Skip to programme content
Postgraduate Doctorate Doctor of Philosophy Comprehensive

PhD Vision Science

Department of Vision Science 3 years – 4 years Regular
How to Apply

About This Programme

The School of Optometry and Vision Science (SOVS) was established in 2024 following the elevation of the former Department of Optometry and Vision Science (DOVS), which had been a department under the School of Allied Health Sciences since its inception in 2002. The School now comprises three departments: Department of Clinical Optometry, Department of Ophthalmic Science, and Department of Vision Science. The PhD Vision Science programme is hosted under the Department of Vision Science.

Vision science is a multidisciplinary field encompassing the physical, anatomical, physiological, and psychological aspects of vision. It integrates disciplines in the basic sciences — biology, chemistry, physics, computer science, engineering, mathematics, optics, and psychology — into eye health and vision care.

Ghana faces a significant burden of blindness and visual impairment, expected to be compounded by a growing and ageing population. The Ghana National Eye Care Agenda seeks to reduce this burden by 25% by 2030. This PhD programme will produce vision scientists with advanced investigative, clinical, and research skills to develop intervention strategies in eye care delivery, contributing directly to Sustainable Development Goal 3 (health for all by 2030).

The programme encompasses a broader scope of vision science than comparable programmes, ranging from optics, psychophysics, and neuroscience to visual electrophysiology, and incorporates elements of entrepreneurship, innovation, and local production.

Programme Aim

Aim(s)

To produce graduates with enhanced competences for ophthalmic and vision science-related research.

Programme Objectives

Objective(s)

Train vision science researchers in cutting-edge and evidence-based approaches to address visual health challenges.

The University of Cape Coast was established out of the need for highly qualified and skilled manpower in teaching and the development of the nation's human resources. The School of Optometry and Vision Science (SOVS) traces its origins to the Department of Optometry and Vision Science (DOVS), established in 2002 under the School of Allied Health Sciences. Over the years, DOVS expanded significantly in teaching, research, and outreach, providing academic mentorship to the School of Dispensing Optics at Oyoko and operating three training and service delivery centres: the School of Optometry Eye Clinic, the UCC Eye Clinic, and the CCTU Eye Clinic at Cape Coast Technical University. These developments led to the formal establishment of SOVS in 2024, now comprising three departments. The PhD Vision Science programme is the school's flagship research doctorate, designed to address the scarcity of vision scientists in Ghana and across the sub-region.

Entry Requirements

  1. Holders of a research master's degree in vision science, optometry or any related discipline.
  2. Holders of a non-research master's degree in vision science, optometry or any related discipline with a CGPA of 3.5 or better, with not more than one grade C+ or lower and B+ or better in Research Methods. Applicants without a research-based Master's degree (e.g., MPhil or equivalent) will be required to complete the PhD programme in four years instead of three. The additional year is designed to provide essential research training through dedicated bridging courses, ensuring that candidates acquire the necessary methodological and disciplinary foundations comparable to those covered in the preceding MPhil programme.
  3. All applicants must attend and pass a selection interview.

Graduation Requirements

  1. Course Requirements: A candidate for the BCom (Accounting) degree must pass all courses taken, meet Inter-Faculty course requirements.
  2. Credit Requirements: A candidate must accumulate a minimum of 140 credits (including Advance Credits).
  3. Additional Requirements: The candidate must attain a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 1.0. In addition, the candidate must have settled financial and other obligations to the university.

Employment Prospects of Graduates

Graduates will work with the Ministry of Health and its agencies, multi-national organisations such as WHO, universities and research centres. Employment opportunities also exist in NGOs, security agencies, and optical laboratories.

The target group are optometrists, psychologists, neuroscientists, pharmacologists, computer scientists and other basic scientists who wish to gain advanced knowledge and expertise in vision research.

3 years – 4 years

Depending on entry pathway

Master - Doctorate Entry

4 years

Level 900

Master - Doctorate Entry

3 years

Level 900

Related Programmes

MPhil Vision Science

Master of Philosophy

MSc Vision Science

Master of Science