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Optometry MOptom

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Start Dates

21 September 2026

Duration

4 years full-time


Recent Awards For Excellence

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About this course

Overview

Why choose Huddersfield for this course?

  • You’ll learn about the science of the eye and the integral principles in optometry and vision sciences.
  • You’ll take part in placements in local hospital eye departments alongside NHS colleagues.
  • Graduate ready for careers in hospital or private optometry, research, or the wider optical industry.

Accreditation and Professional Links

Recognised connections to give you an extra edge when you graduate. Read More

Becoming an optometrist means you make an impact in the lives of the patients you treat every day. From performing eye exams to treating all sorts of vision-related problems, optometry is a rewarding healthcare professional career path – and it all starts with a well-rounded education.

The Optometry MOptom degree aims to give you the knowledge and practical skills to kickstart your career in optometry. To support you as you study this course, we've a brand new optometry laboratory and a joint venture eye clinic where the emphasis is on learning clinical skills from the first year. In your first year you’ll be introduced to fundamental clinical techniques that will be the base for developing required optometric skills.

Why study Optometry MOptom

This course is approved by the General Optical Council and is fully aligned with the new outcomes for optometry. In your third year you’ll be able to see patients at our joint venture eye clinic, University Valli Opticians, right here on campus.

In the final year of the MOptom, in collaboration with the College of Optometrists, you’ll be offered a placement working in practice. There you’ll develop your skills to enable you to graduate with the MOptom and register directly with the General Optical Council as an optometrist.

Career opportunities after the course *

Optometrists

Optical Dispensers

Optician Technicians

Opticians/Optometric Assistant

Optical Laboratory Technicians

*Lightcast

Who can apply?

Entry Requirements

AAB-ABB at A Level, which must include 3 A-level subjects. Two A levels at grade AB must be in Science subjects (Mathematics, Physics, Biology or Chemistry) and a third A level at grade B can be in any subject, excluding General Studies. The endorsement for practical work is an essential part of Science A Level study and is a requirement for entry to the MOptom course.
DDM in BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Applied Science combined with a Science A Level in Mathematics, Physics, Biology or Chemistry, minimum grade B. Or DDM in BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care combined with a Science A Level in Mathematics, Physics, Biology or Chemistry, minimum grade B. The endorsement for practical work is an essential part of Science A Level study, and is a requirement for entry to our degree course. Applicants undertaking a BTEC without an additional A Level may be considered for the Science Extended Degree leading to a BSc(Hons) Degree entry route.
In addition, you must have 5 GCSEs at grade 4/C including Maths and English. For applicants not taking A levels, this must also include GCSE Chemistry and Biology or GCSE Double Award Science/Double Science/Combined Science.


An offer will be influenced by the subjects you are studying, your personal statement and your predicted grades.

Applicants who have taken a single resit in an A level subject will be considered, with the higher of the two grades taken into account. Additional resits (i.e. a third attempt or beyond) will not be accepted.

The Access to Higher Education Diploma is not accepted for entry onto this course. You may wish to consider the Science Extended Degree as explained below.

Foundation Years from other Universities are not considered for entry onto this course.

T Levels will be judged on an individual basis but are required to be in the Healthcare Science area with an occupational specialism in Optical Care Services. GCSE subjects and grades will be considered in addition to the T Level. An additional A Level at a minimum of grade B in one of the following science subjects, Mathematics, Physics, Biology or Chemistry is also required.

If you do not have the appropriate qualifications for direct entry onto the Optometry BSc(Hons), you may be able to apply to our Science Extended Degree (BCF0). Progression onto Optometry is dependent on meeting stringent performance levels in the Science Extended Degree. You must pass all modules with an overall pass mark of at least 70 per cent. Plus at least 70 per cent in the Chemistry module and 70 per cent in the Maths and Physics module. You may also undertake an interview with the Optometry admissions staff.

Additional Information

Alternatively, a First degree in a relevant Science subject (Orthoptics, Ophthalmic Dispensing, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Biomedical Science, Pharmacology, Mathematics, Physics) at a minimum grade of Upper Second (2:1) with a minimum overall grade of 65%.

Alternatively, a Masters degree in a relevant Science subject (Orthoptics, Ophthalmic Dispensing, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Biomedical Science, Pharmacology, Mathematics, Physics) at a minimum grade of Merit.

If you are a registered Dispensing Optician wishing to apply you must have met the ABDO qualification (or equivalent) at 65% or better and have obtained a higher specialist certificate either in low vision or contact lens practice. For those with a contact lens specialism they must also be a registered contact lens optician. Proof of registration with the General Optical Council is also required.

