Vision and Strabismus FAQs

Students should expect to undertake between 10 and 14 hours of study weekly although this will vary depending on prior knowledge and experience.  Each module is worth 30 credits and the University guidance on study time for this is 300 hours.

You will work through the prepared units building up a portfolio of your work, developing knowledge, understanding and critical appraisal skills. Each module has specific assignments which must be completed.  The Low Vision and Exemptions modules have an online exam.

The assessment for the course is through a variety of assignments for all modules, except for the Low Vision and Exemptions modules, which both have an online exam.

You will be assigned a module coordinator and a personal tutor for the duration of your studies and are encouraged to form links with fellow students for peer group support.

Online attendance is required at the virtual introductory days or tutorials at the start of each module and at the mid-week tutorials, which occur on occasional weekdays 4pm - 5pm, unless illness or other mitigating circumstances make this very difficult. You will be given the dates of the first introductory day once you have accepted your place on the course and the other tutorial dates will be given to you at the start of the module.

The majority of students find the contact with tutors and the opportunity to mix with fellow students in virtual hangouts invaluable and view these online sessions very positively.

Yes.  If you successfully gain 60 credits by completing two modules in Year 1 of the Vision and Strabismus programme, you may leave the programme with a Postgraduate Certificate.

Yes.  If you successfully gain 120 credits by completing four modules in Years 1 and 2 of the Vision and Strabismus programme, you may leave the programme with a Postgraduate Diploma (PG Diploma students usually undertake a dissertation rather than the Research Methods module).

You have full online access to the University of Sheffield online e-library Starplus.  You will be provided with essential reading material for each module and will have access to library materials to assist you in preparing your coursework.  

You will also have access to University libraries via the Society of College, National and University Libraries (SCONUL) Access Scheme. 

Check to see if your nearest university or college is a member

The University of Sheffield does not provide funding for this course. Some students gain financial support from their employers.

Funding is also available in some regions through Learning Beyond Registration (LBR). 

There is also career boost funding available from the government for AHPs of £1000 a year.

All students will be fully supported whether or not they have had opportunity for recent study.

The MMedSci Vision and Strabismus programme has an intake of students every year in September. Standalone modules may run more frequently, with some beginning in the Spring semester,

View the course page for more details

Applications for the September intake are invited from mid-October of the year before, and should be made before July of the year of intake. Applicants are invited to apply sooner rather than later in case the course is oversubscribed.

All modules can be studied individually.

Find further information for the particular module you are interested in

Applications usually close one month before the start date of the chosen module, but we advise submitting your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment should the course be oversubscribed.  

Key dates and deadlines for postgraduate courses  

Any two modules from the Vision and Strabismus programme, studied as standalone modules, can be combined to gain a postgraduate certificate. Some 30-credit modules from the Vision and Strabismus programme can be combined to gain a PG Diploma.

The Clinical Leadership and Education module from the MMedSci Ophthalmology ACP (Paediatrics) programme cannot be combined with any of the modules from the Vision and Strabismus programme.

If you gained a 2:2 in your previous degree, we will still consider your application to study with us. In such cases, if you have undertaken any further postgraduate study already, have gained any specialist clinical skills, or have research experience, this will support your application and you should provide evidence of this at the time of applying.

If you haven't studied for a considerable time, an academic reference may not be the most appropriate means of endorsing your application. In such cases, we would advise asking a professional colleague who can testify to your academic ability instead.

For the Low Vision and Exemptions modules, a remote exam is delivered that you must sit in one sitting, within a 24-hour period.  The exemptions exam requires use of a computer including a webcam and a microphone.

If you think this will be a problem, contact the module or programme leader at the earliest opportunity.

Yes, you can apply before you have your English test result. However, your offer would be conditional on receipt of our required English standards and your offer would only be converted to unconditional if we receive proof that you have met these requirements.