BSc Hons Optometry

Benefit from highly specialist onsite optometry facilities and extensive placement opportunities, to get you ready and confident for your pre-registration year.

Why study optometry?

An optometrist is a highly skilled health professional trained to provide specialist eye care services, including sight tests. They work in hospitals, the community and other related settings.

There is a growing need for people who can provide these services, particularly as the NHS evolves and other providers move into this area.

Studying this subject will set you on the path for a rewarding career as a health professional, with good employment and salary prospects open to well-trained graduates.

Why UWE Bristol?

BSc(Hons) Optometry is a specialist bachelor's degree that will give you the in-depth academic and practical grounding you need to go into your pre-registration year as a trainee optometrist.

With a balanced mix of theory and placement experience in Year one and Year two, and a clinic placement at a hospital eye service in Final year, you'll be set up with the skills, knowledge and hands-on experience you need to move forward confidently into this thriving profession.

Benefit from maximum contact time with patients from year one onwards, with extensive clinical experience at our onsite clinic at the University, and external placements each year with a wide range of employers.

Gain real-world experience with varied placement opportunities, such as involvement in hospitals, high street practices, lens manufacturers or optical laboratories.

Hone your clinical skills in our brand new £3.3 million optometry training suite, and treat real patients in our specialist onsite clinic.

Study all the key areas you need to work in this field, including anatomy, physiology, optics, lenses, dispensing, clinical practice, regulation, ocular pathology and patient contact.

In Final year you'll also study more advanced areas such as medical retina and glaucoma. We've made sure you'll cover content from The College of Optometrists higher qualifications, to give you a valuable head start in your career.

Graduate in a strong and confident position to move into your pre-registration year.

Where can it take me?

Optometry is a solid and growing profession and a UK optometry qualification is highly regarded around the world.

After completing your pre-registration year, you can take your skills into lots of different areas, including a hospital environment or private optometry practice, or a related area of work such as optics research or eye care services for charities working in developing countries.

You could progress onto a master's in optometry, or enhance your clinical skills further by undertaking higher qualifications with The College of Optometrists.

• Tariff points: 136
• GCSE: Grade C/4 or above in English Language or Literature, Mathematics and Double Science or Physics, or equivalent. We do not accept Level 2 Key Skills, Functional Skills or Certificate in Adult Literacy and Numeracy as alternatives to GCSEs.
• English Language Requirement:

  If your first language isn't English, you need an IELTS score of at least 7 overall.

• A-level subjects: Grade A and B from two of the following: Maths, Use of Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Human Biology, Applied Science or Psychology.
• Relevant subjects: The following qualifications are also approved for entry onto this course as equivalent to Level 3: ABDO Level 6 Diploma in Ophthalmic Dispensing, BSc (Hons) Ophthalmic Dispensing (grade third class or above), City and Islington College Diploma in Ophthalmic Dispensing - 65% or abov

You'll need to complete your degree with a 2:2 to move onto your pre-registration year as a trainee optometrist. You'll need to successfully complete your pre-registration assessed clinical training in practice to be able to register as a practising optometrist with the General Optical Council (GOC).

Throughout this course, you must be registered with the General Optical Council and follow their standards. Without registration or if your registration lapses, you will not be able to carry out any practical work, and your assessments may not count towards your final award. This may therefore prevent your progression.

We'll support you to arrange your pre-registration year, arrange employer introductions and provide interview practice.

You will only receive a GOC approved award having met both the academic and professional (competency and patient experience) requirements:

• Sufficient academic credits have been attained
• The required amount and type of patient experience has been obtained
• The required GOC core competencies have been achieved
• A 2:2 classification (or equivalent standard of 50% at master's level) has been attained
• You have maintained registration with the GOC for the duration of you study

As a registered student optometrist, you'll be well placed to seek work in a wide range of settings, including hospitals, private practice,lens manufacturers, optical laboratories or charities providing eye care services around the world.

You could also go into research, or progress onto a master's in optometry. As you become more experienced, you may choose to enhance your clinical skills further by completing higher qualifications with The College of Optometrists.