Leadership Skills

LOCSU’s Leadership Skills for Optical Professionals, is a 20-credit postgraduate module, and part of WOPEC’s MSc programme at Cardiff University. 

The module has produced many successful candidates who are now leading the development of primary eyecare services in Primary Eyecare Companies and LOCs, we see increased leadership roles in LOCs, CEOs, Directors, Clinical Leads, Clinical Directors, LOCSU Advancement Leads and Chairs of Local Eye Health Networks, Training and Development Lead and coaches and many more key leadership roles in our sector. 

This course is designed to enable the practising optical professional to become an effective leader at local, regional and/or national level within the optical sector through the support and development of LOCs and LEHNs, building effective strategic networks, influencing policy makers and enhancing eye health services for patients. 

It provides an understanding of current leadership models and theoretical approaches and will give delegates the background knowledge and practical skills that will equip them to provide leadership in the optical sector. 

The WOPEC/LOCSU Leadership Module is open to Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians who are FBDO qualified (Level 6) or who are BSc qualified. 

Applications for 2026 Course 

We are delighted to announce that LOCSU will be funding up to 10 places on the 2026 cohort. We are particularly interested to hear from optical professionals who meet the following: 

• LOC officers or committee members with a keen interest in leadership and supporting their optical community 

If you would like to be considered for a funded place, please complete the application form and return it via your LOC Chair to info@locsu.co.uk 

Application Form 

Your LOC must indicate your suitability as a candidate and explain what role you can play in the LOC following successful participation of the module. 

Closing Date for Applications 

The closing date for applications is planned for Thursday 20 November at 10:00am. 

Interviews will be held on Microsoft Teams Wednesday 26 and Thursday 27 November 2025. 

Please return application form to info@locsu.co.uk before the closing date Thursday 20 November 2025 10:00am.

Offers of a place on the programme will be confirmed by COP Friday 28 November and the candidate who’s been offered a place has until 10am on Monday 1 December to accept. We will officially confirm all candidates’ places by Tuesday 2 December and will confirm our selection with Cardiff University.

Key Dates and Activities 

The course begins in earnest in February 2026 and final essay submission completes the course on Wednesday 10 June 2026 (10am). 

Course dates and mandatory content:  

The assessment requirements are detailed below: 

This module will be assessed in two ways: 

1. Coursework blogs which are 50% of your final mark. 
2. An essay assignment which is 50% of your final mark. 

Blogs 

• Your leader coursework blogs will be 50% of your final mark. You will be required to write a weekly blog, with a minimum of ten blogs (one to be an essay plan) which are spread out over the period of the course between 2 February and June (12 weeks). Six of your choice will count as 50% of your final mark (A maximum of two weeks between any given blogs is expected in this final selection). Feedback will be provided to each student on each blog post to support continuous improvement 

Blogs will be marked using the following assessment criteria: 

Reflection on Content and Practice 

• Your blog needs to demonstrate that you have reflected on the leadership topics covered within the course and your application of the content to your own leadership role/s in the optical sector. We expect to see some progression of ideas and confidence in relating your thinking to your leadership role/s over the course of the module 

• You need to be posting at least one blog per week during the course 

Writing Style 

• The blog needs to be written in an engaging style which communicates your message and leadership role/s 

Essay Assignment (2000 Words +/- 10%) 

You can choose any topic from the leadership course to explore further in your assignment. We are looking for evidence of practical application in your assignment, this could be via participation in your LOC or employer meetings/working groups or leading a project for your LOC or employer. 

1. You attend a meeting to discuss a commissioning/business opportunity for your LOC/employer. Use your assignment to critically analyse the strategies discussed and your contribution. 
2. You volunteer to lead a group for your LOC/employer. Use your assignment to reflect on your leadership of the group, the team dynamics and any outcomes achieved. 
3. Lead a piece of work for your LOC/employer on one of the following: Your leadership style when leading change, developing talent through succession planning, engagement with stakeholders. This list is not exhaustive. 

Assignment Criteria 

This is a written essay in which you will be expected to critically analyse the key concepts and literature you discuss. You also need to demonstrate practical application of the ideas you discuss within one of your leadership roles. 

If you have any questions about the content of the course, then please contact info@locsu.co.uk 

Please submit your completed form and covering letter via your LOC Chair who should explain why you are a suitable candidate and what role you can play in the LOC following successful completion of the Leadership Skills module to info@locsu.co.uk