PGCert (Assistant) / PGDip (Specialist) Vision Impairment Rehabilitation
ApplyKey facts
- Start date: January
- Study mode and duration: Modular course with off-campus learning; part-time study; PGDip 24 months, PGCert 12 months
Work placement: placements within organistations in the vision rehabilitation sector across both years of study
Study with us
- designed for those with a background in a broad range of disciplines, particularly in the rehabilitation sector
- develop your career as a rehabilitation professional and implement the skills you have learned online, on a professional placement in a vision rehabilitation centre
- use your person centred-focused skills to develop a variety of skills involved in planning and delivering rehabilitation for individuals with low vision and no vision to achieve their goals for independence at home, in the workplace and beyond.
- flexible learning to be completed at your own pace
The Place of Useful Learning
UK University of the Year
Daily Mail University of the Year Awards 2026
Scottish University of the Year
The Sunday Times' Good University Guide 2026
Why this course?
The Postgraduate Certificate and Postgraduate Diploma in Vision Impairment Rehabilitation is the only course in vision rehabilitation available in Scotland. The courses offered are modular and intended primarily for off-campus delivery.
Launched in partnership with Vision Collaborative Scotland, this groundbreaking course marks a significant step forward in how we train, support and grow the workforce that serves adults with vision impairments across Scotland. The course will help address long-standing gaps in rehabilitation provision and ensure that more people with visual impairment receive the expert support they need.
By providing most learning off-campus, it allows you to study at your own pace, at times and places convenient to you. Integrating placements throughout Years 1 and 2 provides the opportunity to put learning into practice.
Vision rehabilitation plays a vital role in empowering people with visual impairment regain independence and confidence. It enables individuals to carry out everyday tasks, reconnect with their communities and maintain a sense of normality in their lives. Whether it is learning to navigate safely, manage personal care or return to work, rehabilitation provides the practical skills and emotional support needed to adapt and thrive.
The launch of new training programmes is a crucial step in making sure more people can access this life changing support when they need it most.
Course video
Watch the video below to hear more about what vision rehabilitation specialists do and why they're needed. You'll also learn about the course and your potential future career.
Part of the role is about how you work with blind and partially sighted people at the moment of crisis to help them work out what it is they want to achieve, how to feel more part of daily life again.
Simon Labbett Chair, Rehabilitation Workers Professional Network
What you’ll study
All modules are compulsory. You'll be required to attend synchronous tutorials and placement in conjunction with completion of the self-paced learning resources.
Postgraduate Certificate Vision Impairment Rehabilitation (Assistant)
60 credits
- Introduction to Vision Impairment
- Assessment & Research Methodology
- Independent Living Skills & Communication Tools
Postgraduate Diploma Vision Impairment Rehabilitation (Specialist)
120 credits
Year 1
- Introduction to Vision Impairment
- Assessment & Research Methodology
- Independent Living & Communication Skills
Year 2
- Travel, Transport & Technology
- Orientation & Mobility
- Low Vision and No Vision Strategies
- Vision Rehabilitation Specialist Placement
Work placement
You're required to complete short placements in Year 1 to support your training and education.
In Year 2 you'll complete a placement module which requires approximately five weeks within a vision rehabilitation service as well as shorter placements to support training and education in classes including the travel, transport and technology module.
Guest lectures
The course receives strong support from the vision rehabilitation sector. Guest lecturers include those from Vision charities, service users and the voluntary sector.
Introduction to Vision Impairment
Provides you with an understanding of the structure of the eye and vision pathway, common eye conditions, the impact of sight loss, the vision impairment service pathways and tools for professional practice.
Assessment & Research Methodology
This module will equip you with the skills to complete an assessment of someone with vision impairment. It will also cover the main concepts of research, and the use of research to support evidence based practice.
Independent Living Skills & Communication Tools
Provides you with an awareness of teaching approaches for people with vision impairment, the knowledge and skills to teach people with vision impairment independence at home and in the work place and an understanding of available assistive technologies.
Year 1
Introduction to Vision Impairment
Provides you with an understanding of the structure of the eye and vision pathway, common eye conditions, the impact of sight loss, the vision impairment service pathways and tools for professional practice.
Assessment & Research Methodology
This module will equip you with the skills to complete an assessment of someone with vision impairment. It will also cover the main concepts of research, and the use of research to support evidence based practice.
Independent Living Skills & Communication Tools
Provides you with an awareness of teaching approaches for people with vision impairment, the knowledge and skills to teach people with vision impairment independence at home and in the work place and an understanding of available assistive technologies.
Year 2
Travel, Transport & Technology
Focusses on active travel and travel related technology. You'll explore the urban streetscape and complete orientation and mobility tasks with service users.
Orientation & Mobility
Provides the training and education to plan and deliver orientation and mobility skills to service users. You'll work through indoor and outdoor guiding under the supervision of a mentor.
Low Vision & No Vision Strategies
This module will explore the options to maximise remaining vision or support those with no vision through the use of assistive technology, optical/non-optical and electronic equipment.
