Skip to main content
  • Home
  • Courses
  • Optometry and Vision Sciences (MSc by Research)

Optometry and Vision Sciences (MSc by Research)

    • How to apply Order a prospectusPostgraduate Open Days
    This course is eligible for Master's loan funding. Find out more.
    This course is eligible for Master's loan funding. Find out more.
    {{menu.previous.name}}
    {{menu.center.name}}
    {{menu.next.name}}

    Overview

    A Master of Science (MSc) by Research allows you to undertake a one-year (full-time) research degree. It contains little or no formal taught component. This type of study gives you the chance to explore a research topic over a shorter time than a more in-depth doctoral programme.

    Our research degrees are available as full-time, part-time and some are offered distance learning.

    Research Master's students choose a specific project to work on and have a greater degree of independence in their work than is the case with a taught Master’s course.

    You’ll be expected to work to an approved programme which you will develop in conjunction with your supervisor within the first few months of starting your studies. Whilst undertaking the research project you will also develop your research skills by taking part in training courses and events.

    You will be appointed a main supervisor who will normally be part of a supervisory team, comprising up to three members. The research supervisor will advise and support you on your project.

    At the end of the project, you write up your findings in the form of a short thesis of around 25,000 words, which will then be examined.

    On successful completion, you will be awarded your degree and if you have enjoyed this taste of research, you may then decide to apply for the full research doctoral degree (PhD).

    Key Information

    Entry requirements

    The normal level of attainment required for entry is:

    • an upper second honours degree (2:1 or above) from a UK university or a qualification of an equivalent standard, in a discipline appropriate to that of the proposed programme to be followed.

    If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.5 overall with no element lower than 6.0, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our International Entry Requirements page.

    Start dates

    1 October 2025

    12 January 2026

    20 April 2026

    Application deadlines

    For September 2025

    13 June 2025 for International and Scholarship Students

    04 July 2025 for Home Students

    For October 2025

    13 June 2025 for International and Scholarship Students

    04 July 2025 for Home Students

    For January 2026

    17 October 2025 for International and Scholarship Students

    14 November 2025 for Home Students

    For April 2026

    23 January 2026 for International and Scholarship Students

    20 February 2026 for Home Students

    Duration

    1 year full-time
    2 years part-time

    What can I research?

    There are several research topics available for this degree. See below examples of research areas including an outline of the topics, the supervisor, funding information and eligibility criteria:

    Outline

    This study aims to explore the factors leading to burnout or symptoms of burnout in optometrists, who are actively working in the profession, within the United Kingdom. This study welcomes applicants with undergraduate degrees in Optometry or an optical related field; Psychology or related field.

    Completion of this degree is not a path for registration as an optometrist/enrolling onto a registration scheme for optometry.

    Funding

    Self-funding applicants are welcome. In addition to tuition fees, bench fees of £2500 per annum are required.

    Deadline

    Our standard University deadlines apply. Please see our Deadlines for Applications page to find out more

    Supervisors

    How to apply

    Outline

    This project aims to understand how South Asian adults, diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, experience and perceive the NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme and Diabetic Eye Screening Programme. This study builds on existing evidence to identify cultural, social, and systemic factors that influence engagement, satisfaction and retention, in a local community setting. A qualitative study design will be employed, using semi-structured interviews with South Asian adults who have participated in either or both programmes within the past 12-24 months. The study will be reported in accordance with the COREQ guidelines for qualitative research.

    Completion of this degree is not a path for registration as an optometrist/enrolling onto a registration scheme for optometry.

    Funding

    Self-funding applicants are welcome. In addition to tuition fees, bench fees of £1,500 per annum are required.

    Deadline

    Our standard University deadlines apply. Please see our Deadlines for Applications page to find out more

    Supervisors

    How to apply

    Outline

    As part of a routine eye test Optometrists will frequently measure a patient's heterophoria and make a decision about whether it requires intervention. This project will explore how heterophoria measurements vary over time, across different testing methods and between examiners, highlighting whether these factors need consideration when managing patients.

    This project is suitable for students with an undergraduate degree in Optometry or Orthoptics.

    Completion of this degree is not a path for registration as an optometrist/enrolling onto a registration scheme for optometry.

    Funding

    Self-funding applicants are welcome. In addition to tuition fees, bench fees will be discussed with the supervisor on a case by case basis.

    Deadline

    Our standard University deadlines apply. Please see our Deadlines for Applications page to find out more

    Supervisors

    How to apply

    Outline

    Visual crowding is the inability to recognise a target object in clutter. When objects are too close together, they are perceptually jumbled. If far enough apart, they are free from clutter. Crowding is the spacing limit of vision defined by “crowding distance”. It is bigger in peripheral vision, young children and in some anomalous conditions (e.g., lazy eye, dyslexia, macular disease, posterior cerebral atrophy), than in normal adult central vision. Visual acuity is a well-known size limit of vision. It is distinct from crowding, so is sensitive to different conditions and is the main measure of vision in the clinical world.

