Program Overview

Optometry (MOptom)

Subject area: Optometry

The Master of Optometry is a four-year full-time program that provides students with the scientific and clinical knowledge to register as an optometrist with the General Optical Council. The program is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge required to practice optometry at an advanced level.

Why study this course

This program will allow students to gain the knowledge and skills to register as an optometrist with the General Optical Council. Students will have opportunities to attend in-house University specialist eye clinics led by a highly qualified multi-disciplinary eyecare team. The program will also provide students with the opportunity to achieve selected higher qualifications from the College of Optometrists, preparing them for expanding roles in the optometric profession.

Entry requirements

• We accept a combination of A-levels and other qualifications, as well as equivalent international qualifications subject to entry requirements.
• Typical offers are as follows:
  • A level: AAA-ABB. Must include two subjects from Biology, Chemistry, Maths, and Physics.
  • International Baccalaureate: 36-32 overall including 6 in one HL subject or 666-665 in 3 HL subjects. Must include two HL subjects from Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics.
  • Baccalaureate Wales: From September 2023, there will be a new qualification called the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales (level 3).
• GCSE and other essential requirements:
  • English language at GCSE grade B/6 or an equivalent.
  • GCSE Maths grade C/4 or equivalent qualification.
• English language requirements:
  • GCSE: Grade B or grade 6 in GCSE English Language.
  • IELTS (academic): At least 7.0 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in all subskills.
  • TOEFL iBT: At least 100 overall with a minimum of 22 in all subskills.
  • PTE Academic: At least 76 overall with a minimum of 69 in all communicative skills.
  • Trinity ISE II/III: III: at least a Merit in all components.
• Criminal convictions: You will be required to complete a DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) check if your application is successful.

Tuition fees for 2026 entry

• Fees for home status:
  • Year one: Ł9,535
  • Year two: Ł9,535
  • Year three: Ł9,535
  • Year four: Ł9,535
• Fees for overseas status:
  • Year one: Ł30,700
  • Year two: Ł30,700
  • Year three: Ł30,700
  • Year four: Ł30,700

Additional costs

• At the beginning of the program, you are required to register with the General Optical Council (approximately Ł30) and apply for an Enhanced DBS check with a subscription to the annual update service (approximately Ł50 for the initial check and Ł16 per year after that).
• Throughout the program, you will have the opportunity to purchase equipment at a discounted rate.
• Year 1: Optometric kit (approximately Ł250) and travel costs for placements (up to approximately Ł45).
• Year 2: Travel costs for placements (up to approximately Ł90).
• Year 3: Travel costs for hospital placements (up to approximately Ł30).
• Year 4: Accommodation and travel costs for Clinical Learning in Practice (CLiP) placement.

Course structure

The Master of Optometry is taught full-time over four academic years. In each year, you will study 120 credits worth of modules.

• Year 1: 4 compulsory modules
• Year 2: 3 compulsory modules
• Year 3: Compulsory modules which extend clinical optometric practice and study of eye disease and its management
• Year 4: Clinical Learning in Practice (CLiP) modules, overseen by the College of Optometrists, which will be undertaken in an optometry setting in the UK

Core modules

• Year 1:
  • Eye Examination (40 credits)
  • Visual Correction (30 credits)
  • The Eye (30 credits)
  • Being a Professional (20 credits)
• Year 2:
  • Further Eye Examination (40 credits)
  • Advanced Visual Correction (40 credits)
  • Pathology and Management (40 credits)
• Year 3:
  • Primary Care (40 credits)
  • Enhanced Services (40 credits)
  • Professional Certificate in Low Vision (20 credits)
  • Research and evidence-based Optometry (20 credits)
• Year 4:
  • Clinical Learning in Practice 1 (40 credits)
  • Clinical Learning in Practice 2 (40 credits)

Learning and assessment

This course offers an integrated curriculum with scientific theory taught alongside real-life clinical eye care practice throughout the program. You will learn from highly qualified researchers and clinicians who will deliver a diverse learning experience.

• Assessment is designed to demonstrate that you have achieved the standards required by Cardiff University for the award of a Master's degree and achieve the Outcomes for Registration set by the General Optical Council (GOC) to register and practice as an optometrist in the UK.
• You will be assessed in 7 domains specified by the GOC:
  1. Person-centered care
  2. Communication
  3. Clinical practice
  4. Ethics and standards
  5. Risk
  6. Leadership and management
  7. Lifelong learning

Careers and placements

• Career prospects: Optometry is a dynamic profession, and the role of the optometrist as part of the eye care team is changing and expanding.
• Types of jobs:
  • Primary care optometrist
  • Hospital optometrist
  • Industrial optometrist
  • Academic optometrist
• Graduate careers:
  • Optometrist
  • Primary Care Optometrist
  • Hospital Optometrist
  • Academic Optometrist
  • Industrial Optometrist
  • Researcher
• Placements: There will be internal and externally provided observation and clinical placements throughout Years 1 to 3 of the MOptom. In Year 4, students will undertake the Clinical Learning in Practice (CLiP) placement overseen by the College of Optometrists, at a location in the United Kingdom external to Cardiff University.