assessment:
To include:
 On line assessments
 Multiple choice questions
 Case study presentations
B: Skills and other attributes
Intellectual (thinking) skills:
1.
Understand the biological,
physiological , psychological
approaches to ophthalmic pathology
and how these may be related to
ophthalmic practice
2.
Synthesise findings from different
research studies and approaches
with clinical knowledge to achieve
an integrated understanding of
ophthalmic pathology and
management of their conditions
3.
Formulate coherent and significant
questions on relevant ophthalmic
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Students will be encouraged to develop these skills
throughout:

Workshops in which students work together on
problems and/or complete practical tasks

Seminars

Student-led presentations

Individual tutorials
 Completion of coursework assignments, especially
essays and research reports.
research, relating to the clinical
management and service delivery
and policy, based on awareness of
the current status of knowledge in
the field.
4.
Understand the various perspectives
on ophthalmic care and research,
including those of service users,
carers, clinicians and service
planners.
Assessment:
 MCQs
 Essays
 Case Study analyses
 Case Study presentations
 Research Methods coursework
C: Skills and other attributes
Practical skills (able to):
All students will acquire the following skills:
1. History taking
2. Examination of the patient
3. Use of equipment pertinent to the
area that the student practices
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
These practical skills will be develop and
demonstrated throughout the course by methods
including:
-
-
-
Participation group discussions at
seminars
Practical workshops at which a
range of these skills are applied
Meetings with researchers,
clinicians and service users in
mental health
Verbal and poster presentations
on a range of research and clinical
topics.
Writing and analytical skills will be
applied throughout coursework
assignments and in unseen exam.
Assessment:
Completion of a clinical skills book relevant to the
area
D: Skills and other attributes
Transferable skills (able to):
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Learn actively and effectively
Use appropriate interpersonal
communication skills
Manage time and exercise self
discipline to complete substantial
pieces of work efficiently
Work independently and show
initiative
Maintain principles and practices of
patient confidentiality
Use support of supervisors, tutors
and peers effectively
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
These skills will be developed throughout the
course. Coursework will involve both written
presentations and some oral presentations,
ensuring that a full range of communication skills
are employed.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
Communicate effectively verbally
and in writing
Communicate confidently and
sensitively with service users,
carers, clinicians and researchers in
the Ophthalmic setting but also with
the multi- disciplinary team
Show an appropriate professional
attitude towards patients and
colleagues
Listen to others and give and
receive feedback constructively.
Present and defend ideas to others
in coherent and convincing way
Develop cooperative network with
supervisors and peers
Analyse published evidence in
balanced way, taking overall context
into account.
Assessment:
These skills are partly assessed in the reflective
portfolio in the Clinical Care in Practice module.
The ability to analyse empirical studies will be
assessed in the Research Methods and Statistics
written coursework.
The following reference points were used in designing the programme:
 the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications:
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/Framework-Higher-Education-Qualifications-08.pdf);
 the relevant Subject Benchmark Statements:
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/assuring-standards-and-quality/the-quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements);
 the programme specifications for UCL degree programmes in relevant subjects (where applicable);
 UCL teaching and learning policies;
 staff research.
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the
learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she
takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information on the learning
outcomes, content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each course unit/module can be found in
the departmental course handbook. The accuracy of the information contained in this document is reviewed
annually by UCL and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency.
Programme Organiser(s) Name(s):
Professor Julie Evans
Helen Gibbons
Aine Feeny
Date of Production:
4th November 2013
Date of Review:
October 2014
Date approved by Head of
Department:
October 2014
Date approved by Chair of
Departmental Teaching Committee:
Date approved by Faculty Teaching
Committee
October 2014
November 2014