Our Healthcare Science (Ophthalmic Imaging) course is accredited by the National School of Healthcare Science.
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 to capture and interpret detailed images of the eye, supporting accurate clinical decision-making, 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.
When you graduate, you’ll be prepared for roles such as Ophthalmic Imaging Practitioner, Ophthalmic Technician, Ophthalmic Photographer or OCT Technician, with the skills and experience to support patient care in a rapidly evolving healthcare sector.
This course is predominantly delivered as a distance 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.
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 Pass (C or above) 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.
You must declare at the point of application and interview any criminal convictions (spent and otherwise), as this will determine your eligibility to progress through the application process.
Once you have been offered and accepted a place on your programme, you will need to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (adult and child workforce) and send a copy of the DBS certificate to our admissions team. If you have any criminal convictions, a risk assessment will be undertaken to determine your suitability for the programme and profession.
In addition, you must declare any criminal cautions or convictions during your programme (at the point they occur) to your course leader, as this may affect your ability to continue with or complete your programme. An annual DBS update service check will be conducted each year to ensure compliance.
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.
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.
Here's an example of the types of modules you'll study (the contents and structure of the course are reviewed occasionally, but it is unlikely that there will be significant change).
Module information is not available for this programme.
You're viewing fees for the course option. Choose a different course option to see corresponding course fees.
| Start date | Location | UCAS code |
Fee (UK) Fee per year |
Fee (international) Fee per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2026 | Oxstalls, Gloucester | B121 | £9,790 | £17,950 |
| Sep 2027 | Oxstalls, Gloucester | B121 | TBC | TBC |
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International students can benefit from a range of scholarships and bursaries across many undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. |
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At UoG we create a climate for bravery and growth. We instil confidence in all our students, so you can graduate career-ready and meet your ambitions.
95% of our graduates are in work or further study*, but if you’re not in a job 6 months after graduating we’ll guarantee you 6 months of free support, followed by the offer of a paid internship to kickstart your career – plus we’ll commit to lifetime career coaching. Eligibility conditions apply.
*Graduate Outcomes Survey published 2025 and based on 2022/23 leavers
Discover our promisesAt University of Gloucestershire, you’ll develop the skills and experience needed to contribute to a sustainable healthcare workforce, supporting the needs of local, regional and national health services.
As a graduate, you’ll be prepared for roles such as Ophthalmic Imaging Practioner, Ophthalmic Technician, Ophthalmic Photographer, or OCT technician, working within the NHS or in private healthcare providers.
In addition, the Healthcare Science degree is closely linked with the workforce planning requirements for the NHS. We subsequently have close working relationships with health, social care, charities and education providers, NHS and Private, across the country who support a range of placements and contribute to the quality of our academic content.
View further information on career opportunities in Healthcare Science.
We are the first and only University to offer a BSc (Hons) in Healthcare Science for Ophthalmic Imaging.
Our Healthcare Science (Ophthalmic Imaging) course is also accredited by the National School of Healthcare Science.
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.
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.
Work with leading practitioners, coaches, and professionals in specialist environments where you’ll develop your skills and and make a difference to people’s lives.
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.
Find out more about Healthcare Science (Ophthalmic Imaging) placements.
Adam Coll applied for the Healthcare Science Ophthalmic Imaging degree as a direct entry student and is currently in his second year of study.
“My role involves seeing and taking images of a wide range of patients who have various different eye conditions, as well as taking part in different aspects of research and development in order to enhance our skills in wider ophthalmology.
“I enjoy having a positive impact on the patients that I see and knowing that what I do can contribute towards somebody’s health and positive wellbeing. My biggest achievement to date is being able to progress within ophthalmic imaging and get fully confident with a lot of the basic techniques.”
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