Independent Prescribing for Optometrists (PgCert)
- Duration: 2 years
- Mode: Part time distance learning
Open day
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Why study this course
Our innovative, clinically-focused 2-year programme prepares optometrists to practice as independent prescribers and to meet the standards set by the General Optical Council for specialist entry on to the GOC register.
Accredited by the General Optical Council (GOC)
Meets the standards set by the General Optical Council for entry into the specialist register for Independent Prescribing.
#2 for Optometry
We are ranked 2nd for Optometry in the Complete University Guide 2024.
Enhance your career growth and professional impact
Equips you with the necessary knowledge and skills to enhance your career and contribute effectively to extended professional roles.
Researchers involved in course design and delivery
Many of our teaching staff are practicing researchers; in many cases leading experts in their fields.
The specific aim of the programme is to prepare you to practise as an independent prescriber and to meet the standards set by the General Optical Council (GOC) for entry on to the appropriate specialist register. As a qualified prescriber, you can prescribe licensed medicine (except for controlled drugs or medicines for parenteral (injected) administration) for conditions affecting the eye.
You will receive a broad education in prescribing practice that will develop your skills and strengthen your professional portfolio, enabling you to provide services to patients that would have previously only been available via hospital treatment. This advancement helps to reduce NHS waiting lists, provide timely clinical management to your patients and build your patient base.
The GOC’s standards and learning outcomes published in 2021 have incorporated significant changes in training requirements for optometrists to qualify in Independent Prescribing (IP). This programme provides the opportunity to study 2 theory modules in Year 1, followed by the Placement in Year 2, to enable you to join the GOC’s specialist register for Independent Prescribers.
You will be responsible for sourcing your clinical placement including your Designated Prescribing Practitioner (DPP) prior to admission. The DPP can be any IP eye care professional. You may already be working in an environment where the placement can be completed. Alternatively, you may need to arrange to attend clinics away from your usual place of work.
The School also offers a 1 year programme in IP to complete your period of study in just 9 months, providing flexibility to fit around your personal and professional commitments.
Where you'll study
School of Optometry and Vision Sciences
Our students benefit from hands on experience, outstanding optometry facilities and involvement from our internationally renowned staff.
Admissions criteria
In order to be considered for an offer for this programme you will need to meet all of the entry requirements. Your application will not be progressed if the information and evidence listed is not provided.
- Evidence of full GOC registration. If you are registered with the GOC, you must provide your GOC number in the Membership of Professional Bodies section of the application form.
- A letter from a suitably qualified person stating they will act as your Designated Prescribing Practitioner (DPP) for the duration of your placement.
- Proof of an employment contract or honorary contract for your placement organisation(s) or a letter from a senior person in the organisation stating that neither are required to undertake a placement.
Application Deadline
We allocate places on a first-come, first-served basis, so we recommend you apply as early as possible. Applications normally close at the end of August but may close sooner if all places are filled.
Selection process
As the scope of optometric practice varies considerably around the world, interviews may be held with non-UK optometrists, in person or using Skype, to ensure practitioners have the relevant clinical skills required to undertake this course. You may be required to have particular clinical skills that will be confirmed through references and interview and/or may need to complete primary care modules prior to completing other modules.
Find out more about English language requirements.
Applicants who require a Student visa to study in the UK must present an acceptable English language qualification in order to meet UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) requirements.
Criminal convictions
You will be required to complete a DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) check if your application is successful. If you are applying from certain countries overseas, a Certificate of Good Conduct may be required.
If you have a relevant criminal conviction, this will be stated in the check and may affect your ability to enrol on the course. Applicants who are on the barred list should be aware that applying to this course is likely to be considered a criminal offence.
Course structure
This is a two-year distance learning programme that aims to develop your consultation skills, patient assessment skills and clinical decision making.
To achieve this, you will study three core 20 credit modules over the two academic years combining both academic and placement learning. Year 1 consists of the two theory modules, and the placement module is undertaken in Year 2.
The Independent prescribing in practice module runs throughout both semesters enabling you to achieve GOC requirements of 90 hours of supervised time with your Designated Prescribing Practitioner (DPP).
Upon successful completion of the programme, you will be able to register as an 'Independent Prescriber' (IP) with the GOC.
The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum. Final modules will be published one month ahead of your programme starting.
Year one
In semester one, you will look at the investigation and management of eye conditions in optometric independent prescribing practice introducing the general principles of pharmacology relevant to prescribing practice.
Semester two introduces the professional, legal, and ethical frameworks relevant to independent prescribing and the clinical governance / quality assurance aspects of prescribing.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Ocular Therapeutics and Pharmacology | OPT044 | 20 credits |
| Professional Prescribing | OPT045 | 20 credits |
Year two
The Independent prescribing in practice module runs throughout both semesters enabling you to achieve GOC requirements of 90 hours of supervised time with your Designated Prescribing Practitioner (DPP).
This module allows you to critically reflect and apply the principles of prescribing to your scope of practice.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Independent Prescribing in Practice | OPT046 | 20 credits |
Learning and assessment
How will I be taught?
Each module offers a variety of teaching and learning methods, making extensive use of the Virtual Learning Environment and online resources. There are online lectures and online articles. Webinars enable remote case discussions.
