| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-09-17 | 2023-06-30 |
| 2024-01-22 | 2024-11-30 |
Program Overview
If you are interested in problem-solving, science and working with people the Optometry degree at Ulster will provide you with the training you need to become an Optometrist. You will benefit from the small class sizes (approximately 36 per year), unique to Ulster, which ensures our students have excellent access to patients, equipment and lecturing staff. Our graduates consistently score our course in the top three of UK Optometry degrees and go on to careers in high street practice, hospital practice, the optical industry, vision science research and academia.
At Ulster we offer a 4-year Master of Optometry with Honours degree.
This full-time programme of study is based at the Coleraine campus for the first three years, followed by a year placement somewhere within the UK. We have a well equipped Optometry Clinic which provides eye care services to the local population whilst also acting as the central teaching hub for our students.
You can find out more about the Optometry Clinic by clicking here.
In addition to the extensive clinical experience gained in the Optometry Clinic and NHS placements, you will learn through interactive lectures, tutorials and laboratory sessions, where engagement in learning is encouraged through a diverse range of teaching and assessment methods.
Key skills for Optometry include the ability to understand and apply scientific principles and methods, a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail, good organisational and administrative skills, good manual dexterity and strong interpersonal and communication skills.
The Optometry programme at Ulster has been accredited by the General Optical Council to provide optometric education and provides the training required to become a registered optometrist in the UK or Ireland.
Attendance
Full time, 4 academic years.
Start dates
Teaching, Learning and Assessment
The learning environment is one of incremental and synoptic learning using lectures, practicals and clinical placement. The objective of the course is to produce optometrists with excellent clinical skills underpinned by strong and assured subject knowledge.
The small number of students accepted each year onto the Optometry degree allows a high level of interaction between students and both staff and patients making sure that you get the best out of the experience.
A wide range of teaching and learning methods are utilised including lectures, practicals, tutorials and clinical practice. Computer-based and problem-based learning are integral to the programme. Assessment for modules is by coursework, or by a combination of coursework and sessional examination. Coursework may include written reports of practical work, essays, class tests, projects, oral presentations and a wide range of clinical assessments.
Teaching is enhanced and informed by the high-quality research that is undertaken by academic staff within the Optometry Clinic and in the Vision Science Research Group.
Academic profile
The University employs over 1,000 suitably qualified and experienced academic staff - 59% have PhDs in their subject field and many have professional body recognition.
Courses are taught by staff who are Professors (25%), Readers, Senior Lecturers (20%) or Lecturers (55%).
We require most academic staff to be qualified to teach in higher education: 82% hold either Postgraduate Certificates in Higher Education Practice or higher. Most academic staff (81%) are accredited fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) by Advanced HE - the university sector professional body for teaching and learning. Many academic and technical staff hold other professional body designations related to their subject or scholarly practice.
The profiles of many academic staff can be found on the University’s departmental websites and give a detailed insight into the range of staffing and expertise. The precise staffing for a course will depend on the department(s) involved and the availability and management of staff. This is subject to change annually and is confirmed in the timetable issued at the start of the course.
Occasionally, teaching may be supplemented by suitably qualified part-time staff (usually qualified researchers) and specialist guest lecturers. In these cases, all staff are inducted, mostly through our staff development programme ‘First Steps to Teaching’. In some cases, usually for provision in one of our out-centres, Recognised University Teachers are involved, supported by the University in suitable professional development for teaching.
Figures correct for academic year 2021-2022.
Program Outline
Careers & opportunities
In this section
- Graduate employers
- Job roles
- Career options
- Work placement / study abroad
- Professional recognition
Graduate employers
Graduates from this course are now working for:
Job roles
With this degree you could become:
Career options
Our graduates have an excellent record of employment and have secured clinical, research, academic and managerial roles in the public and private sector and have progressed to higher degrees (taught or research) in the UK and Ireland. In addition to challenging and rewarding clinical roles as an optometrist in either hospital or high street practice, a degree in Optometry will also offer you career options working with charitable bodies, in industry, government service, teaching and research.
Ulster University offers graduates the opportunity to study for higher qualifications including studies to doctoral level and professional qualifications including the College of Optometrist accredited Professional Certificates in Glaucoma, Medical Retina, Paediatric Optometry and Low Vision.
Work placement / study abroad
In year 4 of your study you will have a UK based placement where you will be required to gain the necessary clinical experience and show clinical competence in order to meet the requirements of the General Optical Council for registration.
Professional recognition
General Optical Council (GOC)
Accredited by the General Optical Council (GOC).
Modules
Here is a guide to the subjects studied on this course.
Courses are continually reviewed to take advantage of new teaching approaches and developments in research, industry and the professions. Please be aware that modules may change for your year of entry. The exact modules available and their order may vary depending on course updates, staff availability, timetabling and student demand. Please contact the course team for the most up to date module list.
