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.