MMedSci Ophthalmology Advanced Clinical Practice (Paediatrics) Apprenticeship
Take your career as an orthoptist, optometrist or ophthalmic nurse to the next level with an advanced clinical practice apprenticeship in paediatric ophthalmology.
Programme description
Programme lead: Dr Charlotte Codina
It can take up to six weeks for an offer to be made. Please do not contact us for a decision before this time has passed.
This page refers to the Ophthalmology Advanced Clinical Practice (Paediatrics) apprenticeship course. The programme is also available as a traditional masters’ programme.
This apprenticeship is designed to help you advance your knowledge, skills and experience in paediatric ophthalmology. The programme is ideal for orthoptists, optometrists and ophthalmic nurses who provide eye care for children and young people who want to fulfil their career aspirations, whilst drawing on the university’s pioneering health research.
You will cover all four pillars of advanced practice: clinical practice, leadership and management, education and research.
In your first year, you will study how to diagnose and manage a wide range of ophthalmology conditions that primarily affect children and young people, at an advanced level. You will apply this knowledge to your practice through work-based learning.
In your second year, you will take our Clinical Leadership and Education in Ophthalmology module. This is the only module that focuses on the knowledge and skills leaders and educators need when working in eyecare specifically. There are also optional modules on assessing and managing low vision patients, diseases that affect ocular motility, the prescription and non-prescription medicines that orthoptists can use, and research methods.
The programme is led by practising orthoptists and eyecare experts. In your final year, you can work with them on a 40-credit independent research project, either by collecting and analysing your data, or exploring the latest findings on a specific topic.
You’ll then enter Gateway, a period of time between completing your university training and your final end-point assessment (EPA) during which you’ll demonstrate the knowledge, skills and behaviours that you’ve gained throughout the course.
Accreditation
Our standard programme has received accreditation from the Centre for Advancing Practice, with accreditation pending for our apprenticeship pathway. The programme is also fully aligned with the ACP integrated degree standards set out by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE).
Duration
Three years, part time
Teaching
This course is taught through a combination of online and work-based learning. Introductory sessions and tutorials take place online, and during the course, you should expect to spend between 10 and 12 hours each week on self-directed study units and work-based learning activities, applying your knowledge in clinical settings and building up a portfolio of your work.
Below are the provisional dates of the introductory days for 2025 entry. Please note: these dates are subject to change.
- Year 1: 29 September 2025
- Year 2: 30 September 2026
You will need to access additional paediatric clinics for one day per week – particularly in your first year. This is so that you can observe a variety of clinical situations and practise a range of clinical skills under supervision.
Assessment
You will be assessed through essays, videos, practical work, a portfolio and a research project write-up. The Low Vision and Exemptions modules both have an online exam.
At the end of your three years, you will complete an End Point Assessment (EPA)
Entry requirements
Qualified orthoptists and optometrists, as well as ophthalmic nurses with postgraduate qualifications, are welcome to apply.
- Minimum 2:1 undergraduate honours degree in an eye care-related degree. Lesser qualifications may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Other requirements
- A minimum of three years (ideally five years) of professional eyecare experience
- GCSEs: Grade 4/C or above in Maths and English
Local mentor
You must be currently working in paediatric eye care and have the support of a local ophthalmologist or ACP paediatric ophthalmology, to gain clinical experience under supervision for a wide range of paediatric eye conditions. You must be employed by your organisation for a minimum of 30 hours per week to undertake a job with training to recognised industry standards.
For this course, you will need to gain practical experience and clinical exposure by attending paediatric ophthalmology clinics. You will need to identify at least one local mentor, either Ophthalmologist or ACP Paediatric Ophthalmology, who will agree to help, support and supervise you during the programme.
A local mentor handbook for prospective and current mentors is available to download.
You will need to complete a local mentor support form and return it by email to orthoptics@sheffield.ac.uk at the same time that you submit your application.
Local mentor support form (Word)
International qualifications
We also consider a wide range of international qualifications:
Entry requirements for international students
English language requirements
Overall IELTS score of 7.0 with 6.5 in each other component, or equivalent.
Apply
It can take up to six weeks for an offer to be made. Please do not contact us for a decision before this time has passed.
Before you complete your University of Sheffield application, you must have been interviewed for and secured a trainee advanced clinical practitioner post. This will ensure you have the correct funding and supervision in place. As an apprentice, you must be employed by your organisation for a minimum of 30 hours per week to undertake a job with training to recognised industry standards.
You can apply to the apprenticeship route by emailing ahpnm-apprenticeships-admissions@sheffield.ac.uk.
Webinars
We have been running online webinars to give an overview of the programme and the application process, for both employers and potential apprentice applicants.
You can view a recording of our May webinar, hosted by programme lead Dr Charlotte Codina, below.