Other suitable qualifications or experience may be considered. Please contact the Student Recruitment and Admissions Team at study@hud.ac.uk.

Completion of any part or the entirety of similar prior studies does not qualify for entry into Year 1.

Entry and transfer onto Year 2, 3 or 4 of the course is not permitted.

You need a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) prior to registration on the course. We arrange this as part of the application process. The University will pay for the full DBS check, you are not required to pay for this. You'll be required to sign a self-declaration at the start of each year and at the end of the course. All police contact during the course must be reported to the course leader as a matter of urgency and may lead to suspension or termination of your registration. This may also be required to be reported to the General Optical Council (GOC). We will request an Overseas Police Check if you have lived in a country outside of the UK for 6 months or more (whether continuously or in total) in the last 10 years before applying to us and whilst aged 18 or over.

Please note that placement providers for this course may require you to have received a number of vaccinations, unless medically exempt, and provide evidence of these. As a student on a course with a clinical or healthcare placement, we strongly recommend that you complete any courses of vaccinations required under current guidelines for your future profession. Failure to do so may result in your inability to undertake a placement in certain clinical settings, therefore impacting upon your academic progression, and may result in academic failure of your course.

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 7.0 overall with no element lower than 6.5, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our International Entry Requirements page. If you have alternative qualifications or do not meet the IELTS requirement we also offer a range of Pre-Sessional English Programmes.

For further information please see the University's minimum entry requirements.

What will you learn?

Course Details

This module provides foundational knowledge of human physiology, with emphasis on the integrated function of body systems essential for maintaining homeostasis. You will explore key physiological processes across major organ systems, with connections to optometry and ocular health woven throughout. The module also introduces fundamental pharmacological principles, providing students with a basis for understanding ocular pharmacology in later studies.

The module will introduce fundamental clinical techniques used in examination of the eye including measuring vision, refraction, ocular health assessment and history taking. Initial elements of the module will introduce you to the ethical principles that underpin Optometry as a healthcare profession. The professional development element of the module will encourage you to explore issues of lifelong learning, reflective practice and continuing professional development that underpin the essential skills needed in order to meet registration requirements in Optometry.

This module provides a comprehensive introduction to the structure and function of the eye. Students will explore the theoretical and detailed anatomy of the ocular structures, including the cornea, sclera, iris, lens, retina, optic nerve, vitreous, ciliary body and supporting tissues, alongside their physiological roles in vision and maintaining ocular health. You will be required to link their knowledge from Human Body Systems to various aspects of this module. Emphasis will be placed on the integration of ocular function within broader physiological systems, such as the nervous and vascular systems. Students will also begin to consider age-related changes and ocular pathologies.

You'll have the opportunity to understand the principles of Ophthalmic lenses and frames to interpret refraction and be able to dispense appropriate and suitable spectacles to a patient. The principles of refraction are introduced with respect to single vision lenses, bifocal, and progressive powered lenses, with further analysis of lens aberrations, lens design, treatments and tinting of lenses. Frame materials, measurements, special optical appliances, paediatric and complex dispensing are covered, as well as legal aspects, quality control, and standards for dispensing spectacles.

This module will build on knowledge gained from the concurrent modules on Ocular Anatomy and Physiology and Human Body Systems to develop an understanding of how ocular and neural structures contribute to basic functions of vision science that underlie visual perception. You'll study the mechanisms of spatial, temporal and colour vision to understand how these support normal and sub-normal visual perception.

This module will consider the physics of light, moving from basic light as a ‘ray’ optical properties such as reflection and refraction, lenses, mirrors and prisms through to ‘light as a wave’ optics and diffraction, interference and polarisation. This module provides the foundation for an understanding of visual optics and the mechanics of optical instruments and will use examples from these areas to show application of the principles on human eye.

This module will build on knowledge and skills introduced in the first year of the Optometry MOptom course to enhance your knowledge and understanding of the theory of optometric primary clinical practice. The module will also enable you to enhance fundamental clinical techniques including history taking, preliminary examinations, refraction, slit-lamp, ophthalmoscopy and record keeping, and begin to integrate these techniques into a basic ophthalmic assessment routine in preparation for the third year of the course.

The purpose of this module is to give you the opportunity to develop a detailed knowledge and understanding of binocular vision and paediatric optometry. This module will act as a theoretical base for the development of normal binocular and paediatric vision, anomalies in this area and the tests used to investigate these anomalies. Practical sessions will be used to teach the application of various tests used in the investigation of binocular vision and paediatric optometry anomalies. This module will provide the foundation for management strategies for binocular and paediatric anomalies in the third year of this Optometry MOptom course. The aim of this module is to continue to develop your life-long learning and reflective skills and prepare you for future clinical challenges.

