Master of Clinical Optometry

We rely heavily on our five senses to navigate life: touch, taste, smell, hearing and sight. Each of these senses play a vital role in our day-to-day lives. Problems with eyesight can have a profound impact on an individual’s life. Through optometry, many vision problems and eye diseases can be corrected or managed, restoring sight to people from all walks of life.

Optometrists diagnose vision problems, eye diseases and other eye health issues. These highly skilled professionals correct poor vision and manage or slow degenerative eye diseases with corrective lenses, optical aids, therapy or medication.

The Master of Clinical Optometry is a two-year degree that serves as a pathway to registered practice as an optometrist in Australia, New Zealand and parts of Asia. It combines the theoretical discipline of vision science, the optics of lenses and instruments, the physiology of the eye, the psychophysics of vision and neuroscience with the clinical art of primary eye care, which covers the diagnosis and management of ocular disease, the dispensing of spectacles and contact lenses, the management of people with special needs (children, low vision), sports vision and vision in the workplace.

Gain practical experience in UNSW’s Optometry Clinic
You’ll gain practical experience in UNSW’s Optometry Clinic. The clinic is open to the public and uses state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment that provides the best in patient eye health management. You’ll see patients from a wide variety of ages from diverse educational and cultural backgrounds. The UNSW Optometry Clinic operates several internal clinics that, in conjunction with external placements, offer students a broad experience in many aspects of optometric and eye care including rural and remote optometry, paediatrics, ocular emergencies, contact lenses and myopia progression control.

Connect with industry-leading research centres and institutes
We’ll provide you with a varied education in vision science through the Centre for Eye Health, Brien Holden Vision Institute and Optometry Giving Sight.

Study with the School of Optometry and Vision Science
UNSW Optometry and Vision Science is the largest school of optometry in Australia. We are committed to forming partnerships within the ophthalmic industry and across the health care sector. The School is committed to translational research that will lead to practical applications and significant improvements in community eye health.

Direct pathway: Entry into the double award 3182 Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Clinical Optometry program.

You must maintain an overall CREDIT average (65%) at the end of the Bachelor of Vision Science component of the program to progress to the Master of Clinical Optometry. Students who do not meet this requirement are expected to exit the program with a Bachelor of Vision Science degree.

Alternative pathway: Program 8095 is only open to students who have completed program 3181 (BVisSci) from UNSW.

Applicants who have completed a Bachelor of Vision Science (3181) degree at UNSW may apply for entry into the Master of Clinical Optometry. Admission into the Master of Clinical Optometry will be a competitive process that is based on academic performance. To be considered for entry into the Master of Clinical Optometry, you must have at least an overall CREDIT average (65% WAM) in your completed undergraduate degree, however, there is no guarantee of a place in the Master of Clinical Optometry as only a limited number will be available. Students with a Bachelor of Vision Science degree (or equivalent) from an international institution are advised to either apply for the Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Clinical Optometry (3182) program, or the Bachelor of Vision Science (3181) and apply for entry into the Master of Clinical Optometry via the above competitive selection process.

The award of credit in recognition of prior learning (RPL) for external students will be considered (in accordance with UNSW RPL policy and procedure), and a study plan will be developed on a case by case basis. Students with a Bachelor of Vision Science degree (or equivalent) from an Australian or New Zealand institution are advised to either apply for the Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Clinical Optometry (3182) program, or the Bachelor of Vision Science (3181) and apply for entry into the Master of Clinical Optometry via the above competitive selection process. The award of credit in recognition of prior learning (RPL) for external students will be considered (in accordance with UNSW RPL policy and procedure), and a study plan will be developed on a case by case basis.