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Professionalism in Optometry

Our degree course in Optometry and Vision Science opens the way for you to undertake training in, and hopefully to enter, a profession with high standards of conduct and behaviour. We expect that, as an undergraduate student, you will conduct yourself in an appropriate and responsible manner in preparation for this.

Registration with the General Optical Council (GOC) is compulsory throughout your time at University, your pre-registration period and your career as a qualified optometrist.   As a student, your registration needs to be renewed each year, by 15th July.  Failure to maintain registration with the GOC will mean that you will be excluded from practical teaching sessions and clinics at the University and may result in a Fitness to Practise/Undertake Training case being brought against you by the GOC.

The GOC stipulates a Code of Conduct that explains the personal and ethical standards expected not only of qualified optometrists and dispensing opticians but also of student optometrists and dispensing opticians.  If a registrant fails to comply with the duties and responsibilities set out in the Code, they are putting their registration at risk.

The Code of Conduct describes the key principles of good practice and professional conduct to which registrants must adhere.  Attitudes and behaviours are as important when working with your peers as patients (during the first and second years of the course), as they are when members of the public are seen in your clinics (during the second and third years).

We strongly recommended that you read the GOC Code of Conduct.

We expect our students to:

  • Act professionally from the moment they commence our course
  • Comply with the Code of Conduct set out by the GOC
  • Do their utmost to ensure patient safety and wellbeing
  • Treat others respectfully, whether they be patients, staff or fellow students
  • Take responsibility for their own learning, including declaring all potential issues (disability, criminal record, etc.)
  • Be honest at all times with staff and respectful towards facilities and equipment
  • Protect the good reputation of the School of Optometry and Vision Science