Orthoptics Applicants 2011
They had a thread like this last year so though i'd make one for 2011...and because Louub didnt know how to make one! 
Made this thread for all the peeps applying for Orthoptics at liverpool or sheffield (obviously!)
so yeah...
anyone got any questions/comments or general discussions on orthoptics..
feel free!
Made this thread for all the peeps applying for Orthoptics at liverpool or sheffield (obviously!)
so yeah...
anyone got any questions/comments or general discussions on orthoptics..
feel free!
(edited 13 years ago)
Scroll to see replies
Original post by Louuub
yeeey thanks zakir!
just to get the ball rolling, anyone that has been to a sheffield open day, what do you think of the new student village? i loved it! not that im already biased or anything
just to get the ball rolling, anyone that has been to a sheffield open day, what do you think of the new student village? i loved it! not that im already biased or anything
lol...ur welcome.
no i havnt been, but got to go to an orthoptics open day at sheffield on the 8th...so let u know what i think..
Hi guys, just a few more words on Liverpool as a 2008 graduate from Orthoptics! Most things have already been said, but there's a few things I wanted to add.
There's a shortage on clinical placements right now. This is due to orthoptic departments across the UK not always being able to take students due to... wait for it... the recruitment shortage! Orthoptics is a very female dominated profession - they go off on maternity leave and return part-time so they can bring up the kids as well as carry on working. At South Glasgow, where I work, there's just me and one other fulltimer - the rest are all part time. Stuff like that makes it difficult for hospitals to take on students. But think about the reason for that difficulty - it's because there just aren't enough orthoptists. If you do orthoptics and pass your degree, you are just about guaranteed a job. Once you finish the course, people who get thirds, 2:2s, 2:1s and firsts are all the same - as long as you can practice capably and competently, you will find employment. I had a job offer before I'd even taken my final year exams! In addition, when my 2 year fixed term contract came to an end, I walked straight into another job despite only being available to work for 6 months before the start of my MRes degree that I'm doing just now.
This is all with me lacking about 10 weeks of placement time by the time I finished my degree (3 of those were my fault 'cause I broke my knee and was on crutches ><;;; ) - so don't worry if you go to Liverpool and can't get a placement now and again. Plus, that will only really happen in first year - second and third year's not really a problem, and that's when it all starts really coming together. Sheffield graduates might argue that Sheffield's placement system is better because they book everything up a year in advance and therefore they always get placements, but the reason Liverpool leaves it till later to book placements is because they will bend over backwards to try and accommodate you. If you want to go away on placement with a mate in your class, they will try their best to do that, and for your first placement they will generally try and place you as close to home as possible. You also get one 'life' to use up to go somewhere you really want to go - say if you hear that a particular placement is really good and want to go there, you can ask to. In my case, I requested an extra placement in Scotland because I loved my first one up there so much. I would recommend saving your life up till final year and using it to go somewhere like Manchester, Dundee or whatever - they're really clued up there and you will sort out a lot of last minute misconceptions under their tuition XD
Next, the intensity of the course. Yes, it's hard work - you will still be studying for your exams when all the arts students have finished and are lolling around on the grass in halls. But as I said above, you're a damn sight more likely to get a job than they are, so that's the price you pay XD Honestly speaking, though, first year is really not that bad. I got a first and still had plenty of time for socialising and hobbies etc. It's third year when it really comes to the crunch, but at that point you'll be just wanting to get out there and start practicing - the work doesn't seem so bad when you've got a goal in mind. Also, the stuff you learn is so interesting, and when you get out on placement to apply it hands on, it's really exciting. Just think, by the end of your first semester of second year, you will know more neuroanatomy than the average third year medical student. Damn, you're just that good 8D Also, if you're finding it difficult to make ends meet with just your bursary and your loan, you can apply to the Access to Learning fund at Liverpool on the basis that you're not eligible for summer work due to placements. I got extra money that way.
Uhh, what else... Yeah, Liverpool is very, very good at orthoptic research. At the International Orthoptic Congress in 2008 Liverpool totally wiped the floor with everybody else in terms of research papers presented. All of the lecturers are active researchers and regularly attend conferences and publish papers - so yes, your lectures aren't the most regularly timetabled in the world, but the tradeoff for that is that you are having fed back to you all the latest developments in orthoptic research. Orthoptists as a whole aren't the most fantastic at taking on new research findings, so as a student your job is to acquire the most up-to-date stuff and share it with your colleagues when you qualify! When you go out on placement you're teaching your clinical tutors as much as they're teaching you ^_^
The other thing about Liverpool and Sheffield is that they are fundamentally the same course - the only thing that differs is the Honours coursework at the end. Sheffield do a research project, Liverpool do a literature review. Which one's better? Hmm, well, both have the potential to get published (I published my literature review in the British and Irish Orthoptic Journal last year). But in terms of which one's more useful for you in the long run, well, I would say the literature review for sure. Literature reviews spawn research projects - you collate everything that's out there on a particular topic, and then analyse it, and look for where there's gaps in the current knowledge base on that topic. That leads to research! If you learn how to do a proper literature review, that puts you in better stead for things such as Continued Professional Development when you qualify, and you can stay up to date on your practice by analysing any new literature that comes out in areas that you're interested in. It's a much more integrated long-term skill for your profession, really. If you want to do research, you're much better off coming back to do a Masters degree at a later date and learn how to do it all properly.
