Course overview
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You will be trained to perform eye examinations to provide refractive correction such as glasses, contact lenses, or low vision aids, and to offer clinical advice that can make a difference to the lives of people with eye conditions, sight loss, or visual impairment.
Teesside University is the first North East university to deliver an optometry programme.
This course includes an integrated masters - you study three years at undergraduate level and one year at postgraduate level.
Teesside University currently holds provisional approval from the GOC to provide this programme. Whilst under provisional approval, students recruited on to the programme are not guaranteed entry to the GOC Register and may be required to undertake additional assessments through an alternative GOC-approved education provider in the event that any aspect of the programme when delivered does not satisfy the GOC standards.
All students enrolled onto the course are required to register with the GOC and must remain registered with the GOC throughout their studies.
An enhanced DBS will be required, with active encouragement for enrolment onto the update service linked to DBS.
You will be required to travel for some placements and are responsible for any travel costs incurred.
Top reasons to study this course
- State-of-the-art, purpose-built industry standard facilities to support practical and professional training
- Experienced, dedicated teaching team have a strong focus on evidence-base practice which means you gain a contemporary, professional and authentic learning experience
- Excellent links to private practice and hospitals giving you outstanding placement opportunities
Supporting information for applicants
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* Subject to University approval
Course details
You develop as a clinician, understanding the theory and knowledge and gaining the critical skills and decision-making abilities required to become an optometrist. Throughout the course, you take part in placements in a variety of optometric environments. In Year 4 this culminates in two extended placements associated with the College of Optometrists.
Course structure
Year 1 core modules
You gain the knowledge required to select, perform, and interpret individual optometric tests to work towards developing a routine eye examination. The concept of professionalism, ethical, safe practice and multidisciplinary team working will also be introduced, together with effective communication skills.
Human and Ocular Anatomy and Physiology
Investigative Techniques and Instrumentation
Ophthalmic Lenses and Dispensing
This module provides you with the tools you will need to dispense and fit glasses. You learn how to select and measure a pair of glasses based on conversations with the patient and optical parameters. Where indicated, by dispensing glasses you will use the prescription provided from the sight test to give your patients the opportunity to see more clearly.
Professionalism and Evidence Based Practice
The Visual System
Year 2 core modules
Advanced Clinical Practice
Anterior Eye
Binocular Vision and Paediatrics
You learn the underlying theory of contact lenses which includes an overview of the physical properties, lens design and lens manufacturing methods, and cover the techniques and examinations required to perform contact lens fitting and aftercare routines.
Posterior Eye
Routine Eye Examination
Year 3 core modules
Advanced Contact Lens Practice
Low Vision and Law
Optometry Clinical Practice
Pharmacology
Research Project
Specialist Optometric Techniques
Final-year core modules
Clip 1
Clip 2
Professional certificates
Modules offered may vary.
How you learn
The course has a diverse range of learning and teaching methods. You attend lectures and keynote lectures, participate in seminars and group discussions, improve your practical skills in hands-on sessions and be set problems to solve during small group work. You benefit from clinical placement early in the course, to improve your confidence and communication skills in practice. You are encouraged and supported to complete self-directed and independent study alongside the scheduled sessions to enhance and develop your knowledge.
You are supervised by a trained mentor during the placement who assists you to complete your set placement activities. In Year 4 you work alongside trained supervisors in placements to help you develop your practical abilities and hone your skills as a healthcare professional. The College of Optometrists work alongside the university to provide resources and assessments during these extended placements.
The course provides a supportive learning environment, and a personal tutor is available to provide pastoral care and development, and academic tutors provide support for academic studies.
How you are assessed
Within each academic year a pass in module assessments must be achieved as these are a core requirement. These are varied and include written assignments, written and practical exams, presentations, and pass/fail reflective logbooks to be completed during the clinical placement or within clinics set in the University.
The modules and teaching in this course are aligned with the GOC's outcomes to allow you to be a fully qualified optometrist post course completion.
Our Disability Services team provide an inclusive and empowering learning environment and have specialist staff to support disabled students access any additional tailored resources needed. If you have a specific learning difficulty, mental health condition, autism, sensory impairment, chronic health condition or any other disability please contact a Disability Services as early as possible.
