PhD (School of Optometry and Vision Science)

Doctorate

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Overview

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.

Your learning journey

All module information is for 2024 entry, and is subject to change.

First Year

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:

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.

Postgraduate Master's Loan

If you live in England you may be able to apply for a special Government-funded Master's Loan to help pay your tuition fees and living costs.
You don't have to pay the loan back until you're earning a certain amount of money.

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.

Research

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.

Terms and conditions of study

The University has a set of terms and conditions for all students accepting an offer to study on a course here at Bradford. This is called The Student Contract. This document sets out the Terms and Conditions which apply when you accept an offer of a place on a programme of study at the University of Bradford.

View our Student Contract for further details.

Transparency statement

Information about this programme and its modules has been published in advance of the academic year to which it applies. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publication, but changes may occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of teaching. Any change which impacts the terms and conditions of an applicant’s offer will be communicated to them.