Our four year MOptom (Hons) Optometry course has been specifically designed to meet the requirements for the practice of optometry and is regulated by the General Optical Council (GOC). With clinical experience throughout, this course offers an integrated masters level year which is studied via distance learning during the pre-registration period. 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. During the MOptom year you will deepen your knowledge of topics such as advanced investigative techniques, evidence-based clinical research, glaucoma, interprofessional communication, ocular prescribing, and retinal and macular disorders. You will remain enrolled on a full-time basis at Aston and complete six masters-level modules, four of which will be taught modules and two are coursework modules. As this course is an integrated work based learning year, students are able to work and study at the same time. Completing the MOptom enables you to achieve a master’s degree as you qualify as a registered optometrist. Whilst undergoing the pre-registration period, your depth of knowledge will be enhanced by the distance modules that we offer, and your skills will continue to be refined and grow during this year. **Key course benefits:** - 3rd in the UK for Research Quality (Optometry, Ophthalmology & Orthoptics, Complete University Guide, 2020). - Top 10 in the UK for Student Satisfaction (Optometry, Ophthalmology & Orthoptics, Complete University Guide, 2020). - 6th in the UK for graduate prospects (Subjects Allied to Medicine, Sunday Times, 2020). - Integrated masters level qualification, allowing you to work and study at the same time.

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. Year 3 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. Final year Deepen your knowledge of topics such as advanced investigative techniques, evidence-based clinical research, glaucoma and interprofessional communication. You will remain enrolled on a full-time basis and study via distance learning while you complete the Scheme for Registration. You’ll complete six modules, four of which will be ‘taught’ modules, with two being coursework modules. Course material will be delivered online and you’ll be able to access your tutors via email, phone or in person. You will also attend four days of on-campus tutorials, workshops and exams. Core modules: Interprofessional Communication, Evidence-based Clinical Research, Retinal and Macular Disorders, Advanced Investigative Techniques, Ocular Prescribing, and Glaucoma. For more information, please visit our website.

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. 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.

General Optical Council

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.

Course code: B512

Institution code: A80

Campus Name: Main Site

Campus code:

The following entry points are available for this course:

Year 1

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

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 Further Information are not listed for this Course.

Test	Grade	AdditionalDetails

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

Student satisfaction : 75%

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

Go onto work and study: 97%

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

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.

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