phd ophthalmology australia

Melbourne Medical School

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Ophthalmology

[email protected]

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Research Overview

Associate Professor Elaine Chong MBBS (Melb), MEpi, PhD, FAMS, FRANZCO is the head of ophthalmology at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, and consultant ophthalmologist in both the corneal & retinal units at the Royal Victorian Eye & Ear Hospital. She was awarded the Gold Medal for Excellence at the RANZCO Advanced Clinical Exams and has received various international awards for her work in corneal & retinal research.

Descemetorhexis without endothelial keratoplasty (DWEK) A New Treatment for Fuch’s Endothelial Dystrophy - This study evaluates the possibility of removing a section of Descemet’s membrane along with its diseased endothelial cells, without corneal transplantation, and simply leaving the cornea to heal on its own, as a new treatment for Fuchs’ Endothelial Dystrophy (FED). This procedure is known as ‘Descemetorhexis Without Endothelial Keratoplasty (DWEK)’ or ‘Descemet’s stripping only (DSO)’.  DWEK/DSO may improve vision in persons with FED without the need for traditional corneal transplantation.

Keratoconus International Consortium (KIC) International collaborative study to evaluate keratoconus

RMH Ophthalmology Clinical Trials Industry trials e.g.

IONIS: A Phase 2, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Masked Study to Assess Safety and Efficacy of Multiple Doses of IONIS-FB-LRX, an Antisense Inhibitor of Complement Factor B, in Patients with Geographic Atrophy Secondary to Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Medical Doctorate research projects MD student research projects e.g.

Chen H, Tan MH, Pomerleau D, Chong E.W., Lim LL, Symons RCA. Optical coherence tomography analysis of patients with untreated diabetic macular edema. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2019 Dec 26

Retroillumination photo of descemetorhexis with corneal clearance.

Opportunities for MD research projects are available

Research Publications

View Dr Elaine Chong's latest PubMed publications here

• Chong EW, Bandeira F, Finn P, Mehta JS, Chan E. Evaluation of Total Donor Endothelial Viability After Endothelium-Inward Versus Endothelium-Outward Loading and Insertion in Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty. Cornea. 2020 Jan;39(1):104-109
• Chong EW, Abell RG, Chan E. Novel Unassisted Pterygium Excision Technique. Cornea. 2019 Apr;38(4)
• Okada M, Kandasamy R, Chong EW, McGuiness M, Guymer RH. The Treat-and-Extend Injection Regimen Versus Alternate Dosing Strategies in Age-related Macular Degeneration: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Am J Ophthalmol. 2018 Aug;192:184-197.
• Olivo Payne A., Chong E.W . Bee Sting versus Cornea: Toxic Effects and Management. Medical Journal of Australia, 2018 Aug 20;209(4):155.
• Chong EW, Al-Qureshi SH. Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatment for neovascular age-related macular degeneration: Comparison of Age-related Macular Degeneration Treatments Trials 5 year outcomes and implication for clinical practice. Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2017 May;45(4):333-335.
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Research in Vision Sciences

The Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences offers a wide range of expertise including assessment, diagnosis and treatment of disease that affect the eye and vision, furthering knowledge of the eye in health and disease, and improving clinical practice. The vision sciences are a broad area from understanding how vision works through to clinical practice.

Honours and Masters in Optometry and Vision Sciences: Applications and project preference entry for the Bachelor of Biomedicine with Honours ,  Bachelor of Science with Honours and Master of Biomedical Science are closing soon on October 31, 2023. Learn more

The Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences’ Graduate Research and PhD programs strive to advance eye care and vision, within Australia and internationally, through excellence in research that spans from laboratory to clinical research. The Department offers graduate students a multifaceted research experience, from exploring the fundamental sciences to translational research. Graduate researchers are encouraged and supported to produce academic publications and to build national and international connections to broaden the impact of their research.

Our Programs

Vision Sciences' Research Programs, Bachelor of Science - Honours , Bachelor of Biomed - Honours , Master of Biomedical Science and Graduate Research (MPhil and PhD) strive to advance eye care and vision, within Australia and internationally, through excellence in research that spans from laboratory to clinical research. The Department and its team of academic staff offer students a multifaceted research experience, from exploring the fundamental sciences to translational research. They are encouraged and supported to produce academic publications and to build national and international connections to broaden the impact of their research. Our programs also equip them for further study of the visual system and job opportunities in the health sector and in many relevant industries.

We are committed to training and supporting our next generation of vision researchers. No matter what your major, there may be vision research pathways for you. We offer a full suite of research programs, including:

• Bachelor of Biomedicine with Honours
• Bachelor of Science with Honours
• Master of Biomedical Science
• Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

For students who have completed an undergraduate degree, a research pathway through an Honours or Master of Biomedical Science is appropriate. For students with a BSc (Hons) or BBiomed (Hons), further scientific training through a three to four-year PhD or a two-year Master of Philosophy would be appropriate.

Further Information

Explore an overview of the research in the department by downloading our Research Projects 2024 brochure. It summarises projects currently being pursued in the department.

Download brochure

Applying for Research Programs

Honours & masters.

After browsing through the project descriptions in Sonia , students must engage with a potential principal supervisor before submitting their application.

Supervisors currently offering research project opportunities in 2024 are  Dr Alexis Ceecee Britten-Jones ,   A/Prof Lauren Ayton ,   A/Prof Laura Downie ,   A/Prof Andrew Anderson ,   A/Prof Bang Bui ,   Dr Christine Nguyen ,   Dr Phillip Bedggood ,   A/Prof Andrew Metha ,  Dr Holly Chinnery , Prof Trichur Vidyasagar .

The Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences will work with students to match their research interests with the Department’s key specialisations and to assist them in identifying the most appropriate supervision team.

Further information on how to apply for  Bachelor of Biomedicine (Honours) ,  Bachelor of Science (Honours) and  Master of Biomedical Science .

Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Programs

More information on how to apply for MPhil and PhD programs is available on the Melbourne School of Health Sciences Graduate Research page.

Scholarships may be awarded to student applicants with the highest Weighted Average Marks (WAM).

Our Students

The Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences seeks high-achieving students who demonstrate passion, dedication and drive to further knowledge and innovation in the vision sciences, and applications to disorders involving the eye. With tailored options of Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) pathways, our academics will support graduate students throughout their research journey, working towards the overall goal of improving clinical and patient outcomes.

Explore past graduate research theses

Meet a current student

Career Opportunities

New career opportunities include fundamental and applied vision research, academia, policy development and clinical trial research. Graduate research and PhDs are also gateways along pathways to leadership positions. We highly support students who want to balance their academic studies with clinical practice, and those who wish to enrol in part-time study.

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Clinical trials

Apply filters to your search

Student opportunities, explore research projects currently open for expressions of interest from masters, doctorate or phd students..

