Skip to main content
Undergraduate Open Days
Undergraduate Open Days

Overview

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. Our small clinic sizes, emphasis on learning clinical skills from the first year, and brand-new optometry laboratory are all meant to support you as you study this course. You’ll learn about the science of the eye and the integral principles in optometry and vision sciences. 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. Away from campus, you’ll take part in placements in local hospital eye departments alongside NHS colleagues.

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. As a graduate of this course, you’ll be ready to work in a variety of Optometry careers.

You could go on to:

  • Work in corporate or hospital optometry.
  • Create your own private independent practice as an optometrist.
  • Work in an optical industry (e.g., contact lens manufacturer, ophthalmic surgical equipment company).
  • Conduct vital research in optometry and the vision sciences.

Not quite ready to start on the Optometry MOptom degree? Successful completion of our Science Extended Degree will equip you with the foundational knowledge to prepare you for the Optometry MOptom course, with modules in biology, chemistry, maths and physics, and scientific investigations and science skills.

Please note: Successful completion of the Science Extended Degree does not guarantee you a place on the Optometry MOptom course.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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 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.

Course Detail

Core modules:

Human Body Systems

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.

Clinical Skills 1

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.

Ocular Anatomy and Physiology

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.

Ophthalmic Lenses and Dispensing

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.

Science of Visual Perception

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.

Visual Optics

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.

Core modules:

Clinical Skills 2

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.

Binocular Vision and Paediatric Optometry

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.

Contact Lenses in Practice

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.

Investigative Techniques

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.

Primary Ocular Health and Pharmacology

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.

Core modules:

Clinical Practice

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.

Advanced Ocular Health

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.

Professional Practice

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.

Optometric Practice across the Human Lifespan

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.

Community Optometry

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).

Core modules:

Advanced Optometric Practice 1 - Ocular Therapeutics

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.

Advanced Optometric Practice 2

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.

Clinical Learning in Practice (CLiP ) Part 1

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.

Clinical Learning in Practice (CLiP) Part 2

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.

This course aims to develop your clinical abilities and clinical reasoning to provide optimal person-centred care. As a profession, this includes a commitment to lifelong learning and professional behaviour in line with the expectations of the regulator. The seven outcomes for registration are: communication, person-centred care, clinical practice, ethics and standards, risk, leadership and management and life-long learning. In the final year you'll be offered a placement working in practice.

On average 35%* of the study time on this course is spent with your tutors (either face to face or online) in lectures, practical classes, seminars etc.

*based on 2024/2025 timetables

You will be taught through a series of lectures, practicals and seminars. Assessment will include coursework, in-class tests, examinations, presentations, portfolio (logbook), project and practical skills assessments.

Your module specification/course handbook will provide full details of the assessment criteria applying to your course.

Feedback (usually written) is normally provided on all coursework submissions within three term time weeks – unless the submission was made towards the end of the session in which case feedback would be available on request after the formal publication of results. Feedback on exam performance/final coursework is available on request after the publication of results.

Huddersfield is the UK’s only university where 100% of the permanent teaching staff are fellows of the Higher Education Academy.*

*permanent staff, after probation: some recently appointed colleagues will only obtain recognition in the months after their arrival in Huddersfield, once they have started teaching.

Further information

The teaching year normally starts in September with breaks at Christmas and Easter, finishing with a main examination/assessment period around May/June. Timetables are normally available one month before registration. As this is a full-time course you may have to attend every day of the week.

Your course is made up of modules and each module is worth a number of credits. Each year you study modules to the value of 120 credits, adding up to 480 credits in total for an Integrated Master's qualification. All modules are compulsory.

If you achieve 120 credits for the current stage you are at, you may progress to the next stage of your course, subject to any professional, statutory or regulatory body guidelines.

  1. The University of Huddersfield has been rated Gold in all three aspects of the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023. We were the only university in Yorkshire and the Humber and the North West to achieve Gold ratings in all three aspects of the TEF among those announced in September 2023. In fact only 13 Universities, out of the 96 that were announced in September 2023, were Gold in all three ratings.

  2. Further proof of teaching excellence: our staff rank in the top three in England for the proportion who hold doctorates, who have higher degrees, and hold teaching qualifications (HESA 2024). So, you’ll learn from some of the best, helping you to be the best.

  3. We are first in the country for National Teaching Fellowships, which mark the UK’s best lecturers in Higher Education, winning a total of 22 since 2008 (2023 data).

  4. We won the first Global Teaching Excellence Award, recognising the University’s commitment to world-class teaching and its success in developing students as independent learners and critical thinkers (Higher Education Academy, 2017).

At Huddersfield, you'll study the Global Professional Award (GPA) alongside your degree* so that you gain valuable qualities and experiences that could help you to get the career you want, no matter what your field of study is. On completion of the Award, you'll receive a GPA certificate from the University of Huddersfield, alongside the specialist subject skills and knowledge you gain as part of your degree, which may help to set you apart from other graduates.

Giving students access to the Global Professional Award is one of the reasons the University won ‘Best University Employability Strategy’ award at the National Graduate Recruitment Awards 2021. Find out more on the Global Professional Award webpage.

*full-time, undergraduate first degrees with a minimum duration of three years. This does not include postgraduate, foundation, top-up, accelerated or apprenticeship degrees.

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; however 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.

Discover more about the course

Your Career

Discover the job roles our graduates are working in now.

