Doctor of Optometry/Doctor of Ophthalmic Science

Course Summary

Study the first UK professional doctorate in Optometry, available part time via distance learning at Aston University. You will obtain a professional doctorate that will enable you to enhance your knowledge and critical awareness of current issues, to be at the forefront of your academic discipline through taught and research elements.

Course outline and what you will study

The Doctor of Optometry/ Doctor of Ophthalmic Science is a unique professional doctorate programme that will enable you to enhance your knowledge, and critical awareness of current issues, and to be at the forefront of the academic discipline through taught and research elements.

The Doctor of Optometry programme is aimed at practising optometrists, who will complete case records where required for taught module coursework and will undertake a practice-based research project.

The Doctor of Ophthalmic Science programme is for eye care professionals who may not be practising optometrists, e.g. medics/ orthoptists/ product designers; these students may complete scientific essays to fulfil the coursework requirements and undertake a non-clinical research project.

Learning, teaching, assessment and staff

For taught modules, online lectures, available on our virtual environment whenever you chose to view them are accompanied by short tests throughout the module. Each module includes a substantial piece of coursework, e.g. a scientific literature review or portfolio of case records. The pass mark for all forms of taught module assessment is 50%.

For the main element of the doctorate, the research project, candidates submit a report and undergo a qualifying report stage within one year of becoming research active. Once this stage has been passed, candidates continue their research, culminating in the submission of a thesis (up to 80, 000 words) which is examined in a viva examination by experts in the chosen field. The degree of Doctor of Optometry or Doctor of Ophthalmic Science is awarded to candidates who successfully defend their thesis.