Bachelor of Optometry BOptom
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    Bachelor of Optometry BOptom at University of Auckland

    University of Auckland
    University of Auckland
    New Zealand
    New Zealand, Auckland
    University Rank:#65
    Bachelor of Optometry BOptom at University of Auckland

    The Bachelor of Optometry BOptom is a Bachelor degree offered by University of Auckland on the Grafton campus in Auckland, New Zealand. The program is delivered on campus as a Full Time course in English and requires approximately 5 years to complete. Students study at the Grafton campus while gaining the knowledge and practical experience expected for this area of study.

    About Bachelor of Optometry BOptom

    Our Bachelor of Optometry (BOptom) programme covers both Clinical Optometry and Vision Science. It includes the study of basic physical and life sciences as they relate to the visual system. You will also gain extensive knowledge of optics, the anatomy and physiology of vision, ocular pharmacology, pathology, therapeutics, and immunology.

    Programme highlights:

    • New Zealand’s only BOptom degree and one of only eight Australasian degrees accredited by the Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand
    • Accreditation as a registered optometrist, able to diagnose and treat eye diseases in New Zealand and Australia
    • Clinical and business skill development, to help you manage your own practice or to work in the public health sector
    • The opportunity to complete your degree with honours
    • Opportunities to develop communication, empathy and problem-solving skills, particularly with children, the elderly and the partially sighted

    There are two application categories for entry into the BOptom:

    • Undergraduate entry: Undergraduate applicants may apply from either BSc at the University of Auckland or the HSFY at the University of Otago. You can apply as an Undergraduate applicant at the end of your first and/or second year of study in the Bachelor of Science.
    • Graduate entry

    Please note:

    • Entry criteria may change every year. There is no direct entry from secondary school, school leavers are encourage to apply under the Undergraduate entry category
    • Shortlisted applicants will be subject to a Multiple Mini Interview (MMI).
    • Special entry schemes are available for domestic students.

    Check out the BOptom FAQs.

    Disciplines

    Medical and Health Sciences

    Requirements and Admission Criteria for Bachelor of Optometry BOptom at University of Auckland

    Entry Requirements

    Undergraduate entry

    Please note: Applications for the 2025 intake have closed. The entry requirements listed below apply to applications for the 2026 intake.

    The Bachelor of Optometry is a limited Entry programme and the selection criteria below is subject to the University Council approval. The finalised selection criteria is expected to be available in May.

    To apply for BOptom as an undergraduate student you must complete the first year of the Bachelor of Science (BSc) at the , or the Health Sciences First Year at the University of Otago. This must be completed on a full time basis and must include the following courses:

    Option A: Bachelor of Science (BSc),

    Option B: University of Otago's Health Science First Year (HSFY)

    Interview Eligibility
    Applicants will need to achieve a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 5.5 across the 7 first year courses listed in bold above, with no fails, to be eligible for consideration for an admission interview (MMI – Multi Mini Interviews). All applicants must also pass WTRSCI 100.

    Interview Ranking
    If eligible, you will be ranked for interview invitation. This ranking will be based on your grades in the core courses (in bold above). If your final grades are not available at the time of interview ranking, an interim grade (highest possible) will be temporarily assigned. Official final results will be used for the final selection.

    Final Selection Ranking
    Applicants will be offered admission to the programme according to the rank order until the available places in the category are filled. Interviewed applicants’ final ranking is based on a weighting of the following components:

    • GPA for 7 courses in Bold: 50%
    • Multi Mini Interview: 50% (a minimum threshold will apply, this will be determined year to year)

    Please note that selection criteria may change from year to year. For further information, refer to our FAQs or contact the Faculty directly on [email protected].

    Graduate entry

    Please note: Applications for the 2025 intake have closed. The entry requirements listed below apply to applications for the 2026 intake.

    To apply for the BOptom under the Graduate entry category, applicants must have completed a relevant degree/degrees on a full time basis at a recognised university. Your last year of full time study must be no more than five years prior to the year of application. A minimum of 105 points over Semesters One and Two per academic calendar year is required to be considered as full time for BOptom admission. A typical academic calendar year is 120 points.

    Interview Eligibility
    Applicants will need to achieve a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 5.5 across their last 2 years of full time study to be eligible for consideration for an admission interview (MMI – Multi Mini Interviews). Shortlisted international applicants will be interviewed over Zoom.

    Interview Ranking
    Eligible applicants are ranked for interview invitations based on the GPA from their last two academic years of full time study in completed qualification/s. If your final grades are not available at the time of interview ranking, an interim grade (highest possible grade) will be temporarily assigned. Official final results will be used for the final selection.

    Final Selection Ranking
    Applicants will be ranked for selection based on a weighting of the following components:

    • GPA for the 7 courses in bold above: 50%
    • Multi Mini Interview: 50% (a minimum threshold will apply, this will be determined year to year)

    Please note that selection criteria may change from year to year. For further information, refer to our FAQs or contact the Faculty directly on [email protected].

    Other pathways to study

    You could be eligible for another programme, or check out these alternative pathways:

    English Requirements

    • PTEMin 50
    • IELTSMin 6
    • TOEFLMin 80

    Career Opportunities after Completing Bachelor of Optometry BOptom

    Where could this programme take you?

    On graduation you can be accredited as a registered optometrist, able to diagnose and treat eye diseases in New Zealand and Australia. The majority of optometrists enter private practice, which offers regular hours and the freedom to choose where to live and work. Optometrists can also practise in hospitals and clinics or work in the industry or research. We advise that the University of Auckland is not involved in the employment of graduates and can make no guarantee of post-qualification registration or employment in New Zealand or any other country.

    Jobs related to this programme

    • Registered optometrist

    Student career planning service

    Once you become a student at the University, you can get help with planning and developing your career from Career Development and Employability Services.

    We advise that the University of Auckland is not involved in the employment of graduates and can make no guarantee of post-qualification registration or employment in New Zealand or any other country.

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    Fee Information

    Bachelor of Optometry BOptom at University of Auckland
    University of Auckland
    University of Auckland
    New Zealand

    New Zealand, Auckland

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