AI-powered smart camera to…

Anti-scarring eye drop for…

Atrophic age-related macular degeneration

Blood supply in AMD

Cell reprogramming to regenerate…

Correction of disease-related point…

Deciphering inherited retinal diseases

Early Stages of AMD:…

Glaucoma Progression

Glaucomatous Visual Field Damage

Goodbye, needles: Preventing vision…

IPTNTs, a new therapeutic…

Keratoconus and big data

Retinal satellite imaging

Retinal vascular autoregulation in…

Study of AMD genetics

Supporting early-stage inherited retinal…

AI-powered smart camera screen “red flag” for life-threatening headache at the point-of-care in emergency department

Supervisor:   Dr Lisa Zhuoting Zhu

Email:   [email protected]

Suitable for:  PhD

In the emergency department (ED), headache is the fourth most common chief complaint. This project intends to pilot a Smart Camera in real-world ED settings to screen for papilledema.

Learn more about this project

Further details and how to express interest.

Development of an anti-scarring eye drop for Epidermolysis Bullosa

Supervisor: Dr Gink Yang

Email: [email protected]

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is an inherited blistering disease of the skin and mucous membranes, including the cornea. This program aims to understand the molecular mechanism underpinning EB-induced corneal scarring and develop an anti-scarring eye drop.

Expediting translation of new therapies to clinical care

Supervisors: Associate Professor Zhichao Wu and Professor Robyn Guymer AM

Email:   [email protected] ; [email protected]

Patients who develop atrophic complications of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) currently face an inevitable future of progressive central vision loss since no effective treatments are available to prevent or slow the unrelenting degeneration of the retina. However, this prospect may soon change as new therapies are beginning to show promise for slowing disease progression in atrophic AMD, and several challenges need to be addressed to expedite their translation into clinical care.

Investigating the role of retinal blood supply regulation in age-related macular degeneration.

Supervisors: Associate Professor Chi Luu , Professor Robyn Guymer AM

Email: [email protected]

Suitable for: PhD

In this project, we will use a state-of-the-art imaging technique – called optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) – to study the regulation of retinal blood supply by examining how the retinal microvasculature responds to different metabolic stress conditions.

Development of regenerative therapy for retina using cellular reprogramming technology

Supervisor: Dr Raymond Wong

Email: [email protected]

Suitable for: PhD or Masters

Retinal degeneration causes vision loss in millions of patients, but cellular reprogramming shows promise in slowing or even reversing the condition. This project aims to develop cell reprogramming technology to generate new retinal neurons and provide a novel regenerative therapy approach to treat retinal degeneration.

Developing RNA base editing for treatment of inherited retinal diseases

Supervisor: Associate Professor Guei-Sheung Liu

Email:  [email protected]

Suitable for:  PhD

The aim of the project is to develop a generalisable gene therapy for IRDs through a new gene editing tool – RNA base editing.

Further information and how to express interest.

Supervisor:  A/Prof Lauren Ayton, Dr Tom Edwards, Dr Ceecee Britten-Jones

Email:  [email protected]

Suitable for:  MSc, PhD

This project aims to learn about retinal structure and function in different inherited retinal diseases and their natural progression.

Imaging biomarkers for treatment discovery

A major impediment to the discovery of preventative interventions in the early stages of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the need for large and lengthy clinical trials to assess their efficacy. This is due to our current inability to identify those at high risk of progression to target for such trials, and the lack of effective disease biomarkers to act as earlier indicators of treatment efficacy. There is therefore an urgent need for such biomarkers to pave the way for therapeutic innovation to prevent irreversible vision loss.

Transforming the detection and prediction of progression

Supervisor: Associate Professor Zhichao Wu

Email:   [email protected]

One in three people with glaucoma, a progressive optic neuropathy, become blind in at least one eye within 20 years of diagnosis. A key contributor to this is our difficulty in being able to predict who is at the greatest risk of vision loss, and in detecting disease progression within a short timeframe. Therefore, better tools to address these challenges are urgently needed to help us prevent irreversible vision loss in glaucoma.

Enabling earlier and more accurate detection

Glaucoma is a progressive optic neuropathy characterised by the progressive loss of the retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). However, up to 50 per cent of the RGCs need to be lost by the time abnormalities can be detected on a standard visual field test. This represents a significant missed opportunity for early detection and prevention of irreversible vision loss.

Preventing vision loss in neovascular eye disease by easy-to-use eye drops.

Email: [email protected]

We aim to advance gene therapy so that it can be delivered by eye drops to provide a safer and less invasive alternative to conventional drug injections.

Interpericyte tunneling nanotubes (IPTNTs) function and how to preserve IPTNT health in glaucoma

Supervisor: Dr Luis Alarcon-Martinez

Email:  [email protected]

Strategies to restore normal IPTNT function reveal new knowledge on preventing retinal ganglion cell loss and vision impairment in glaucoma. Here, we will study IPTNT function and how to preserve IPTNT health in glaucoma.

Finding solutions using big data analysis

Supervisors:  Dr Srujana Sahebjada  and  Professor Mark Daniell

Email:   [email protected]

Keratoconus is a common, sight-threatening corneal condition that affects children and young adults. This project involves a combination of advanced clinical imaging, artificial intelligence, next generation genetic analyses and health outcomes research that will advance our understanding of Keratoconus and avoid the need for corneal transplantation.

Using satellite technology to image the retina for early signs of Alzheimer’s disease and glaucoma

Supervisors:  Associate Professor Peter van Wijngaarden and Dr Xavier Hadoux

Email:   [email protected]

We aim to be the first group in the world to bring hyperspectral imaging, based on NASA satellite technology, to the clinic to improve the care of Australians with Alzheimer’s disease, glaucoma and a range of retinal diseases.

OCT-Angiography study of retinal vascular autoregulation in AMD

Supervisors: Dr. David Sousa and Professor Robyn Guymer AM

Email: [email protected]

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of central vision loss in people over 50 years of age. We will investigate if the retinal vascular autoregulation processes are impaired, and correlate the findings with the various AMD phenotypes.

Understanding the genetic factors contributing to age-related macular degeneration

Suitable for: Honours or Masters

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) involves complex genetic factors that require further study. This project aims to use CRISPR/Cas9 technology to better understand the role of AMD-associated genes in human retinal cells, provide new AMD pathogenesis insights and identify potential new drug targets to develop AMD treatments.

Supervisor:  A/Prof Lauren Ayton, Dr Ceecee Britten-Jones, Dr Tom Edwards

Email:  [email protected]

Suitable for: Honours, MSc, PhD

This mixed methods project aims to understand perspectives of people with early-stage inherited retinal diseases to improve low vision access and support.

