The College of Optometrists

26 January 2006

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The College of Optometrists awards a number of postgraduate Research Scholarships and Summer Scholarships each year.

The Postgraduate Scholarships are made in support of research work in optometry or a closely related subject and are granted to postgraduate students working and registered for the award of a higher degree. Selection of the scholarship will be based on the scope and content of the project as proposed by the intending supervisor.

Please note that it is a requirement for the scholar to have been awarded a first class or upper second class degree. In exceptional instances a lower second class degree will be accepted subject to the selection being supported with substantive evidence of the candidate’s academic ability.

The aim of the Summer Scholarships is to encourage high calibre optometry undergraduate students in the UK to consider a career in research or academia by sponsoring a short period of experience in an active research laboratory. Students are assigned to a project working under the direct supervision of a postdoctoral (or more senior) supervisor and should receive an introduction to research at postgraduate level.

Applicants must be undergraduates on a UK optometry degree course, preferably in the penultimate year of their course, and be expected to achieve a first or upper second class honours degree. The scholarships are for eight weeks.

Interested parties are hereby invited to make application for the Research Scholarships for the 3-year period commencing October 2006, and Summer Scholarships for an 8-week period in 2006.

The closing date for receipt of the completed applications for the postgraduate Research Scholarships and Summer Scholarships is Friday, 31 March 2006. It is anticipated that final selection for the scholarships will be made by the end of May and you will be informed of the result soon after.

Travel bursaries are also offered to postgraduate students throughout the year to provide financial assistance to enable them to present papers on their research at conferences. Bursaries are awarded for either poster or oral presentations.

For a copy of the regulations, the conditions of awards and application forms please contact Theresa Murtagh by e-mail or on 020 7766 4364.