Fellowships

The Department is broadly based in the clinical disciplines and has representation from virtually all of the major areas of Ophthalmology within the context of a universal health care system.   The staff in all of our areas are highly experienced individuals who are devoted both to quality clinical care and teaching programs. In addition, the UBC Department has an active group of 30 basic scientists who provide a very strong underpinning for research activities in all of the clinical fellowship programs.

All of our fellowships have an active hands-on role in teaching, health care delivery and research.

The facilities of the Faculty of Medicine and the science available through the University allow for a broad range of academic involvement of all fellows.

A Fellow is a post-medical doctor trainee who is pursuing further clinical or research training in their own specialty which will not be evaluated by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. The candidate will, upon successful completion of the fellowship, be presented with a certificate or letter of recognition of their achievement.

The Fellowship should be able to meet the educational goals of both the applicant and of the faculty members offering the fellowship.

Generally, fellowships run from July 1 through June 30, and are nonfunded. Occasionally, research or other grants, may help supplement funds. Shorter periods of study occasionally can be arranged.

General Requirements for Acceptance

  • All applicants must be licensed medical practitioners.
  • Applicants who are graduates of Canadian Residency Programs must complete five years of a core training program PGY (Postgraduate year)1 PGY 5.
  • Graduates of US ophthalmology programs must be certified or eligible for certification by the American Board of Ophthalmology.
  • Graduates of other foreign ophthalmology training programs must show proof of completion of an approved program.
  • For further information on fellowship eligibility, please contact the individual fellowship directors as listed in the individual sections.
  • A current curriculum vitae (C.V.) which must include the following: education background including postgraduate experience, all related work experience including research, academic and non-academic honours and awards, presentations, and publications.
  • Three letters of reference one of which should be from the Head of Residency or Head of the Department/Faculty from which the candidate graduated.
  • A covering letter in which the candidate would provide an autobiography, personal reasons for applying for the fellowship, and future plans.

English Language Requirements for Registration

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia requires any candidate applying for licensure in British Columbia must have the ability to speak, read, and write English to the satisfaction of the Registration Committee.

The registration committee may determine that an applicant has demonstrated English language proficiency if the following conditions are met:
1. The primary language of medical education was English, and
2. The primary language of patient care was English.

Candidates who have not meet the above requirements will require an IELTS Academic examination with a minimum score of 7 in each component.

The Test Report Form is valid for a period of two years from the date the exam was taken.

Further information about CPSBC English Language Proficiency requirements can be found on the attached document and/or link: https://www.cpsbc.ca/files/pdf/REG-ELP.pdf

Effective 2019-05-03

Two retinal fellowship positions and the glaucoma fellowship are funded.  The John- Pratt Johnson Endowment fund is awarded annually to support the paediatric fellow or finding an appropriate candidate, a fellow from a developing nation.  There are resources available but they are competitive and require advance application.  Applicants must provide proof of adequate funding prior to successful selection.

Most fellowships are 1 year duration beginning July 1, although a six month fellowship may be offered in oculoplastics. Some flexibility is possible in other divisions. Please refer to the individual division education pages for specific deadlines.

Successful and unsuccessful candidates will be notified as soon as possible by mail.

Letters of acceptance will be sent as well as notification of required documentation.  A visa is required as well as a medical examination.  This process should be initiated as soon as possible as delays in processing are common.  In general, all required information must be submitted by a successful candidate to the Fellowship Program Assistant a minimum of six months prior to the fellowship start date.