BSc Hons Optometry

Our three-year BSc (Hons) Optometry programme provides you with all the theoretical and practical knowledge and skills needed to become a qualified optometrist.

The emphasis is very much on the optometric service to patients, and the clinical content of the course begins in the first week, increasing steadily through the three years of the programme.

In the UK, optometry is part of the primary healthcare system, and an optometric examination includes screening for signs of disease that may need medical attention. Conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure are often first detected by an optometrist.

The broad range of responsibility of the optometrist is reflected in the breadth of your studies, with the course evenly balanced between three elements: basic sciences, optometric studies, and clinical practice.

The course is assessed by a combination of examinations and coursework, with your final degree classification being based on assessments during the second and third academic years. The academic year is divided into two semesters (late September to January, and January to June). Each semester consists of 12 weeks of teaching, followed by a period for revision and assessment.

After graduation you will need to spend a further 'pre-registration' training period (usually last one year), under the supervision of a qualified optometrist, and pass professional qualifying examinations run by the College of Optometrists (http://www.college-optometrists.org/index.aspx/pcms/site.Role.Students).

Our optometry graduates can look forward to excellent career prospects, with a 97% employment record for last years graduates, with the remaining 3% going directly to further study.

Download Optometry course booklet