You'll evaluate the requirements of your patients’ needs and expectations and use appropriate knowledge to determine the optimum corrective strategy (if necessary) for that individual. You'll ensure the correct selection of contact lenses, fit of a contact lens; optimal visual correction and advise patients on the usage and care routines required. You'll have the opportunity to understand the legal guidelines and responsibilities within the profession for the dispensing and compliance of contact lenses as this relates to patients.

The purpose of this module is to develop knowledge and understanding of important investigative techniques involved of optometric primary optometric practice. It will act as a supplement for the practical module Clinical Skills 2. This module covers a wide range of clinical techniques used in clinical practice. Detailed case studies will be used to consider the application of the clinical techniques.

This module builds on the knowledge gained in year one in Ocular Anatomy and Physiology and Human Body Systems to introduce the concept of diseases and abnormalities of the eye and their investigation. An introduction to clinical presentation and the optometric and medical management of such diseases and abnormalities will be given. Commensurate with these topics, the major classes of drugs in use in modern Optometric practice, for example mydriatics and cycloplegics, staining agents, local anaesthetics and their physiological mode of action, their benefits and potential side effects will also be covered together with the associated legal requirements for optometric use.

This module will provide you with the opportunity to refine your clinical skills on patients who attend the eye clinic. You'll cover the spectrum of cases as required in order to fulfil the requirements for the General Optical Council, enhancing your portfolios with recording and reflective analysis of each patient contact. You'll use your communication, professional, clinical and ethical skills base to provide best practice in ocular assessment, diagnosis and patient management.

This module will continue to build on the primary ocular health and pharmacology introduced in the second year, exploring a wider range of abnormal ocular conditions. You'll learn to detect abnormality, discuss salient features, formulate provisional diagnoses and continue to develop optometric management strategies including therapeutic interventions, with a focus on primary care.

This module runs in parallel with the third year module Clinical Practice and will provide you with the opportunity to refine your patient management skills. The module will cover a spectrum of more complex cases that may be seen in primary or secondary optometric practice. You'll use your communication, professional, clinical and ethical skills base to provide best practice in ocular assessment, diagnosis and patient management.

This module will build on the second-year material in Primary Ocular Health and Pharmacology to consider the changing requirements for optometric practice across the age range. You'll consider optometry practice for patients of all ages, including the development phases of vision, management of low vision, cataracts, hereditary ocular abnormalities and the consequences of ocular degeneration associated with ageing and other systemic diseases such as diabetes. Practical elements of this module will link closely with clinical practice sessions in Clinical Practice.

This module will highlight concepts and their application in three areas relevant to modern Optometric practice. 1. Research methods - you'll gain an insight into different commonly used research methodologies and statistical procedures relevant to optometry and the vision sciences. This will help you to critically evaluate ophthalmic literature or studies published when you go into the practice. 2. Public health - you'll gain knowledge in the field of public health and epidemiology relevant to optometry and ocular health conditions in order to apply a public health-oriented approach to manage reduced vision and blindness. 3. Practice management - you'll learn different principles of practice management such as strategic planning, practice marketing and managed care to support their transition to practising optometrists.

This final year is a work-based placement year comprising 30 hours per week for 44 weeks. (Hours could be subject to change).

This module will build on the previous material taught in Primary Ocular Health and Ocular Pharmacology, Advanced Ocular Health and Professional Practice. You'll learn more about ocular therapeutics including patient examination, ocular and related conditions, drug knowledge, prescribing practice and professional standards.

This module will build on the previous material taught in Primary Ocular Health and Ocular Pharmacology, Advanced Ocular Health and Professional Practice. You'll learn more about retinal pathologies and the glaucomas including identification, options, disease classification and management. Practical elements of this module will be taught in a one-day practical class and demonstration with a particular focus on tonometry, pachymetry, optic nerve head imaging and gonioscopy.

CLiP Part One will incorporate online learning content which you'll access through the College learning portal. This will be a mix of asynchronous interactive learning and synchronous content such as webinars and College-facilitated peer and expert-led discussions. You'll be in regular contact with your placement Supervisor, which could be one primary Supervisor or may be supported by additional Assistant Supervisors. Supervisors will support your progress, discuss work-based learning and the your learning log and reflective practice. The level of supervision will vary as you gain experience. It is anticipated that in the first third of the placement, you'll spend around 15 hours per week engaging in tasks which need direct supervision or discussing these interactions with a member of the supervisory team. The supervisory interactions will reduce during the second third of the placement (to 10 hours or fewer per week as more experience is gained) culminating in you engaging in tasks requiring 1 – 2 hours per week, which need direct supervision or discussing these interactions with a member of the supervisory team. In addition, you'll interact with Assessors through a programme of online activities and in-practice visits. These interactions will support you in engaging with the course and understanding the assessment expectations. You'll develop and discuss a mix of student-selected and unseen case studies with Assessors, as well as formulating concepts and direction for wider project work. Where you are not successful at any assessed element at the first attempt, this is to be treated as a formative learning experience in which the Assessor provides feedback.

