Higher qualifications in low vision

The College’s higher qualifications in low vision enable you to assess and manage complex low vision cases and specialist populations.

Professional Certificate in Low Vision (Prof Cert LV)

This qualification provides the enhanced knowledge required for the holistic management of patients with visual impairment. Topics covered include; assessment of low vision: prescribing, dispensing and training  in the use of electronic and optical low vision task appropriate device, and clinical low vision services and referral pathways. 

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes - Professional Certificate in Low Vision (PDF)

Providers

Entry requirements
GOC-registered optometrists and dispensing opticians and eye care professionals.

Course length
One term/four months.

Course delivery
Online lectures and case-based learning, one day of practical sessions, three one-to-one progress meetings.

Placement: 
No.

Assessment
Written assessment inc MCQ, KFS, PMCS, online coursework, practical assessment (direct observation).

Masters level credits
20.

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Entry requirements
You should be a UK registered optometrist satisfying all legal requirements to be eligible to practise in the UK. Overseas optometrists will be accepted on an ad hoc basis providing your undergraduate syllabus and clinical responsibilities are similar to those of a UK optometrist.

Course length
Three days.

How often course runs
The course is run once every two years.

Course delivery
The course is a combination of asynchronous (self-directed) and synchronous (face-to-face lectures and practical experience) with an option to attend online or in person. 

  • Day one - lectures only and in person only
  • Day two - practical sessions, lectures and peer review

Placement
No.

Assessment

  1. Written assignment
  2. Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCEs)
  3. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

In person attendance required for exams.

Masters level credits
15

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Entry requirements
Optometrist or dispensing optician.

Course length
15 weeks.

How often course runs
January / two yearly.

Course delivery
A course with the option of completely online learning and assessment or hybrid learning (online learning and an element of two days face-to-face training / assessment).

Placement
N/A

Assessment
Three elements: 

  • one written assignment
  • one online course test
  • one practical face-to-face low vision patient assessment OR one online patient scenario based assessment

Masters level credits
20 credits at level 7.

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Professional Higher Certificate in Low Vision (Higher Cert LV)

This qualification enables optometrists to provide an enhanced standard of low vision care for specialist groups of patients. Topics covered include; assessing and managing patients with low vision, optical and non-optical devices and mental health and low vision.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes - Professional Higher Certificate in Low Vision (PDF)

Providers

At present no higher education provider is accredited to offer this course

Key

KFS – key feature scenarios
MCQ - multiple choice questions
OSCE - objective structured clinical examination
PMCS  - patient management case scenario
SAQ – short answer questions
VRICS -  visual recognition and interpretation of clinical signs

Become a higher qualifications course provider

When you have successfully completed your qualification, your course provider will ratify the results (this can take some months) before sending them to the College. Those who complete a College-accredited higher qualifications course may only use the associated affix in the context of activity undertaken as a registered healthcare professional, and in the country in which the practitioner is registered. On receiving results, the College will update its records and advise the GOC so GOC staff can update its register. 

Certificates are issued free of charge only for full UK College members. 

If you complete a higher qualifications course while still a student registrant you may not use the associated affix until you have full (01-) GOC registration. You will not receive a certificate until you join the College as a newly qualified practising optometrist (qualifying in the UK) or a full UK member with full (01-) GOC registration. You will have until the next (first) OSCE date following your own OSCE sitting to join the College or you will not receive a certificate. The dates of all upcoming OSCE dates are on our website.

The College produces and prints certificates at regular intervals in the year. This means it may be some months before you receive a certificate, as the College must first receive the result and then include it in the next applicable print run. 

The College will invite full UK College members who complete a higher qualification at Higher Certificate or Diploma level to the College’s prestigious annual Diploma Ceremony to have their achievement officially recognised. The College will contact these course completers separately. 

The College will replace lost or damaged certificates for a fee of £30 to those who completed the course at a time when they were a full UK College member. Use the contact form to let us know if you require a replacement certificate.