Program Overview

Program Overview

The Vision and Strabismus MMedSci program is designed for orthoptists and other eye care professionals looking to advance their clinical knowledge and understanding in the specialist area of vision and strabismus. This is the only course on these topics that is taught entirely online, allowing students to fit their studies around their personal and professional commitments.

Course Description

This masters program is led by practicing orthoptists and eye care professionals, alongside world-leading researchers, who are experienced in supporting mature and distance learners. The program aims to train compassionate, resilient, and highly skilled healthcare professionals and support them throughout their working lives.

Modules

A selection of modules is available each year, including:

• Concomitance and Incomitance in Depth
• Eye to Vision
• Stroke
• Medical Exemptions for Orthoptists
• Insight into Disease (Orthoptics and Ophthalmology)
• Low Vision
• Research Methods (Orthoptics and Ophthalmology)
• Dissertation (Orthoptics and Ophthalmology)

Duration and Teaching

The program is 3 years part-time, taught online through distance learning. Introductory learning blocks take place on an online study day at the beginning of the first and second year. Students should expect to spend between 10 and 12 hours each week on self-directed study units, building up a portfolio of their work.

Assessment

Students will be assessed through a variety of written assignments and presentations, depending on the modules they are studying. The Low Vision and Exemptions modules both have an online exam with the Exemptions exam requiring use of a computer, webcam, and microphone.

Career Prospects

The program is designed to advance both clinical career and patient care. Many alumni have successfully transitioned into senior leadership roles, such as Head Orthoptist, Deputy Head Orthoptist, or Service Manager, both in the NHS and overseas.

School

The School of Allied Health Professions, Nursing and Midwifery brings together expertise from across human communication sciences, nursing, midwifery, pharmacy, and orthoptics. The school aims to train compassionate, resilient, and highly skilled healthcare professionals and support them throughout their working lives.

Entry Requirements

Minimum 2:2 undergraduate honors degree in an eye care-related degree. International students may be considered with other eye-care related qualifications. English language requirements: IELTS 7 (with 6.5 in writing and 7 in each other component).

Fees and Funding

• Home (2026 annual fee): £3,793 each year
• Overseas (2026 annual fee): £3,793 each year Applicants may be eligible for full master's funding from NHS England via the regional faculties for advancing practice. Overseas fee-paying students joining in September 2026 will automatically receive a £3,000 tuition fee discount (subject to eligibility). Alumni may save up to £2,500 on their course fees.