MSc Advanced Clinical Practice in Ophthalmology

A degree apprenticeship programme aimed at registered optometrists, orthoptists and ophthalmic nurses, who are currently working clinically in an ophthalmic setting
Ophthalmology

MSc Advanced Clinical Practice in Ophthalmology

A degree apprenticeship programme aimed at registered optometrists, orthoptists and ophthalmic nurses, who are currently working clinically in an ophthalmic setting
As of 1 January 2026, government funding for Level 7 apprenticeships is restricted to learners aged 16-21, and under 25 for care leavers and those with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) at the start of their apprenticeship in England.
NHS England has announced a mitigation fund to support training for this programme. 
Organisations should submit expressions of interest to NHS England. For more information on this new funding route, please contact your local NHS England contact.
Applications for September 2027 will open Monday 8 February 2027. 
If you have an enquiry about any of the apprenticeships at the University of Plymouth, please complete the below form.
Enquiry form
The total course cost for the MSc Advanced Clinical Practice in Ophthalmology is £12,000.

Year 1 

One core module: 
ADV779 Clinical Leadership, Management and Advancing Practice (20 credits) 
Two optional clinical modules from: 
ACO701 Glaucoma (20 credits) – leading to the College of Optometrists Professional Certificate in Glaucoma
ACO702 Medical Retina (20 credits) – leading to the College of Optometrists Professional Certificate in Medical Retina
ACO703 Acute and Emergency Eye Care (20 credits) 
ACO704 Cataract (20 credits) 
 

Year 2 

Two core modules: 
ADV780 Education in Clinical Practice (20 credits) 
ADV715 Project Design for Research (20 credits) 
One optional clinical module from: 
ACO705 Advanced Glaucoma (20 credits) 
ACO706 Advanced Medical Retina (20 credits) 
ACO707 Advanced Acute and Emergency Eye Care (20 credits) 
ACO708 Advanced Cataract (20 credits) 
ACO709 Advanced Paediatric Ophthalmology (20 credits) 
 

Year 3 

Two core modules: 
SOHP704 Research in Clinical Practice (40 credits) 
APP746 Reflection of Professional Practice for the Advanced Clinical Practitioner and EPA (20 credits)

Assessment Methods

A variety of assessment methods are used throughout the programme to enable learners to achieve the learning outcomes for each module. This approach illustrated below contributes to achieving an inclusive and equitable assessment strategy.
  • Coursework
  • Written examination
  • Clinical portfolio
  • Objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs)
  • Viva examination
  • Case Based Discussion
  • Case Reflections
  • Open book examination and presentation which form the End Point Assessment (EPA).
Our innovative and flexible MSc degree apprenticeship programme supports the postgraduate development of registered ophthalmic professionals to an advanced level of practice in Clinical Ophthalmology. 
Endorsed by Health Education England and informed by national and local consultation with sector specialists, it is the first programme of its kind in the Southwest.
With a strong clinical focus and alignment to relevant national frameworks, our future-facing programme prepares optometrists, orthoptists, and ophthalmic nurses to work with a high level of autonomy as part of integrated healthcare teams, in both the primary and secondary care sectors.
Emphasis is placed on the four pillars of Advanced Clinical Practice: Education, Leadership and Management, Clinical Practice and Research, equipping clinicians with the confidence to provide professional leadership and supervision in complex situations and use person-centred approaches to manage defined episodes of clinical care independently from beginning to end. 
The incorporation of a variety of optional clinical modules offers the exciting opportunity to tailor the learning experience to meet the interests of both the clinician and employer.
This programme is aimed at registered optometrists, orthoptists, and ophthalmic nurses who are currently working clinically in an ophthalmic setting.
It will be of interest to those working in the primary or secondary care sectors who wish to develop their clinical expertise, research, education and leadership skills to an advanced level of practice. 

Ophthalmology is the largest outpatient specialty within the NHS, and due to clinical demand, upskilling a multi-disciplinary workforce into advanced roles against the national Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) framework is essential.
All modules will take a blended learning approach, with a combination of distance learning and face-to-face days at the University of Plymouth, supporting a national approach.
Where applicable, the clinical modules will align to both the College of Optometrists Higher Qualification Framework and/or the Ophthalmic Practitioner Training (OPT) Framework.

Advanced Clinical Practitioner Pathways

 

Course facts

Duration: 3 years, plus apprenticeship assessment.
Hours of study per week: Equivalent to approximately 7.5 hours per week, however this varies across the programme and will be self-managed by the individual.
Delivery type: Blended learning (80% distance learning, 20% face-to-face).
Entry requirements: 
  • GCSE English Grade C/4 or accepted equivalent*
  • GCSE Maths Grade C/4 or accepted equivalent*
  • First degree at 2:1 or above*
  • Registered ophthalmic practitioner, working a minimum of 30 hours a week in a clinical area that supports the successful completion of the programme and module learning outcomes and, in a role, demanding advanced practice skills and knowledge
  • Certified evidence of appropriate level of competence in clinical examination of the eye

  • Must be older than 18 years and have legally left school on the start date of the apprenticeship
  • Must have lived in the UK/EEA for the last three years
  • Must spend at least 50% of the working hours in England over the duration of the apprenticeship
All applicants must attend an interview
*Other alternative qualifications may be considered please contact us for more information.
 

Areas of specialisms

  • @Primary Care Optometry

  • @Secondary Care Optometry

  • @Orthoptics

  • @Ophthalmic nursing

  • @Clinical Ophthalmology

  • @Advanced Clinical Practice

ACP OP
Core skills
  • Advanced Clinical Practice.
  • Clinical Leadership and Management.
  • Education in Clinical Practice.
  • Research competence and an ability to undertake audit to evaluate and further develop your area of expertise to improve care and services for the people you are treating.
  • Critical thinking and analytic skills.
  • Enhanced theoretical knowledge and clinical competence in the investigation, diagnosis and management of ocular pathologies, to include Glaucoma, Medical Retina, Acute and Emergency Eye Care, Cataract and/or Paediatric Ophthalmology.
  • Ability to work with high level autonomy to produce best care for the patient.
  • Knowledge to drive service improvements and educate others within your scope of practice.
  • Reflective practice.
Benefits to the business 
  • Opportunity to upskill and develop the existing non-medical ophthalmic workforce
  • Offer a flexible and progressive training route for employees
  • Embed an ethos of work-based learning
  • Improve staff retention rates
  • Develop clinical expertise of staff against standardised national frameworks
  • Support the progression of staff against the Ophthalmic Practitioner Training (OPT) framework.
ACP OP
ACP OP
Benefits to Apprentice
  • Opportunity to pursue funded postgraduate development to an advanced level of clinical practice whilst in paid employment
  • Access to an innovative and flexible programme which offers clinically focused work-based learning and assessment that aligns with relevant national frameworks
  • Knowledge that your employer is supporting and valuing the importance of your progression
  • Protected development time through allocated ‘off-the-job’ training hours
  • Opportunity to learn in a diverse and multi-disciplinary environment from experts in the field with a provider you can trust
  • Ongoing support and guidance from experienced academic tutors and qualified staff throughout the programme who are dedicated to enabling you to maximise your potential and recognise that everybody learns differently.

ACP Ophthalmology staff list