Degree Finder

Master of Philosophy (Ophthalmology)

The Master of Philosophy (Ophthalmology) is conducted over two years of full time study or the equivalent in half-time candidature. The key aim of the program is to train students in research methodology and techniques and to engage them in the critical evaluation of literature and results in their field of research at an advanced level. Whilst the Master of Philosophy (Ophthalmology) may contain a significant coursework component, the focus of the degree is on research. Master of Philosophy (Ophthalmology) graduates are well placed to progress to independent research at doctoral level.

As one of the most highly research-intensive and respected universities in Australia and a member of the prestigious Group of Eight , The University of Adelaide is the smart choice for your research program. The University is committed to providing unique opportunities for graduates and researchers who are recognised as worldwide leaders for their vision and capacity to address global research challenges.

All Master of Philosophy students at the University have the opportunity to broaden their research experience through the  Career and Research Skills Training (CaRST) program.

Ready to Apply?

Find out more about the application process and start your studies at the University of Adelaide.

Be sure to check the critical dates to avoid missing application deadlines.

Career Readiness

The University of Adelaide Careers Service prepares, inspires and empowers students to achieve successful career transitions and connect with industry.

Potential careers

Graduates of this program have gone on to roles such as:

Research Manager

Degree Structure

A Master of Philosophy (Ophthalmology) comprises an independent, supervised research project mutually agreed upon by the student, their supervisors and Head of School. Students can choose to undertake the degree by either 100% research or, by mixed research and coursework. In addition, Master of Philosophy students complete a minimum of 60 hours of relevant professional development activities through the University’s Career and Research Skills Training (CaRST) program.

The award of the degree for students in the 100% research stream is based entirely on the examination of a thesis, however, students in the mixed research and coursework stream normally complete one third of the degree (15 units) by coursework and the remaining two thirds of the degree by research resulting in the production of a proportionally smaller thesis.  All coursework can be selected, in consultation with supervisors, from amongst relevant Master by Coursework or Honours level courses offered by the University.

Progress through the degree is tracked through the completion of a number of key milestones .  These milestones provide an opportunity for the University to review progress and ensure that candidates are well supported to complete their degree in a timely manner.

Examiners of a Master of Philosophy (Ophthalmology) thesis seek evidence that the candidate has:

• a thorough understanding of the relevant techniques and methodologies in the field as demonstrated by a thorough critical review of the literature
• demonstrated competence in the chosen field through judicious selection and application of appropriate methodology to yield

Admission Requirements

A successful application to a Master of Philosophy (Ophthalmology) program involves a number of considerations: Academic background and Experience An applicant must demonstrate that they have sufficient background and experience in independent supervised research to successfully complete a Master of Philosophy (Ophthalmology) as detailed in the academic program rules . English Language Proficiency Requirement As English is the language of instruction at the University of Adelaide, all applicants must provide evidence of their proficiency before an offer of a place is made. Availability of supervision and resourcing In addition to the academic requirements, the Head of School must certify that your proposed research project is acceptable to the School and that there are sufficient supervisory and other resources and facilities available to enable your candidature to be completed successfully. Accordingly, discussing your research interests with your prospective supervisors/School is essential prior to submitting your Master of Philosophy (Ophthalmology) application. Visit our  Research Degrees Projects  page for details of some of the available projects on offer.  If you don’t find a project of interest here, you can apply with your own project idea after reaching out to  potential supervisor(s)  in your area of interest.  Fees for Domestic Students Eligible domestic students (including Australian citizens or permanent residents and New Zealand citizens) are covered by the Research Training Program (RTP) and are exempt from the payment of tuition fees. An RTP place is available for a maximum of 2 years of full time equivalent study for an eligible Master by Research student. Fees for International Students The tuition fees for international research students are available on the web at: https://www.adelaide.edu.au/study/postgraduate/research-degrees/international-student-fees/ In addition to tuition costs, it is a condition of a student visa that you hold and maintain health insurance for the entire length of your stay in Australia. This insurance is called Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). Scholarships The University of Adelaide offers a wide range of scholarships to assist both domestic and international students with the cost of their studies. For information on the opportunities available, closing dates and how to apply go to: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/graduatecentre/scholarships/

Academic Program Rules

The Calendar is a comprehensive handbook of the University's academic program rules.

Master of Philosophy

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Last updated: Thursday, 4 Apr 2024

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Graduate Coursework

Doctor of Optometry

• Course code:   MC-DOPTOM

How to apply

You're considered a domestic student if you're an Australian or New Zealand citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or have a permanent humanitarian visa. This applies even if you're studying abroad or have dual Australian citizenship.

Key application dates

Upcoming intakes and key dates.

• Calendar Start-year (February intake) applications due: 31 July 2024

No late applications will be accepted.

There are a limited number of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) for this course. To ensure you are considered for a CSP, submit your complete application prior to the application deadline.

1. Review entry requirements and eligibility

• Check the entry requirements tab of this course page and ensure you meet the admission criteria.
• Review the English language requirements.
• Consider whether you are eligible for Graduate Access Melbourne.
• If you are applying for multiple courses, ensure you have confirmed your preference order .

2. Gather your supporting documentation

As part of your application, you’ll be required to submit:

• Transcripts and detailed information related to all previous studies you have undertaken and/or completed, including an explanation of the grading system used and official certified English translation of any document that is not written in English. View further information about supporting documentation.
• Evidence of meeting the University's English language requirements.

Standard Pathway (Domestic and international applicants):

• For domestic applicants and international students residing in Australia at the time of application, Graduate Australian Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT) results are accepted
• Graduate Australian Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT), OR
• Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), OR
• Optometry Admission Test (OAT).

Guaranteed entry pathway

If you are a domestic Guaranteed entry full fee applicant and you wish to be considered for a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP), you must apply via the Standard pathway.

Indigenous Pathway (domestic applicants only):

• are an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person by descent,
• identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person and
• are accepted as such within the community in which you live or have lived

Learn more about confirming your eligibility .

All domestic pathways

If you are applying for GAM, please gather the relevant supporting documentation required for the appropriate category.

3. Submit your application

Standard pathway.

Applicants to the Standard pathway must:

• Apply via GEMSAS by 5pm (AEST) on 31 July

Eligible standard pathway candidates must apply by the deadline for the following year’s intake. No late applications will be accepted.

Applicants to the Guaranteed entry pathway must:

• Apply directly via the University of Melbourne Course Application Portal by 5pm (AEST) on 31 July

Eligible guaranteed entry pathway candidates must apply by the deadline for the following year’s intake. No late applications will be accepted.

Guaranteed Full Fee applicants who also wish to be considered for a Commonwealth Supported Place should ensure they also complete the Graduate Australian Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT) and apply via the Standard pathway as above.

indigenous pathway

Applicants to the Indigenous pathway must:

Eligible Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants must apply by the deadline for the following year’s intake. No late applications will be accepted.

