Orthoptics degree: Course structure
The three-year honours degree in Orthoptics incorporates both the theoretical teaching and clinical practice necessary for students to become orthoptists and practice clinically on graduation. Blocks of clinical teaching are interspersed throughout the three years, and are arranged in orthoptic departments across Britain. A variety of hospitals, community clinics, special schools and child development centres are used to ensure the student obtains a wide range of clinical experience. The degree of responsibility undertaken by the student in the diagnosis and management of patients increases as the course progresses. The third year includes a two-week clinical elective period that may be undertaken at a UK teaching hospital of the students' choice.
As you progress to year 2 the anatomy and physiology becomes more specific to the eye and brain, and the orthoptic content centres around different conditions that affect eye movements - how these may be investigated and managed and how they may be differentiated from each other. Pathology and ophthalmology widen your knowledge of disease in relation to the body and the eyes. You will find out more about how the NHS works and how you, as an orthoptist, will be involved in the procedures set-up within the NHS to ensure that high standards are maintained. Also you will discuss ethics. At the end of the year, 'research methods' looks at how to approach and carry out research and leads into a choice of topic for your research project.
Year 3 involves fewer lectures! But now you must manage your own time well as there are several assignments and the research project to be completed. There are, however, some new areas introduced, such as paediatric neurology, where you will learn about conditions that may be present in some of our patient population, and pathology is related to neurological conditions.
Flexibility
Students studying orthoptics at Sheffield attend full time. There are no opportunities for study as a part time or external student except where a student is required to repeat part of the course or an examination due to failure of that subject.
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