| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-09-16 | 2023-06-12 |
| 2024-01-09 | 2023-10-13 |
Program Overview
Overview
Optometrists detect sight problems, and prescribe and fit glasses, contact lenses and other visual aids. They also detect and manage a variety of eye conditions such as glaucoma, dry eye, and age-related macular degeneration.
GCU’s optometry degree course is designed to provide the theoretical and practical training to equip our graduates with the skills needed to work as independent eyecare professionals in an advanced clinical role in Scotland.
Our students receive training in basic vision science as well as clinical care, to help them become critical thinking optometrists. Our students benefit from our state-of-the-art, on-campus clinical training facilities from first year onwards. Students develop their skills, under expert supervision, in our modern Vision Centre, located at the heart of the campus. They gain experience in specialist clinics, which include contact lenses, myopia, low vision, learning disability, visual stress, and dry eye.
Optometrists in Scotland have an extended healthcare role compared to elsewhere in the UK. The higher-level knowledge and clinical skills that you will need to fulfil this role are at the centre of our optometry degree course. Employment prospects are excellent, and our graduates are highly rated by employers throughout the UK. Opportunities include private optometric practice, hospital eye services, teaching, and research.
Your career
GCU has been the hub for non-medical eye-care education in Scotland since 1971. Employment prospects are excellent and our graduates are highly rated by employers throughout the UK. Opportunities include private optometric practice, hospital eye services, teaching and research.
GCU’s Optometry programme is approved by the General Optical Council (the regulator for optical professions in the UK). The programme is part of the route to registration for Optometrists in the UK.
Graduates of GCU’s BSc(Hons) Optometry programme who achieve at least a 2:2 honours classification and meet the required standards of clinical competence are eligible to progress to a salaried pre-registration training position, under supervision of a registered Optometrist.
Upon successful completion of the pre-registration training period, graduates are able to register with the General Optical Council as qualified Optometrists.
Program Outline
What you
will study
Foundations of Optics; Ophthalmic Anatomy and Physiology; Ophthalmic Materials; Refraction and Binocular Vision.
Diagnostic Techniques; Refraction and Binocular Vision 2; General and Systemic Pathology; Physiology and Microbiology; General and Ocular Diagnostic Pharmacology; Clinical Practice and Communication; Introductory Ocular Disease.
Clinical Ophthalmology; Contact Lenses; Clinical Studies; Visual Neuroscience; Clinical Research Methods and Statistics; Visual Ergonomics; Incomitant Strabismus.
General Optometric Practice; Concomitant Strabismus and Visual Development; Low Vision and Speciality Clinics; Shared Care and Ocular Therapeutics; Ophthalmic Professional Studies; Law and Management, Project/Dissertation.
Download the Programme Specification
for a detailed breakdown of its structure, what you will learn and other useful information.
Details of the University’s terms and conditions are available here.
Assessment methods
We use a wide range of learning and teaching methods to ensure that you have both the necessary knowledge and understanding of business and management and a portfolio of intellectual and personal skills.
Each module on the programme uses its own learning, teaching and assessment strategy to achieve learning objectives. Assessment methods vary between modules and may include unseen examinations, class tests, essays, management reports, case studies, presentations, and group work.
Professional accreditation
GCU’s Optometry programme is approved by the General Optical Council (the regulator for optical professions in the UK). Students must maintain registration with the General Optical Council as Student Optometrists throughout the duration of their training.
Study abroad
Third year optometry students at GCU have the opportunity to travel to South Africa to volunteer on Phelophepa, the custom-built ‘train of hope’ that delivers healthcare to remote areas of the country.
Teaching methods
The learning and teaching methods we use ensure that our programme is both vocationally relevant and academically challenging. Our approach is student-centred, practical, participative and relevant to the needs of employers.
We've moved away from the traditional teacher-centric learning to a more independent learning approach, where you are encouraged to develop critical thinking skills.
2nd Second in the UK
GCU is ranked second in the Subjects Allied to Medicine category in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023. Rankings are based on eight indicators, including student satisfaction with teaching quality and student experience, research quality and graduate prospects.