Additional application considerations:

Where a course offers both Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) and Australian full fee (AF) places, you only need to submit an application for one fee type. You will automatically be considered for a CSP if you are eligible.

After you apply

• All communications related to your application, including requests for additional information and application outcomes, will be sent to the email address you registered for your application. To avoid delays, please upload requested information as soon as possible.
• Track the progress of your application via the Application Portal.
• Please note that the Admissions team will only contact you via email if anything else is needed; there's no need to enquire about the timeline in the meantime.
• The time it takes to assess applications can vary. If you're applying for the next intake, this will typically be 4 to 8 weeks after we receive all required documents. Future intakes (beyond the next intake) may have different assessment timelines. 
• Domestic applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application in October for the following year’s intake.
• International applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application in September for the following year’s intake.
• If you decline your offer, you are welcome to apply again the following year but as the pool of applicants changes from year to year there is no guarantee you will be offered a place again.

Additional information

Inherent requirements.

This course has inherent requirements. Refer to the Doctor of Optometry Handbook for important information on these requirements.

Clinical placements

Clinical Placements are undertaken as part of this course. All students must undertake a Police Record Check, obtain a Working with Children Check and comply with immunisation requirements. Refer to the following pages for important information:

• Clinical Education Risk & Governance
• MDHS Compliance Booklet
• Student Placements .

Within the course, students will attend placements at clinical sites both within Melbourne, rural Victoria, interstate and overseas. Students are expected to bear the costs involved in these placements.

Additional costs

Please note that the purchase of some equipment will be necessary for various compulsory subjects within this course. Students will continue to use the equipment during the remainder of the course and after graduation.

Accreditation

After completing the Doctor of Optometry, you can apply for accreditation from the Optometry Board of Australia. Graduates from the Doctor of Optometry are also eligible for accreditation in many other countries around the world.

Please note: The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) requires that all Optometry graduates demonstrate English language skills at IELTS 7 or equivalent before being considered for professional registration by the Optometry Board of Australia. You will need to have valid test results from IELTS (Academic) examinations prior to applying for registration.

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• a citizen of Australia or New Zealand,
• an Australian permanent resident, or
• a holder of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa.

You're an international student if you are:

• intending to study on a student visa,
• not a citizen of Australia or New Zealand,
• not an Australian permanent resident, or
• a temporary resident (visa status) of Australia.

We have the answers to your research questions.

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Doctor of Philosophy

A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is an internationally recognised graduate research program that will enable you to become an independent researcher. 

With the guidance of an advisory team, you'll undertake a research project, produce an 80,000-word thesis and complete an oral examination.

A PhD takes 3 to 4 years full-time. Under guidance, you'll develop advanced research skills and knowledge in your chosen field.

The thesis is a substantial document that makes an original contribution to your field of research. Your thesis may involve an alternate format .

You'll need a strong academic background and you may need to submit a research proposal and other documents to support your application. About 1,000 PhD candidates join UQ each year researching a wide range of topics.

Research at UQ

UQ is one of Australia’s top research-intensive universities. Our research makes an impact on the world's cultural, environmental, economic and social challenges.

Learn more about UQ's research

Program highlights

• Be inspired and challenged to explore new ideas and develop greater understanding of complex questions with leading researchers.
• Access premier resources including one of Australia’s largest libraries, with more than 2 million physical resources and 116,800+ journal subscriptions.
• Foster and improve your skills through the Career Development Framework, created with industry.
• Learn from researchers whose work addresses national and global cultural, environmental, economic and social challenges.

35 in the world

CWTS Leiden Ranking 2023

51 in the world

Academic Ranking of World Universities 2023

Supervision

You have to find and contact a thesis supervisor before you apply

This supervisor will support, guide and mentor you through your research, and can introduce you to professional networks that will start your career.

Find a supervisor

3-Minute Thesis

The showcase event for research candidates is the 3-Minute Thesis (3MT). 

3MT is held each spring.

Learn more about the 3MT

Career development

UQ offers a range of development opportunities via the Career Development Framework (CDF) to help you develop portable skills for any career or industry.

Learn more about the CDF

Studying at UQ gave me the flexibility to expand my knowledge across different areas of science outside of my chosen specialty. Keeping my scientific and translational skills broad has allowed me to adapt to different environments and opportunities throughout my career.

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Entry requirements, gpa equivalent.

Select where you studied and your qualification to see the GPA you need to be considered for this program.

Meeting the GPA requirement doesn’t guarantee admission.

Academic entry requirements

You have to prove you are prepared for PhD study. You do this by showing you:

• have completed some research experience
• have completed an approved university degree  and
• can meet the English language requirements.

Approved degrees

An approved degree needs to be:

• in an area relevant to your proposed PhD project and
• completed no more than 10 years ago.

You need one of the following approved degrees to apply for a PhD:

• Master of Philosophy (or another research master’s degree); or
• Bachelor’s degree from an approved university with at least honours class IIA or equivalent; or
• Coursework master’s degree with an overall grade point average of 5.65 on the 7-point UQ scale which includes relevant research experience, approved by the dean; or
• Postgraduate degree (at least one year full-time or equivalent) with an overall grade point average of 5 on the 7-point UQ scale, together with demonstrated research experience equivalent to honours class IIA will be considered on a case-by-case basis; or
• Bachelor’s degree plus at least 2 years of relevant research experience , including research publications.

Research experience

You'll meet the requirements for admission into a PhD in terms of 'research preparedness' if you can provide evidence that you've planned and executed project work and/or a body of research with some independence.

To demonstrate this, we'll ask you to provide one of the following:

• with completed courses that aim to develop research skills (minimum value of #1 unit e.g. 50 per cent of a #2 unit course), and/or
• the completion of a supervised research project that includes an individually graded written report with a combined minimum course volume equal to #4 units at UQ.
• Scholarly papers involving a substantial contribution as an author, appearing in recognised academic journals or in volumes published by recognised academic publishers.
• Research or technical reports prepared for industry, government or business, which adhere to the broad conventions of academic publishing (i.e. contain an up-to-date review of relevant literature, a description of relevant research methods and an evaluation of results, etc.) and which identify you as a significant contributor.
• A portfolio of published creative work together with published critical discussion of some or all of that work, or of a comparable body of work by others, and which demonstrates your development of a scholarly approach to creative work as research investigation.
• Demonstrable industry or work experience where you can demonstrate that you have planned and executed a project, working with a high level of independence.

Student visas

International students who are accepted into full-time study in the Doctor of Philosophy are eligible to apply for an Australian Student visa (subclass 500).

This program has two CRICOS codes:

• 0100213 – Architecture, creative arts, education, health, information technology, management and commerce, mathematical sciences, social and cultural studies
• 0100214 – Agriculture and environmental studies, dentistry, engineering, human movement, medical studies, natural and physical sciences, pharmacy, psychology, veterinary science

Discuss your proposed project with us to determine which CRICOS code is most relevant for your visa application.

