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Optometry at Aston University, Birmingham - UCAS

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Course summary

Aston School of Optometry was one of the first providers to start offering an updated optometry programme, in September 2023, to fit the new requirements of the General Optical Council. Our Master of Optometry (MOptom) is studied over four years, with clinical experience integrated throughout the programme from year one. In the final stage, all students complete a 44-week period of external Clinical Learning in Practice (CLiP) delivered in collaboration with the College of Optometrists. Optometrists are professional clinicians responsible for multiple aspects of vision care, specialising in preserving sight by diagnosing and treating visual problems. They are trained to examine the eyes and detect disorders originating in the eye, brain or other parts of the body. Studying Optometry at Aston will give you the practical skills, theoretical knowledge and clinical experience needed to prepare you for a rewarding career in this exciting field of healthcare. You’ll experience a wide range of learning methods and opportunities like: Supervised hands-on clinical experience working with patients at the Aston Eye Clinic, based on our vibrant city centre campus. Virtual reality training simulators to help you develop your skills and expertise. Clinical experience in multiple external settings such as specialist clinics, local hospital eye departments and community practices. Patient-facing clinical experience begins in year 1 of the programme. Interprofessional learning with students from a range of health professions. Year 1 You will develop your knowledge of the scientific principles that underpin optometry while acquiring a range of core clinical skills. You will begin to demonstrate professional skills and behaviours that are required for registration as an optometrist and complete a one-week period of external clinical learning at a local practice. Year 2 You will further your knowledge of the scientific foundations of the profession and extend your skills in clinical assessment and interpretation. A range of person-centred care themes are explored in readiness for increasing patient exposure. By the end of the year, you’ll be able to complete a full eye examination, fit a variety of contact lenses, advise on spectacles and perform a range of techniques to investigate binocular vision. Year 3 You will see a wide range of patients in our public service clinic and gain experience in specialist optometry services. Develop further knowledge in areas such as ocular disease and abnormality, and specialist practice and refine your professional skills required for a career in optometry. You will work on our virtual reality simulators to gain experience of a wide range of ocular disorders. Final Year You will work under supervision as a student optometrist during your 44-week paid CLiP placement. You will be supported in applying for and securing a CLiP placement by the Careers and Placements team, the Aston School of Optometry careers tutor, and the College of Optometrists. As you’ll be based away from Aston, course material will be delivered online and you’ll have regular tutorials to stay in touch with your tutors and fellow students. Once you have successfully completed stage 4 and achieved the MOptom, you’ll be able to apply to join the GOC register as a qualified optometrist. Key course benefits:

  • Ranked 10th in the UK for Health Professions (MOptom) (Guardian University Guide 2024).
  • 1st in the UK for Student/Staff Ratio in Health Professions (Optometry) (Guardian University Guide, 2024).
  • 2nd in the UK for Graduate Prospects – on track - in Optometry, Ophthalmics & Orthoptics (Complete University Guide, 2025).
  • Aston is ranked in Top 6 in the UK for Optometry (Complete University Guide 2025).
  • 94.2% of students felt positive about teaching on their course (NSS 2024)
  • This course is regulated by the General Optical Council (GOC) and allows you to register as a qualified optometrist