Find out more about our disability services
Find out more about financial support
Find out more about our course related costs
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
For this particular course, there may be a need/requirement for students to undertake an occupational health/work-based risk assessment check. If you have a disability, specific learning difficulty, mental health condition, autism spectrum condition, sensory impairment or medical condition that may require reasonable adjustments during an external placement or in the university or in a clinical practice area, this must be declared as part of the enrolment process. If you are unsure you can find out more or contact the relevant admissions or course tutor for guidance.
An enhanced DBS will be required, with active encouragement for enrolment onto the update service linked to DBS.
The application process will be through UCAS, and the standard University process, and an interview is required.
Entry requirements are two Bs and one A at A level, equivalent to 128 points. Two of the A levels must be in biology, chemistry, physics or math. General Studies and Critical Thinking are not included, as per the GOC standards. You must achieve at least a C in GCSE English and maths, or equivalent.
Equivalent qualifications are accepted, such as T levels and Access to Health courses. We will additionally consider applicants who have either achieved a pass in a BSc in Dispensing or are a FBDO registered practitioner. Potential applicants will be able to access further information on the UCAS website.
For students with non-UK English qualifications, the Teesside University Standard for International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is acceptable with a minimum score of 7 including a minimum score of 6.5 in all sections. This entry meets GOC requirements.
Note: as agreed with GOC, this course is not open to international students requiring a Student Visa.
In addition to the University’s recognition of prior learning (RPL) process, the GOC have stipulated that candidates may only be exempt from modules in the first and second year, and therefore can be exempt from a maximum of 240 credits. All GOC stage one core competencies and patient episodes must be achieved, regardless of prior learning. The University will ensure that the prior learning was either undertaken and certified recently or ensure knowledge has been maintained and is still relevant and equivalent.
Your personal statement
Your personal statement is an important part of your application. It’s your opportunity to tell us why you want to study clinical optometry at Teesside, and is key to you being invited for an interview.
What to include
We are keen to know about your understanding of an optometrist’s role, an optometry degree and its demands, and what motivates you to study this course. We are interested to understand how you think your previous studies may have prepared you for the degree. You should also include any life experiences, transferable skills, voluntary or part-time work and hobbies that you can relate to the core values and behaviours of an optometrist. Please note that, while useful, it is not essential that you have optical experience.
The course involves clinical placements and theoretical work, so you need to demonstrate examples of being organised and resilient.
Where can I get more information?
You can access a range of healthcare websites, books and journals about optometry. Use this information to demonstrate that you really know what an optometrist’s role involves.
Shortlisting criteria
Your application will be measured against the following criteria:
- You are able to complete all sections of the application form fully and correctly.
- You have achieved or are predicted to achieve the appropriate academic entry requirements.
- Your personal statement is supportive of your chosen course, and demonstrates an understanding of an optometrist's role.
- You have satisfactory references.
If you are invited to interview and the date isn’t suitable, please contact our admissions department for more information. We will do our best to accommodate you.
Interview criteria
At the online or face-to-face interview, you are asked six questions to explore your understanding of an optometrist’s role. You discuss how you see yourself fitting into this in the future, demonstrating the key personality traits that make a good clinician.
For general information please see our overview of entry requirements
You can gain considerable knowledge from work, volunteering and life. Under recognition of prior learning (RPL) you may be awarded credit for this which can be credited towards the course you want to study.
Find out more about RPL
Employability
Career opportunities
A career in optometry is varied and fulfilling, with career paths including private practice, hospital optometry, domiciliary optometry, third sector, and research and teaching.
The knowledge and experience you gain enables you to progress towards practising as a GOC registered optometrist on successful completion of the four-year course, including all university and placement-based assessments.
Work placement
Teesside University aims to produce confident clinicians who are future-ready for optometric practice. We believe the early introduction of placement facilitates this process. You are therefore introduced to clinical practice from Semester 1, of Year 1. In the first two years of the course, you attend placement every other week, completing tasks to consolidate your knowledge gained from the modules linked to the clinical placement.