There are a number of requirements you must satisfy before a visa is granted, including the genuine temporary entrant (GTE) requirement.

Learn more about student visas

Additional entry requirements

Many departments will have additional entry requirements and may request documents to support your application, such as a research proposal. You should discuss these additional requirements with your potential thesis supervisor.

Additional application information

Minimum English language proficiency requirements apply, please refer to the English proficiency policy .

English language requirements

There are a few ways you can meet our English language requirements. If you sit a test, the following scores are needed for PhD admission:

Read our English language requirements

Scholarships

There are several types of PhD scholarship:

• tuition fee scholarship : this covers the fees charged by UQ for PhD study
• living stipend scholarship: this is a   fortnightly payment (or stipend) to support your daily expenses
• top-up scholarship: may be provided by external organisations, supervisors, or philanthropic donations. When awarded, they provide an additional payment on top of a living stipend scholarship. They cannot be held without a living stipend scholarship.

Each year, we award more than 600 scholarships to attract and support the highest quality higher degree by research applicants.

View all postgraduate research scholarships

University scholarships

UQ scholarships include:

• Graduate School Scholarships
• Graduate School Tuition Fees Scholarship
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scholarships
• Earmarked Scholarships
• The Graduate School Scholarship

Other scholarships

Throughout the year we advertise a range of other research scholarships, including top-up scholarships, travel grants and external scholarships, including:

• Westpac Future Leaders Scholarship

How to apply for a scholarship

You can apply for many scholarships using the same form as your PhD application. External scholarships might have different ways to apply. 

Our Scholarships website explains how to apply for each scholarship. If you are applying for a non-UQ scholarship, outcome dates may vary.

Fees and costs

Tuition fees.

Your fees will vary according to your academic field, study load and whether you study internally or remotely.

Learn more about postgraduate research fees

Research costs

The department you enrol with will meet all necessary costs for your project, including:

• resource and facility costs: at UQ, which may include other organisations in Australia or overseas
• travel costs: to complete fieldwork, collect data, or to visit libraries or other repositories
• coursework costs: for courses studied outside the department
• relevant training: in particular methodologies or techniques.

How to apply

Before you apply, 1. check your eligibility.

Check your eligibility by reviewing the entry requirements for UQ's Higher Degrees by Research. If applying for a scholarship, check the scholarship's eligibility and important dates.

2. Approach a potential supervisor or find a project

You'll either need to find:

• a supervisor in your field who will support your proposed project.  Identify a researcher .
• a project you can join that suits your interests.  See available projects .

If you're choosing a researcher, you'll need to find one with relevant expertise and get agreement to support your PhD and project.

Many departments will require additional information to make a decision around your motivation, understanding, commitment, and financial support required.

They may request documents to support your application, such as a research proposal. You should discuss these additional requirements with your potential thesis supervisor.

3. Gather your documents

You will need to compile the necessary documents. We will accept scanned copies of original documents, but you will have to keep all original documents for the duration of your studies.

Upload all documents as PDFs and name your files like this: LASTNAME_firstname_document-name.pdf

If any of your documents is in a language other than English, you will need to send both the original document and an official translation.

Send the following documents with your application:

An academic CV assists us to determine your readiness to commence a higher degree by research. For the purposes of this application, your academic CV should be current (i.e. no more than 6 months old) and include information under the following headings:

Personal details

• your full name
• your contact details (phone number, email address, city and country of residence)
• nationality
• languages spoken and proficiency level for each
• your ORCID ID or other research output identifier (such as Google Scholar) if you have one (see the ORCID ID and research identifiers information provided by UQ Library).

As the purpose of this academic CV is to determine your academic suitability for a higher degree by research program at UQ and your competitiveness against other applicants, we only require information that is of direct relevance to our decision-making processes. With this in mind, please do not include the following in your academic CV:

• photographs/head shot
• marital status
• driver’s license
• date of birth/age
• hobbies and interests.

Educational qualifications and academic awards

List each of your formal educational qualifications in reverse chronological order (i.e. with the most recent formal educational qualification listed first). For each qualification, include:

• the commencing and end dates (month and year) for the qualification
• the full title of the qualification (e.g. Bachelor of Arts instead of B.A.)
• the institution attended and the enrolling school/administrative unit
• the city and country where the institution is located
• your Grade Point Average (GPA) for the overall qualification
• any academic achievement awards (e.g. Dean’s awards, subject prizes, University medals, thesis prizes etc.) received for the qualification
• if a research thesis was part of the qualification, include the title and word length of your dissertation.

As part of your application, please submit academic transcripts and degree certificates for each educational qualification you list.

Please do not include:

• high school qualifications
• the individual subjects/courses undertaken throughout your qualifications or the grades awarded for these
• training courses/professional development activities not resulting in a formal qualification.

Professional affiliations and memberships

List any professional/disciplinary associations or committees that you a member of and include:

• the commencing and end date (in years) for the affiliation/membership
• the name of the professional association or committee
• your membership type (e.g. student member, affiliate member, full member etc.) or role (e.g. committee member, secretary, president etc.).

Employment history

List each of your previous employment roles in reverse chronological order (i.e. with the most recent/current employment listed first) and include:

• the commencing and end dates (month and year) for the employment
• the title of each position
• the name of the employing organisation, the city, and country where you were based
• your main duties or accountabilities in that role, providing detailed information on any research-related activities
• any achievements during that role that are relevant to your proposed field of research .

Other research experience

List any voluntary, unpaid, or extra-curricular research-related projects or experiences you have undertaken (e.g. summer research projects, internships etc.) and include:

• the commencing and end dates (month and year) of the experience
• the name of the organisation, the city, and country where you were based

Research outputs

In reverse chronological order (i.e. the most recent output first) list your research outputs,  including for example research published or accepted for publication, research reports, and research by creative practice.

If needed, use sub-headings to separate refereed journal articles, published conference proceedings, edited book chapters, books, creative works, industry reports, invited papers, patents, media commentary, conference presentations and posters, invited talks etc. If applicable, use additional sub-headings to indicate if outputs are published , accepted for publication (but not yet in print), or (submitted but) under review .

Do not include any outputs/publications that are ‘in preparation’ .

For all research outputs, include:

• the output/publication reference using an official bibliographical style (such as Turabian/Chicago, APA, Harvard), including listing all authors in the order that they appear in the work with your name in bold
• the Digital Object Identifier (DOI), PubMed Identifier (PMID), International Standard Book Number (ISBN) or URL where applicable
• the standing of the journal or conference and the impact of the work (e.g. impact factors, citations and other metrics indicators)
• relevant indicators of national or international significance
• rejection rates for the outlet etc.
• how much of the original research you were responsible for (i.e. what was your role in the conception and design of the project and how involved were you in the analysis and interpretation of the research data on which the publication is based?)
• the extent to which you authored the paper.