Modules

Our integrated curriculum structure allows you to see how the material you learn throughout the course is connected. You’ll study twelve integrated themes, within three broad areas of study: The Professional: Themes focusing on the safe and effective delivery of care and supporting you in the development of your professional identity as an optometrist, including developing an evidence-based approach to practice. The Patient: Themes covering health and disease, ocular structure and function, and how optometrists examine the eye to detect abnormality. You will learn how to examine the eyes using a wide range of the latest technology. The Management: Themes focusing on how optometrists manage patients using optical appliances including spectacles, contact lenses and low vision aids, pharmacology and prescribing. Themes run throughout the course, so you build on your knowledge and skills in a progressive way. Year 1 You will develop your knowledge of the scientific principles that underpin optometry, while acquiring a range of core clinical skills. You will begin to demonstrate professional skills and behaviours which are required for registration as an optometrist and complete a one-week period of external clinical learning at a local practice. Year 2 You will further your knowledge of the scientific foundations of the profession and extend your skills in clinical assessment and interpretation. A range of person-centred care themes are explored in readiness for increasing patient exposure. By the end of the year, you’ll be able to complete a full eye examination, fit a variety of contact lenses, advise on spectacles and perform a range of techniques to investigate binocular vision. Year 3 You will see a wide range of patients in our public service clinic and gain experience in specialist optometry services. Develop further knowledge in areas such as ocular disease and abnormality, specialist practice and refine your professional skills required for a career in optometry. You will work on our virtual reality simulators to gain experience of a wide range of ocular disorders. Year 4 You will work under supervision as a student optometrist during your 44 week paid CLiP placement. You will be supported in applying for and securing a CLiP placement by the Careers and Placements team, the Aston School of Optometry careers tutor, and the College of Optometrists. As you’ll be based away from Aston, course material will be delivered online and you’ll have regular tutorials to stay in touch with your tutors and fellow students. Once you have successfully completed stage 4 and achieved the MOptom, you’ll be able to apply to join the GOC register as a qualified optometrist.

Assessment method

Teaching methods on our optometry programmes are varied and include a wide range of lectures, tutorials, and practical and clinical skills sessions. You’ll learn and gain invaluable insight from practising optometrists, ophthalmologists, orthoptists and opticians specialising in dispensing, contact lenses and low vision. They will be there to supervise and support you during your time working in the public service clinics in small groups. This range of experiences will provide you with, not only the practical skills, but also the personal industry insight and human skills that will really set you apart in the job market after graduation. Like our teaching, assessments are varied and include examinations, written reports, presentations, and assessment of practical and clinical performance, which includes regulations that are part of the Fitness to Practise scheme.

Professional bodies

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

  • General Optical Council

How to apply

Application codes

Course code:
B512
Institution code:
A80
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

International applicants

Please visit our helpful webpage for International Applicants: https://www.aston.ac.uk/international

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

Admissions Review Process While the listed grades are our entry requirements, we understand that predicted grades are estimates. Therefore, we consider applicants with predicted or achieved grades slightly below these requirements if their application is strong. However, as this course is competitive, we do not issue offers below the published entry requirements to applicants within this category. Additionaly, they may not receive a decision until after the UCAS Equal Consideration deadline and does not guarantee being shortlisted for an interview or receiving a subsequent offer. Personal Statement: If you have a personal statement referring to another course, you will be required to email an Optometry related version. If you are shortlisted, you will receive an interview invitation which will be conducted virtually. The virtual interview is a compulsory element of the application process and no offer will be made without a successful interview being conducted first. When applying, please ensure you include an up to date email and telephone number as this is important information for us if you are shortlisted for interview. Further information about the interview and application process will be made available to you post-application.

Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course

https://www.aston.ac.uk/study/courses/optometry-bsc-moptom/

Additional entry requirements

Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)

Interview


Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students
80%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
100%
Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

England £9250 Year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 Year 1
Scotland £9250 Year 1
Wales £9250 Year 1
International £20700 Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

* Please note that the tuition fees stated are for 2024 entry. 2025 tuition fees are presently unavailable and will be published on this website at the earliest opportunity. **The latest information relating to EU students and tuition fees for 2024 can be found on the UCAS website at: https://www.ucas.com/finance/finance-international-and-eu-students. ***The United Kingdom government has confirmed that European Union (EU), other European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss nationals commencing academic courses in England from August 2021 will no longer be eligible for home fee status. ^^Tuition fees for students are reviewed annually and may increase in subsequent years in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI) to take account of the University’s increased costs of delivering the Programme. Any such increase shall always be in accordance with the law.

Sponsorship information

Please visit our helpful webpage for applicants: https://www.aston.ac.uk/undergraduate/your-application/funding

Optometry at Aston University, Birmingham - UCAS