Professional MasterClinical Optometry

Study location	Latvia, Riga
Type	Postgraduate, full-time
Nominal duration	2 years (120 ECTS)
Study language	English
Awards	Professional Master (Professional Master Degree in Clinical Optometry, qualification “Optometrist”)
Course code	21059
Accreditation	Study programme is accredited till 02.02.2029.

Tuition fee	€6,000 per year
Application fee	€170 one-time The application fee is 170.00 EUR. The application fee is non-refundable. Payment of the application fee should be paid only after the receipt of the invoice and must be paid by the due date indicated on the invoice. If for any reason you have failed to pay the fee by the set deadline, please contact the admission coordinator. The application will be processed only after the payment receipt issued by the bank has been uploaded in the Apply system. NB: In the event of any changes made in the application, the application has to be resubmitted to confirm and save the changes.
Deposit	€500 one-time A one-time payment for students from third countries outside the EU/EEA is to be paid in full together with the full-year tuition fee payable upon arrival. The deposit is intended for the coverage of possible immigration expenses and paid back upon request after graduation.

Entry qualification

Undergraduate diploma (or higher) Applicants for Master’s degree studies are required to have completed a Bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences in Optometry – comply with the requirements of the Latvian Standard for the Profession of Optometrist. 1. English language proficiency. 2. All grades must be passing (at least 4 on a 10-point scale). The entry qualification documents are accepted in the following languages: English / Latvian. Often you can get a suitable transcript from your school. If this is not the case, you will need official translations along with verified copies of the original. Applicants must upload education documents in original language, as well as translations into English. Diplomas and transcripts issued outside EU must be legalized with a legalization stamp or Apostille. More information available HERE You must take the original entry qualification documents with you when you finally go to the university.

Language requirements

English Applicants must prove their English language knowledge. University accepts the following international language tests: LanguageCert International ESOL at least Level Communicator B2 (Written and Spoken exams); TOEFL IBT – at least score 72 TOEFL Essential – at least 8 points IELTS – at least score 6.00 PTE General – at least level B2 PTE Academic – at least 51 points FCE – at least level B CPE – Proficiency/C2 Proficiency: any level CAE – C1 Advanced: any level If your previous studies have been obtained in English but not in the country listed below, then you have to present an official letter from your previous educational institution (University, etc.) where is stated that all your studies were in English (medium of instruction is English), and you have to pass interview where the University of Latvia will evaluate your language skills. Applicants who have obtained previous education in English in one of the bellow listed countries do not need to provide separate language proficiency: • Australia • The Bahamas • Canada • Ireland • New Zealand • St Vincent and the Grenadines • United Kingdom • United States of America

Other requirements	A motivation letter must be added to your application. Please include in your motivation letter the following topics: Why do you want to apply to the study programme “Clinical Optometry”? Why do you want to study optometry in Latvia? What do you want to do after graduation? As a part of the admission process applicants will be asked to participate in an online interview.

More information	lu.lv/..tudy-programmes/optometry-clinical

Overview

The Professional Master’s study programme “Clinical Optometry” offers multidisciplinary studies based on visual science and contemporary primary vision care. Upon successful completion of the studies, students will be awarded a Professional Master’s Degree in Clinical Optometry and the qualification of “Optometrist”, in accordance with the established Latvian Professional Standard for Optometrists.

The study programme offers the opportunity to expand their knowledge and optometric skills in the field of clinical optometry. In addition, students gain academic knowledge and skills in vision science, which allows them to enrol in the next study level – the doctoral programme.

Programme structure

The syllabus consists of professional (clinical) and scientific (experimental) subjects related to the evaluation, research and understanding of the human visual system. The programme includes practical training, medicine and physiology of vision, and courses in the natural sciences and psychology.

The study programme (120 ECTS) contains compulsory (part A), optional (part B), and practical courses. The practical training (internship) accounts for 39 ECTS. Part A includes specialization courses: eye diseases and pharmacotherapy, low vision, contact correction, and visual perception, as well as the Qualification examination and Master’s thesis. Part B contains clinical and experimental courses in optometry. The Qualification examination accounts consist of a theoretical knowledge test in optometry and a practical examination in the evaluation of the patient’s visual function and vision correction. Defence of the Master’s thesis and Qualification examination in Optometry are the final stages of the Professional Master’s study programme aiming to evaluate students’ research skills, as well as theoretical and practical knowledge, and their correspondence to the requirements of qualification in Optometry.