Program Overview

Graduate Certificate in Vision Impairment

The Graduate Certificate in Vision Impairment is a postgraduate qualification that equips students with the specialist knowledge to deliver inclusive, client-centred support to individuals with blindness or low vision. This program is designed for professionals from a variety of backgrounds, including health, education, and social services.

Overview

The Graduate Certificate in Vision Impairment is a one-year, full-time postgraduate degree that can be completed part-time over a longer period. The program consists of three core courses and a choice of five electives, totaling 24 units of credit. Delivered by UNSW's School of Optometry & Vision Science, this is Australia's first postgraduate qualification that focuses specifically on vision impairment.

Program Structure

• The program contains a total of 24 units of credit and can be completed in less than one year when studied full-time or two years when studied part-time.
• Students must complete:
  • Three core courses 18 UOC
    • The Visual System, Impairments & Implications
    • Disability and Inclusion in Vision Rehabilitation
    • Vision Rehabilitation
  • One elective course 6 UOC
    • Research Skills in Vision Science
    • Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology
    • Development and Ageing: Implications for Orientation and Mobility
    • Health Promotion and Social Perspectives of Health
    • Ethics & Law in Public Health
    • Sensory Processes and Movement

Entry Requirements

To gain entry to this program, students must have at least a three-year full-time AQF level 7 Bachelor degree in any discipline. This program is only open for Term 1 enrolments and is completed part-time.

English Language Requirements

Students may be asked to provide evidence of their English proficiency to study at UNSW, depending on their educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments, and examinations.

What Will I Study?

Through fully supported online learning, students will uncover the functional impact of ocular disease, create strategies to critically evaluate the latest research on vision impairment, and deliver client-focused services that improve the lives of those living with blindness or vision impairment.

Future Careers

A Graduate Certificate in Vision Impairment opens doors to meaningful roles where students can positively impact the lives of people with blindness or low vision. Graduates work across public and private settings, including rehabilitation centers, disability services, government agencies, community organizations, and the assistive technology sector.

Fees & Scholarships

• Commonwealth Supported Place:
  • 2026 Indicative CSP First Year Fee: $5,000
  • 2026 Indicative CSP Fee to Complete Degree: $5,000
• Full Fee:
  • 2026 Indicative First Year Fee: $31,000
  • 2026 Indicative Fee to Complete Degree: $31,500

Why Study at UNSW?

UNSW is one of the world's top-ranked schools, with the School of Optometry & Vision Science ranked 2nd worldwide for Optometry. The university is a leading research institution in major areas of vision and ocular disease, and the Graduate Certificate in Vision Impairment is the first program of its kind in Australia.