Therapeutic Prescribing for Optometrists (PgCert)
- Duration: 1 year
- Mode: Part time blended learning
This course is under review
You can still apply. We will contact offer holders and update this page when the programme changes.
Open day
Find out more about studying here as a postgraduate at our next Open Day.
Why study this course
This course will provide optometrists with a broad education in prescribing practice that will equip them with the necessary knowledge and skills to enhance their career and contribute effectively to extended professional roles.
#2 for Optometry
We are ranked 2nd for Optometry in the Complete University Guide 2024.
Meets General Optical Council standards
Meets the standards set by the General Optical Council for entry into the specialist therapeutic prescribing register.
Enhance your career growth and professional impact
Equips you with the necessary knowledge and skills to enhance your career and contribute effectively to extended professional roles.
Researchers involved in course design and delivery
Many of our teaching staff are practicing researchers; in many cases leading experts in their fields.
The only course of its kind in Wales
The only ‘Therapeutic Prescribing for Optometrists’ course available in Wales
We're committed to delivering programmes that are innovative and relevant, providing the best learning outcomes and career prospects for our students. In light of this, we're currently reviewing some elements of this programme. As such, the details shown are subject to change and indicative only. You can still apply now. We'll update this page and contact all offer holders when the review is complete to confirm any changes.
Where you'll study
School of Optometry and Vision Sciences
Our students benefit from hands on experience, outstanding optometry facilities and involvement from our internationally renowned staff.
Admissions criteria
Find out more about English language requirements.
Applicants who require a Student visa to study in the UK must present an acceptable English language qualification in order to meet UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) requirements.
Course structure
The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum and will be reviewed prior to the 2025/26 academic year. The final modules will be published by September 2025.
This modular postgraduate course is designed to enable fully qualified optometrists to gain Independent Prescriber status. The course consists of three modules held over 1 year (2 semesters). Each of the three modules carries 20 postgraduate credits. These credits count towards further postgraduate qualifications such as the Diploma and MSc in Clinical Optometry.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Ocular Therapeutics | OPT034 | 20 credits |
| Practical Prescribing | OPT035 | 20 credits |
| Independent Prescribing | OPT036 | 20 credits |
The University is committed to providing a wide range of module options where possible, but please be aware that whilst every effort is made to offer choice this may be limited in certain circumstances. This is due to the fact that some modules have limited numbers of places available, which are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, while others have minimum student numbers required before they will run, to ensure that an appropriate quality of education can be delivered; some modules require students to have already taken particular subjects, and others are core or required on the programme you are taking. Modules may also be limited due to timetable clashes, and although the University works to minimise disruption to choice, we advise you to seek advice from the relevant School on the module choices available.
Learning and assessment
Tuition fees for 2025 entry
Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on your fee status. Your fee status could be home, island or overseas.
Learn how we decide your fee status
Fees for home status
Fees will be invoiced by module. Normally, invoices will be released shortly after enrolment for each individual module. For more information please refer to our tuition fees pages.
Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland
If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss national, your tuition fees for 2025/26 be in line with the overseas fees for international students, unless you qualify for home fee status. UKCISA have provided information about Brexit and tuition fees.
Fees for island status
Learn more about the postgraduate fees for students from the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.
Fees for overseas status
Fees will be invoiced by module. Normally, invoices will be released shortly after enrolment for each individual module. For more information please refer to our tuition fees pages.
Additional costs
Will I need any specific equipment to study this course/programme?
As the majority of the course is delivered online you will need access to a computer with high speed internet access
The University will provide all equipment which is required for the practical day training within the clinic.
Living costs
We’re based in one of the UK’s most affordable cities. Find out more about living costs in Cardiff.
Funding
Career prospects
The specific aim of the programme is to prepare optometrists to practise as independent prescribers and to meet the standards set by the General Optical Council for entry on to the appropriate specialist therapeutic prescribing register.
Next steps
Open Day visits
Register for information about our 2023 dates.Make an enquiry
Contact us for more information about this course.International
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Related searches: Optometry
HESA Data: Copyright Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited 2021. The Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited cannot accept responsibility for any inferences or conclusions derived by third parties from its data. Data is from the latest Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20, published by HESA in June 2022.