Professional links and accreditation

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

Careers advice

Check out the personalised guidance we offer you.

Student Support

Discover all the support available so you can thrive.

Further Study

Learn about pursuing a Master’s or PhD at Huddersfield.

Research Excellence

See how our innovative research shapes what you'll learn.

Important information

We will always try to deliver your course as described on this web page. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below.

Changes to a course you have applied for

If we propose to make a major change to a course that you are holding an offer for, then we will tell you as soon as possible so that you can decide whether to withdraw your application prior to enrolment.

Cancellation of a course you have applied for

Although we always try and run all of the course we offer, we may occasionally have to withdraw a course you have applied for or combine your programme with another programme if we consider this reasonably necessary to ensure a good student experience, for example if there are not enough applicants to ensure you have a good learning experience. Where this is the case we will notify you as soon as reasonably possible and we will contact you to discuss other suitable courses with us we can transfer your application to. If we notify you that the course you have applied to has been withdrawn or combined, and you do not wish to transfer to another course with us, you may cancel your application and we will refund you any deposits or fees you have paid to us.

Changes to your course after you enrol as a student

We will always try to deliver your course and other services as described. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below:

Changes to option modules

Where your course allows you to choose modules from a range of options, we will review these each year and change them to reflect the expertise of our staff, current trends in research and as a result of student feedback or demand for certain modules. We will always ensure that you have a range of options to choose from and we will let you know in good time the options available for you to choose for the following year.

Major changes

We will only make major changes to the core curriculum of a course or to our services if it is necessary for us to do so and provided such changes are reasonable. A major change in this context is a change that materially changes the services available to you; or the outcomes, or a significant part, of your course, such as the nature of the award or a substantial change to module content, teaching days (part time provision), classes, type of delivery or assessment of the core curriculum.

For example, it may be necessary to make a major change to reflect changes in the law or the requirements of the University’s regulators; to meet the latest requirements of a commissioning or accrediting body; to improve the quality of educational provision; in response to student, examiners’ or other course evaluators’ feedback; and/or to reflect academic or professional changes within subject areas. Major changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, such as a key member of staff leaving the University or being unable to teach, where they have a particular specialism that can’t be adequately covered by other members of staff; or due to damage or interruption to buildings, facilities or equipment.

Major changes would usually be made with effect from the next academic year, but this may not always be the case. We will notify you as soon as possible should we need to make a major change and will carry out suitable consultation with affected students. If you reasonably believe that the proposed change will cause you detriment or hardship we will, if appropriate, work with you to try to reduce the adverse effect on you or find an appropriate solution. Where an appropriate solution cannot be found and you contact us in writing before the change takes effect you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the University without liability to the University for future tuition fees. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

Termination of course

In exceptional circumstances, we may, for reasons outside of our control, be forced to discontinue or suspend your course. Where this is the case, a formal exit strategy will be followed and we will notify you as soon as possible about what your options are, which may include transferring to a suitable replacement course for which you are qualified, being provided with individual teaching to complete the award for which you were registered, or claiming an interim award and exiting the University. If you do not wish to take up any of the options that are made available to you, then you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the course without liability to the University for future tuition fees and you will be entitled to a refund of all course fees paid to date. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

When you enrol as a student of the University, your study and time with us will be governed by a framework of regulations, policies and procedures, which form the basis of your agreement with us. These include regulations regarding the assessment of your course, academic integrity, your conduct (including attendance) and disciplinary procedure, fees and finance and compliance with visa requirements (where relevant). It is important that you familiarise yourself with these as you will be asked to agree to abide by them when you join us as a student. You will find a guide to the key terms here, along with the Student Protection Plan, where you will also find links to the full text of each of the regulations, policies and procedures referred to. You should read these carefully before you enrol. Please note that this information is subject to change and you are advised to check our website regularly for any changes before you enrol at the University. A person who is not party to this agreement shall not have any rights under or in connection with it. Only you and the University shall have any right to enforce or rely on the agreement.

Equal opportunities

The University of Huddersfield is an equal opportunities institution. We aim to create conditions where staff and students are treated solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential, regardless of gender, age, race, caste, class, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, family responsibility, trade union activity, political or religious belief, or age. Please visit our website to see our Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy

Data protection

The University holds personal data on all enquirers, applicants and enrolled students. All such data is kept and processed in accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Legislation. The University’s Data Protection Policy and Privacy Notices are available on the University website.

Students’ Union membership

Under the 1994 Education Act, students at all UK universities have the right to join, or not to join, the Students’ Union. There is no membership fee. If you choose not to join you have the right not to be disadvantaged; however, you are not entitled to vote, take part in elections, or hold any office. The following arrangements apply in order that non-Union members are not disadvantaged: Non-members are welcome to take part in the activities of Affiliated Clubs and Societies on payment of the appropriate subscription. However, they may not vote or hold office in the society or club. Union members may be offered a discounted subscription. Non-members are free to use Union facilities on the same basis as members. Welfare, catering and shops are available to non-members as well as members. Union members may be offered a discounted price.

The Office for Students (OfS) is the principal regulator for the University.

You may also be interested in...

Pharmacy MPharm

Full-time

Undergraduate

Start your journey to becoming a registered and practising pharmacist on our Pharmacy MPharm degree learning with expert staff in modern labs.

Find out more How to apply

View more courses