    Eye care clinicians currently measure crowded acuity using letters as targets, but these are not optimal for assessing crowding distance. In central vision of adults, they are too big to effectively measure it. A new clinical test with tall skinny letters, which enables crowding distance to be measured in adult central vision has been designed. New research data shows that crowding distance is more effective than crowded acuity at revealing the impact of crowding on vision in the research laboratory, in young children and in children with lazy eye associated with an eye turn. It also relates better to reading performance, than does acuity.

    Will the new crowding distance test be as effective in clinical practice as research suggests?

    Completion of this degree is not a path for registration as an optometrist/enrolling onto a registration scheme for optometry.

    Funding

    Self-funding applicants are welcome. In addition to tuition fees, bench fees of between £3-£15,000 per annum are required depending on the nature of the project.

    Deadline

    Our standard University deadlines apply. Please see our Deadlines for Applications page to find out more

    Supervisors

    How to apply

    We undertake world class research across a range of disciplines.

    To find out more about the research we conduct, take a look at our Research, Innovation and Skills webpages, where you will find information on each research area. To find out about our staff visit ‘Our experts’ which features profiles of all our academic staff.

    You should enter the project title and supervisor in the online application form.

    No research proposal is necessary in your application.

    As a minimum you can expect to meet with your supervisors at least once a month (once every two months for part-time students). In practice you may meet with your supervisors more frequently. This time should include at least an hour of one-to-one supervision with each student.

    Self-directed study is to be agreed in liaison with you and your supervisor. Self-directed study and supervision time should equate to 35 hours per week (for full-time research degrees).

    Teaching

    A research degree has no compulsory taught element, the study period is for 52 weeks a year with a 35-day annual leave allowance. You are expected to study for at least 35 hours a week for full-time study.

    Variation for Professional doctorates - For professional doctorates there is a taught element, and you are required to attend and pass a core programme in research methods in the first 16 Months of study. Progression at the end of Module 4 will be dependent upon attendance and successful completion of these modules.

    Feedback

    Feedback, normally written, is provided on all assessments following submission. Submission and feedback dates will be provided to you upon enrolment.

    Progression

    You may progress to the next stage of your course or research degree, subject to meeting University assessment criteria and professional, statutory, or regulatory body guidelines.

    Researcher Environment

    Our postgraduate researchers contribute to our thriving research culture at Huddersfield, in return we provide an experience that enhances your potential and inspires you to think big and become a globally competitive researcher.

    Join our community of like-minded people who are passionate for research and gain access to world-leading facilities, advanced research skills training, and expert careers advice.

    World-leading

    We are in the top 50 UK universities for research power, and nearly two thirds of our research environment is classified as world leading and internationally excellent (REF2021).

    As a researcher, you’ll gain access to our bespoke training programmes which are delivered in a variety of ways to take advantage of online platforms as well as face-to-face workshops and courses. You can access a range of tailored training opportunities available at each stage of your journey, including: * sessions on PhD thesis writing, publications and journals, post-doctoral opportunities, poster and conference presentations, networking, and international travel opportunities * opportunity to work and study abroad via the Turing Scheme through The Graduate School * externally accredited training programme with Advance HE (HEA) and CMI * online research training support accessed through a dedicated researcher module in Brightspace, the University’s Virtual Learning Environment * We also hold a series of PGR focussed events such as 3 Minute Thesis * PGR led research conference * informal events throughout the year

    Student support

    At the University of Huddersfield, you'll find support networks and services to help you get ahead in your studies and social life. Whether you study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, you'll soon discover that you're never far away from our dedicated staff and resources to help you to navigate through your personal student journey. Find out more about all our support services.

    Our Campus
    Interior of the Oastler building
    Students in the Library
    Students socialising in a common space

    Important information

    We will always try to deliver your course as described on this web page. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below.

    When you are offered a place on a research degree, your offer will include confirmation of your supervisory team, and the topic you will be researching and will be governed by our terms & Conditions, student handbook and relevant policies. You will find a guide to the key terms here, along with the Student Protection Plan.

    Whilst the University will use reasonable efforts to ensure your supervisory team remains the same, sometimes it may be necessary to make changes to your team for reasons outside the University’s control, for example if your supervisor leaves the University, or suffers from long term illness. Where this is the case, we will discuss these difficulties with you and seek to either put in place a new supervisory team, or help you to transfer to another research facility, in accordance with our Student Protection Plan.

    Changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, for example pandemics, other disasters (such as fire, flood or war) or changes made by the government. Where this is the case, we will discuss these issues with you and agree any necessary changes.

    Your research project is likely to evolve as you work on it and these minor changes are a natural and expected part of your study. However, we may need to make more significant changes to your topic of research during the course of your studies, either because your area of interest has changed, or because we can no longer support your research for reasons outside the University’s control. If this is the case, we will discuss any changes in topic with you and agree these in writing. If you are an international student, changing topics may affect your visa or ATAS clearance and if this is the case we will discuss this with you before any changes are made.

    The Office for Students (OfS) is the principal regulator for the University.