Program Overview

Ophthalmology Advanced Clinical Practice (Paediatrics) MMedSci

The School of Allied Health Professions, Pharmacy, Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health, offers a comprehensive program in Ophthalmology Advanced Clinical Practice (Paediatrics) MMedSci. This program is designed for orthoptists, optometrists, and ophthalmic nurses working in paediatrics who want to transform their careers and the services they provide.

Course Description

This program is the only accredited master's program in paediatric ophthalmology advanced practice. It is designed to enhance knowledge, skills, and experience, and become an advanced clinical practitioner in the field of paediatric ophthalmology. The curriculum covers all four pillars of advanced practice: clinical practice, leadership and management, education, and research.

Modules

• Paediatrics ACP: This module is ideal for eye-care practitioners who want to advance their ophthalmic practice skills, to reach the highest levels of innovative and cutting-edge paediatric ophthalmology practice.
• Clinical Leadership and Education in Ophthalmology: This module enables eye-care practitioners developing as advanced clinical practitioners in paediatric ophthalmology, to deliver high-quality, compassionate, and efficient care to patients.
• Insight into Disease (Orthoptics and Ophthalmology): This module helps the clinician to gain a wider understanding of diseases that affect ocular motility and are frequently encountered in clinical practice.
• Low Vision: This unit aims to give the qualified practitioner the knowledge to expand into the field of low vision assessment and management.
• Medical Exemptions for Orthoptists: This module facilitates advanced practice in the area of prescription-only and non-prescription exemption listed medicines for Orthoptists.
• Research Methods (Orthoptics and Ophthalmology): This unit comprises the following sections: The research question; Concepts and indicators; Validity and reliability; Data collection and sampling; Quantitative data analysis; Qualitative data analysis; Critical appraisal; Philosophy of science.
• Research Project (Orthoptics and Ophthalmology): The research project allows the student to pursue an area of interest, involving literature searching, designing and executing original work, and preparing, conducting, and writing up a piece of original research.

Duration and Teaching

• Duration: 3 years part-time
• Teaching: This course is taught through a combination of online and work-based learning, with online teaching blending real-time interactive sessions with self-paced components.

Assessment

• Assessment Methods: Essays, videos, practical work, a portfolio, and a dissertation or research project write-up.
• Low Vision and Exemptions Modules: These modules have an online exam.

Career Prospects

This program will empower students to lead with confidence within the field of paediatric ophthalmology, gaining the skills needed to guide colleagues through uncertainty and drive positive change in healthcare organisations.

School

The School of Allied Health Professions, Nursing and Midwifery brings together expertise from across human communication sciences, nursing, midwifery, pharmacy, and orthoptics, aiming to train compassionate, resilient, and highly skilled healthcare professionals.

Entry Requirements

• Minimum 2:1 Undergraduate Honours Degree: In an eye-care related degree.
• Professional Experience: A minimum of three years of professional eye-care experience is required.
• Local Mentor: Students need to identify at least one local mentor, either an ophthalmologist or ACP paediatric ophthalmologist, who will agree to help, support, and supervise them during the program.
• English Language Requirements: IELTS 7 (with 6.5 in writing and 7 in each other component).

Fees and Funding

• Home (2026 Annual Fee): £4,226 each year
• Overseas (2026 Annual Fee): £4,226 each year
• NHS England Funding: Applicants from England may be eligible for full Master's funding from NHS England via the regional faculties for advancing practice.
• Scholarships: Overseas fee-paying students joining in September 2026 will automatically receive a £3,000 tuition fee discount (subject to eligibility). Sheffield graduates may save up to £2,500 on their postgraduate taught course fees, subject to eligibility.