MSc Investigative Ophthalmology and Vision Science

The University holds regular open days, where you will have the opportunity to tour the campus and find out more about our facilities and courses. On this day, you will find out more about the course and meet academic and admissions staff who will be able to answer any questions you have. For more information, see Open days .

Please apply via our online application form . See the Application and selection section for details of the supporting documents that we require.

We recommend that you apply as early as possible. The formal deadline is the end of July. We reserve the right to close applications earlier if the course is full.

Your application form must be accompanied by the following supporting documents:

• two academic references on letter headed paper. Professional references can be provided in instances where you have been out of university for more than three years. Unfortunately we cannot request references from your referees on your behalf;
• official academic certificates and transcripts of all your current and previous studies (with fully certified translations by a professional translator if not in English);
• personal statement;
• CV;
• a scanned copy of the photograph page of your passport;
• proof of English language proficiency (if appropriate).

Supporting documents can be uploaded with the online application form, or if this is not possible, sent directly to pgtaught.optometry@manchester.ac.uk . After applying, please do not submit documents in any other way without telling us first so we can provide you with the most efficient service.

Please make sure you include your University ID number on any correspondence and do not send any documents before you have submitted your application.

If you have any problems with the application process, please contact us at pgtaught.optometry@manchester.ac.uk .

Our MSc Investigative Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences course brings together the research expertise in vision from The University of Manchester and the clinical expertise of Manchester Royal Eye Hospital.

The course is aimed at optometrists, ophthalmologists, orthoptists and nurses from the UK and overseas. It is suitable for:

• individuals who are considering undertaking a research degree in the vision sciences;
• those interested in professional development;
• those interested in conducting research as part of their clinical training;
• ophthalmologists wishing to expand and extend their training into specialist areas;
• optometrists considering a career in the hospital eye service.

This course will provide you with a firm grounding in the knowledge needed to pursue a higher degree and to conduct high quality research in ophthalmology, optometry or vision sciences.

It also gives an opportunity for vision-related professionals to advance their knowledge of the scientific foundations of ophthalmology and vision sciences.

PhD with integrated master's

If you're planning to undertake a PhD after your master's, our Integrated PhD programme will enable you to combine your postgraduate taught course with a related PhD project in biology, medicine or health.

You can also visit this page for examples of projects related to integrated master's courses.

Deadline date for applications:

International Applicants – 1st August

Home Applicants – 1st September

This course aims to provide those working within the ophthalmic professions (ophthalmologists, optometrists, vision scientists, orthoptists and ophthalmic nurses) with an opportunity for professional development.

It will give you a firm grounding in the knowledge, understanding and skills you will need to pursue a higher research degree or to participate in research programmes and meet a need for researchers who can form a bridge between basic research and applied clinical research.

Through the research modules and dissertation, you will develop skills of systematically analysing and interpreting a body of literature, designing and conducting a research project, and analysing and presenting research findings within a written dissertation.

In each unit, learning will be based on a series of formal lectures on topics relating to ocular disease and treatments, and a series of more informal tutorials on current research. You will receive copies of presentations and direction to relevant literature for personal study.

Many dissertation projects have led to peer-reviewed publications in ophthalmic literature. Recent titles include:

• Optical coherence tomography measures of the retinal nerve fibre layer.
• Development of a model cell assay to investigate the cellular processing of ARB mutant bestrophin-1.
• Risk factors for late presentation of patients with primary open angle glaucoma.
• Molecular analysis of autosomal recessive retinal dystrophies.
• In vivo analysis of the wettability of silicon hydrogel contact lenses.
• Can corneal densitometry be used to assess the treatment outcome after corneal transplantation.
• A contact lens based technique delivering cultured stem cells onto the human corneal surface.
• The use of corneal imaging to assessing treatment outcomes of LASIK and LASEK.
• Addressing the physiological cues needed for trans-differentiation of dental pulp stem cells into limbal stem cells.

The course director is Dr Catherine Porter

Assessment is via:

• written examinations in January and May;
• coursework set during the taught units;
• a research project dissertation.

IOVS is a great course overall; excellent content and very enjoyable. - Abid Ali, ophthalmology trainee [UK]

I've enjoyed the insight into new and modern treatments and diagnostic techniques. - Isaac Nunoo, optometrist [Ghana]

I love the way the lecturers teach and explain, and the ease with which you can access information. - Chimdi Emma-Duru, optometrist and PhD student [Nigeria]

Ophthalmology is housed within the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, which is located at the southern end of the University campus. Optometry is housed within the nearby Carys Bannister Building.

Most dissertations are conducted within the University and the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital. Students may, however, embark on work outside these environments (eg an optometric practice or other hospital). This is contingent on the acceptance of the research proposal and the approval of suitable external and internal supervisors by the course director.

You will also have access to a range of library and IT facilities across the University.

This MSc is aimed at optometrists, ophthalmologists, orthoptists, nurses and those from related backgrounds, and can open up a number of career opportunities.

The course will enable you to develop a systematic understanding of ocular diseases, the complex issues involved in their treatment and a critical awareness of current research. You will also be able to apply clinical problem-solving skills to patient care, where decisions must be made in unpredictable situations, using initiative and taking personal responsibility. You will importantly be able to critically analyse and evaluate literature in order to inform the eye care of your patients.

It is also ideal if you want to conduct research as part of your clinical training or pursue an academic career in ophthalmology, optometry and the vision sciences.

Please note, this course does not allow you to register as an optometrist with the General Optical Council.