15Jan
Undergraduate This course is not accepting applications for deferred entry.
University of Huddersfield has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
Open days
Course summary
Becoming an optometrist means you make an impact in the lives of the patients you treat every day. From performing sight exams to treating all sorts of vision-related problems, optometry is a rewarding healthcare professional career path – and it all starts with a well-rounded education. The Optometry MOptom degree aims to give you the knowledge and practical skills to kickstart your career in optometry. Our small clinic sizes, emphasis on learning clinical skills from the first year, and brand-new optometry laboratory are all meant to support you as you study this course. You’ll learn about the science of the eye and the integral principles in optometry and vision sciences. In your first year you’ll be introduced to fundamental clinical techniques that will be the base for developing required optometric skills. Why Study Optometry MOptom at University of Huddersfield? Teaching staff at the University of Huddersfield rank in the top three in England for the proportion who hold doctorates (HESA 2022) and have expertise in a range of geography subject areas. This course is subject to approval by the General Optical Council and is fully aligned with the new outcomes for optometry. In your third year you’ll be able to see patients at our joint venture eye clinic, University Valli Opticians, right here on campus. Away from campus, you’ll take part in placements in local hospital eye departments alongside NHS colleagues. In the final year of the MOptom, in collaboration with the College of Optometrists, you’ll be offered a placement working in practice. There you’ll develop your skills to enable you to graduate with the MOptom and register directly with the General Optical Council as an optometrist. As a graduate of this course, you’ll be ready to work in a variety of Optometry careers. You could go on to:
- Work in corporate or hospital optometry.
- Create your own private independent practice as an optometrist.
- Work in an optical industry (e.g., contact lens manufacturer, ophthalmic surgical equipment company).
- Conduct vital research in optometry and the vision sciences.
Modules
The course consists of core modules and compulsory work placements. You’ll take part in placements in local hospital eye departments alongside NHS colleagues. In the final year of the MOptom, in collaboration with the College of Optometrists, you’ll be offered a placement working in practice. In the first year, your core modules include:
- Human Body Systems
- Clinical Skills 1
- Ocular Anatomy and Physiology
- Ophthalmic Lenses and Dispensing
- Science of Visual Perception
- Visual Optics
Assessment method
This course aims to develop your clinical abilities and clinical reasoning to provide optimal person-centred care. As a profession, this includes a commitment to lifelong learning and professional behaviour in line with the expectations of the regulator. The seven outcomes for registration are: communication, person-centred care, clinical practice, ethics and standards, risk, leadership and management and life-long learning. In the final year you'll be offered a placement working in practice. You will be taught through a series of lectures, practicals and seminars. Assessment will include coursework, in-class tests, examinations, presentations, portfolio (logbook), project and practical skills assessments.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- General Optical Council
How to apply
29Jan
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:
- S020
- Institution code:
- H60
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
A level - AAB - ABB
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DDM
GCSE/National 4/National 5
An offer will be influenced by the subjects you are studying, your personal statement and your predicted grades. T Levels will be judged on an individual basis but are required to be in the Healthcare Science area with an occupational specialism in Optical Care Services. GCSE subjects and grades will be considered in addition to the T Level. An additional A Level at a minimum of grade B in one of the following science subjects, Mathematics, Physics, Biology or Chemistry is also required. Alternatively, a First degree in a relevant Science subject (Orthoptics, Ophthalmic Dispensing, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Biomedical Science, Pharmacology, Mathematics, Physics) at a minimum grade of Upper Second (2:1) with a minimum overall grade of 65%. Alternatively, a Masters degree in a relevant Science subject (Orthoptics, Ophthalmic Dispensing, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Biomedical Science, Pharmacology, Mathematics, Physics) at a minimum grade of Merit. If you are a registered Dispensing Optician wishing to apply you must have met the ABDO qualification (or equivalent) at 65% or better and have obtained a higher specialist certificate either in low vision or contact lens practice. For those with a contact lens specialism they must also be a registered contact lens optician. Proof of registration with the General Optical Council is also required. The Access to Higher Education Diploma is not accepted for entry onto this course. You may wish to consider the Science Extended Degree as explained below. If you do not have the appropriate qualifications for direct entry onto the Optometry BSc(Hons), you may be able to apply to our Science Extended Degree (BCF0 - https://courses.hud.ac.uk/full-time/undergraduate/science-extended-degree-leading-to-a-bsc-hons-degree/). Progression onto Optometry is dependent on meeting stringent performance levels in the Science Extended Degree. You must pass all modules with an overall pass mark of at least 70 per cent. Plus at least 70 per cent in the Chemistry module and 70 per cent in the Maths and Physics module. You may also undertake an interview with the Optometry admissions staff. Other suitable qualifications or experience may be considered. Please contact the Student Recruitment and Admissions Team at [email protected] Foundation Years from other Universities are not considered for entry onto this course. Completion of any part or the entirety of similar prior studies does not qualify for entry into Year 1. Entry and transfer onto Year 2, 3 or 4 of the course is not permitted. Please note that placement providers for this course may require you to have received a number of vaccinations, unless medically exempt, and provide evidence of these. As a student on a course with a clinical or healthcare placement, we strongly recommend that you complete any courses of vaccinations required under current guidelines for your future profession. Failure to do so may result in your inability to undertake a placement in certain clinical settings, therefore impacting upon your academic progression, and may result in academic failure of your course. For further information please see the University's minimum entry requirements.
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
https://www.hud.ac.uk/undergraduate/how-to-apply/entry-requirements/
Additional entry requirements
Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check takes place as part of enrolment, this is a compulsory requirement for entry onto this course. As part of this check you are required to have your identification documents verified by the Post Office. There is a charge for this, payable at the point of verification at the Post Office, which you are required to pay (usually around £10). The University will pay for the full DBS check, you are not required to pay for this. Relevant offences disclosed by the DBS will be taken into account regarding your suitability to undertake this course. You will be required to sign a self-declaration at the start of each year and at the end of the course. All police contact during the course must be reported to the course leader as a matter of urgency and may lead to suspension or termination.
Health checks
Once your place is confirmed, you will be required to complete a health check questionnaire. If you have not completed courses of all relevant vaccinations you will be advised to do so. Occasionally these may be chargeable by your doctor. If there are any further medical reports required you may incur additional costs.
English language requirements
If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 7.0 overall with no element lower than 6.5, or equivalent.
Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our International Entry Requirements pages.
https://hud.ac.uk/international/courses-and-entry-requirements/international-entry-requirements/
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
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 |
| Channel Islands | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| EU | £17600 | Year 1 |
| International | £17600 | 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
Tuition fees will cover the cost of your study at the University as well as charges for registration, tuition, supervision and examinations. For more information about funding, fees and finance for UK students, including what your tuition fee covers, please see Fees and finance - http://www.hud.ac.uk/undergraduate/fees-and-finance/
If you are an EU or international student coming to study at the University of Huddersfield, please visit the International Fees and Finance pages for full details of tuition fees and support available - https://www.hud.ac.uk/international/fees-and-funding/
Please email the Student Finance Office ([email protected]) or call 01484 472210 for more information about fees and finance.
Sponsorship information
Please see our website for more information - http://www.hud.ac.uk/undergraduate/fees-and-finance/undergraduate-scholarships/
Provider information
University of Huddersfield
Queensgate
Huddersfield
HD1 3DH