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Undergraduate

Healthcare Science (Ophthalmic Imaging) BSc (Hons)

University of Gloucestershire

What is Healthcare Science (Ophthalmic Imaging) BSc (Hons)?

Working within the rapidly expanding field of Ophthalmology, Healthcare Scientists are involved in 80% of all clinical decisions in the NHS, supporting the diagnosis, monitoring, treatment, prevention, and rehabilitation of diseases of the eye and visual system.

Ophthalmic imagers specifically work in a fast-paced, challenging and stimulating environment which combines the use of both traditional and innovative technologies in order to provide excellent patient care and clinical support.

By studying Ophthalmic Imaging, you will gain access to leading expertise, facilities, and technology. We will provide you with opportunities to enable you to gain the knowledge, skills, and clinical experiences that will nurture a rewarding career in Ophthalmic healthcare services. More importantly, once qualified, you’ll have the opportunity to work within an expanding field that positively impacts patients’ lives.

We have strong links to the NHS, hospitals and clinicians, which not only shape our curriculum but also ensure the skills you’re learning are fully relevant to the workplace. This course has specifically been developed in partnership with clinical practitioners in Ophthalmology at Gloucestershire Hospitals Foundation Trust.

On this course, you will study a variety of healthcare science topics alongside your clinical placements. This provides you with invaluable experiences that use work-based application of the academic course content to develop your clinical skills and boost your ongoing career prospects.

Once qualified, you’ll have the opportunity to work within an expanding field that positively impacts patient’s lives, and have the potential to work as a Ophthalmic Imaging Practitioner, Ophthalmic Technician, Ophthalmic Photographer or OCT Technician amongst other job roles.

Study style

This course is predominantly delivered as a distanced, blended learning programme with periodic face-to-face teaching being scheduled throughout the year. This model allows you the flexibility to plan your learning around your lifestyle and ensures 24/7 access to our online teaching materials.

A variety of teaching and learning methods are used to cater for your individual learning needs. Methods include self-directed learning, discussion and debate forums, simulation exercises, portfolio building, group work, scientific practicals, seminar presentations, scientific enquiry, active learning sets, reflection-on and in-practice, and context/problem-based learning.

View virtual tour of the Ophthalmic Imaging Clinic

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Entry requirements

    • 112 UCAS tariff points, BBC at A levels with one subject preferably in a science, DMM at BTEC to include 6 units in a Science or Social Science subject, or a Merit in your T-Level in a science or health-related subject.

      Entry to this course is by interview. Check out our Interview Guide to learn what to expect and help you prepare.

    • English Language and Maths Grade 4/C in GCSE (or equivalent) are normally required.

    • If English is not your first language, you are required to provide a language test certificate as evidence of proficiency. This needs to be at Academic IELTS at 7.0 with no element below 6.5 in all sections of the test.

    • We welcome applications from mature students (aged 21 and over) and do not necessarily require the same academic qualifications as school leaving applicants, although some entry requirements may still apply for Professionally Accredited Courses. We accept Access to Higher Education Diplomas and make offers on an individual basis.

    • In order to study this course, offer holders will need to complete a satisfactory DBS and Health Clearance check.

Course modules

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Fees and costs

Start date Location UCAS code Fee (UK)
per year
Fee (international)
per year
Sep 2024 Oxstalls, Gloucester B121 £9,250 TBC
Sep 2025 Oxstalls, Gloucester B121 TBC TBC

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Possible careers

Graduates from this course can go on to work as:

  • Ophthalmic Imagers within the NHS
  • Ophthalmic Imagers within Private Sector Organisations.

View further information on career opportunities in Healthcare Science.

Industry links

University of Gloucestershire aims to support the development of a sustainable local workforce to meet the staffing needs of the county’s health employers and beyond.

In addition, the Healthcare Science degree is closely linked with the workforce planning requirements for NHS Gloucestershire. We subsequently have close working relationships with local health, social care, charities and education providers, NHS and Private, across the South West Region who support a range of placements and contribute to the quality of our academic content.

Entrepreneurship

We are the first and only University to offer a BSc (Hons) in Healthcare Science for Ophthalmic Imaging.

Specialist campus and facilities

We have recently remodelled our clinical skills laboratory space, fitted with modern, state-of-the-art healthcare science equipment. We are also in the process of building a brand new city-based campus to host our Health and Social Care courses.

Expert lecturers and healthcare professionals

We employ a diverse group of professionals who have lifelong experience working in the NHS and private sectors who contribute to the quality of our teaching materials.

We have also been ranked by OfSted as having outstanding teaching practice.

Placements

Over the three-year course, you will spend a minimum of 50 weeks in a clinical setting. The practical experience you gain working in a clinical setting will build your confidence and competence as a Healthcare Science professional.

Where you require support with identifying a clinical setting to work, we can support you through our large clinical placement network.

We pride ourselves in making your ongoing development a major focus, not just academically, but also personally and professionally whilst on placement – as such, all students have access to a personal tutor. In addition, the following professional standards are integrated throughout the course to ensure that you acquire the behaviours expected of a healthcare science employee:

  • Professional practice – relating to patient-centred care, effective communication and partnership working and recognizing the limits of your professional role
  • Clinical practice – which focuses on patient investigations and associated care pathways
  • Scientific practice – including data interpretation and reporting, technical competency, and quality assurance
  • Research, development, and innovation – encouraging research-based forward-thinking and service improvement
  • Clinical leadership – involving your personal development and how you support those around you.

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