I'm currently studying the MRes in Health Sciences at Liverpool - I went back there to do my masters rather than doing the distance-learning MMedSci in Orthoptics offered by the University of Sheffield. I decided to do this because I wanted to dedicate myself to full time research and I already knew the lecturers who would be supervising me.. I had to jump through a hell of a lot of stupid administrative hoops to get there (yeah, University admin is not the greatest D: Same for most unis, though, sadly
), but I don't regret it for a moment. I've only been here for a month and a bit, but already I've learnt so much - and have already started my first project on impact of degrading depth perception on motor skills.
Yes, I'm a Liverpool graduate and horribly biased, but honestly, if you're interested in orthoptic research, it's a super place to go 'cause all the staff are fab Teaching-wise Liverpool and Sheffield really aren't that different, so everything else is down to personal choice. Which city do you prefer?
There's a shortage on clinical placements right now. This is due to orthoptic departments across the UK not always being able to take students due to... wait for it... the recruitment shortage! Orthoptics is a very female dominated profession - they go off on maternity leave and return part-time so they can bring up the kids as well as carry on working. At South Glasgow, where I work, there's just me and one other fulltimer - the rest are all part time. Stuff like that makes it difficult for hospitals to take on students. But think about the reason for that difficulty - it's because there just aren't enough orthoptists. If you do orthoptics and pass your degree, you are just about guaranteed a job. Once you finish the course, people who get thirds, 2:2s, 2:1s and firsts are all the same - as long as you can practice capably and competently, you will find employment. I had a job offer before I'd even taken my final year exams! In addition, when my 2 year fixed term contract came to an end, I walked straight into another job despite only being available to work for 6 months before the start of my MRes degree that I'm doing just now.
This is all with me lacking about 10 weeks of placement time by the time I finished my degree (3 of those were my fault 'cause I broke my knee and was on crutches ><;;; ) - so don't worry if you go to Liverpool and can't get a placement now and again. Plus, that will only really happen in first year - second and third year's not really a problem, and that's when it all starts really coming together. Sheffield graduates might argue that Sheffield's placement system is better because they book everything up a year in advance and therefore they always get placements, but the reason Liverpool leaves it till later to book placements is because they will bend over backwards to try and accommodate you. If you want to go away on placement with a mate in your class, they will try their best to do that, and for your first placement they will generally try and place you as close to home as possible. You also get one 'life' to use up to go somewhere you really want to go - say if you hear that a particular placement is really good and want to go there, you can ask to. In my case, I requested an extra placement in Scotland because I loved my first one up there so much. I would recommend saving your life up till final year and using it to go somewhere like Manchester, Dundee or whatever - they're really clued up there and you will sort out a lot of last minute misconceptions under their tuition XD
Next, the intensity of the course. Yes, it's hard work - you will still be studying for your exams when all the arts students have finished and are lolling around on the grass in halls. But as I said above, you're a damn sight more likely to get a job than they are, so that's the price you pay XD Honestly speaking, though, first year is really not that bad. I got a first and still had plenty of time for socialising and hobbies etc. It's third year when it really comes to the crunch, but at that point you'll be just wanting to get out there and start practicing - the work doesn't seem so bad when you've got a goal in mind. Also, the stuff you learn is so interesting, and when you get out on placement to apply it hands on, it's really exciting. Just think, by the end of your first semester of second year, you will know more neuroanatomy than the average third year medical student. Damn, you're just that good 8D Also, if you're finding it difficult to make ends meet with just your bursary and your loan, you can apply to the Access to Learning fund at Liverpool on the basis that you're not eligible for summer work due to placements. I got extra money that way.
Uhh, what else... Yeah, Liverpool is very, very good at orthoptic research. At the International Orthoptic Congress in 2008 Liverpool totally wiped the floor with everybody else in terms of research papers presented. All of the lecturers are active researchers and regularly attend conferences and publish papers - so yes, your lectures aren't the most regularly timetabled in the world, but the tradeoff for that is that you are having fed back to you all the latest developments in orthoptic research. Orthoptists as a whole aren't the most fantastic at taking on new research findings, so as a student your job is to acquire the most up-to-date stuff and share it with your colleagues when you qualify! When you go out on placement you're teaching your clinical tutors as much as they're teaching you ^_^
The other thing about Liverpool and Sheffield is that they are fundamentally the same course - the only thing that differs is the Honours coursework at the end. Sheffield do a research project, Liverpool do a literature review. Which one's better? Hmm, well, both have the potential to get published (I published my literature review in the British and Irish Orthoptic Journal last year). But in terms of which one's more useful for you in the long run, well, I would say the literature review for sure. Literature reviews spawn research projects - you collate everything that's out there on a particular topic, and then analyse it, and look for where there's gaps in the current knowledge base on that topic. That leads to research! If you learn how to do a proper literature review, that puts you in better stead for things such as Continued Professional Development when you qualify, and you can stay up to date on your practice by analysing any new literature that comes out in areas that you're interested in. It's a much more integrated long-term skill for your profession, really. If you want to do research, you're much better off coming back to do a Masters degree at a later date and learn how to do it all properly.
