phd in optometry uk

PhD (School of Optometry and Vision Science)

Suitable for applications.

The PhD at the Bradford School of Optometry and Vision Science encompasses multidisciplinary research using a variety of techniques in the following areas:

• Basic visual processing and perception
• Visual development and myopia
• Ocular imaging
• Age-related eye disease
• Clinical optometry including service delivery/evaluation, contact lenses and refraction
• Vision-related effects on quality of life and daily activities

Research in the School is commonly carried out in collaboration with external organisations in industry and the NHS, as well as the Digital Health Enterprise Zone and Wolfson Centre for Applied Health Research .

We welcome applications for postgraduate research degrees all year round, including applications to study full or part-time. We will consider alternative starting dates when the timing doesn't fit with our two enrolment intake dates: October and February.

For informal enquiries about studying a PhD in the School of Optometry and Vision Science please contact Dr Jonathan Denniss .

Entry requirements

Faculty research is very important and recruitment of high-quality postgraduate research students is a key part of the Faculty of Life Sciences strategic plan.

Typical applicants would hold a minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree or postgraduate qualification in optometry, psychology, orthoptics, medicine, statistics, or another related discipline.

Selection of PGR students will be subject to successful interview (either in person or by video or conference call) by the supervisory team and one independent member of academic staff with significant PGR supervisory experience.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, we ask for a minimum standard entry requirement of 6.0 IELTS (with sub tests not lower than 5.5).

The certificate must have been gained within two years of the proposed start date.

If you do not meet the IELTS requirement, and you have a UKVI approved IELTS, you can take a University of Bradford pre-sessional English course. See the Language Centre for more details . For further information on English Language requirements please see the dedicated international entry requirements page .

What you will study

We aim to train multidisciplinary researchers capable of working as independent investigators and/or academics across the public and private sectors.

The Faculty of Life Sciences is the largest in the University with an active PGR community. The University strategy is implemented at Faculty level within an institutional PGR framework and is in line with QAA/RCUK recommendations. PGR students are allocated to a supervisory team comprising a principal investigator of the project, a second supervisor, and an independent academic mentor.

Students are required to undertake training in scientific writing, producing a critical appraisal of research in their field within their first six months, and additionally, have access to Master's (level 7) modules to enhance skills relevant to their project.

Throughout the course of study, students are responsible for developing a Personal Development Folder which incorporates monitoring and progression requirements as well as generic and specific training records.

Students have several opportunities to present their work to their peers within the Faculty at a regular research seminar series, and at a dedicated symposium aligned with the Faculty Research Open Day. Further, PGR students attend regular journal clubs and skills workshops within the School of Optometry and Vision Science.

PGR students within the School are typically given the opportunity to contribute to practical and/or clinical teaching on our undergraduate optometry courses.

Fees, finance and scholarships

Tuition fee 2024.

Please see the tuition fees website for the relevant tuition and writing up fees:

• Home students
• International students

Additional costs

There may be additional costs that you may incur as a student. Though these are not essential to your programme of study you need to be aware of them as a student of the University. A list of the sort of costs you might expect can be found on our fees and finance section.

Financial support

See our fees and financial support section.

Scholarships

Every year we award numerous non-repayable scholarships to UK, EU and international students on the basis of academic excellence, personal circumstances or economic hardship. For full details, visit our  scholarships  section.

Available PhD projects

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Study support

When you join the University of Bradford you will take part in both a University wide and a faculty based Induction Programme, which is a requirement for all full-time and part-time research students. This will help you understand the academic and social environment here, and give you an introduction to all the services, support and training available to you.

The University induction provides students with information on student support systems, library services and the availability of central training courses covering areas such as general statistics, referencing, IT and communication skills (abstract and report writing, presentation in local research seminars, attendance and presentation on external conferences as well graduate teaching assistant training).

Following this you would also undertake a comprehensive induction programme organised by the Faculty of Life Sciences. Students are supported by Personal Academic Advisors, and we use Training Needs Analysis to determine an individualised programme of generic and discipline specific training.

