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This online course, accredited and reaccredited by The College of Optometrists (most recently, 2025), aims to provide clinicians with enhanced knowledge in the holistic management of patients with visual impairment both in hospital and community settings.
Content is delivered by experienced lecturers who are optometrists. The course will give the clinician confidence in managing non-complex low vision cases.
The course is an exciting opportunity to provide clinicians with up-to-date knowledge in holistic low vision care to provide a high standard of low vision care, in either hospital or community setting, for non-complex cases. It also enhances clinicians’ expertise in understanding low vision and decision-making skills in the management of the patient with low vision.
This Professional Certificate, accredited by the College of Optometrists, is delivered by 2 methods: as blended learning or completely online learning. Both methods of delivery include 7 online asynchronous ‘distance learning’ units of learning content and 5 online synchronous tutorials.
Those learners opting for the blended learning material can avail of a 1 day face-to-face tutorial/ practical session in low vision care at Ulster University, Coleraine campus. Those clinicians enrolled as completely online learners have access to online recorded tutorials in providing a low vision assessment.
Assessment comprises 3 elements: a written assignment, an online course test and either a practical face to face low vision assessment with a patient or a final online assessment (low vision case scenario) . For those who are blended learners, there is a requirement to attend the Coleraine campus of Ulster University for the practical assessment.
Ulster University has pioneered the delivery of distance learning in the UK and has many years of experience in providing bespoke support for students learning online. The flexible nature of the delivery of this Professional Certificate allows the participant to learn at their own pace, in their own time.
Friendly and professional advice and support will be available from the course team via email, blackboard learn collaborate, telephone and face-to-face sessions.
Key Facts
- Professional Certificate in Low Vision, accredited by the College of Optometrists
- Part-time, blended learning or completely online learning
- Can be submitted as self evidence for CPD points for GOC registered optometrists or dispensing opticians
- Ongoing enrolment throughout the year, annual intake
- Next start date: January each year
- Course duration: 15 weeks
- Credit points: 20
- Fees: £1,200
What skills will this short course give me?
This short course will provide clinicians with the up to date knowledge in holistic low vision care to provide a high standard of low vision care, in either hospital or community optometry, for non-complex cases. It also enhances clinicians’ knowledge and decision-making skills in the management of the patient with low vision.
How will I learn?
The short course has 2 registration options for learners: either blended learning or completely online learning. All learners get a bespoke package of online learning material (audio-visual content) and online tutorials. Those applicants choosing blended learning will have an optional face-to-face tutorial/ practical day while fully online learners have access to a series of recorded learning content on providing a low vision assessment. Learners are encouraged to engage with the lecturer/s and their peers in online discussions in a friendly environment. Online learning is available through access to the University 'virtual learning environment', Blackboard Learn Ultra.
What’s the timeframe?
The short course is designed to fit with working clinician’s schedules. The whole course is 15 weeks in duration, providing ample time for self-directed learning and preparation for the assessments. The online content is presented within 7 units of learning over 9 weeks, and the online delivery means this learning content can be tackled in blocks of time, or spread out more evenly, depending on work/life commitments.
What does the assessment involve?
Assessment comprises three elements:
- A written assignment
- An online course test
- Either a “Practical Assessment” (Blended learners) or “Final Online Assessment” (Completely online learners)
What is the Tutorial day?
For those learners choosing the blended learning option, the face-to-face tutorial/practical day provides the opportunity for the clinician to be prepared for the practical assessment.
The tutorial day aims to guide clinicians in how to provide a complete low vision assessment with a patient. It covers all elements of assessed competencies, access to low vision equipment and resources, with a practise session with a patient with low vision.
This day is highly recommended, but not compulsory if clinicians have significant clinical experience.
Who is eligible to be admitted to this course?
Clinicians eligible to enrol on this course are optometrists or dispensing opticians (GOC registered); the GOC register will be checked prior to admission to the course.
Optometrists/ dispensing opticians located outside the UK are eligible to enrol (registered with their countries optical body) with evidence of registration. These optometrists/ dispensing opticians will be provided with evidence of course completion from Ulster University.
What next?
Intake: Intake once per year, each January: please contact us for next intake date.
Cost: £1,200.
Please contact Moyra McClure at me.mcclure@ulster.ac.uk to enroll or for further information.
Contacts
Moyra McClure
Lecturer