I'm currently studying the MRes in Health Sciences at Liverpool - I went back there to do my masters rather than doing the distance-learning MMedSci in Orthoptics offered by the University of Sheffield. I decided to do this because I wanted to dedicate myself to full time research and I already knew the lecturers who would be supervising me.. I had to jump through a hell of a lot of stupid administrative hoops to get there (yeah, University admin is not the greatest D: Same for most unis, though, sadly
), but I don't regret it for a moment. I've only been here for a month and a bit, but already I've learnt so much - and have already started my first project on impact of degrading depth perception on motor skills.Yes, I'm a Liverpool graduate and horribly biased, but honestly, if you're interested in orthoptic research, it's a super place to go 'cause all the staff are fab
Teaching-wise Liverpool and Sheffield really aren't that different, so everything else is down to personal choice. Which city do you prefer?(edited 9 years ago)
Original post by madmazda86
Hi guys, just a few more words on Liverpool as a 2008 graduate from Orthoptics! Most things have already been said, but there's a few things I wanted to add.
There's a shortage on clinical placements right now. This is due to orthoptic departments across the UK not always being able to take students due to... wait for it... the recruitment shortage! Orthoptics is a very female dominated profession - they go off on maternity leave and return part-time so they can bring up the kids as well as carry on working. At South Glasgow, where I work, there's just me and one other fulltimer - the rest are all part time. Stuff like that makes it difficult for hospitals to take on students. But think about the reason for that difficulty - it's because there just aren't enough orthoptists. If you do orthoptics and pass your degree, you are just about guaranteed a job. Once you finish the course, people who get thirds, 2:2s, 2:1s and firsts are all the same - as long as you can practice capably and competently, you will find employment. I had a job offer before I'd even taken my final year exams! In addition, when my 2 year fixed term contract came to an end, I walked straight into another job despite only being available to work for 6 months before the start of my MRes degree that I'm doing just now.
This is all with me lacking about 10 weeks of placement time by the time I finished my degree (3 of those were my fault 'cause I broke my knee and was on crutches ><;;; ) - so don't worry if you go to Liverpool and can't get a placement now and again. Plus, that will only really happen in first year - second and third year's not really a problem, and that's when it all starts really coming together. Sheffield graduates might argue that Sheffield's placement system is better because they book everything up a year in advance and therefore they always get placements, but the reason Liverpool leaves it till later to book placements is because they will bend over backwards to try and accommodate you. If you want to go away on placement with a mate in your class, they will try their best to do that, and for your first placement they will generally try and place you as close to home as possible. You also get one 'life' to use up to go somewhere you really want to go - say if you hear that a particular placement is really good and want to go there, you can ask to. In my case, I requested an extra placement in Scotland because I loved my first one up there so much. I would recommend saving your life up till final year and using it to go somewhere like Manchester, Dundee or whatever - they're really clued up there and you will sort out a lot of last minute misconceptions under their tuition XD
Next, the intensity of the course. Yes, it's hard work - you will still be studying for your exams when all the arts students have finished and are lolling around on the grass in halls. But as I said above, you're a damn sight more likely to get a job than they are, so that's the price you pay XD Honestly speaking, though, first year is really not that bad. I got a first and still had plenty of time for socialising and hobbies etc. It's third year when it really comes to the crunch, but at that point you'll be just wanting to get out there and start practicing - the work doesn't seem so bad when you've got a goal in mind. Also, the stuff you learn is so interesting, and when you get out on placement to apply it hands on, it's really exciting. Just think, by the end of your first semester of second year, you will know more neuroanatomy than the average third year medical student. Damn, you're just that good 8D Also, if you're finding it difficult to make ends meet with just your bursary and your loan, you can apply to the Access to Learning fund at Liverpool on the basis that you're not eligible for summer work due to placements. I got extra money that way.