The institution also subscribes to the Vitae Research Development Framework Planner which all students are encouraged to engage with. Training opportunities are advertised throughout the academic year on the PGR website. The Faculty of Life Sciences offers both scientific generic and specialised training courses in house (ethical considerations, data analysis, personal development and employability) and facilitates attendance at external courses. 

Postdoctoral Researchers follow a career staff development plan including the “Realising Your Research Potential” cohort training programme. This programme has been developed for early career researchers and academics who have the interest and potential to engage in research activity.

Training is aimed to help kick-start their research career by development of the skills needed as well as connecting PDRs to a network of colleagues from across the University including access to the University-wide events currently organised in our annual seminar programme: Costing your Research Grant, Research Ethics Approval Process, European funding - visit by UKRO Representative, Winning Grant Funding, Research Professional Workshop, Knowledge Transfer Partnership Information Session and Yorkshire Innovation Fund Information Session.

How to apply

Alternatively, use our A–Z index

Attend an open day

PhD/MPhil Optometry / Overview

Year of entry: 2024

• View full page

We require applicants to hold, or be about to obtain, an Upper Second class Honours degree, or the equivalent qualification gained outside the UK, in a related subject area for entry to a PhD programme. A Lower Second class Honours degree may be considered if applicants also hold a Master's degree with a Merit classification.

Full entry requirements

See full guidance on how to choose a project and submit an application on our websi te . You should then complete the online admissions application form to apply for this programme. Ensure you include all required supporting documents at the time of submission, or this may delay the processing of your application.

Application deadlines

You must submit your application for a postgraduate research programme before the relevant deadline to be considered. You will not be able to apply after these deadlines have passed.

• January entry: 15 October (of the year prior entry)
• April entry: 15 January (year of entry)
• September entry: 15 June (year of entry)

Programme options

Programme overview.

• Learn from some of Europe's leading researchers while undertaking your own project.
• Access some of the best research facilities in the world at both the University and in hospitals around Greater Manchester.
• Undergo training in transferable skills critical to developing early-stage researchers and professionals through the Doctoral Academy's training programme.
• Conduct research at a university ranked 6th in the UK (QS World University Rankings 2023).

For entry in the academic year beginning September 2024, the tuition fees are as follows:

• PhD (full-time) UK students (per annum): Standard £h, Low £11,000, Medium £17,500, High £23,000 International, including EU, students (per annum): Standard £27,000, Low £28,500, Medium £34,500, High £40,500
• PhD (part-time) UK students (per annum): Standard £j, Low £5,500, Medium £8,750, High £11,500 International, including EU, students (per annum): Standard £13,500, Low £14,250, Medium £17,250, High £20,250

Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.

Contact details

Programmes in related subject areas.

Use the links below to view lists of programmes in related subject areas.

• Optometry and Ophthalmology

Regulated by the Office for Students

The University of Manchester is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS). The OfS aims to help students succeed in Higher Education by ensuring they receive excellent information and guidance, get high quality education that prepares them for the future and by protecting their interests. More information can be found at the OfS website .

You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at The University of Manchester, including our Degree Regulations and Complaints Procedure, on our regulations website .

Alternatively, use our A–Z index

PhD and MPhil programmes in Optometry and Ophthalmology are offered by the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health. As one of the largest and most successful research and teaching organisations of its kind in Europe, the Faculty is proud that a scientific culture exists in which there are no traditional barriers between research disciplines.

Shared expertise and the development of new technologies enable important bioscience problems to be approached using novel and innovative methods.

Researchers work on basic science and clinical projects to improve our understanding of structure and function of the human visual system and to translate new knowledge into useful clinical tests.

Three or four-year PhD programmes and one-year MPhil programmes are tailored to suit students with different levels of research experience, and students are carefully matched with a supervisor of their choice.

The Faculty provides extensive training opportunities for all graduate students during their studies, no matter the subject area. Our graduate training programme provides a variety of research and transferable skills to benefit the various career paths that our graduates embark on.

Start your postgraduate research journey

Browse available projects and discover our range of funding opportunities through our Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health postgraduate research page.

• Ophthalmology PhD/MPhil
• Optometry PhD/MPhil

Return to list of research areas