Vision Rehabilitation Specialist Placement
This module immerses you in a practical experience of working in the vision impairment sector. You'll work as part of team managing a caseload, developing personal and technical skills as a vision rehabilitation specialist.
Learning & teaching
The course is delivered primarily off-campus through online learning and experiential placements. All modules include:
- classwork
- coursework
- tutorials
- self-directed learning (with appropriate academic support)
All coursework materials are available on the University’s virtual learning environment, MyPlace, along with a timetable of coursework submission and feedback dates. You can upload coursework to MyPlace at the appropriate time for each module and feedback is provided by an agreed date. Online meeting platforms are also available for individual contact with supervisors.
Assessment
All modules will be assessed by coursework or placement in which you must perform satisfactorily. If you do not show satisfactory progress you may, on the advice of either the Course Co-ordinating Committee or the Board of Examiners, be permitted to transfer your registration to the Postgraduate Certificate.
Entry requirements
| Academic requirements/experience | Notwithstanding the General Academic Regulations – Postgraduate Taught Degree Programme Level applicants:
In exceptional circumstances, applicants without appropriate qualifications may be admitted on evidence that they can demonstrate their ability to work at postgraduate level. |
|---|---|
| Interview | Applicants will normally be required to attend an interview with representatives from Visibility Scotland, or Sight Scotland, and the University of Strathclyde as part of the selection process. The University of Strathclyde will determine admission to the programme. |
Fees & funding
Fees may be subject to updates to maintain accuracy. Tuition fees will be notified in your offer letter.
All fees are in £ sterling, unless otherwise stated, and may be subject to revision.
Annual revision of fees
Students on programmes of study of more than one year (or studying standalone modules) should be aware that the majority of fees will increase annually.
The University will take a range of factors into account, including, but not limited to, UK inflation, changes in delivery costs and changes in Scottish and/or UK Government funding. Changes in fees will be published on the University website in October each year for the following year of study and any annual increase will be capped at a maximum of 10% per year. This cap will apply to fees from 2026/27 onwards, which will not increase by more than 10% from the previous year for continuing students.
| Scotland | £5,100 |
|---|---|
| England, Wales & Northern Ireland | £5,100 |
| International | £5,100 |
| Additional costs | Students may incur additional costs during periods of placement for accommodation and travel. |
| Scholarship | For possible scholarship opportunities visit Sight Scotland. |
How can I fund my course?
Scottish postgraduate students
Scottish postgraduate students may be able to apply for support from the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS). The support is in the form of a tuition fee loan and for eligible students, a living cost loan. Find out more about the support and how to apply.
Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
Students coming from England
Students ordinarily resident in England may be to apply for postgraduate support from Student Finance England. The support is a loan of up to £10,280 which can be used for both tuition fees and living costs. Find out more about the support and how to apply.
Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
Students coming from Wales
Students ordinarily resident in Wales may be to apply for postgraduate support from Student Finance Wales. The support is a loan of up to £10,280 which can be used for both tuition fees and living costs. Find out more about the support and how to apply.
Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
Students coming from Northern Ireland
Postgraduate students who are ordinarily resident in Northern Ireland may be able to apply for support from Student Finance Northern Ireland. The support is a tuition fee loan of up to £5,500. Find out more about the support and how to apply.
Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
International students
We've a large range of scholarships available to help you fund your studies. Check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
Careers
A qualification in Vision Impairment Rehabilitation will provide you with the knowledge and specialist skills to deliver person-centred services that aim to develop the confidence and independence of adults with vision impairment and blindness.
The first course is a two-year, part-time, blended learning programme leading to a Postgraduate Diploma. It will enable individuals to qualify as Vision Rehabilitation Specialists and take up employment in a sector that urgently needs skilled professionals.
The second course is a one-year, part-time, blended learning programme at Postgraduate Certificate level. This exciting new option will prepare students to practise as Vision Rehabilitation Assistants, helping to widen access to the field and strengthen the support available to people with visual impairment.
Employers will vary from charitable organisations, local councils and health and social care partnerships.
Apply
To submit an application, click on the relevant apply button below.
As part of the admissions process, you should upload the following supporting documentation.
- official academic transcript showing subjects taken and grades achieved for all School, College or University qualifications. If you're still studying, please provide your individual semester mark sheets to date
- certified degree certificate for all College or University qualifications. If you're still studying, please provide this after completing your qualification
- evidence of suitable English language proficiency if English is not your first language, or you're not from a “UKVI recognised "Majority English Speaking" country”; check the University’s language requirements
- a full CV, detailing employment history, organisations worked for, and a brief description of roles and responsibilities demonstrating expertise, skills and suitability for the programme
- names, job titles and email addresses for two nominated employer referees
- a copy of your sponsor letter/scholarship award (if appropriate)
In addition to the online application form, candidates will normally be required to attend an interview with representatives from Visibility Scotland or Sight Scotland, and the University of Strathclyde. Admission is determined upon the application, supporting documentation, work experience evidence and interview.
Start date: Jan 2026
Vision Impairment Rehabilitation (Specialist)
Start date: Jan 2026
Vision Impairment Rehabilitation (Assistant)