Uhh, what else... Yeah, Liverpool is very, very good at orthoptic research. At the International Orthoptic Congress in 2008 Liverpool totally wiped the floor with everybody else in terms of research papers presented. All of the lecturers are active researchers and regularly attend conferences and publish papers - so yes, your lectures aren't the most regularly timetabled in the world, but the tradeoff for that is that you are having fed back to you all the latest developments in orthoptic research. Orthoptists as a whole aren't the most fantastic at taking on new research findings, so as a student your job is to acquire the most up-to-date stuff and share it with your colleagues when you qualify! When you go out on placement you're teaching your clinical tutors as much as they're teaching you ^_^
The other thing about Liverpool and Sheffield is that they are fundamentally the same course - the only thing that differs is the Honours coursework at the end. Sheffield do a research project, Liverpool do a literature review. Which one's better? Hmm, well, both have the potential to get published (I published my literature review in the British and Irish Orthoptic Journal last year). But in terms of which one's more useful for you in the long run, well, I would say the literature review for sure. Literature reviews spawn research projects - you collate everything that's out there on a particular topic, and then analyse it, and look for where there's gaps in the current knowledge base on that topic. That leads to research! If you learn how to do a proper literature review, that puts you in better stead for things such as Continued Professional Development when you qualify, and you can stay up to date on your practice by analysing any new literature that comes out in areas that you're interested in. It's a much more integrated long-term skill for your profession, really. If you want to do research, you're much better off coming back to do a Masters degree at a later date and learn how to do it all properly.
I'm currently studying the MRes in Health Sciences at Liverpool - I went back there to do my masters rather than doing the distance-learning MMedSci in Orthoptics offered by the University of Sheffield. Why? Because I knew it was the best place to go if I wanted to learn how to do research. I had to jump through a hell of a lot of stupid administrative hoops to get there (yeah, University admin is not the greatest D: Same for most unis, though, sadly ), but I don't regret it for a moment. I've only been here for a month and a bit, but already I've learnt so much - and have already started my first project on impact of degrading depth perception on motor skills.
Yes, I'm a Liverpool graduate and horribly biased, but honestly, if you're interested in orthoptic research, it's a super place to go 'cause all the staff are fab Teaching-wise Liverpool and Sheffield really aren't that different, so everything else is down to personal choice. Which city do you prefer?
There's a shortage on clinical placements right now. This is due to orthoptic departments across the UK not always being able to take students due to... wait for it... the recruitment shortage! Orthoptics is a very female dominated profession - they go off on maternity leave and return part-time so they can bring up the kids as well as carry on working. At South Glasgow, where I work, there's just me and one other fulltimer - the rest are all part time. Stuff like that makes it difficult for hospitals to take on students. But think about the reason for that difficulty - it's because there just aren't enough orthoptists. If you do orthoptics and pass your degree, you are just about guaranteed a job. Once you finish the course, people who get thirds, 2:2s, 2:1s and firsts are all the same - as long as you can practice capably and competently, you will find employment. I had a job offer before I'd even taken my final year exams! In addition, when my 2 year fixed term contract came to an end, I walked straight into another job despite only being available to work for 6 months before the start of my MRes degree that I'm doing just now.
This is all with me lacking about 10 weeks of placement time by the time I finished my degree (3 of those were my fault 'cause I broke my knee and was on crutches ><;;; ) - so don't worry if you go to Liverpool and can't get a placement now and again. Plus, that will only really happen in first year - second and third year's not really a problem, and that's when it all starts really coming together. Sheffield graduates might argue that Sheffield's placement system is better because they book everything up a year in advance and therefore they always get placements, but the reason Liverpool leaves it till later to book placements is because they will bend over backwards to try and accommodate you. If you want to go away on placement with a mate in your class, they will try their best to do that, and for your first placement they will generally try and place you as close to home as possible. You also get one 'life' to use up to go somewhere you really want to go - say if you hear that a particular placement is really good and want to go there, you can ask to. In my case, I requested an extra placement in Scotland because I loved my first one up there so much. I would recommend saving your life up till final year and using it to go somewhere like Manchester, Dundee or whatever - they're really clued up there and you will sort out a lot of last minute misconceptions under their tuition XD
Next, the intensity of the course. Yes, it's hard work - you will still be studying for your exams when all the arts students have finished and are lolling around on the grass in halls. But as I said above, you're a damn sight more likely to get a job than they are, so that's the price you pay XD Honestly speaking, though, first year is really not that bad. I got a first and still had plenty of time for socialising and hobbies etc. It's third year when it really comes to the crunch, but at that point you'll be just wanting to get out there and start practicing - the work doesn't seem so bad when you've got a goal in mind. Also, the stuff you learn is so interesting, and when you get out on placement to apply it hands on, it's really exciting. Just think, by the end of your first semester of second year, you will know more neuroanatomy than the average third year medical student. Damn, you're just that good 8D Also, if you're finding it difficult to make ends meet with just your bursary and your loan, you can apply to the Access to Learning fund at Liverpool on the basis that you're not eligible for summer work due to placements. I got extra money that way.