This optometry clinical practice programme further develops your clinical testing and management skills under supervision in a clinical placement setting, typically a community optometry practice or hospital eye department. It ensures that you can work effectively and efficiently in the clinical environment, including addressing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) issues and delivering safe and effective testing, management and referral of patients.

Teaching and Assessment

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Global Professional Award

At Huddersfield, you’ll study the award-winning Global Professional Award (GPA) alongside your degree* — so you’re ready for the career you want, whatever subject you choose.

Interested in a placement?

Placements

On our Optometry MOptom course you will benefit from attending a placement during your final year. The placement provides real-world experience and gives you the opportunity to work with other professional colleagues. Placements will be awarded on an application basis administrated by The College of Optometrists. Placements can be nationwide and we cannot guarantee a location. The final year placement may come with relocation costs, rental in the location and transport to the placement for the period (a minimum of 44 weeks). This is a paid placement, of 30 hours per week.

This Optometry MOptom is a new course, however previous students from the Optometry BSc(Hons) course have undertaken placements with Specsavers, Boots Opticians, Vision Express among others.

Where could this lead you?

Your Career

Optometry is a regulated profession requiring registration with and adherence to the General Optical Council registration requirements. Registration will require completing the placement.
You can find out more about careers in Optometry on the College of Optometrists website and registration requirements from the General Optical Council.

As a graduate of this course you may work in corporate optometry, in private independent practice, where you could start your own business, in hospital optometry working with other ophthalmic colleagues, in consultancy, and professional affairs roles, training up optometrists in new equipment, medical devices and medications/supplements or in research and teaching.

This Optometry MOptom is a new course and therefore no graduates as yet, however previous graduates from the Optometry BSc(Hons) course have gone on to work in roles such as resident optometrists at Boots Opticians, Vision Express, and SpecSavers.

88%
88% of students from this subject area were in work or further study within 15 months after graduating.

* HESA Graduate Outcomes 2022/23, UK Domiciled

94%
94% of participants agreed that academic support was of high quality in this subject area.

* National Student Survey (NSS), 2025

How much will it cost?

Fees and Finance

£9,790 per year

This information is for Home students applying to study at the University of Huddersfield in the academic year 2026/27.

Please note that tuition fees for subsequent years may rise in line with inflation (RPI-X) and/or Government policy. 

From January 2027 the UK government is launching a new student funding system for people starting university education. Read more about the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE).

For detailed information please visit https://www.hud.ac.uk/study/fees/

£18,590 per year

This information is for international students applying to study at the University of Huddersfield in the academic year 2026/27.

Please note that tuition fees for subsequent years may rise in line with inflation (RPI-X) and/or Government policy. 

For detailed information please visit https://www.hud.ac.uk/international/fees-and-funding/

As a student of Optometry you are required to obtain and maintain registration with the General Optical Council throughout your studies. Current fees for 2024/25 are £30.

You'll also be required to attend brief periods (covering 12 hours) of hospital placements in your third year. It is anticipated that the placements will take place in local eye departments. Community vision screenings may also be offered requiring attendance in the local community. Costs associated with travel to these placements are the responsibility of the student and will vary depending on the mode of transport but should not exceed £75 in total. The final year placement can be anywhere in the country; this may come with relocation costs, rental in the location and transport to the placement for the period (a minimum of 44 weeks). This is a paid placement, of 30 hours per week.

Most of the equipment required for the course will be provided. You will be issued with one tunic and one name badge, additional or lost tunics or name badges will be paid for at your own cost (approximately £10 per item). You will be required to purchase small items of equipment including a PD ruler and facial ruler. The cost of these items will be around £50. Although we will supply them for use in the clinic, you may find it beneficial to purchase your own small items of equipment, including ophthalmoscope and retinoscope sets. These can cost up to £2000 and will be required for future practice.

You need satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) prior to registration on the course. We arrange this as part of the application process. The University will pay for the full DBS check, you are not required to pay for this. You'll be required to sign a self-declaration at the start of each year and at the end of the course. All police contact during the course must be reported to the course leader as a matter of urgency and may lead to suspension or termination of your registration. This may also be required to be reported to the

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