Higher qualifications in paediatric eye care

The College’s higher qualifications in paediatric eye care enable you to manage the specific and complex needs of younger patients with confidence.

Professional Certificate in Paediatric Eye Care (Prof Cert Paed Eye Care)

This qualification helps prepare optometrists for extended roles within community and hospital optometry. There is a particular emphasis on child-friendly testing procedures and successful examination. 

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes - Professional Certificate in Paediatric Eye Care (PDF)

Providers

Entry requirements
UK-based GOC registered optometrist who regularly sees paediatric patients.

Course length
Four months.

How often course runs
Annual intake of 1 March.

Course delivery method
Online distance learning based course with mandatory on campus workshop.

Placement/portfolio
N/A.

Assessment
MCQ tests, Case studies, OSCEs.

Masters level credits
Level 7.

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Entry requirements
GOC-registered optometrists.

Course length
Two 17-week semesters.

How often the course runs
Course runs annually with an intake every September

Course delivery
Online learning including lectures, case discussions and webinars, practical days including workshops and clinical experience, and case discussions.

Placement
No.

Assessment
Online written coursework, practical assessment (OSCE).

Masters level credits
20.

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Entry requirements
Fully qualified GOC and CORU-registered optometrists are eligible for admission.

Optometrists registered and practising in other jurisdictions should contact optometrycpd@ulster.ac.uk to determine if their scope of practice will permit admission.

Course length
The whole course is 16 weeks in duration, providing time for self-directed learning and preparation for the assessments. The online content is presented within seven units of learning over 13 weeks, and learners have some flexibility with regard to when they engage with each unit.  

Course delivery
The short course is delivered and assessed via distance learning. Optometrists undertake a bespoke package of online learning material (audio-visual and written content) supported by online peer-discussion and online tutorial and case discussion sessions with course tutors and other learners. 

Assessment is conducted online through reflective reports, case studies and video demonstration of practical skills and communication.

An optional tutorial day at Ulster University’s Coleraine campus may be offered (subject to availability and demand) for those who want to attend.

How often if runs
Annual. 

Placement
N/A

Assessment
The course is assessed through a variety of means including bite-sized knowledge-based assessments, four paediatric case reports demonstrating the visual assessment and management of a range of paediatric cases, and submission of evidence of communication and clinical skills. CPD points can be self-declared and supported with documented evidence of assessment completion supplied by the Course Director.

Masters level credits
None - this course is equivalent to a 20-credit (200 hours notional student effort) Masters module.

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Case study: Mitul Mistry MCOptom Prof Cert Paed Eye Care

"I really enjoyed the paediatric eye care module at university, and my main ambition was to find a suitable role in a hospital. After graduating, I started work in a high street practice and soon realised that examining younger patients requires a unique skills set! But I loved the challenge and was even more determined to specialise in this area.

"I did some research online and found a course at Ulster University that was exactly what I was looking for. Distance learning really worked for me. It was all very manageable with no need for those ‘all nighters’ of student days! I could watch the online lectures and study for two or three hours a day after work and, with the support of my employers, undertake the three practical assessments needed for the course, during my working days. My final assessment was carried out via Skype, so there was no need for any travel at all – it couldn’t have been more convenient. The course leader, Dr Kathryn Saunders FCOptom, is a world-renowned expert in this area and I felt I learned so much from her. She was always available to provide support and advice.

"I finished the course with a whole new set of techniques and much more confidence, and successfully applied for a new role within a hospital. My new employers were impressed by my qualification and they quickly realised that because of that, I would not need any training to get up to speed with the work in the department."

Professional Higher Certificate in Paediatric Eye Care (Higher Cert Paed)

This qualification enables practitioners to deliver eye care to more complex paediatric cases and specialist populations, and to understand the evidence for developing management options. Topics covered include; the impact of visual impairment on childhood development, practical skills to assess and manage children and formulating an evidence-based management strategy for children’s eye care. 

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes - Professional Higher Certificate in Paediatric eye care (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.