Uhh, what else... Yeah, Liverpool is very, very good at orthoptic research. At the International Orthoptic Congress in 2008 Liverpool totally wiped the floor with everybody else in terms of research papers presented. All of the lecturers are active researchers and regularly attend conferences and publish papers - so yes, your lectures aren't the most regularly timetabled in the world, but the tradeoff for that is that you are having fed back to you all the latest developments in orthoptic research. Orthoptists as a whole aren't the most fantastic at taking on new research findings, so as a student your job is to acquire the most up-to-date stuff and share it with your colleagues when you qualify! When you go out on placement you're teaching your clinical tutors as much as they're teaching you ^_^
The other thing about Liverpool and Sheffield is that they are fundamentally the same course - the only thing that differs is the Honours coursework at the end. Sheffield do a research project, Liverpool do a literature review. Which one's better? Hmm, well, both have the potential to get published (I published my literature review in the British and Irish Orthoptic Journal last year). But in terms of which one's more useful for you in the long run, well, I would say the literature review for sure. Literature reviews spawn research projects - you collate everything that's out there on a particular topic, and then analyse it, and look for where there's gaps in the current knowledge base on that topic. That leads to research! If you learn how to do a proper literature review, that puts you in better stead for things such as Continued Professional Development when you qualify, and you can stay up to date on your practice by analysing any new literature that comes out in areas that you're interested in. It's a much more integrated long-term skill for your profession, really. If you want to do research, you're much better off coming back to do a Masters degree at a later date and learn how to do it all properly.
I'm currently studying the MRes in Health Sciences at Liverpool - I went back there to do my masters rather than doing the distance-learning MMedSci in Orthoptics offered by the University of Sheffield. Why? Because I knew it was the best place to go if I wanted to learn how to do research. I had to jump through a hell of a lot of stupid administrative hoops to get there (yeah, University admin is not the greatest D: Same for most unis, though, sadly
), but I don't regret it for a moment. I've only been here for a month and a bit, but already I've learnt so much - and have already started my first project on impact of degrading depth perception on motor skills.Yes, I'm a Liverpool graduate and horribly biased, but honestly, if you're interested in orthoptic research, it's a super place to go 'cause all the staff are fab
Teaching-wise Liverpool and Sheffield really aren't that different, so everything else is down to personal choice. Which city do you prefer?wow..
What. A. Comment.
Lol...thanks for that...its helped me alot and im sure it will help everyone else too!
Original post by Nams
Hi Everyone!
This is my first post on TSR! I am doing Orthoptics next year, and have got an unconditional from Liverpool (cus i already have my A Levels), and I am goin to Sheffield on the 8th.
Would like to chat to other soon to be orthoptists!
This is my first post on TSR! I am doing Orthoptics next year, and have got an unconditional from Liverpool (cus i already have my A Levels), and I am goin to Sheffield on the 8th.
Would like to chat to other soon to be orthoptists!
hey, welcome to tsr!
...oh ok, so you've already done ur A levels...cool..what did you get? subjects? hope u dont mind me asking!
I'v gt a conditional offer from liverpool and like you, going to Sheffield on the 8th...hope to see you there!
Original post by Nams
Hey,
Yeah i got A in human bio, A in history and B in chem. It is nice tho to get an unconditional, theres no last minute panic about results!
And i will hopefully see you there 2! Have u done a half a day at an orthoptics department?
xxx
Yeah i got A in human bio, A in history and B in chem. It is nice tho to get an unconditional, theres no last minute panic about results!
And i will hopefully see you there 2! Have u done a half a day at an orthoptics department?
xxx
wow...you did quite good!
Yeh...im going to be doing a day or so this wednesday...so it should be good.
How did you revise for bio and chem??
Im finding bio quite difficult..all that ecosystems etc etc..and chems ok but i know that organic stuff is going to get quite tricky..
any advice?
Original post by Zakir
wow...you did quite good!
Yeh...im going to be doing a day or so this wednesday...so it should be good.
How did you revise for bio and chem??
Im finding bio quite difficult..all that ecosystems etc etc..and chems ok but i know that organic stuff is going to get quite tricky..
any advice?
Yeh...im going to be doing a day or so this wednesday...so it should be good.
How did you revise for bio and chem??
Im finding bio quite difficult..all that ecosystems etc etc..and chems ok but i know that organic stuff is going to get quite tricky..
any advice?
Thanks. I missed out on my A in chem by one mark because of the coursework, so it meant Barts med school wouldn't take me, but never mind! Chem was my worst subject so i'm not sure i cud help with tht, but my bio was better so if u want me to try and help with anything, feel free to ask!
I revised chem out of the revision text book, it was literally my bible! And for bio i just write notes and memorised them. I fell sorry for u, i wouldn't want to be doing it again
Hi guys, just having a read through the thread and wanted to give you some info about Sheffield, as a recent graduate myself. (I graduated in 2009- now working in London)
In my mind (I am biased, but rightly so) Sheffield is without a doubt the place to go to study orthoptics. The structure of the course is logical, with a real emphasis on theoretical understanding and how this lends itself to the interpretation of orthoptic reports and subsequently the formulation of management plans. What you are taught in lectures, and in theory, often doesn't translate into practice, and you do find often you find yourself thinking 'outside the box'.
