Course summary
Optometry is a healthcare profession concerned with examination, diagnosis and treatment of the human visual system. In our aging population the demand for eye care is expected to increase, and optometrists are ideally placed to help meet this demand. The programme is based on both fundamental academic sciences as well as detailed clinical and practical studies. The emphasis is very much on the optometric service to patients. You will see patients in the University's own eye clinic, and attend local hospitals where you are instructed in the recognition and management of eye disease by senior ophthalmologists. Our three-year programme enables you to progress towards practising as a registered optometrist - you will need to complete a year's pre-registration training after graduation in order to do this. Professional accreditation This programme is accredited by the General Optical Council. Rankings We are ranked 7th in the UK for Optometry, Ophthalmology and Orthoptics in the Complete University Guide 2022.
Modules
Year 1: Human Body in Health and Disease (core), Ocular Anatomy and Physiology (core), Physiology of Vision and Perception (core), Pure and Visual Optics (core), Refraction and Refractive Error (core), Visual and Ocular Assessment 1 (core) Year 2: Assessment and Management of Binocular Vision (core), Clinical Optometry and Communication Skills (core), Contact Lens Practice 1 (core), Evidence Based Optometry 1 (core), General and Ocular Pharmacology (core), Ophthalmic Lenses and Dispensing (core) Visual and Ocular Assessment 2 (core) Year 3: Advanced Clinical Practice (core), Clinical Case Studies (core), Clinical Competence (core), Contact Lens Practice 2 (core), Evidence-Based Optometry II (core), General Clinical Practice (core), Ocular and Systemic Disease (core), Professional, Legal and Ethical Studies (core), Visual Impairment and Rehabilitation (core)
Assessment method
The Optometry programme aims to select from a range of assessment methods for each module. All modules include both formative and summative assessments. Formative assessment has a developmental purpose and is designed to help students learn more effectively by giving them feedback on their performance and on how it can be improved and/or maintained. Examples of formative assessments include in-lecture polling of answers to questions with immediate feedback, specific tests to be completed prior to teaching sessions where answers are discussed or designated assessments completed online with feedback provided electronically. Reflective practice by students sometimes contributes to formative assessment but is always used to allow students to identify areas of success and also areas requiring further work. Most practical sessions incorporate opportunities for reflective practice. Summative assessment is used to indicate the extent of a student's success in meeting the assessment criteria used to gauge the intended learning outcomes of a module or programme. Summative assessment for each module includes written exams whilst many modules will require students to demonstrate practical or clinical ability or competence. In addition, some of the assessments in later stages of the programme, for example in clinical practice, clinical case studies and the research element, are synoptic in nature. Synoptic assessments are those that encourage students to combine elements of their learning from different parts of a programme and to show their accumulated knowledge and understanding of a topic or subject area. A synoptic assessment normally enables students to show their ability to integrate and apply their skills, knowledge and understanding with breadth and depth in the subject. It can help to test a student's capability of applying the knowledge and understanding gained in one part of a programme to increase their understanding in other parts of the programme, or across the programme as a whole.
How to apply
25Jan
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- B510
- Institution code:
- B56
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
Please note that for Optometry we will consider you based on your highest relevant qualification. A CV will be requested if there are gaps in your education history so please ensure you include all the study you have undertaken whether you feel it is relevant or not on your application form. All students enrolled on the course will be required to register with the General Optical Council (GOC). The University welcomes applications from students with a wide range of qualifications from the UK and overseas, including combinations of qualifications. To check whether your qualifications meet the entry requirements for this course please contact the University. English language requirements for International and EU applicants: IELTS test with an overall score of 6.5 with no sub-test less than 5.5 (or equivalent)
Additional entry requirements
Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)
Unistats information
Operated by the Office for Students
Student satisfaction
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
Go onto work and study
The student satisfaction data is from students surveyed during the Covid-19 pandemic. 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 |
| Channel Islands | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| EU | £22180 | Year 1 |
| International | £22180 | Year 1 |
Additional fee information
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Provider information
University of Bradford
Richmond Road
Bradford
BD7 1DP