Teaching and learning opportunities are provided by optometrists (IP), ophthalmologists, Pharmacologists, GPs, Microbiologists, Ophthalmic & clinical pharmacists. When you are on placement, you will be supervised by a Designated Prescribing Practitioner (DPP).
Directed and self-directed learning
We will provide directed learning, guiding you to the appropriate reading. You’ll be expected to undertake specific directed reading. On-line resources are also available to help complement the teaching and to help you develop these skills.
How will I be assessed?
A range of assessment methods including the submission of case records and timed examinations. This reflects the high level of decision-making skills and knowledge required for advanced clinical care in optometry.
A portfolio will be completed during your time in practice and will demonstrate your ability to integrate theory into practice. It includes information on your scope of practice and clinical logs and your DPP will sign off how you have met the learning outcomes.
The programme utilises both formative and summative assessment in all modules giving you the opportunity to receive detailed feedback prior to submitting your summative assessment.
How will I be supported?
At the beginning of the programme there is a compulsory online induction week. This will help you navigate the online learning environment and how the team will support you during your studies. You will be required to attend an online teaching day, held towards the start of the programme providing you with the opportunity to meet other students as well as the tutors.
During your placement module you will have a supervisor, known as a Designated Prescribing Practitioner (DPP). You will also meet online with a University Tutor who will discuss your progress.
A Personal Tutor will be allocated at the start of the programme and will be a point of contact for any academic or personal issues. Module Leaders and Tutors are available via email and on discussion boards. They also hold regular online webinars which will allow you to interact with other students and the module leader.
Feedback will be provided by university tutors after assessments, during the in-person teaching day, and throughout the programme via online activities including discussion boards. You will also receive feedback from your placement supervisors and DPP.
The University offers a range of support services and events to help you manage your emotional, mental, and physical health, support with financial issues, and provide support for students with disabilities. They can be accessed both in-person at the University’s Centre for Student Life, or and remotely via the contact details provided on the Student Intranet. Our libraries offer a broad range of electronic resources as well as hard copies on campus.
What skills will I practise and develop?
On successful completion of your Programme you will be able to:
Knowledge & Understanding:
KU 1 (PLO3) Demonstrate systematic knowledge and understanding of clinical assessment, diagnosis, and patient management within scope of practice, including how to prescribe rationally and safely.
KU 2 (PLO3) Demonstrate systematic knowledge and understanding of clinical conditions and drug actions through the effective use of evidence-based information.
Intellectual Skills:
IS 1 (PLO4) Critically evaluate research and national, regional, and local guidance and frameworks to inform clinical decision making as an autonomous prescriber.
IS 2 (PLO6) Critically analyse and manage different levels of clinical risk including unsafe prescribing practice or systems, taking action to ensure a safe environment for patients and the public.
Professional Practical Skills:
PS 1 (PLO1) Demonstrate effective communication and collaboration with the multidisciplinary team involved in patient care, including the prescribing, supplying and administration of medicines.
PS 2 (PLO2) Demonstrate a person-centred approach by selecting and applying effective strategies in consultation, communication, negotiation, shared decision-making and co-production with patients and carers.
PS 3 (PLO5) Demonstrate the systematic application of appropriate legislation, ethical, professional, and clinical governance in prescribing.
Transferable/Key Skills:
KS 1 (PLO7) Demonstrate a commitment to develop and maintain clinical knowledge and skills appropriate to an independent prescriber using reflection and interaction with peers.
Tuition fees for 2025 entry
Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on your fee status. Your fee status could be home, island or overseas.
Learn how we decide your fee status
Fees for home status
Fees for entry 2025/26 are not yet available.
Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland
We are currently awaiting confirmation on tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year.
Fees for island status
Learn more about the postgraduate fees for students from the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.
Fees for overseas status
We are currently awaiting confirmation on tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year.
Additional costs
Placement costs
Travel/accommodation to attend the in-person teaching day in Cardiff.
IT equipment – access to a computer with reliable internet access.
Living costs
We’re based in one of the UK’s most affordable cities. Find out more about living costs in Cardiff.
Funding
Careers and placements
This programme will develop your skills and strengthen your professional portfolio, enabling you to provide services to private practice patients that would have previously only been available via hospital treatment, enhancing your clinical management and building your patient base.
This qualification also provides access to new or development opportunities for optometrists within a hospital setting. As a qualified prescriber, you can prescribe licensed medicine (except for controlled drugs or medicines for parenteral (injected) administration) for conditions affecting the eye.
Within Wales, a new NHS contract for optometry has launched, remunerating Independent Prescribing optometrists when they work at the top of their licence to manage medical eye problems in optometric practice. These changes, along with the revised GOC regulations (2021), mean there are increased opportunities for optometrists to undertake advanced clinical learning in IP alongside theoretical learning, to qualify as an Independent Prescriber.
Placements
During this module you must evidence a period of time spent working on placement in clinical practice with your Designated Prescribing Practitioner (DPP). This time will give you the chance to critically reflect and apply the principles of prescribing to your scope of practice. Over the period of the module, you will work towards achieving the GOC learning outcomes as overseen by your Designated Prescribing Practitioner (DPP).
Next steps
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HESA Data: Copyright Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited 2021. The Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited cannot accept responsibility for any inferences or conclusions derived by third parties from its data. Data is from the latest Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20, published by HESA in June 2022.
