Optometry
Optometrists are eye care professionals who detect and manage a range of sight problems and eye conditions, prescribe and fit glasses, contact lenses and other visual aids. Optometrists also co-manage a variety of common eye conditions such as glaucoma.
Optometrists in Scotland have an extended healthcare role and this degree programme prepares students for these additional responsibilities.
Glasgow Caledonian University is the only university in Scotland to offer this programme in a recognised Centre of Excellence for Vision Sciences. A purpose-built eye clinic on campus with the latest clinical equipment provides students with access to state-of-the-art clinical equipment.
UK & EU Students
Course Details
UCAS Code:B510
Classification:BSc (Hons)
Course Duration:4 Years
Course Start Date:16 September 2013
Course Mode:Full Time
Subject Area:Vision Science
Course Fees
Students from England, Wales or Northern Ireland
| Year | Fee | Description/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2013/14 | £7000.00 | n/a |
Students from Scotland and the rest of the EU
| Year | Fee | Description/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2013/14 | £1820.00 | n/a |
Minimum Entry Requirements
HigherAAABB
A-LevelAAB
ILCAAABBB
BTECRelevant subject plus GCSEs
Essential SubjectsEnglish (H, GCSE , ILC-H) Maths (H, GCSE, ILC-H), Physics (S Grade 1/Int 2 A/GCSE A or Dual Award Science AA), and either 2 sciences (H/ILC-H/GCSE) or 1 science plus Maths (A-level only).
Recommended SubjectsMaths, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, English, and Modern Studies/History.
Additional RequirementsPersonal statement stating intent of studying optometry. Some work experience always useful.
Summer SchoolPhysics, Biology, Maths or English if required
Disclosure RequirementAll students are required by the General Optical Council to have been cleared by Disclosure Scotland at the advanced level to work in a clinical situation. Disclosure is sought for the Clinic here at Glasgow Caledonian University and applications will be made during enrolment in the first week of the first year of the course. This Disclosure certificate once obtained will last for the duration of the course for the GCU clinic premises only.
IB Diploma28 points
Non UK/EU Students
Course Details
UCAS Code:B510
Classification:BSc (Hons)
Course Duration:4 Years
Course Start Date:16 September 2013
Course Mode:Full Time
Subject Area:Vision Science
Course Fees
| Year | Fee | Description/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2013/14 | £11000.00 | n/a |
Minimum Entry Requirements
IB Diploma28 points
Entry RequirementsThis programme accepts applications from international students. Please see the International Student pages for further details.
Further Education Students
Course Details
UCAS Code:B510
Classification:BSc (Hons)
Course Duration:4 Years
Course Start Date:16 September 2013
Course Mode:Full Time
Subject Area:Vision Science
Course Fees
| Year | Fee | Description/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Contact us | ||
Minimum Entry Requirements
For entry requirementsContact us for a copy of our FE Supplement.
Programme Description
Throughout the programme, you will gain knowledge and expertise in subjects related to abnormal ocular conditions and build a rigorous academic education in Optometry.
With a state-of-the-art Eye Clinic within the university campus and specialised accommodation equipped with modern instruments and apparatus used in eye and visual systems examinations, you will experience a high quality of clinical teaching.
In all the clinical studies, there is very close co-operation with academic staff who individually check or assess the work of each student. There is a counselling scheme for first-year students where various aspects of study skills are considered in group tutorials.
As well as forming the basis of further specialisation and graduate study, graduates of this programme are able to register with the General Optical Council after one year's supervised clinical practice and the completion of the Professional Qualifying Exam of the College of Optometrists. The costs of books and instruments will amount to approximately £600 for the programme, although purchase is not essential.
With a state-of-the-art Eye Clinic within the university campus and specialised accommodation equipped with modern instruments and apparatus used in eye and visual systems examinations, you will experience a high quality of clinical teaching.
In all the clinical studies, there is very close co-operation with academic staff who individually check or assess the work of each student. There is a counselling scheme for first-year students where various aspects of study skills are considered in group tutorials.