Research grants and relevant awards

Include only those research grants and relevant awards that you have received at the time of making your application (i.e. do not list grants or awards that you applied for and did not receive or are awaiting a decision on). For each research grant/award, include:

• the name of the granting/awarding body and the country in which they are based
• the name of the grant/award
• the year(s) in which the grant was active or the year in which the award was made
• the amount of the research grant/award
• if relevant (e.g. for research grants), the title of your application.

Applicants from creative and professional-based disciplines may also include non-research grants and awards related to their creative or professional practice.

Research achievements relative to opportunity (optional)

In recognition of the diverse personal and professional pathways that applicants have experienced, you are invited to provide information ( maximum 200 words ) to contextualise your research outputs and achievements, relative to the opportunities that you have had to participate in research-related activities.

This section of the CV is optional and should only be included if you believe there are factors relevant to your research achievements that you would like the selection panels to know. Examples of factors include (but are not limited to):

• study/career disruptions due to illness, caregiving, natural disasters etc.
• non-linear academic or career progression, or a change in career direction
• reduced ability to take up research-related opportunities (e.g. attend conferences) due to caregiving responsibilities.

Academic referees

Please provide us with two referees who can comment on your academic work. For each referee, include their:

• honorific and name
• employing organisation and the city and country where they are located
• contact details, including office address, telephone, fax and email (preferably an institutional, rather than private, email address)
• an indication of the capacity in which you know this person (e.g. were they a lecturer or thesis supervisor, an employer, how long you’ve known them etc.). 

If possible, please include at least one:

• senior person (preferably your supervisor or the head of your organisational unit) closely associated with your current work, and
• person who is not a member of your proposed advisory panel/supervisory team.

Formatting and document specifications

We recommend that you use the below formatting settings to improve the readability of your CV:

• margins of at least 1.5 centimetres
• single line spacing
• no smaller than 12 point Times New Roman font (or equivalent)
• left justify text (not full justify)
• include your name and page number on each page
• be consistent in your formatting and spelling throughout
• limit the use of bold, underline, italics, and multiple font types.

Please proofread your CV carefully before uploading it to your application.

Save as a PDF and name your file: LASTNAME_firstname_CV.pdf

There is no page limit to your academic CV – it can be as long as required to include the information requested here.

Please include in your CV all the headings listed above – if you do not have any content to add for a particular heading please list ‘None to date’ under that heading .

An academic CV for employment purposes within Australia would not include the information requested here outlining your three most significant publications or your research achievements relative to opportunity. It would, however, include information about professional and service activities undertaken and may include a summary of your relevant research/teaching interest areas and skill sets – this information is not required in the CV you submit here for application to an HDR program.

This should show all study you have undertaken since secondary school, whether complete or incomplete, including the institution grading scale. The grading scale is often found on the final page or the reverse page; be sure to include all pages.

An academic transcript can also be called an:

• academic record
• diploma supplement
• statement of learning
• record of achievement.

A degree certificate is a legal document, imprinted with a university seal. It should state the name of your qualification and areas of study.

Include all degree certificates (testamurs) for post-secondary study with your application. If you studied in China, you must provide a:

• award certificate and
• graduate statement/certificate.

All applicants have to prove they can meet English language requirements . Any test scores have to be valid at your proposed commencement date.

Include a copy of the information page (with your photo) in your passport. This will verify your identity and ensure we can make offers correctly.

Include the contact details of two referees who will support your application. These referees will need to provide insight into your research experience.

We will contact your referees for a report, but you will need to enter their details into the application form.

Other documentation, originals or certified copies, may be required depending on your individual circumstances, for example:

• evidence of change of name
• proof of citizenship, if you are not a citizen of Australia or New Zealand by birth
• evidence of your Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander status
• previous research program information .

If you don't provide us with all documents it will take us longer to process your application. Your start date might then be delayed, or you might miss an admission or scholarship deadline. 

4. Apply online

Once you have prepared your application and contacted a potential supervisor, use the online application form to apply. Your application can only be assessed once your referees have responded to us, and all outstanding documents and school/institute endorsements have been received.

Important dates

The academic year for research students is divided into four research quarters (RQ).

Candidates applying for a Student Visa or UQ scholarship may need to apply earlier. Make sure you check  scholarship round application deadlines  and outcome dates before applying.

The agreed start date will be included on your Confirmation of Enrolment.

Find out more about research quarter dates

The academic year for research students is divided into four research quarters (RQ). You can start a PhD in any quarter, as long as the Census Date hasn't passed.

Candidates applying for a UQ scholarship may need to apply earlier. Make sure you check scholarship round application deadlines and outcome dates before applying.

The agreed start date will be included on your offer of admission.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants

For support with applying – or if you have any questions about university life – get in touch with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit.

Contact the ATSIS Unit

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Associate professor fred chen, mbbs (hons), phd (london) franzco.

“As a doctor, I am committed to getting the best possible visual outcome for my patients. As a researcher, I look for innovative ways to slow the progression of vision loss and develop new therapies to restore sight.”

Associate Professor Fred Chen is a consultant ophthalmologist at the Lions Eye Institute, Royal Perth Hospital and Perth Children’s Hospital and a research scientist who established and leads the Lions Eye Institute’s Ocular Tissue Engineering Laboratory .

Associate Professor Chen studied medicine at UWA. After completing his ophthalmology training at Royal Perth Hospital in 2006, he moved to London for advanced training in medical and surgical retina at Moorfields Eye Hospital. He also completed a Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) in surgical techniques of retinal pigment epithelium transplantation for treatment of dry and wet macular degeneration at the University College of London Institute of Ophthalmology. Associate Professor Chen returned to Perth in 2011 as a senior lecturer at the UWA Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science.

Research undertaken by Associate Professor Chen and his teams at the Ocular Tissue Engineering Laboratory tests new treatments in dry age-related macular degeneration, monitoring of inherited retinal disease progression and application of stem cell technology in developing personalised medicine for rare retinal diseases.

Associate Professor Chen has extensive national and international research collaborations, is the author of a text book chapter, journal articles, national and international conference abstracts and is a reviewer for several publications.