Historically, Sheffield was inarguably the best university to study orthoptics at. This is reflected by the higher entry requirements, the Honours attached to our degree and the requirement to partake in a final year research project. Nowadays Liverpool is also good- I'm not saying otherwise- but what I will say is that many employers still recognise Sheffield graduates as better equipped to begin their clinical career. Unfortunately much of this is because Liverpool students have real difficulty finding clinical placements to take them. Madmazda86 touched on this earlier- and she is right- as a Sheffield graduate I do believe our placement system is much better. Our placement co-ordinators do book our placements a year in advance. That's because they are organised to put it simply. The way the placement system works in Sheffield is in essence similar to Liverpool. For the first placement you go on (you do three in 1st year, the first in Novemeber, then March and June) your placed in a department near to your home and this is also true for the March placement. After then you can be potentially sent anywhere between Aberdeen and Devon. Sheffield try and balence clinicals so that you experience practice in a range of large and smaller departments throughout the UK. You will find that you are guarenteed at least one placement in either Sheffield, BMEC (Birmingham) or Leeds throughout the years, usually you end up in a combination of the three. Sheffield offers one 'life' where you can choose where you would like to go on placement- my advice is the same as Madmazda86- save it for third year unless you need to beforehand. I used mine to go to a department where I was interested in working.
Prior to qualifying, you are required to complete 39 weeks of clinical placement. If you don't complete those 39 weeks, you don't qualify. My flatmate is a Liverpool graduate and it was a real worry to her in her final year that she wasn't going to find a department to take her so she could make up her placement time. Some departments, including Liverpool, Sheffield and Leeds hospitals, won't take Liverpool students because the university has a bad reputation for being so unorganised around placements. Also, Sheffield has specific learning objectives that you have to prove competence in during each placement. This I found very useful.
The final year research project stands you in good stead upon qualification. There are two types of research you can do in practice- prospective and retrospective (i.e Literature review). In practice you need to submit protocol, ethics forms etc before embarking on any research; pro/retro. The research project at Sheffield requires all students to do this prior to data collection (you perform your own reseach in your chosen area) and then using literature, write it up like a journal. Mine too was published in the BOJ. I have done some post- grad research and can honestly say that the experience from my research proj really helped with this.
I hope that some of this has been useful and given you lot a different perspective about Sheffield. The most important thing to remember is regardless of what other people say you need to make up your own minds. I made my decision and made the right choice for me. I suppose everyone has their own 'checklist' of what they want from uni life. If anyone has any qn's I'd be happy to answer
In my mind (I am biased, but rightly so) Sheffield is without a doubt the place to go to study orthoptics. The structure of the course is logical, with a real emphasis on theoretical understanding and how this lends itself to the interpretation of orthoptic reports and subsequently the formulation of management plans. What you are taught in lectures, and in theory, often doesn't translate into practice, and you do find often you find yourself thinking 'outside the box'.
Historically, Sheffield was inarguably the best university to study orthoptics at. This is reflected by the higher entry requirements, the Honours attached to our degree and the requirement to partake in a final year research project. Nowadays Liverpool is also good- I'm not saying otherwise- but what I will say is that many employers still recognise Sheffield graduates as better equipped to begin their clinical career. Unfortunately much of this is because Liverpool students have real difficulty finding clinical placements to take them. Madmazda86 touched on this earlier- and she is right- as a Sheffield graduate I do believe our placement system is much better. Our placement co-ordinators do book our placements a year in advance. That's because they are organised to put it simply. The way the placement system works in Sheffield is in essence similar to Liverpool. For the first placement you go on (you do three in 1st year, the first in Novemeber, then March and June) your placed in a department near to your home and this is also true for the March placement. After then you can be potentially sent anywhere between Aberdeen and Devon. Sheffield try and balence clinicals so that you experience practice in a range of large and smaller departments throughout the UK. You will find that you are guarenteed at least one placement in either Sheffield, BMEC (Birmingham) or Leeds throughout the years, usually you end up in a combination of the three. Sheffield offers one 'life' where you can choose where you would like to go on placement- my advice is the same as Madmazda86- save it for third year unless you need to beforehand. I used mine to go to a department where I was interested in working.
Prior to qualifying, you are required to complete 39 weeks of clinical placement. If you don't complete those 39 weeks, you don't qualify. My flatmate is a Liverpool graduate and it was a real worry to her in her final year that she wasn't going to find a department to take her so she could make up her placement time. Some departments, including Liverpool, Sheffield and Leeds hospitals, won't take Liverpool students because the university has a bad reputation for being so unorganised around placements. Also, Sheffield has specific learning objectives that you have to prove competence in during each placement. This I found very useful.
The final year research project stands you in good stead upon qualification. There are two types of research you can do in practice- prospective and retrospective (i.e Literature review). In practice you need to submit protocol, ethics forms etc before embarking on any research; pro/retro. The research project at Sheffield requires all students to do this prior to data collection (you perform your own reseach in your chosen area) and then using literature, write it up like a journal. Mine too was published in the BOJ. I have done some post- grad research and can honestly say that the experience from my research proj really helped with this.
