Optometry MOptom

About the course

Becoming an optometrist means you make an impact in the lives of the patients you treat every day. From performing eye exams to treating all sorts of vision-related problems, optometry is a rewarding healthcare professional career path – and it all starts with a well-rounded education.

The Optometry MOptom degree aims to give you the knowledge and practical skills to kickstart your career in optometry. Our small clinic sizes, emphasis on learning clinical skills from the first year, and brand-new optometry laboratory are all meant to support you as you study this course. You’ll learn about the science of the eye and the integral principles in optometry and vision sciences. In your first year you’ll be introduced to fundamental clinical techniques that will be the base for developing required optometric skills.

Why study Optometry MOptom

This course is approved by the General Optical Council and is fully aligned with the new outcomes for optometry. In your third year you’ll be able to see patients at our joint venture eye clinic, University Valli Opticians, right here on campus. Away from campus, you’ll take part in placements in local hospital eye departments alongside NHS colleagues.

In the final year of the MOptom, in collaboration with the College of Optometrists, you’ll be offered a placement working in practice. There you’ll develop your skills to enable you to graduate with the MOptom and register directly with the General Optical Council as an optometrist. As a graduate of this course, you’ll be ready to work in a variety of Optometry careers.

You could go on to:

• Work in corporate or hospital optometry.
• Create your own private independent practice as an optometrist.
• Work in an optical industry (e.g., contact lens manufacturer, ophthalmic surgical equipment company).
• Conduct vital research in optometry and the vision sciences.

Not quite ready to start on the Optometry MOptom degree? Successful completion of our Science Extended Degree will equip you with the foundational knowledge to prepare you for the Optometry MOptom course, with modules in biology, chemistry, maths and physics, and scientific investigations and science skills.

Please note: Successful completion of the Science Extended Degree does not guarantee you a place on the Optometry MOptom course.

Entry requirements

In addition, you must have 5 GCSEs at grade 4/C including Maths and English. For applicants not taking A levels, this must also include GCSE Chemistry and Biology or GCSE Double Award Science/Double Science/Combined Science.

An offer will be influenced by the subjects you are studying, your personal statement and your predicted grades.

T Levels will be judged on an individual basis but are required to be in the Healthcare Science area with an occupational specialism in Optical Care Services. GCSE subjects and grades will be considered in addition to the T Level. An additional A Level at a minimum of grade B in one of the following science subjects, Mathematics, Physics, Biology or Chemistry is also required.

Alternatively, a First degree in a relevant Science subject (Orthoptics, Ophthalmic Dispensing, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Biomedical Science, Pharmacology, Mathematics, Physics) at a minimum grade of Upper Second (2:1) with a minimum overall grade of 65%.

Alternatively, a Masters degree in a relevant Science subject (Orthoptics, Ophthalmic Dispensing, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Biomedical Science, Pharmacology, Mathematics, Physics) at a minimum grade of Merit.

If you are a registered Dispensing Optician wishing to apply you must have met the ABDO qualification (or equivalent) at 65% or better and have obtained a higher specialist certificate either in low vision or contact lens practice. For those with a contact lens specialism they must also be a registered contact lens optician. Proof of registration with the General Optical Council is also required.

The Access to Higher Education Diploma is not accepted for entry onto this course. You may wish to consider the Science Extended Degree as explained below.

If you do not have the appropriate qualifications for direct entry onto the Optometry BSc(Hons), you may be able to apply to our Science Extended Degree (BCF0). Progression onto Optometry is dependent on meeting stringent performance levels in the Science Extended Degree. You must pass all modules with an overall pass mark of at least 70 per cent. Plus at least 70 per cent in the Chemistry module and 70 per cent in the Maths and Physics module. You may also undertake an interview with the Optometry admissions staff.

Other suitable qualifications or experience may be considered. Please contact the Student Recruitment and Admissions Team at study@hud.ac.uk

Foundation Years from other Universities are not considered for entry onto this course.

Completion of any part or the entirety of similar prior studies does not qualify for entry into Year 1.

Entry and transfer onto Year 2, 3 or 4 of the course is not permitted.

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check takes place as part of enrolment, this is a compulsory requirement for entry onto this course. As part of this check you are required to have your identification documents verified by the Post Office. There is a charge for this, payable at the point of verification at the Post Office, which you are required to pay (usually around £10). The University will pay for the full DBS check, you are not required to pay for this. Relevant offences disclosed by the DBS will be taken into account regarding your suitability to undertake this course. You will be required to sign a self-declaration at the start of each year and at the end of the course. All police contact during the course must be reported to the course leader as a matter of urgency and may lead to suspension or termination. Once your place is confirmed, you will be required to complete a health check questionnaire. If you have not completed courses of all relevant vaccinations you will be advised to do so. Occasionally these may be chargeable by your doctor. If there are any further medical reports required you may incur additional costs.

Please note that placement providers for this course may require you to have received a number of vaccinations, unless medically exempt, and provide evidence of these. As a student on a course with a clinical or healthcare placement, we strongly recommend that you complete any courses of vaccinations required under current guidelines for your future profession. Failure to do so may result in your inability to undertake a placement in certain clinical settings, therefore impacting upon your academic progression, and may result in academic failure of your course.

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 7.0 overall with no element lower than 6.5, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our International Entry Requirements page. If you have alternative qualifications or do not meet the IELTS requirement we also offer a range of Pre-Sessional English Programmes.

For further information please see the University's minimum entry requirements.

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