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Optometry

MOptom
Duration
3 years
Start
September 2025
Delivery
In-person

Are you working within the optical industry and want to gain a qualification in Optometry? Our three-year Master’s in Optometry is an ideal option. The course allows you to integrate learning from your on-campus study into your clinical practice.

Why study with us

  • Gain real-world skills in our specialist dispensing and optometry pre-clinical lab.
  • Our on-campus Eye Health Clinic is the student-led equivalent of a high street optical practice. The clinic meets the eyecare needs of members of the public.
  • Throughout the course, you'll complete GOC required placement hours, culminating in the final-year Clinical Learning in Practice placement. This is facilitated by the College of Optometrists in partnership with the university.

Important information

  • This course is only available to UK students.
  • The application deadline for September 2025 entry for UK students is Saturday 31 May 2025.
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Optometry course gallery01 / 09

Study in our optometry course facilities
Study in our optometry course facilities

What you'll do

  • We arrange specialist clinical experience, such as hospital ophthalmology observations. We work with partners such as East Lancashire Hospital Trust.
  • On-campus block sessions include guest lectures by industry colleagues. Topics include specialist contact lenses and getting a good image using an OCT.
  • You'll work with volunteer patients who form a part of the general communication skills teaching resources as well as volunteers from visual impairment charities.

Modules

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of our published course information. However, our programmes are subject to ongoing review and development. Changing circumstances may cause alteration to, or the cancellation of, courses. Changes may be necessary to comply with the requirements of accrediting bodies or revisions to subject benchmarks statements. As well as to keep courses updated and contemporary, or as a result of student feedback. We reserve the right to make variations if we consider such action to be necessary or in the best interests of students.

Looking to start your postgraduate journey?

Our range of subjects and study modes can support your goals. Take your next step with a postgraduate degree.

How to apply
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View our optometry course facilities

Academic expertise

Rupal Lovell-Patel
Academic Lead - Vision Sciences
Marie-Laure Orr
Course Leader
Peter Black
Senior Lecturer
Haleema Younas
Lecturer in Optometry and Ophthalmic Dispensing

Accreditations

Future careers in optometry

As a registered optometrist, you'll have the opportunity to be self-employed or work in a primary care or hospital setting.

Entry requirements

Please note if your application is deemed unsuccessful, subsequent applications submitted within the same academic cycle will not be considered

You'll need to be registered with the General Optical Council as a student registrant throughout the programme. As the clinical learning in practice placement in the final year is facilitated by the College of Optometrists, you'll also need to be a member of the college during your studies.

  • Applicants will be a Registered Dispensing Optician with one-year post-registration experience along with passing the entrance exam
  • Applications from all candidates will be considered on their merits in the light of the nature and scope of the programme and if they have experience
  • A satisfactory Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland) and Occupational Health clearance is required for this course

This course will involve you working with vulnerable groups of individuals, this may include children. In order to ensure that the University offers places on their programmes to suitable candidates you will be required to obtain a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service clearance (formerly termed CRB).

All offers of a place on this course are subject to satisfactory health screening. It is important to note that should your health screening not be satisfactory your offer of a place on this course may be withdrawn.

If you have already enrolled on the course prior to completion of your health screening, or if your health screening clearance is revoked or changes during the course, you may be required to withdraw from the course even if you have already started. 

If you would like to discuss or seek advice in respect of the health screening requirements for this course, please contact the Course Enquiries Team.

Not got the grades?

Our courses with a foundation year could be exactly what you're looking for. They provide an alternative route to study for this degree.

Find out more about our courses with a foundation year.

Fees and funding

2024/25
UK
Full-time£10,000 per year
2025/26
UK
Full-time£10,500 per year

Scholarships and bursaries

We have a wide range of bursaries, scholarships and funds available to help support you whilst studying with us.

Select your country to see eligibility information and how to apply by selecting more info on the cards below.

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This course is delivered by the School of Medicine and Dentistry

For information on possible changes to course information, see our essential and important course information

You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at the University of Central Lancashire on our student contract page