I hope that some of this has been useful and given you lot a different perspective about Sheffield. The most important thing to remember is regardless of what other people say you need to make up your own minds. I made my decision and made the right choice for me. I suppose everyone has their own 'checklist' of what they want from uni life. If anyone has any qn's I'd be happy to answer
Original post by Swirlybabe
I hope that some of this has been useful and given you lot a different perspective about Sheffield. The most important thing to remember is regardless of what other people say you need to make up your own minds. I made my decision and made the right choice for me. I suppose everyone has their own 'checklist' of what they want from uni life. If anyone has any qn's I'd be happy to answer
wow thanks very useful!! i havent seen liverpool yet so at the moment i am definitely leaning towards sheffield
got an offer from liverpool today BCC very relieved! but they havent invited me up there atall, is anyone else in the same position? i only found out on UCAS track so maybe il get a letter through aswell?
Original post by Louuub
wow thanks very useful!! i havent seen liverpool yet so at the moment i am definitely leaning towards sheffield
got an offer from liverpool today BCC very relieved! but they havent invited me up there atall, is anyone else in the same position? i only found out on UCAS track so maybe il get a letter through aswell?
got an offer from liverpool today BCC very relieved! but they havent invited me up there atall, is anyone else in the same position? i only found out on UCAS track so maybe il get a letter through aswell?
hey...yeh mine was the same. I just got an offer...conditional.
How do you know its for BCC because mine jus says 'Conditional'??
Or you just assume its what they ask for?
x
Original post by Zakir
hey...yeh mine was the same. I just got an offer...conditional.
How do you know its for BCC because mine jus says 'Conditional'??
Or you just assume its what they ask for?
x
How do you know its for BCC because mine jus says 'Conditional'??
Or you just assume its what they ask for?
x
Hey,
Have u clicked on the course code on ur ucas track? On mine last year it brought up a letter which told me what grades i needed to get.
Hope this helps
Oh for gods sake. I'm sick of the ongoing debate that is Liverpool Vs Sheffield. Everyone knows there are massive shortages of orthoptists in the NHS at the moment and this has a knock on affect to the students. There are only 30[ish?] 2nd year students at Liverpool at the moment, I assume, due to trends in the past, that a couple wont get into third year. This means that around 30 students will graduate from Liverpool, and I assume similar from Sheffield. Do people seriously believe that when only 60 students are qualifying each year, it really matters what university you go to? Honestly?
Also, from the people I have spoke to (mostly liverpool grads because of where I am obviously) it's fairly common to leave university with a job ready for when you're qualified.
Yes everyone is biased to what university they went to, but we need to look at the facts here. If someone who was potentially applying to Orthoptics asked my opinion, I'd say go to both departments, have a feel for the place and decide which place is right for you. Everyone is different, and I must say I'm very happy at Liverpool. When speaking to the Orthoptists on placement, some from Liv and some from Sheff have basically said to me along the lines of what I've said here. One of the lecturers (that I know of) studied in Sheffield and would never actively encourage someone to not study there.
I think I speak in everyones best interests when I say, please, whenever discussing the whole Liverpool Vs Sheffield thing, that people actually post constructive advice to potential applicants and avoid petty squabbles and hearsay. Please speak from actual experiences and aim to help anyone wanting to apply. That's why we're here afterall?
I'm sick of having this debate and I don't think it's productive at all. Once again, I would like to just say, constructive advice and experiences please.
Oh, and in regard to placement, one of our lecturers told us the other day, if we had specific places we would like to go on placement in the summer, we should let him know now as he's currently sorting them out. So those who have said Liverpools placement system is poor, though I'm only a second year, this sounds much better to what others have mentioned?
Thank you!!
Hi, just wanted to say thanks for your input and I've learned a little bit from that too
Quite reassuring to have a Liverpool grad to give some input to this, especially after all the negative things that have been said.
Also, as I've said in last years thread. I'm a second year at Liverpool, if anyone wants to ask anything feel free, but I don't live in student accom so I can't answer anything on that. You're probably best quoting me on here for a reply. Or private messaging me.
Thanks all!
Nic
Also, from the people I have spoke to (mostly liverpool grads because of where I am obviously) it's fairly common to leave university with a job ready for when you're qualified.
Yes everyone is biased to what university they went to, but we need to look at the facts here. If someone who was potentially applying to Orthoptics asked my opinion, I'd say go to both departments, have a feel for the place and decide which place is right for you. Everyone is different, and I must say I'm very happy at Liverpool. When speaking to the Orthoptists on placement, some from Liv and some from Sheff have basically said to me along the lines of what I've said here. One of the lecturers (that I know of) studied in Sheffield and would never actively encourage someone to not study there.
I think I speak in everyones best interests when I say, please, whenever discussing the whole Liverpool Vs Sheffield thing, that people actually post constructive advice to potential applicants and avoid petty squabbles and hearsay. Please speak from actual experiences and aim to help anyone wanting to apply. That's why we're here afterall?
I'm sick of having this debate and I don't think it's productive at all. Once again, I would like to just say, constructive advice and experiences please.
Oh, and in regard to placement, one of our lecturers told us the other day, if we had specific places we would like to go on placement in the summer, we should let him know now as he's currently sorting them out. So those who have said Liverpools placement system is poor, though I'm only a second year, this sounds much better to what others have mentioned?