In this section
- Year one
- Year two
- Year three
- Year four
Year one
Clinical Skills 1
Year: 1
Status: C
This initial introduction to clinical skills will give students the opportunity to develop robust core clinical skills, with a good understanding of the theory that underpins the techniques. The development of core understanding and a basic clinical skillset will equip students for the clinical modules in the following semesters.
Practical Optics
Year: 1
Status: C
This module aims to provide students with knowledge of optics and optical materials, particularly in relation to the eye. Students will learn about applied optics of spectacle and contact lenses and about the physiological optics of the eye.
Clinical Skills 2
Year: 1
Status: C
Throughout this module the student increases their knowledge of the examination procedures used in clinical practice. They will also develop their practical skills in the use of a wide range of optometric instrumentation and clinical techniques.
Visual Anatomy and Physiology
Year: 1
Status: C
This module examines the anatomy of the visual system as a whole and the eye as a unique anatomical organ. The emphasis is on sound working knowledge of visual anatomy for the understanding of clinical problems of an embryological, physiological or pathological nature.
Ocular Health and Disease I
Year: 1
Status: C
This module is focussed on two aspects of ocular disease. Firstly students will be concerned with pathology affecting the anterior eye. Secondly students will be taught material on common posterior ocular conditions. For both aspects, students will be taught how to recognize the signs and symptoms and to understand the aetiology, epidemiology, pathophysiology, signs, symptoms, terminology and treatment for the conditions. This module is further designed to provide students with the requisite knowledge needed to undertake optometric management of these ocular conditions.
Visual Processing and Perception
Year: 1
Status: C
This module allows students to gain in-depth understanding of visual processing; through learning of aspects of spatial and temporal vision, the physiology of the retina and the electrophysiological and psychophysical techniques to measure visual function. It will provide knowledge of colour vision, motion and eye movements and visual perception.
Year two
Contact Lens Practice
Year: 2
Status: C
This module will introduce students to both contact lens theory and clinical practice. It will seek to develop within the student, the understanding and skills necessary to practice safely and competently, and provide a basis for further more detailed study and application in third and fourth year of the undergraduate optometry programme and in professional practice.
Clinical skills 3
Year: 2
Status: C
This module will substantially broaden the knowledge and understanding of clinical optometry and introduce the student to ocular coherence tomography of the posterior segment. It will also develop and refine clinical skills essential to the practice of optometry.
Ophthalmic Dispensing Practice
Year: 2
Status: C
This module allows students to become competent in the use of a range of techniques appropriate for optical dispensing. It will provide a sound basis for the student to dispense optical appliances and provide appropriate advice and care to patients in the Optometry clinic in future modules. It will provide the student with a detailed knowledge of lens materials and permit the student to develop skills in appropriate lens choice according to analysis of the spectacle prescription and the patients' needs and lifestyle.
Human Disease
Year: 2
Status: C
This module introduces the student to the principles of human disease in general and in particular provides an introduction to genetics, pharmacology, pathology and microbiology. This module is designed to provide students with the requisite knowledge in human disease to proceed in their course of study.
Clinical Decision Making 1
Year: 2
Status: C
This module will build on theoretical knowledge and clinical skills learned in previous modules to ensure students can begin to make appropriate clinical decisions. The module will emphasise the importance of good written and oral communication in clinical decision making.
Preparing for Clinical Learning in Practice
Year: 2
Status: C
This module will be delivered online in collaboration with the College of Optometrists, the UK's professional body for the optometric profession, with the aim of ensuring that trainee optometrists adopt a consistent approach to patient safety in the UK. Teaching, learning and assessment will take place during year 2 prior to students attending hospital eye clinic placements, delivering supervised eye care to the general public in the University Optometry clinic and before the long clinical placement in Year 4. Case studies and practice-based examples will be used to support learning.
Understanding of the concepts, strategies and theories covered during this module will be tested through multiple-choice and written examination, including responding to situational judgement scenarios and case studies.
Ocular Health and Disease II
Year: 2
Status: C
This module is concerned with complex pathology affecting eye and conditions affecting visual pathway. Students will be taught how to recognize the signs and symptoms of complex ocular pathological conditions of the eye and to understand the management/treatment strategies for each condition. This module is designed to provide students with the requisite knowledge in complex ocular and visual pathway pathology needed to detect, manage, outline potential treatment/s and propose a prognosis for these conditions.
Year three
Optometric Research
Year: 3
Status: C
This module provides the students with an opportunity to perform an independent, supervised, original research study in the field of optometry and vision science. The project will include planning a study, collecting and analysing data, and writing a project report in the format of a scientific poster.
Professional and Clinical Practice
Year: 3
Status: C
This module allows the students to consolidate and integrate learning within their clinical practice so they can examine a range of patients in a systematic manner and make coherent management decisions regarding the patient's needs. This module develops skills to allow an individual to become an effective communicator with patients, peers and others in the optometric healthcare setting and embeds reflective practice into the individual's day to day professional life. This module teaches the importance of high quality, succinct recordkeeping and communication with other health care professionals and provides the opportunity for Inter Professional Learning with others including Dispensing Opticians, Orthoptists, Ophthalmologists, Hospital Optometrists and Rehabilitation support workers. This module allows the student to be prepared and safe for their long placement in Year 4.
Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics
Year: 3
Status: C
This module builds on earlier pharmacology teaching in OPT309 and introduces the students to the principles of pharmacology in in relation to the eye and visual system. The module will discuss diagnosis and therapeutic treatment of ocular disease and drug use in optometric practice. This module is designed to provide students with the requisite knowledge in ocular pharmacology and therapeutics to manage a wide range of ocular pathologies building on knowledge and skills gained in ocular health and disease modules.
Paediatric Optometry
Year: 3
Status: C
Paediatric optometry is a third-year undergraduate optometry module designed to provide undergraduate optometrists with an understanding of the processes that underlie the improvement in visual performance seen during early infancy and childhood. The module will explore what constitutes normal visual development, the risk factors associated with abnormal visual outcome and the role of the optometrist in assessing and managing children's vision and visual status. Students will learn how to apply an evidence-based approach and select and use robust, validated testing techniques and protocols for paediatric visual assessment and management, including refractive amblyopia, hypo-accommodation and myopia. The impact of developmental disabilities on visual function and optometric management will be introduced and the optometrist's role in providing accessible eye care for people with learning and other disabilities described. An understanding of visual stress and vision-related reading difficulties will be conveyed.
Binocular Vision
Year: 3
Status: C
Binocular Vision is a third-year undergraduate optometry module. This module is designed to provide a grounding in binocular vision anomalies for optometric practice. Teaching methods involve lectures, practicals, tutorials and clinical experience allowing the students to approach the subject from several different perspectives to aid integration and understanding of the material. The module is taught with input from orthoptic professionals to provide, not only expert teaching, but to facilitate future good relations and collaborative management between optometry and orthoptic eye care providers.
Clinical Decision Making 2
Year: 3
Status: C
Within this module students will be taught the fundamentals of the interpretation of patients' presenting signs and symptoms. In conjunction with consolidation of their knowledge and understanding gained at levels 4 and 5 students will be guided in building their skills to effectively manage a broad range of patients. Students will be taught how to implement an evidence-based approach to decision making and will be encouraged to develop the life-long skill of peer learning.
Low Vision
Year: 3
Status: C
This module provides students with an understanding of low vision and in the skills necessary for the optometric care of patients with a visual impairment. The module provides information on causes and epidemiology of low vision, magnification and minification, certification and registration, the psychological loss model and holistic care to include collaboration with multi-disciplinary statutory and voluntary service providers. The module will equip the student with the skills to undertake a clinical assessment of a person's visual impairment, needs and emotional status. The module provides students with training on low vision management plans including refractive error prescribing, dispensing simple and complex optical and non-optical low vision aids, simple rehabilitation strategies, communication skills and referral guidelines.
Year four
Advanced Clinical Practice 1
Year: 4
Status: C
This module will equip the student optometrist with specialist skills to conduct in-depth assessment of those with cataract and/or at risk of retinal disease and allow them to follow the very latest in management protocols.
Clinical Learning in Practice 1
Year: 4
Status: C
This optometry clinical practice module builds on studies in Year 3 and permits students to further develop their clinical testing and management skills under supervision in a clinical placement setting, typically an optometry practice or optometry department within a hospital. The module ensures that students 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.
Clinical Learning in Practice 2
Year: 4
Status: C
This clinical practice module further builds students' clinical testing and management skills under supervision in a clinical placement setting, typically an optometry practice or optometry department within a hospital. The module ensures that students can work effectively and efficiently in the clinical environment, including in relation to differential diagnosis, consent, risk assessment, professionalism in optometric practice, eye care for vulnerable patients and those with additional needs. The role of the optometrist as a leader will also be explored.
Advanced Clinical Practice 2
Status: O
Year: 4
This module is optional
This module is delivered online and allows the individual, once registered as a qualified practitioner with the General Optical Council, to participate in the appropriate locally-commissioned enhance optometric services (EOS).
Ocular therapeutics and prescribing
Status: O
Year: 4
This module is optional
This module will equip the student with further skills in pharmacology and prescribing to allow the development of safe and effective management of ocular conditions at an advanced level of practice. Following successful completion of the MOptom and this module, students may be eligible to apply to join the Specialist Register as an Independent Prescribing Optometrist.
Students must have identified a suitable Designated Prescribing Practitioner (DPP) who will provide an appropriate placement and provide mentorship to the student prior to commencing the module.
Testimonials
“I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Ulster. At all times I felt my learning and development was supported and encouraged. I feel privileged that I was educated by the Optometry team at Ulster University, and I remember them all fondly. They had a genuine interest in our well- being and education. Now that I’m out in clinical practice I see first-hand that the Optometry course at Ulster is held in high esteem. The volume of patient encounters provided during my training at Ulster armed me with the knowledge, communication skills and confidence to do well throughout my pre-registration year and beyond.”
Catherine McGuckin, Master of Optometry graduate 2021.