Areas of clinical specialty

• Retinal detachment repair
• Macular hole repair
• Epiretinal membrane peel
• Cataract and dislocated lens surgery
• Treatment of dry and wet macular degeneration
• Inherited retinal diseases, including Stargardt disease, retinitis pigmentosa, achromatopsia, cone dystrophy and pattern dystrophy
• Ocular toxicity of systemic treatment including plaquenil and chemotherapy
• Autoimmune retinopathy
• Clinical trials of new drugs

Research interests

• Dry and wet macular degeneration
• Inherited retinal diseases and national registry
• Stem cells, including iPSC and retinal organoid disease modelling
• High resolution retinal imaging
• Retinal image analysis using deep learning neural network
• Clinical applications of retina-tracking microperimetry
• Clinical audit using electronic medical records and national registry
• Detection of eye melanoma tumour cells in the blood

Awards/Professional Achievements

• Research funding from: philanthropic donations, NH&MRC Project Grant, CRE and Early Career Research Fellowship (2013-2016), Ophthalmic Research Institute of Australia, Retina Australia, Honda Foundation, Viertel Charitable Foundation, The University of Western Australia, Health Department of Western Australia, Australian Foundation for Prevention of Blindness Trust, The Lions Club, Lions Eye Institute
• Head of Ocular Tissue Engineering Laboratory, Lions Eye Institute (2011-)
• Author of a book chapter “Vitreoretinal Surgery” in Oxford Specialty Training: Training in Ophthalmology, The Essential Clinical Curriculum. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009 and 2016
• More than 200 peer-reviewed journal articles
• More than 50 national and international conference abstracts
• Reviewer for Retina, Ophthalmology, IOVS, Clinical Experimental Ophthalmology, Eye, ORIA and NH&MRC
• Schneider Prize for Interns Award (1999) Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital

Further Key Experience

• PhD in surgical techniques of retinal pigment epithelium transplantation for treatment of retinal diseases, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology (2011)
• Medical Retina Fellowship, Moorfields Eye Hospital (2010)
• Vitreoretinal Surgery Fellowship, Moorfields Eye Hospital (2007-2009)

Professional memberships

• Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
• Asia Pacific Vitreo Retina Society
• Asia Pacific Ocular Imaging Society
• The American Society of Retinal Specialists
• Australian and New Zealand Society of Retinal Specialists
• Australasian Society for Stem Cell Research
• Australian Medical Association
• Medical Defence Australia National
• Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists
• Governance Institute of Australia (Cert)
• Centre for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine

Current hospital/university affiliations

• Ophthalmology Consultant, Vitreoretinal Surgery, Royal Perth Hospital
• Visiting Consultant Ophthalmologist, Perth Children’s Hospital
• Visiting Consultant Ophthalmologist, St John of God Hospital Subiaco, Western Australia
• Associate Professor / Principal Research Fellow, Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, UWA
• Clinical Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Victoria
• Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria

Surgical & Medical Retina , Macular Degeneration , Cataract Surgery , Genetics & Epidemiology ,

Areas of Expertise

Retinal detachment repair, Macular hole repair, Epiretinal membrane peel, Cataract and dislocated lens surgery, Treatment of dry and wet macular degeneration, Inherited retinal diseases, including Stargardt disease, retinitis pigmentosa, achromatopsia, cone dystrophy and pattern dystrophy, Ocular toxicity of systemic treatment including plaquenil and chemotherapy, Autoimmune retinopathy, Clinical trials of new drugs

Lions Eye Institute, Nedlands WA

Request an appointment

Institute of Ophthalmology MPhil/PhD

London, Old Street

The UCL Institute of Ophthalmology is a vibrant learning environment in which to carry out postgraduate research. Postgraduate students are supervised by internationally renowned experts with access to state-of-the-art laboratories. Our close contact with clinicians in Moorfields Eye Hospital allows for rapid translation of basic research to address clinically relevant eye diseases and disorders.

UK tuition fees (2024/25)

Overseas tuition fees (2024/25), programme starts, applications accepted.

• Entry requirements

MPhil/PhD: candidates normally require a minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor’s degree from a UK university (or its overseas equivalent) in a relevant subject.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 1

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website .

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

The Institute is committed to a multidisciplinary research portfolio that furthers an understanding of the eye and visual system, linked with clinical investigations targeted to specific problems in the prevention and treatment of eye disease.

Our research themes are grouped as follows: 'Development, Ageing and Disease', 'Rescue, Repair and Regeneration', 'Visual Neuroscience and Function', and 'Population and Data Science'.

Who this course is for

We offer full time and part time MPhil/PhD study (usually three years/five years).

For the majority of PhD programmes, you will need to have a research topic, supervisor and funding confirmed before submitting an application.

Please see our Postgraduate Research Degrees page for more information .

What this course will give you

The Institute of Ophthalmology and Moorfields Eye Hospital are recognised globally and have an outstanding track record in basic biomedical research, much of which has been translated into important advances in innovative therapies.

Students will benefit from advanced facilities and high-level ophthalmic practice.

The MPhil/PhD programme will provide unique opportunities to interact with leading clinicians from Moorfields Eye Hospital as well as from other prominent institutions.

The foundation of your career

Postgraduate students are supervised by internationally renowned experts in their field with access to state-of-the-art laboratories and equipment. In addition, our close partnership with clinicians in Moorfields Eye Hospital, who also contribute to teaching, allows for rapid translation of basic research to address clinically relevant eye diseases and disorders.

Employability

As a graduate from the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology research programme, students will have developed advanced skills in research, analysis and writing.

UCL Institute of Ophthalmology offers an outstanding educational experience to doctoral students.

Students are encouraged to attend diverse weekly seminars where they have the opportunity to meet with external speakers. PhD students also have the opportunity to attend overseas and national conferences where they are encouraged to present posters and network with key researchers in their field.

Teaching and learning

Each research degree student is guided through their research by their supervisory team. In addition to this, students will have the opportunity to attend seminars, lectures, courses and conferences which will contribute to their leaning. The learning outcome of the programme is to contribute distinctly and significantly to their research area.

Find out more about the Doctoral Skills Development Programme at UCL here .

Each research degree student is required to submit to submit progress documents for their thesis committee meetings. Students upgrading from MPhil to PhD must submit a 10,000 word document for assessment and undergo a viva with two examiners. At the end of the degree, students will submit a final thesis, which will be examined by two independent academics who will also conduct an oral viva voce with the candidate.

Contact hours and hours of self-study are agreed between the student and the supervisor at the beginning of their research degree and should be reviewed on a regular basis.

Research areas and structure

• Cell science : angiogenesis; membrane trafficking; annexin biology; tight junction biology; cytoskeleton; cell signalling; leukocyte trafficking; chaperones; neurodegeneration; control of wound healing
• Genetics and gene therapy : single gene and complex genetics of eye disease; genetic epidemiology; gene therapy for eye disease from experimental models to clinical trials
• Multidisciplinary studies of disease : age-related macular degeneration; glaucoma; diabetes; retinitis pigmentosa; ocular scarring; neurodegeneration
• Ocular immunology and allergy : applied ocular immunology; understanding basic mechanisms causing disease to identify novel therapeutic approaches; determining to what extent T-cells, eosinophils and mast cells damage the cornea and conjunctiva in allergic eye disease
• Regenerative medicine : stem cell therapy for eye disease; transplantation strategies (corneal and retinal disease); optic nerve regeneration
• Visual neuroscience : neurophysiology of central visual processing; imaging of retina and CNS; neuronal plasticity; evolutionary paradigms of vision; visual pigments.

