Theory of Independent Prescribing for Optometrists - Online

Learn to increase your scope of practice and manage and treat a wider range of ocular conditions.

This programme compliments and extends our current General Optical Council approved BSc (Hons) Optometry course which has been producing high quality graduates for over 20 years. Designed in collaboration with ophthalmologists, pharmacists and independent prescribing optometrists, the course consists of two 30-credit modules: Principles of Pharmacology and Prescribing; and Assessment, Management and Treatment of Ocular Conditions.

Each module will comprise 12 online lectures supplemented with additional reading, structured discussion boards and assessment. The second module will be supplemented by a face-to-face teaching session which will help to prepare you for your clinical placement and The College of Optometrists Independent Prescribing Examination (Therapeutics Common Final Assessment).

Work placement / study abroad
Ulster University will provide the theoretical element of the Independent Prescribing programme. It will not be involved with the Clinical Placement element of the course. Ulster will not be responsible for arranging a mentor/supervisor for the student, arranging the clinical placements or examining hospital placement logbooks.

Year one
Principles of Pharmacology and Prescribing
This module will equip the optometrist with further skills in pharmacology and prescribing to allow the development of safe and effective management of ocular conditions. The knowledge gained during this module will enhance the students ability to work effectively as an optometric independent prescriber.

Assessment, Management and Treatment of Ocular Conditions
This module will equip the optometrist with further skills in ocular therapeutics to allow appropriate management of a wide range of ocular conditions. Completion of this module will enhance the Optometrist's up-to-date knowledge of current treatment regimes for a wide range of ocular conditions and enhance his or her scope of practice.

To apply to our postgraduate taught programmes, you must meet the University's General Entrance Requirements and any course-specific requirements.

These vary depending on the course and are detailed online.

A minimum of two years in clinical practice will be required before starting the clinical placement element of the therapeutic programme. Applicants (irrespective of any therapeutic prescribing qualification they may hold) must supply evidence of their prior experience in the diagnosis and management of the eye conditions for which they will be trained to prescribe. This evidence may be in the form of a letter from an employer or ophthalmologist. It is expected that practitioners will work in fields such as primary eye care and/or the hospital eye service, particularly in glaucoma clinics. The proposed application form outlines the documentation required from the applicants.

If English is not your first language this course requires a minimum English level of IELTS (academic) 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5, or equivalent.

Visit ulster.ac.uk/englishrequirements for more details.

This course is open to international (non-EU) students.

For full entry requirements please see "Course Web Page" below.

Your Application
Application is through the University's online application system (see "Application Weblink" below).

Career options
This qualification will allow the Optometrist to increase their scope of practice and manage and treat a wider range of ocular conditions.