As well as forming the basis of further specialisation and graduate study, graduates of this programme are able to register with the General Optical Council after one year's supervised clinical practice and the completion of the Professional Qualifying Exam of the College of Optometrists. The costs of books and instruments will amount to approximately £600 for the programme, although purchase is not essential.
Why Choose This Programme?
Our programme offers an excellent integrated, professional and scientific education in optometry. It emphasises clinical practice and provides ideal training for careers in private practice, hospitals or research. Throughout the programme you will put the theory into practice by working with real patients through regular placements with hospital eye departments and the Resource Centre for the Blind.
This lets you apply the knowledge and skills gained on the programme to real life situations prior to entering the workplace. All clinical studies feature very close cooperation with academic staff, whose responsibility it is to individually check or assess the work of each student. All our students enjoy the benefit of personal tutors to whom they can come if they require help with studying or personal problems.
This lets you apply the knowledge and skills gained on the programme to real life situations prior to entering the workplace. All clinical studies feature very close cooperation with academic staff, whose responsibility it is to individually check or assess the work of each student. All our students enjoy the benefit of personal tutors to whom they can come if they require help with studying or personal problems.
Programme Structure
Year 1
Foundations of Optics, Ophthalmic Anatomy & Physiology, Ophthalmic Materials, Refraction & Binocular Vision
Year 2
Diagnostic Techniques, Refraction & Binocular Vision, General & Systemic Pathology & Microbiology, General & Ocular Pharmacology, Dispensing & Optometric Practice
Year 3
Clinical Ophthalmology, Contact Lenses, Physiological Optics, Clinical practice & Communication, Research Methods & Statistics, Visual Ergonomics, Abnormal Binocular Vision
Year 4
Advanced Abnormal Binocular Vision, Low Vision & Speciality Clinics, General Optometric Practice; Shared Care & Ocular Therapeutics, Ophthalmic Professional Studies, Law & Management, Project/ Dissertation
Foundations of Optics, Ophthalmic Anatomy & Physiology, Ophthalmic Materials, Refraction & Binocular Vision
Year 2
Diagnostic Techniques, Refraction & Binocular Vision, General & Systemic Pathology & Microbiology, General & Ocular Pharmacology, Dispensing & Optometric Practice
Year 3
Clinical Ophthalmology, Contact Lenses, Physiological Optics, Clinical practice & Communication, Research Methods & Statistics, Visual Ergonomics, Abnormal Binocular Vision
Year 4
Advanced Abnormal Binocular Vision, Low Vision & Speciality Clinics, General Optometric Practice; Shared Care & Ocular Therapeutics, Ophthalmic Professional Studies, Law & Management, Project/ Dissertation
Work Placement
A BSc (Hons) in Optometry from GCU opens doors to professional placements, providing links to future employers throughout the UK. There are also collaborative programmes with international partners.
Career Opportunities
Employment prospects remain excellent. In addition to private optometric practice, a number of other career paths are open to graduates of this programme such as hospital eye services, teaching and research. Optometry graduates are required to register as student trainees with the General Optical Council to obtain a registration number.
Graduates become qualified optometrists after one year of supervised clinical practice and successful completion of the Scheme for Registration run by The College of Optometrists.
Graduates become qualified optometrists after one year of supervised clinical practice and successful completion of the Scheme for Registration run by The College of Optometrists.
Assessment Methods
The principal aim of the programme is to provide high quality clinical education in course which is continually modified to reflect the changing role and scope of practice of optometry in the UK.
Our programme assesses the clinical competence of our students in a number of innovative ways, including the use of Objective Structured Clinical Examinations which are similar to those used by our governing body, the College of Optometrists in their Scheme for Registration. This equips our students with the necessary clinical skills and ensures that they can show competencies in all areas needed to practice as an optometrist.
Clinical teaching is central to our programme.We provide our students with the means to develop their competencies required in clinical practice, which in turn are built from a thorough understanding of the scientific principles underlying the discipline.
We have links with professional bodies, including the College of Optometrists and the Scottish Committee of Optometrists and with a number of industry partners including Specsavers, Optical Express, Birmingham Optical and Optos.