Research environment

The Institute of Ophthalmology is a vibrant learning environment in which to carry out postgraduate research. Postgraduate students are supervised by internationally renowned experts with access to state-of-the-art laboratories. Our close contact with clinicians in Moorfields Eye Hospital allows for rapid translation of basic research to address clinically relevant eye diseases and disorders.

Postgraduate students at the Institute are fully integrated into university life at UCL and will benefit, academically and personally, from the services and facilities of the university’s Doctoral School, plus accessing social and sporting facilities through the UCL Union.

We believe that by learning from the best, you stand the best chance of going on to become future leaders in the field of vision research.

Thanks to our partnership with Moorfields Eye Hospital, you can learn from the clinical experts, study rare conditions and diseases, and observe pioneering treatments and trials that have an immediate impact on patients’ lives.

UCL Institute of Ophthalmology is part of the Faculty of Brain Sciences, whose core strengths are founded on interdisciplinary research, teaching, collaborations, and partnerships. Postgraduate students have access to Faculty resources such as careers workshops and the alumni community. According to the 2017 Centre for World University Rankings (CWUR) rankings by subject, UCL Faculty of Brain Sciences is the best place in the world to study ophthalmology.

As a student of the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, your programme of research will be overseen by a Principal Supervisor with collaboration from a Subsidiary Supervisor.

Your progress will be monitored annually and UCL processes will be facilitated by a Graduate Tutor. You will be invited to join a Staff/Student Consultative Committee as your feedback is important to us.

Regular career development seminars and skills training sessions will be organised by the student body itself and you will be encouraged to take part.

You will be encouraged to attend a range of weekly seminars organised by academic staff at the Institute and on main campus.

You will also have access to the UCL Doctoral School's ongoing skills development programme.

The length of registration for the research degree programmes is 3 years for full-time and 5 years for part-time.

You are required to register initially for the MPhil degree with the expectation of transfer to PhD after successful completion of an upgrade viva 9-18 months (full-time) and 15-30 months (part-time) after initial registration.

Within three months of joining the programme, you are expected to agree with your supervisor the basic structure of your research project, an appropriate research method and a realistic plan of work. You will produce and submit a detailed outline of your proposed research to your supervisor for their comments and feedback. 

In the second year, you will be expected to upgrade from an MPhil to a PhD. To successfully upgrade to a PhD you are required to submit a written report/thesis, exact details should be agreed with your supervisor. You are also required to present and answer questions about this work to a panel consisting of your subsidiary supervisor and another member of the faculty who acts as an independent assessor.

The PhD programme is expected to be completed within three years for full-time students, and within five years for part-time students. You will be expected to submit a thesis and present and answer questions about your work to a panel consisting of an internal and external examiner.

If you are not ready to submit at the end of the third year (full-time) or fifth year (part-time), you may be able to go into CRS - Completing Research Status - while you write up your thesis.

The length of registration for the research degree programmes is 5 years for part-time students.

You are required to register initially for the MPhil degree with the expectation of transfer to PhD after successful completion of an upgrade viva 15-30 months after initial registration for part-time students.

The PhD programme is expected to be completed within five years for part-time students. You will be expected to submit a thesis and present and answer questions about your work to a panel consisting of an internal and external examiner.

If you are not ready to submit at the end of the fifth year as a part-time student, you may be able to go into CRS - Completing Research Status - while you write up your thesis.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk . Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing team .

Fees and funding

Fees for this course.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees .

Additional costs

Your research degree may be subject to an Additional Fee Element (AFE). The AFE (also known as bench fees) is an additional cost, incurred by yourself or your sponsor. It is levied to cover the costs related to consumables, equipment and materials etc. which are not included in the tuition fee. As each research project is unique in nature, the AFE is calculated on a student by student basis and is determined by your academic supervisor.

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs .

Funding your studies

Several studentships are normally available each year. These are usually advertised on FindAPhD .

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website .

To apply for a PhD course at the Institute of Ophthalmology, please get in touch with a potential supervisor and discuss the details of your proposed project. Further guidance on how to apply can be found on our Postgraduate Research Degrees page .

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2024-2025

Year of entry: 2023-2024, got questions get in touch.

Institute of Ophthalmology

[email protected]

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Australian Journal of General Practice

MBBS, MPH, PhD, FRANZCO, Associate Professor, Flinders University, SA; Consultant Ophthalmologist, Flinders Medical Centre, SA

Ophthalmic associations in pregnancy

Some pre-existing eye conditions, such as diabetic retinopathy, can be exacerbated during pregnancy, while other conditions manifest for the first time.

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Postdoctoral Research Opportunities

View current career opportunities at the Byers Eye Institute on our Open Staff Positons  webpage, or via the  Stanford Office of Postdoctoral Affairs .

Dr. Alfredo Dubra's Lab

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T32 Vision Training Program

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Dr. Albert Wu's Lab

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Introducing the 2024 Kambara Symposium Keynote Speaker: Budd Tucker, PhD

A highly accomplished vision scientist and expert in inherited retinal degenerative disease will be the keynote speaker at the 2024 George Kambara, MD Vision Science Symposium on Friday, April 12, 2024.

Budd Tucker, PhD  is the Howard Ruby Chair for Regenerative Ophthalmology, Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the University of Iowa’s Carver College of Medicine. He directs the Tucker Stem Cell Laboratory, and his principal research focus is Inherited retinal degenerative diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa (RP), Leber Congenital Amaurosis (LCA), Batten Disease, Usher Syndrome, BBS, and Best Disease, collectively a major cause of incurable blindness in the western world. Currently, his lab is involved in the development of two major therapeutic approaches for this class of disease: gene replacement therapy and cell replacement therapy.

His talk is titled “Using Patient Derived Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells to Model and Treat Inherited Retinal Disease.”

In addition to Dr. Tucker’s keynote address, the event will feature presentations from local and regional speakers, including:

• John Fingert, MD, PhD from the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the University of Iowa’s Carver College of Medicine
• Gregory Schwartz, PhD from the Winberg College of Arts and Ciences at Northwestern University
• Deepak Shukla, PhD from the University of Illinois College of Medicine

Additional presentations will be made by vision researchers from the UW-Madison campus.

For more information and to register: https://www.ophth.wisc.edu/events/kambara-symposium/

The annual George Kambara, MD Vision Sciences Symposium is supported by the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences George Kambara Education Fund and  McPherson Eye Research Institute .