Overview

If you’re looking for a career where science meets people-centred care, optometry could be for you.

Optometrists diagnose and manage a wide range of eye conditions, from everyday vision problems like short sightedness (myopia) to more complex issues like cataracts, glaucoma and inflammatory eye diseases. They also prescribe glasses, contact lenses and other visual aids.

Glasgow Caledonian University is a key provider of Vision Science courses. Our MOptom (IP) degree was the first of its kind in the UK to be approved by the General Optical Council (GOC). We’re also ranked 4th overall in the UK for Optometry, Ophthalmics and Orthoptics (Complete University Guide 2025).

As one of only two courses in the UK to provide training in independent prescribing as part of an undergraduate Optometry programme, this course gives you the chance to gain professional experience that will help launch your career in vision science.

We’re the only UK institution where you can train as an Optometrist, Dispensing Optician or Orthoptist. This gives you the opportunity to learn within a multi-disciplinary environment and develop teamwork skills.

This course combines academic study with hands-on clinical experience from day one. You’ll build a strong foundation in vision science and clinical care, exploring topics like anatomy, physiology, and optics. You’ll also develop your critical thinking skills and make confident decisions in practice.

You’ll work with patients in our on-campus Vision Centre – Scotland’s only university primary eye care clinic. In Year 5, you’ll take part in extended, paid clinical placements across Scotland. Developed in partnership with NHS Education for Scotland, these placements will help you gain practical skills and the chance to build professional networks.

Why study Optometry with Independent Prescribing at GCU?

This degree was the first of its kind to be approved by the General Optical Council (GOC) in the UK.
We’re ranked 4th overall in the UK for Optometry, Ophthalmics and Orthoptics (Complete University Guide 2025).
Begin practical and clinical optometry training from Year 1. You’ll also gain real-world experience delivering eye care in GCU’s on-campus Vision Centre, supervised by experienced optometrists.
Complete extended, paid clinical placements across Scotland in your final year, supported by NHS and government partnerships.
Learn from active researchers in GCU’s Department of Vision Sciences, where teaching is shaped by current clinical and scientific developments

What you will study

Please note that full module information is in the process of being finalised for publication and will be made available here shortly.

In the meantime, you can view and download the Programme Specification at the bottom of this page. This document provides an overview of the course structure, including indicative modules, learning content and further key information. The modules listed on the Programme Specification are for the current academic year and are intended to give you an idea of what you may be able to study on this course.

Careers

On successful completion of this course, you’ll be eligible to register with the General Optical Council (GOC) as an Optometrist. You’ll also be eligible to join the GOC’s specialty register of independent prescribing optometrists, enabling you to prescribe medicines to manage and treat eye conditions.

Employment prospects for Optometry graduates are excellent and varied. Graduates have gone on to work as Optometrists in high-street practices, hospital eye departments, or specialist clinics.

Others have pursued careers in domiciliary eye care, teaching, research, or within the optical industry as clinical advisors or product specialists.

With an ageing population and growing demand for accessible eye care, Optometrists are needed more than ever. Independent prescribing skills enable you to take on advanced clinical roles and contribute to evolving models of care.

Course information

Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location	UCAS
MOptom (IP)	Full time	5 years	Sep 27	Glasgow	B515	Enquire Apply
Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location	UCAS
MOptom (IP)	Full Time	5 years	Sep 26	Glasgow	B515	Enquire Apply

Please note that admission to GCU is considered on a competitive basis, and the academic entry requirements stated here may be the minimum required to be eligible for an offer.

International students can get information on entry requirements specific to their country in our International Study section.

Year 1

Scottish Higher

Standard Entry Requirement (SER): AABBB, including Maths and two sciences from Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, or Physics, and an essay-based subject.

Minimum Entry Requirement (MER): ABBBC, including Maths and two sciences from Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, or Physics, and an essay-based subject.

A Level

Standard Entry Requirement (SER): A levels at AAB, to include two from Maths, Physics, Chemistry or Biology. And GCSE Maths and English at 7 or above

Minimum Entry Requirement (MER): A levels at BBB, to include two from Maths, Physics, Chemistry or Biology. And GCSE Maths and English at 7 or above

UCAS Tariff

Standard entry requirement: 147
Minimum entry requirement: 135

Minimum age restrictions

Applicants will not normally be admitted unless they will have attained the age of 17 years by 1 March of the academic session in which they enter the course.

English language requirements

Applicants whose native language is not English are required to achieve an overall IELTS score of at least 7 with 7.0 in Speaking and no other element less than 6.5, as a condition of entry to the course.

Further information

Your personal statement

In your personal statement, you should include your intent to study optometry. Some work experience is always useful.

Professional body registration

All students must be registered with the General Optical Council (GOC) as a Student Optometrist throughout their time on the programme.

Disclosure Scotland Requirement

All students must join the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme upon enrolment.

Additional information for international applicants

Entry requirements by country
Application deadlines
English language tests
Knowledge of English - Applicants from a majority English speaking country may not be required to provide further proof of your English language proficiency. Information about this requirement is available on the Student Visa section of the gov.uk website.

Additional information for all applicants

Relevant experience (Recognition of Prior Learning)

GCU's flexible entry policies exist to allow relevant work experience and prior learning to be considered towards standard entry or advanced entry into a course.

If you do not have the typical academic entry qualifications, but can demonstrate relevant work experience and/or credits from recognised professional bodies, you may be eligible to enter this course via the University's Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) scheme.

Minimum entry requirements

Minimum entry requirements are for widening access students only. If you are from a group that is not currently well-represented in higher education you may qualify as a widening access student. This includes living in a target postcode area, attending a target school or college, attending SWAP, are care-experienced or provide care for someone else, have refugee status or are an asylum seeker.

Teaching methods

We aim to ensure your course is both vocationally relevant and academically challenging. Our approach is student-centred, practical, participative and relevant to the needs of employers.

We've moved away from traditional teacher-centric learning to a more independent learning approach, where you are encouraged to develop critical thinking skills.

Assessment methods

Assessment methods include:

written examinations
online quizzes
lab reports
practical assessments
objective structured clinical examinations (OSCE)
clinical portfolios
substantive research project or dissertation.

Industry-standard facilities

You’ll develop your clinical skills in the supportive environment of the GCU Vision Centre, a purpose-built, ultramodern clinical facility in the heart of the Glasgow campus. The Centre offers a range of core and specialist eyecare services to local communities.

Learn more about our Vision Centre.

Placements

You’ll participate in paid clinical placements across Scotland during the final year of the course. Placements allow you to gain excellent clinical experience under the supervision of experienced practitioners.

Placements comprise two blocks of approximately six months each.

Research

The course curriculum is designed with the latest research in mind. Many academic staff members lead internationally significant research programmes in areas including optometry and vision science.

In Year 4, you’ll have the opportunity to develop an original research project under the supervision of academic staff.

Professional accreditation

The course is approved by the General Optical Council.

In addition to enabling graduates to register with the General Optical Council (GOC) as an optometrist, the programme’s graduates are also eligible to join the GOC’s specialty register of independent prescribing optometrists.

Visit the General Optical Council website

Download the programme specification

In addition to the core modules that all students must undertake, some courses offer students a choice from a selection of optional modules to shape the focus their degree. Optional modules where available, form part of the overall credit structure of the course.

Download the programme specification for a detailed breakdown of the course structure, including modules, what you'll learn and other useful information.

Terms and Conditions

Details of the University’s terms and conditions are available here.