Extra funding for students on eyecare courses is available from the Spectacle Makers’ Charity. The bursary scheme has helped more than 120 people on degree and diploma courses leading directly to a career in eye healthcare care, including:
- dispensing optics
- optometry
- orthoptics
- ophthalmic imaging
- allied subjects
- nurses studying for MSc programmes in clinical ophthalmic practice, or primary care ophthalmology guidance for nursing
The scheme is competitive – fewer than one in ten applicants are successful.
It’s not about polish
The charity’s trustees are not looking for the highest grades or most polished applications. They are seeking students who would benefit from a small financial contribution, to enable them to thrive on their course, and concentrate on developing their knowledge and skills.
Chair David Parkins says: “We know that a bursary can only cover a small part of the costs involved in studying for a career in eye health, and we cannot help everyone who applies, but we want to do what we can.
“We ask all applicants to complete the same online form. Everyone has the same chance to tell us why they chose their course, what they love about it, what makes them different and why they specially deserve that little extra bit of help.”
Show your commitment
Successful applicants will demonstrate a strong personal commitment to their studies. They must justify how they will spend the money, with a clearly-costed plan.
Applications are anonymised, then assessed by a panel of trustees. The full charity Board then decides the amount of each award, to a maximum of £1,000.
Bursary winners include Jemini Katechia, pictured with the Worshipful Company’s deputy master Liz Shilling. They have to provide a short written or video report about their progress. The charity invites one or two to attend a special event each year to meet experienced people from across the sector.
- The application form is available from www.spectaclemakers.com. The closing date is midnight on 11 December. Awards are paid by 31 March 2025.