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MSci Optometry

University of the West of England (UWE Bristol)

United Kingdom, Bristol

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Home/United Kingdom/Bristol /University of the West of England (UWE Bristol)/MSci Optometry

University of the West of England (UWE Bristol)

United Kingdom , Bristol

Key Facts

Program Level

Master by Course Work

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Course Code

B511

Campuses

Glenside Campus

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake DeadlinesSeptember-2026

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 4 year(s)

Tuition Fee

GBP 17,000 / year

Next Intake September-2026

MSci Optometry

About

Introduction

Benefit from our highly specialist on-site optometry facilities and fantastic placement opportunities to set you up ready to step into your optometry career.

Accreditations and partnerships:

Why study optometry?

Optometrists are highly skilled health professionals who provide specialist eye care services, including sight tests, eye examinations, and contact lens fitting.

Studying optometry will set you on a path towards a rewarding career with excellent employment and salary prospects open to well-trained graduates.

Why UWE Bristol?

MSci Optometry is a new integrated specialist four-year degree that will give you in-depth academic and practical grounding in your career. After completion you'll be able to register as an optometrist in a strong, confident position.

We combine theory, extensive practical sessions, and placements to set you up for success. Benefitting from real-world experience and patient contact from Year one onwards, you'll gain a variety of clinical experience in our optometry training suite and through external placements each year to support you in shaping your professional identity as an optometrist.

In Year three, you'll see real patients in our specialist on-site clinic, with the support of a qualified optometrist mentor. You'll also have the chance to study advanced subjects such as medical retina and glaucoma, offering you an opportunity to tailor your degree to your interests.

Your final year features an extended placement, in association with the College of Optometrists where you'll put into practice all the skills, knowledge, and hands-on experience you've gained so far.

Where can it take me?

Optometry is a solid, growing profession. On graduating, you can take your skills into many areas, including hospitals, community optometry practices, ophthalmic research, specialist contact lens provision in film and media, or eye care services for many charities.

A UK optometry qualification is highly respected globally. You may also choose to enhance your clinical skills by taking higher level optometry qualifications.

Requirements

Entry Requirements

We are pleased to confirm that our New students webpages are now available for students starting this course in September 2025. Here you can find links to useful information about registering, course start dates, arriving on campus what to expect before and when you arrive.

We automatically send a message via your Welcome website plus an email to notify you once your Preparing to Study information is available. It is important that you regularly check your Welcome website for new messages.

Tariff points: 136
Contextual tariff: See our contextual offers page.
GCSE: Grade B/5 or above in Mathematics and Grade C/4 or above in English Language or Literature, and Double Science or Physics, or equivalent. We do not accept Level 2 Key Skills, Functional Skills and Numeracy as alternatives to a Maths GCSE for this course.
English Language Requirement:
If your first language isn't English, you need an IELTS score of at least 7 overall. Individual scores for each section of the test must not be lower than 6.5, with the exception of the 'Speaking' section, where a minimum score of 7 is required.
For full details of the language test, contact the British Council.
The University's list of alternative English Language qualifications doesn't apply.
A-level subjects: Grades B and C from two of the following at A2: Mathematics, Use of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Human Biology, Applied Science or Psychology.
EDEXCEL (BTEC) Diploma: You'll need a minimum of a Distinction and a Merit overall in an Applied Science Extended Diploma. Ten units would need to be from two of the following subjects: Mathematics, Use of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Human Biology, Applied Science or Psychology. You may be asked to do more based on the size of your units. Please list the units you are studying in your application. For further advice on acceptable units, please email us. We do not accept BTEC qualifications in Sport (Performance and Excellence), Sport (Development, Coaching and Fitness), or Sport and Exercise Science.
For information on required Guided Learning Hours please see our minimum entry requirements page.
Access: 15 Level 3 credits at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit in at least 2 of the following subjects (15 credits in each): Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Human Biology and Psychology.
Baccalaureate IB: A minimum of H5 and an H6 in two relevant subjects. Subjects include Maths, Use of Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Human Biology, Applied Science or Psychology.
Welsh Baccalaureate: We accept tariff points achieved from the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales in conjunction with other Level 3 qualifications. This qualification cannot be used to satisfy any subject specific entry requirements.
Cambridge Technical: You'll need a minimum of a Distinction and a Merit overall in an Applied Science Extended Diploma. Ten units would need to be from two of the following subjects: Mathematics, Use of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Human Biology, Applied Science or Psychology. You may be asked to do more based on the size of your units. Please list the units you are studying in your application. For further advice on acceptable units, please email us. We do not accept Cambridge Technical qualifications in Sport and Physical Activity.
T Levels: You will have either a B or C in your Core Component in Science or Healthcare Science. Your T Level would be considered as meeting the equivalent of 1 Science A-Level meaning you would need to have further study to meet our full entry requirements.
If you partially achieve your T Level, you can meet our subject requirements if you have at least an A in your Core Section. For further advice on acceptable subjects please email us.

English Program Requirements

English Language Requirement:

If your first language isn't English, you need an IELTS score of at least 7 overall. Individual scores for each section of the test must not be lower than 6.5, with the exception of the 'Speaking' section, where a minimum score of 7 is required.

For full details of the language test, contact the British Council.

The University's list of alternative English Language qualifications doesn't apply.

Career

Careers

Careers / Further study

To qualify as an optometrist, you'll need to complete your clinical practice placements and pass your master's degree to register as a practicing optometrist with the General Optical Council (GOC).

You'll need to be registered with the GOC and follow their standards throughout the course. If you're not registered at any point during the course, you won't be able to carry out any practical work and your assessments may not count towards your final award. It's highly likely that this would affect your progression.

In your fourth year of study where you undertake your extended placement, you'll benefit from support from both the University and the College of Optometrists. This will enable your transition from a student to a professional, confident, autonomous optometrist.

You'll only receive a GOC-approved award if you meet both the academic and professional requirements. To do this, you must have:

attained enough academic credits
obtained the required amount and type of patient experience
achieved the required GOC learning outcomes
passed the master's degree
been registered with the GOC for the duration of your degree
passed the Clinical Learning in Practice placement modules and other placement elements of the course.

As a registered student optometrist, you'll be well placed to secure work in a wide range of settings, including hospitals, community practice, lens manufacturers, optical laboratories or charities providing eye care services around the world.

Get inspired

Our award-winning careers service will develop your employment potential through careers coaching and will help you to find graduate jobs, placements, and global opportunities.

We can also help find local volunteering and community opportunities, provide support for entrepreneurial activity, and give you access to employer events.

Visit our graduate destinations pages to learn more about careers, employers and what our students are doing six months after graduating.