Optometry clinical placements

We’re looking for new partner organisations to provide optometry placements to our MSci students.

If you join us as a partner, you'll help students gain valuable clinical experience. You'll also gain continuing professional development (CPD) points.

Why host an optometry placement student?

As well as gaining CPD points, there are other benefits to hosting a placement student.

  • Receive a highly trained student who you can trust with key clinical activities from day one.
  • Be supported by The University of Manchester. An institution with decades of experience of independently delivering a registrable qualification.
  • Work with a clinical and academic team that is recognised nationally for excellence in working collaboratively.
  • Become part of the Optometry Manchester community, regardless of where you’re based in the country.

We’ll also encourage you to share your views with us. By doing so you’ll help to shape the future of the programme.

 

"We have hosted Manchester MSci placements in optometry for 20 years and it has been so heartening to see our student colleagues go on to bigger and better things, though a few have returned and stayed. There is simply no better way to maintain your own clinical development by exposing yourself and your practice to a healthy infusion of bright young student optometrists challenging your abilities to explain and support. With careful attention to the detail of supervision and planning of the placements it's economically beneficial and helps solve long term recruitment."

BBR Optometry / Hereford

What does it involve?

Before you get started you'll need to decide the length of placement you'd like to offer. You could choose to offer short (around two to six weeks) placements or longer (six month) placements. Once you've decided this, you'll then need to:

  • publicise the opportunity and any conditions attached to it using our platform;
  • review applications and select a student that is right for your practice;
  • ensure that supervisors complete an online module on clinical supervision before the student starts their placement.

 

"University of Manchester MSci Optometry trainees are highly motivated and engaged and have become an integral part of our workforce. Supporting trainees through their placements enhances the educational experience of all of our team and we often recruit MSci trainees after qualification. I couldn’t recommend engaging in the MSci programme more"

Dr Patrick Gunn / Lead Optometrist (Training and Education), Manchester Royal Eye Hospital

Want to know more?

We are planning online and in person CPD accredited events over 2024/25.

If you would like information about these events or have any questions, please email: optometry.placements@manchester.ac.uk.