Course Summary

Our three year BSc (Hons) Optometry course with integrated clinical experiences throughout, has been specifically designed to meet the requirements for the practice of optometry and is regulated by the General Optical Council (GOC). As an optometry student at Aston, you'll experience hands-on teaching with real patients, setting you up for a rewarding life-long profession that changes lives. From your first weeks you’ll learn about the internal structures of the eye and how to assess occular health, and as you move further into the course you will have the opportunity to: - Access our unique virtual patient simulators will help you to develop initial clinical skills. - Supervised hands-on clinical experience working with patients at the Aston Eye Clinic, based on our vibrant city centre campus. - Learn to conduct a wide range of tests and examinations across all aspects of eye care for people at all times of life; from paediatrics (children) to geriatric (older people) optometry. - Discover the range of specialist fields and areas of optometry from dry eye to low vision by observing specialist clinics led by experts. - Develop knowledge and experience in the fitting and aftercare of contact lenses. - Broaden your understanding of the role opticians play in the wider healthcare field by taking part in interdisciplinary learning. Our blend of practical learning, world leading research, and links with industry mean that our graduates are highly sought after by major eye-care organisations that offer pre-registration posts. As a graduate you could enter your career in: hospitals, community-based or private practices, the optical industry, or optometry research. **Key course benefits:** - 1st in the UK for graduate salaries three years after graduation in Allied Health courses (Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) data, 2020). - 91% of students were satisfied overall (National Student Survey, 2021). - 6th in the UK for graduate prospects (Subjects Allied to Medicine, Sunday Times, 2020). - 5th in the UK for student experience (Subjects Allied to Health courses, Longitudinal Educational Outcomes, 2020). - Students who achieve an overall average mark of at least 50% at the end of Year 3 can choose to continue with further study, leading to an MOptom qualification.

Course Details - Modules

Year 1 Develop your knowledge of the scientific principles that underpin optometry, while acquiring a range of core clinical skills. Core modules: Medical Biology and Pathology, Clinical Practice 1, Basic Investigative Techniques, Clinical Visual Biology, Ophthalmic Lenses, Optics and Medical Imaging, Vision and Visual Perception, and Personal and Professional Development. Year 2 Gain skills in contact lens fitting, dispensing and binocular vision. You’ll also develop your ability to perform a full eye examination and manage patients. Core modules: Clinical Practice Development, Clinical Practice 2, Contact Lenses, Further Investigative Techniques, Ophthalmic Optics, and Vision Science and Research Methods. Final year 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 as well as the professional skills required for a career in optometry. Core modules: Anterior Eye, Posterior Eye and General Ophthalmology, Binocular Vision and Paediatrics, Clinical Practice 3, Elective Studies, Ophthalmic Drugs, and Professional, Occupational and Low Vision. For more information, please visit our website.

Course Details – 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. Each year of study is worth 120 credits, with each credit equivalent to 10 learning hours. The learning hours may include but are not limited to lectures, seminars, tutorials, lab sessions practicals, online activity, reading, other independent study, reflecting on assignment feedback, field trips and work placements. 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.

Course Details – Professional Bodies

General Optical Council

How to Apply

26 January 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: A80

Campus Name: Main Site

Campus code:

Points of Entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

Year 1

Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry (Year 2 and Beyond)

Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry are not listed for this Course.

International applicants

Standard Qualification Requirements

With this BTEC you must achieve grade BB in two A level science subjects from: Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics. However, if you are taking the BTEC in Applied Science subject, you must also achieve grade B in one A level science subjects from: Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics.

With this BTEC you must achieve grade BB in two A level science subjects from: Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics.

With this BTEC you must achieve grade BB in two A level science subjects from: Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics.

AAA two science subjects from: Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics AAB two science subjects from: Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics, for contextual offer students* AAB three science subjects from: Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics. ABB two science subjects from: Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics, for contextual offer students* A level applicants may be eligible for a lowered offer if they perform exceptionally at interview or are eligible for our Contextual Offer Scheme. More details about interview scoring will be provided to shortlisted candidates and Contextual Offer Scheme details can be found here https: //www2aston.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/contextuaIoffer. Excluded Subjects: We welcome the following subjects as an additional A level, but not as one of the core three A levels - General Studies, Critical Thinking, Citizenship Studies. Resits: We welcome applications from students who have tried to improve their examination grades by taking a maximum of one set of resits. We treat these applications in exactly the same way as other applications. However, if you have had more than one attempt at improving your grades, your application will be considered on an individual basis and we reserve to make an amended (higher) offer, or not make an offer. We do not consider applications from students who are unsuccessful in obtaining the required number and/or standard of A Levels for admission to our programmes and subsequently embark on a BTEC as a second option. Instead we would encourage you to re-sit your A-levels.

Three from Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Maths to be taken.

With this BTEC you must achieve grade BB in two A level science subjects from: Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics. However, if you are taking the BTEC in Applied Science subject, you must also achieve grade B in one A level science subjects from: Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics.

2 Science Subjects: 32 points overall, three Higher Level subjects at 6 6 6, must include 2 science subjects from: Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics. You must also have Standard Level grade 5 in English Language and grade 6 in Maths. Or 32 points overall, three Higher Level subjects at 6 5 5 must include 2 science subjects from: Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics. You must also have Standard Level grade 5 in English Language and grade 6 in Maths for contextual offer students (more details https://www.aston.ac.uk/undergraduate/contextual-offer-aston-ready) 3 Science Subjects: 32 points overall, three Higher Level subjects at 6 6 5 must include 3 science subjects from: Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics. You must also have Standard Level grade 5 in English Language and grade 6 in Maths. Or 32 points overall, three Higher Level subjects at 6 5 5 must include 3 science subjects from: Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics. You must also have Standard Level grade 5 in English Language and grade 6 in Maths for contextual offer students (more details https://www.aston.ac.uk/undergraduate/contextual-offer-aston-ready).

Admissions Review Process/Applicant Interview Days All candidates are considered on an individual basis and the whole application is reviewed which includes previous and predicted qualifications, any experience, references and motivation. Whilst the grades listed here are our entry requirements, we understand that predicted grades are only an estimate. We will therefore consider applicants with lower predicted grades if the application is of a high standard which includes a strong personal statement and academic reference. However, any offer made will not be lower than stated in our entry requirements. Find out more about our admissions policy on our website. 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

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Minimum Further Information are not listed for this Course.

English language requirements

Test Grade AdditionalDetails
English Language Entry Requirement Information are not listed for this Course.

Unistats information

Student satisfaction : 75%

Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs): 70%

Go onto work and study: 97%

Fees and funding

England 9250.0 Year 1
Northern Ireland 9250.0 Year 1
Scotland 9250.0 Year 1
Wales 9250.0 Year 1
International 19700.0 Year 1

Additional Fee Information

For Sandwich courses the placement fee is £1250 for Home/UK students and £2,500 for International students. * Please note that the tuition fees stated are for 2022 entry. 2023 tuition fees are subject to approval and will be published on this website at the earliest opportunity. **The latest information relating to EU students and tuition fees for 2021 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.

Provider information

Aston Triangle
Address2 are not listed for this Course.
Address3 are not listed for this Course.
Birmingham
B4 7ET

Career tips, advice and guides straight to your inbox.

Join our newsletter today.