Thank you!!
madmazda86
Hi guys, just a few more words on Liverpool as a 2008 graduate from Orthoptics! Most things have already been said, but there's a few things I wanted to add.
Hi, just wanted to say thanks for your input and I've learned a little bit from that too
Quite reassuring to have a Liverpool grad to give some input to this, especially after all the negative things that have been said.Also, as I've said in last years thread. I'm a second year at Liverpool, if anyone wants to ask anything feel free, but I don't live in student accom so I can't answer anything on that. You're probably best quoting me on here for a reply. Or private messaging me.
Thanks all!
Nic
(edited 13 years ago)
Original post by enenntex
hi, im new here and im applying for orthoptics, when looking at the unis websites, it doesnt really outline which subjects they preferred(apart from biology).
so does anyone know which subjects are the best for orthoptics and would help in future study??
thanxs
so does anyone know which subjects are the best for orthoptics and would help in future study??
thanxs
I took Biology Chemistry and Maths, which I would say prepared me sufficiently for uni. There is a physics module, in each year I think? So Maths and Physics would definitely help you there. But everything is gone through in the lectures, and they know everyone hasn't done everything so I wouldn't worry too much. And other than Biology, that's why they don't mention 'cause they're not overly concerned. I'd definitely recommend Maths but it's really up to you? Are you at college at the moment? What are you studying?
EDIT: Also, I forgot to say, when I received my offers for Orthoptics, well, from Liverpool, can't remember Sheffs, but they said CCC, they made a point of wanting a C in Biology (I don't know whythey did because they where all the same). But since I've heard the entry requirements are going up, say if they're BCC, they'll most likely want the B in Biology? But I'm not 100% sure?
(edited 13 years ago)
to continue on from the post i left in this thread
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1110323&page=9
Zakir..of course there are positive things about orthoptics too! I myself have had bad experiences with the liverpool department its true, along with a number of people in my class. people have contrasting views, and thats ok because everyone is entitled to an opinion, but my personal opinion of the liverpool deparment in liverpool is very low.
on the brighter side.... i think the course is interesting. although some modules are pretty useless. however the course is very challenging and tough. it is in no way an easy course.
i think if its something you are sure you want to do, go for it. but you need 100% dedication. a lot of people go in to this course not fully understanding what it is about (i.e me!) and then end up hating it! i thought i had researched it properly but in the end, looks like it just isnt for me. its not something i want to do and i wish i chose another field that wasnt so limiting.
i think its a good job to have, and in the current economic climate when jobs are hard to come by, orthoptics is one area where you will likely secure a job by graduation.
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1110323&page=9
Zakir..of course there are positive things about orthoptics too! I myself have had bad experiences with the liverpool department its true, along with a number of people in my class. people have contrasting views, and thats ok because everyone is entitled to an opinion, but my personal opinion of the liverpool deparment in liverpool is very low.
on the brighter side.... i think the course is interesting. although some modules are pretty useless. however the course is very challenging and tough. it is in no way an easy course.
i think if its something you are sure you want to do, go for it. but you need 100% dedication. a lot of people go in to this course not fully understanding what it is about (i.e me!) and then end up hating it! i thought i had researched it properly but in the end, looks like it just isnt for me. its not something i want to do and i wish i chose another field that wasnt so limiting.
i think its a good job to have, and in the current economic climate when jobs are hard to come by, orthoptics is one area where you will likely secure a job by graduation.
Original post by foundintransmission
But since I've heard the entry requirements are going up, say if they're BCC, they'll most likely want the B in Biology? But I'm not 100% sure?
I got a conditional offer from liverpool a few days ago, youre right, they want a B in biology and C's in my other 2 subjects so i'd agree i think biology is the only subject they are really concerned about.
Original post by Zakir
How do you know its for BCC because mine jus says 'Conditional'??
yeah i just did what nams said, on the courses page, click on the course code for liverpool and that should open up a new page with grade conditions and stuff on
I got an email from sheffield about the open day on the 8th December, how likely do you think it is that we'll get an offer after, do they do group interviews or anything?
I wish that unis only had 1 way to contact us, i hate having to check emails ucas and the post!
Original post by Louuub
I got a conditional offer from liverpool a few days ago, youre right, they want a B in biology and C's in my other 2 subjects so i'd agree i think biology is the only subject they are really concerned about.
yeah i just did what nams said, on the courses page, click on the course code for liverpool and that should open up a new page with grade conditions and stuff on
I got an email from sheffield about the open day on the 8th December, how likely do you think it is that we'll get an offer after, do they do group interviews or anything?
I wish that unis only had 1 way to contact us, i hate having to check emails ucas and the post!
yeah i just did what nams said, on the courses page, click on the course code for liverpool and that should open up a new page with grade conditions and stuff on
I got an email from sheffield about the open day on the 8th December, how likely do you think it is that we'll get an offer after, do they do group interviews or anything?
I wish that unis only had 1 way to contact us, i hate having to check emails ucas and the post!
hey loub...
iv got an interview on the 8th december also...and so has Nams...
see you there!
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