Course summary

This is a four-year integrated masters course, subject to approval by the General Optometry Council in line with their Education Strategic Review. You study three years at undergraduate level and one year at postgraduate level. Details are subject to change. Note: as agreed with GOC, this course is not open to international students requiring a Student Visa. Course overview: Teesside University is the first North East university to deliver an optometry programme. Optometrists are the healthcare professionals responsible for the examination, diagnosis, and management of the visual system. Optometry is a contemporary, developing, field which is progressing with advances in research and equipment, and graduates are highly employable professionals with opportunities to work in variety of settings. You will be trained to perform eye examinations to provide refractive correction such as glasses, contact lenses, or low vision aids, and to offer clinical advice that can make a difference to the lives of people with eye conditions, sight loss, or visual impairment. You develop as a clinician, understanding the theory and knowledge and gaining the critical skills and decision-making abilities required to become an optometrist. Throughout the course, you take part in placements in a variety of optometric environments. In Year 4 this culminates in two extended placements associated with the College of Optometrists. Teesside University currently holds provisional approval from the GOC to provide this programme. Whilst under provisional approval, students recruited on to the programme are not guaranteed entry to the GOC Register and may be required to undertake additional assessments through an alternative GOC-approved education provider in the event that any aspect of the programme when delivered does not satisfy the GOC standards. All students enrolled onto the course are required to register with the GOC and must remain registered with the GOC throughout their studies. An enhanced DBS will be required, with active encouragement for enrolment onto the update service linked to DBS. You will be required to travel for some placements and you are responsible for any travel costs incurred. Top reasons to study this course 1. State-of-the-art, purpose-built industry standard facilities to support practical and professional training. 2. Experienced, dedicated teaching team have a strong focus on evidence-base practice which means you gain a contemporary, professional and authentic learning experience. 3. Excellent links to private practice and hospitals giving you outstanding placement opportunities. After the course: A career in optometry is varied and fulfilling, with career paths including private practice, hospital optometry, domiciliary optometry, third sector, and research and teaching. The knowledge and experience gained during the course enables you to progress towards practising as a GOC registered optometrist on successful completion of the four-year course, including all university and placement-based assessments.