Optometry BSc / MOptom - Undergraduate degrees

Study the Optometry BSc or MOptom at Aston University, Birmingham and youll experience hands-on teaching with real patients, setting you up for a rewarding life-long profession that changes lives.

Location: Aston University, Birmingham

We are no longer accepting applications for this course for September 2022 entry.

If you have applied to Aston for BSc Optometry by the UCAS deadline of 26th January 2022, please be assured that all applications received on time will receive equal consideration for a place to study with us in line with our published entry requirements. If you wish to apply for a place for 2023 entry, you will be able to apply once UCAS applications open for 2023 entry (expected to be September 2022); please ensure you apply by the relevant UCAS deadline (expected to be the last Wednesday of January) to be considered for a place for 2023 entry. If you have any questions you can contact our admissions team at [email protected].

Optometrists are professional clinicians responsible for multiple aspects of vision care, specialising in preserving sight by diagnosing and treating visual problems. Theyre trained to examine the eyes and detect disorders originating in the eye, brain or other parts of the body.

Studying Optometry at Aston will give you the practical clinical skills, theoretical knowledge and contact with real patients needed to prepare you for a rewarding career in this exciting field of healthcare.

Youll experience a wide range of learning methods and opportunities like:

• Supervised hands-on clinical experience working with patients at the Aston Eye Clinic, based on our vibrant city centre campus.
• Virtual patient simulators designed to help you develop your skills and expertise.
• Observing treatment of patients in multiple settings such as specialist clinics, local eye hospital departments and the Aston University Day Hospital.
• The opportunity to complete a masters level qualification while working as a re-registration optometrist with our optional MOptom year.

Expand your knowledge with our integrated MOptom year

In addition to the BSc (Hons) Optometry degree, you have the opportunity to continue your studies with our MOptom (Hons) Optometry course.

Completing the MOptom enables you to achieve a masters degree as you qualify as a registered optometrist. Whilst undergoing the pre-registration period, your depth of knowledge will be enhanced by the distance learning modules that we offer, and your skills will continue to grow.

What accreditations does the Optometry course at Aston have?

This course is regulated bytheGeneral Optical Council (GOC)and is the first step towards becoming a qualified optometrist.

The GOC states that in order to become a fully-qualified Optometrist, you must complete theCollege of Optometrists Scheme for Registrationduring the re-registration period.In order to enter the scheme, you must achieve at least a 2:2 (if you are on the BSc Optometry course), or at least an overall average of 50% by the end of Year 3 and completed all clinicalcompetencies(if you are on the MOptomcourse).

The pre-registration period involves working in-practice, being supported by supervisors, and taking a number of assessments.You will be responsible for finding your own pre-egistration post, however, the Aston Careers and Placements team and optometry careers tutor will be on hand to support you.

International students and post-study work visa

Aston University is a diverse, close community and welcomes international students on many of our undergraduate programmes. Students from over 120 different countries chose to study with us every year and Aston is not only a great place to study, based in the centre of Birmingham its also a great place to live.

Over recent years there has been increasing interest in our Optometry programme from Canadian applicants. Some of our Canadian graduates now live and work in the UK, whilst some have returned to practice in Canada.Discover more.

For those students interested in studying the MOptom, the 4th year of this full time course is an integrated work based learning year, allowing students to work and study at the same time. This means that international students on the MOptom programme will not require a separate work visa during their pre-registration period, discover more about visas for the Pre-Registration period. During this year, you will complete an Ocular Therapeutics module, Aston Optometry graduates who have returned to countries where optometrists have prescribing rights have found this invaluable.

The new post-study work visa enables international students to remain in the UK for two years after they have completed their studies to find work. For more information visit the government website.

For International Students intending to do a foundation year, visit ONCAMPUS.

Course outline

During your time at Aston, youll learn to conduct a wide range of tests and examinations across all aspects of eye care for people at all times of life; from paediatrics (children) to geriatric (older people) optometry.

From your first weeks youll learn about the internal structures of the eye and how to assess occular health. As you move further into the course you will also get the opportunity to:

• Understand how optometrists can use eye examinations to detect possible brain tumours or other general health problems.
• Learn how to use non-invasive techniques to examine patients blood vessels.
• Discover the range of specialist fields and areas of optometry from dry eye to low vision by observing specialist clinics led by experts.
• Develop knowledge and experience in the fitting and aftercare of contact lenses.
• Broaden your understanding of the role opticians play in the wider healthcare field by taking part in interdisciplinary learning.

Modules

This course is part of the School of Optometry which sits within the College of Health and Life Sciences.

To be accepted onto our programmes, you must be able to satisfy the University's English language requirements. The level required will depend on the programme you are applying for. We strive to make your application process as easy as possible, however in all cases we reserve the right to request an English language qualification and / or conduct an interview.

We accept a wide range of English language qualifications including:

• IELTS Academic
• TOEFL
• PTE Academic
• TOEFL iBT Home Edition
• Password
• Duolingo English Test (for entry onto Pre-Sessional English programmes, and direct entry courses starting in January 2022 and September 2022, excluding Aston Medical School, OSPAP, and Postgraduate Research degree programmes).
• Kaplan International Tools for English (KITE) 

Our blend of practical learning, world leading research and links with industry mean that our graduates are highly sought after by major eye-care organisations that offer pre-registration posts.

As a graduate you could enter your career in:

• hospitals
• community-based or private practices
• the optical industry
• optometry research

Recently, Aston graduates have found rewarding careers at:

• Boots
• NHS hospitals
• Specsavers
• Tesco
• Vision Express