19 Jan 2026 (Available)
Apply by: 05 Jan 2026
New Session
Course overview
This 30-credit postgraduate module marks the first step on your journey to becoming a GOC-registered Independent Prescriber. Whether you practise in a high street setting, hospital eye service, or independent sector, this course is designed to equip you with the scientific knowledge, clinical reasoning, and professional skills to prescribe safely and confidently for your patients.
Through a carefully structured series of lectures, you will build a strong foundation in:
- Ocular anatomy, physiology, immunology, and microbiology
- Pharmacology and principles of drug delivery
- History taking and ocular examination techniques
- Infection control, prescribing legislation, ethics, and professionalism
- Key systemic conditions relevant to prescribing practice
On completion of this module, you will be ready to progress to the next stages of the Independent Prescribing qualification: completing IP module 2 before undertaking your supervised clinical placement, and preparing for the Common Final Assessment. Successful completion of all stages allows you to join the GOC register as an Independent Prescribing Optometrist.
Your module is led by Colin Davidson (c.davidson2@herts.ac.uk), and full lecture content and learning schedules are provided in the course handbook.
This course will challenge you to think beyond the consulting room, bridging the gap between optometric care and therapeutics, and preparing you to take on a prescribing role that improves outcomes for patients across primary and secondary care.
Content
Online induction session via Teams w/c 19th January 2026
Module 1 Content – delivered online
Anatomy & Physiology
Immunology
Microbiology
Pharmacology & action of ocular drugs
History taking
Methods of ocular examination
Infection control
Drug legislation & ethical prescribing
Cardiovascular, endocrine, and respiratory disorders
Misuse of medicines & antimicrobial resistance
These will be supplemented with online case discussion sessions and student forums
Assessment (Remote online June 2026 w/c 1st June 2026 TBC)
The University of Hertfordshire currently holds full GOC approval to provide the independent prescribing course.
Please note that this will be the last time the course runs in this format before it converts to a PG Cert to comply with GOC ETR adaptations.
Module 1 Assessment (Remote online June 2026)
Scenario based computer assessment
(Weighting 100%)
Learning outcomes
This course comprises learning outcomes defined by the General Optical Council (GOC). This is detailed in the GOC independent prescribing handbook which can be accessed here:
https://www.college-optometrists.org/coo/media/media/documents/independent%20prescribing/goc-ip-handbook.pdf
Funding
£1,830.00
Why choose HERTS?
Excellent sector connections: we have extensive links with eight NHS Trusts and Local Authorities in Hertfordshire.
Links with over 98 NHS Trusts and Local Authorities in East Anglia and London regions.
Flexibility: we provide flexible study options to ensure you can fit CPD study around your busy professional and personal lives.
Location: the main University of Hertfordshire campus is 25 minutes from London with easy access by both road and rail services.
Course details
Course leader
Colin Davidson
Administrator
Viki Bylo
Telephone
01707 284800
Course delivery
on line, face-to-face and blended
Prerequisites
The entry requirements for the course are set by the General Optical Council.
You will need to have:
- A General Optical Council recognised undergraduate degree in Optometry.
- A current registration with the General Optical Council.
- Evidence of current experience. This should be in the area you intend to practice. It can be a supporting letter from an ophthalmologist, professional services manager or other person within the organisation you work for.
- Evidence of CPD activity in your chosen area.
- Any relevant higher education qualification.
- Written confirmation of the type of clinical practice in the intended area.
- Identified a suitable ophthalmologist mentor.
- Completed the Supplementary Application Form.
Please note, that to commence the clinical placement you must have been registered with the General Optical Council for at least two years.
What our students say
I thought the whole module was well run. Clear good lectures and good online sessions.
The live lectures and group sessions were really informative and kept me engaged throughout the module.
I enjoyed the live lectures and discussing CMGs on case scenarios. I enjoyed learning about various drugs such as the different groups of antibiotics and when they are used. I enjoyed increasing my knowledge on immunology and hypersensitivity reactions and re-capping on theory including OADR.
Tell me more about this course
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