Our programme assesses the clinical competence of our students in a number of innovative ways, including the use of Objective Structured Clinical Examinations which are similar to those used by our governing body, the College of Optometrists in their Scheme for Registration. This equips our students with the necessary clinical skills and ensures that they can show competencies in all areas needed to practice as an optometrist.
Clinical teaching is central to our programme.We provide our students with the means to develop their competencies required in clinical practice, which in turn are built from a thorough understanding of the scientific principles underlying the discipline.
We have links with professional bodies, including the College of Optometrists and the Scottish Committee of Optometrists and with a number of industry partners including Specsavers, Optical Express, Birmingham Optical and Optos.
Teaching Methods
We place a strong emphasis on developing the professional values and clinical knowledge as well as enhancing the communication and team building skills of our students throughout the programme, which is the only one of its kind in Scotland, training up to 90 percent of Scotland’s optometrists, and the only four year optometry course in the UK. To do this we use a range of teaching methods utilising new technology in our award winning onsite eye clinic.
In 3rd and 4th year our students benefit from supervised clinical experience in the award winning University Eye Clinic. Experienced optometrists with expertise in a variety of clinical areas provide clinical supervision and feedback on student performance. Students are also encouraged to attend an additional fully equipped clinical area, where they can practice and consolidate their clinical skills.
Partnerships with many hospital eye departments ensure that our students gain clinical experience of a broad range of ocular conditions. This will not only hone their clinical and communication skills but also form an essential foundation for correct diagnosis and successful management of patients.
Our students have the opportunity to undertake a range of summer research programmes. Clinical scholarships are also available, at home and abroad. The overall aims of our clinical teaching are to stimulate awareness of the optometric problems and requirements of patients amongst our students and to equip them with the ability to conduct appropriate
investigations, develop patient interaction and communication skills, make appropriate evidence based clinical decisions and to achieve sound clinical management of patients.
In 3rd and 4th year our students benefit from supervised clinical experience in the award winning University Eye Clinic. Experienced optometrists with expertise in a variety of clinical areas provide clinical supervision and feedback on student performance. Students are also encouraged to attend an additional fully equipped clinical area, where they can practice and consolidate their clinical skills.
Partnerships with many hospital eye departments ensure that our students gain clinical experience of a broad range of ocular conditions. This will not only hone their clinical and communication skills but also form an essential foundation for correct diagnosis and successful management of patients.
Our students have the opportunity to undertake a range of summer research programmes. Clinical scholarships are also available, at home and abroad. The overall aims of our clinical teaching are to stimulate awareness of the optometric problems and requirements of patients amongst our students and to equip them with the ability to conduct appropriate
investigations, develop patient interaction and communication skills, make appropriate evidence based clinical decisions and to achieve sound clinical management of patients.
Employment Details
Employment prospects for graduates in Optometry have been, and continue to be excellent with all past graduates entering the required one-year pre-registration period within one year of graduation.
Following registration, optometrists have a range of career options including working in a variety of practice settings , working as part of secondary care in hospitals, or setting up their own business. Optometrists can continue their career development through various post-graduate schemes. These include training towards qualifications for Independent Prescribing and a range of specialist skills (e.g. glaucoma management).
Following registration, optometrists have a range of career options including working in a variety of practice settings , working as part of secondary care in hospitals, or setting up their own business. Optometrists can continue their career development through various post-graduate schemes. These include training towards qualifications for Independent Prescribing and a range of specialist skills (e.g. glaucoma management).
Fee Information
Glasgow Caledonian University is one of the UK’s most dynamic and diverse higher education institutions, with a tradition of welcoming students from all walks of life. As such, the University offers a range of scholarships and bursaries to ensure all students have an equal chance of success. The fees and funding that are relevant to you also depend on where you lived before coming to university.
To make things as simple as possible we have information on all of this, including links to our award winning student support team, available at www.gcu.ac.uk/money.
To make things as simple as possible we have information on all of this, including links to our award winning student support team, available at www.gcu.ac.uk/money.
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