Ophthalmology has one of the highest competition ratios of any UK specialty, and the evidence folder is scored line by line. Teaching is one of those lines — and a recognised Teach the Teacher course is an explicit, easy way to claim it. Here is exactly how it works for Ophthalmology ST1.
How Ophthalmology ST1 scores teaching
The ophthalmology evidence folder awards 0.5 points for completing any recognised Teach the Teacher course. In a specialty where applicants are separated by fractions of a point, that half-point is worth claiming. It is also the ceiling for a course here: the 2-point tier in the same domain is a higher teaching qualification “equalling 60 credits or for at least 8 months full-time or equivalent”, so no amount of course hours reaches it. Confirm the current criteria in the NHS England Ophthalmology ST1 scoring guidance. Erudical enrolment also includes a place at NMERC 2026, where an oral or poster presentation can score in the presentations domain (how presentations are scored).
What to submit as evidence
Provide your certificate of completion with the date, provider and CPD accreditation. Because the ophthalmology criterion simply requires completion of a recognised course, a clean CPD-accredited certificate is sufficient — no PGCert or multi-day requirement.
Where it goes in your folder: see our full guide to the Ophthalmology ST1 evidence folder — the eight scored domains, the one-PDF-per-domain rule, and why two certificates from one course still count as a single claim.
Live or self-paced for ophthalmology?
Either satisfies the 0.5-point criterion, so most ophthalmology applicants take the self-paced course to bank the point quickly, then attend the live day if they want the interactive experience. Erudical includes both. Note that the two certificates count as one experience rather than two — the criteria state that duplicate experiences will not be scored — so doing both does not double the half point.
What ophthalmology doctors say
“Brilliant course. Very accessible. Nice being able to use it on my phone, also offline.”
— C. O’Byrne“I thoroughly enjoyed the Erudical online teaching course. Everything was straightforward and there was never any confusion on assignments.”
— U. KėvalaitėFrequently asked questions
Is half a point really worth it for ophthalmology?
Yes — given how tight the competition ratios are, applicants routinely fight for fractional points. It is one of the easiest to secure.
Does the course need to be CPD accredited?
A recognised course is required; CPD accreditation is the clearest way to demonstrate that. Erudical has been CPD accredited since 2020.
See the full teaching points by specialty table, or explore the Erudical course.
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Last updated: 21st September 2026