Our Orthoptics course is designed to ensure graduates are work-ready and equipped for success in the profession. Here are six reasons to study Orthoptics at UTS:
Why UTS Orthoptics?
1. Active research environment
All UTS Orthoptics lecturers are passionate about the profession and active in research. This means you’ll be learning the most up-to-date techniques and using the most current tools, all under the guidance of highly-qualified and enthusiastic staff.
2. Strong links with local clinics and hospitals
All clinical placements are organised on your behalf by the School, but if there is something you’re particularly interested in, there is the flexibility to source your own.
3. World class study environment
Our state-of-the-art facilities use technology and design to create optimal learning and study environments. What’s more, our allied healthcare school is located right in the heart of one of the most liveable cities on Earth.
4. Rigorous, practice-based learning
The UTS Master of Orthoptics is the only Orthoptics degree in Australia. We prepare students for success through an innovative and practice-based approach to learning that includes in-class simulation, external clinical placements, interdisciplinary workshops and authentic assessments.
5. Graduate eligible for professional registration
Our course is fully accredited by Orthoptics Australia and you will graduate work-ready and eligible for registration as an orthoptist.
6. Small cohort
The small Orthoptics cohort at UTS fosters a great sense of community between staff and students. You will not feel lost in the crowd.
Master of Orthoptics student profile - Nikita Nandoskar
My name is Nikita and I'm studying the Master of Orthoptics at UTS. I grew up in Sydney and I've always had an interest in science. I studied all the way through high school and I did my undergraduate in medical science. So I've always had a passion for that field.
My understanding of Orthoptics was that it's a form of eye therapy. And since doing the course, I've learned that the field's much broader than that, and they deal with pre and post-operative care and lots of diagnostic roles as well. The role is also expanded to treating pathological conditions in eyecare. Orthoptics has been a really exciting experience.
The profession allows me to merge my two interests in science and patient care. I get to work with the patients one-on-one and it's a really good field for me to be able to give back to the community, through helping people.
My interest in Orthoptics first sparked when my brother was receiving treatment as a child, as I continued the course, it was really interesting to see how the pathology behind his condition and how we treat children is through games and through fun activities but it's actually a way to maintain the child's vision.
The master of orthoptics is a two year postgraduate course. They combine your theoretical classes with placement while you're completing the course. So it's a really good way to apply what you're learning in the classroom into the field almost immediately.
I am passionate about rural and remote patient care. I had the opportunity recently to go to Royal Darwin hospital for placement. And in the month that I was there, we were able to treat patients as if we were clinicians and supported by the entire hospital staff. And it was a really wonderful opportunity to see conditions that you wouldn't necessarily see in a metropolitan setting like Sydney.
The job prospects for orthoptics range, from research to working in private clinics or in public hospitals and for Orthoptists at the moment with an ageing population, there's an increasing demand for us in the field.
My advice to students, if they have an interest in patient care and an interest in science, this is a beautiful way to merge those two industries and, uh, definitely apply.
