Ophthalmic Dispensing  Foundation Degree

Overview

This course leads to a rewarding career as a dispensing optician, a specialist trained to dispense and fit ophthalmic lenses and spectacle frames and to recognise basic ocular disorders.

The Foundation Degree in Ophthalmic Dispensing allows students to enter their pre-registration training as a dispensing optician or can lead to further study at degree level. Job prospects are good and the career is interesting and rewarding, and one that can make a genuine difference. The career is suited to those who enjoy working with people.

Who is the course for?

This course is for students who would like to train as a dispensing optician while gaining a degree with a strong focus on the work place. On completion of the course students may complete their pre-registration period and qualify as a dispensing optician or continue their studies to obtain a degree in Advanced Ophthalmic Dispensing (one year) or Optometry (minimum two years).

Why study Ophthalmic Dispensing?

  • Leads to a rewarding career dispensing and fitting spectacles
  • Benefit from the expertise at both City University London and City and Islington College
  • Approved by the General Optical Council
  • Benefit from a course which is at the forefront of training for dispensing opticians
  • Build credit for further study or you can enter your pre-registration training

The course is accredited by the General Optical Council (GOC). On completion, graduates may gain exemption from the theory exams of the Association of British Dispensing Opticians and continue their pre-registration training to become a registered dispensing optician or continue their studies to obtain an honours degree in Advanced Ophthalmic Dispensing (one year) or Optometry (minimum two years).

Entry Requirements:

180 UCAS tariff points including at least one science subject at A-level at grade C or above and GCSE Maths and English at grade A-C More...

Course Fees:

  • Full-time EU: £9,000 (2012/13)
  • Full-time Non EU: £14,300 (2012/13)

Start Date:

September 2012

UCAS code:

B511

How to Apply

Entry Requirements

Tariff Points

  • 180 UCAS tariff points including at least one science subject at A-level at grade C or above and GCSE Maths and English at grade A-C
  • Our typical offer is CDD with the C in Biology and D in at least one other Maths or Science subject 
  • BTEC National Diploma in a relevant science subject with minimum MMP overall
  • Equivalent qualifications are sometimes accepted.

In addition: GCSE passes at grade C or above in maths or physics, one other science subject, English language or literature and any two other subjects are required.

  • Applications are considered from a wide range of backgrounds and assessed individually
  • Applicants from overseas are considered on a case-by-case basis.

English Requirements

  • IELTS: 6.0
  • TOEFL: 79 internet-based total

Visa Requirements

The way that you apply may vary depending on the length of your course at City, there are different rules for:

  • Students on courses of more than 6 months
  • Students on courses of less than 6 months
  • Students on a pre-sessional English Language course

For more information see our main Visa page.

When and Where

Start Date:
September 2012
Duration:
Full time: two years

Course Content

In year one, you will be introduced to the basic principles of optics and visual optics that underpin work in ophthalmic lenses, dispensing and optical manufacturing. You will also be taught areas of human biology so you can understand how the eye functions in health and disease.

Year two builds and expands on the subjects taught in year one so that you can successfully transfer your skills to the work place. In addition, you will cover basic clinical skills used by optometrists and the basics of contact lenses and low vision.

Course Structure

Year one - core modules

  • Visual optics
  • Human biology
  • Practice management
  • Optics and quantitative methods
  • Ophthalmic lenses and dispensing.

Year two - core modules

  • Clinical skills
  • Visual and neural biology
  • Ophthalmic lenses and dispensing
  • Optics
  • Work placement
  • Visual optics and low vision
  • Ocular anatomy and contact lenses.

Teaching and Assessment

The course is a partnership between City University London and City and Islington College, with the majority of teaching at the college. We believe that learning is a joint venture between staff and students. You will be assisted through lectures, tutorials, practical classes, group work and a work placement. This combination provides a superb opportunity both for learning and preparing you for your career.

Assessment is based on examinations, coursework tests, presentations, practical write-ups, practical work and practice based assessment.

Fees

  • Full-time EU: £9,000 (2012/13)
  • Full-time Non EU: £14,300 (2012/13)

Funding

For up-to-date information about tuition fees, living costs and financial support, visit Undergraduate Fees and Finance or Postgraduate Fees and Finance.

Career Prospects

The course is accredited by the General Optical Council (GOC). On completion, graduates may gain exemption from the theory exams of the Association of British Dispensing Opticians and continue their pre-registration training to become a registered dispensing optician or continue their studies to obtain an honours degree in Advanced Ophthalmic Dispensing (one year) or Optometry (minimum two years).

Find out more about City University London

Ophthalmic Dispensing

UCAS code: B511

You can apply via the central UCAS applications system that supports all undergraduate applications within the UK for both home and overseas students.

It is recommended that you submit your application as early as possible.

For more information contact City and Islington College: