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.
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 workplace. On completion of the course students may complete their pre-registration period and qualify as a dispensing optician or continue their studies to obtain an honours degree in Health Sciences or apply to join BSc Optometry (minimum 2 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
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
- 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.
Course Fees:
- Full-time EU: £9,000 (2013/14). 2012 fees, all fees to be confirmed.
- Full-time Non EU: £14,300 (2013/14). 2012 fees, all fees to be confirmed.
Start Date:
September 2013
UCAS code:
B511
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
- 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
If your first language is not English, we will require evidence of English language proficiency. Minimum requirements are:
- IELTS: An overall band score of 7.0 with a minimum of 7.0 in each component
- TOEFL: 110 internet-based total
Visa Requirements
City University London retains Highly Trusted Status from UKBA, enabling us to sponsor international students to study in the UK.
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 2013
- 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.
This course is delivered in partnership with City and Islington College. Read more about the course on the City and Islington College website.
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.
Read the full programme specification.
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.
Read the full programme specification.
Fees
- Full-time EU: £9,000 (2013/14). 2012 fees, all fees to be confirmed.
- Full-time Non EU: £14,300 (2013/14). 2012 fees, all fees to be confirmed.
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 Health Sciences or apply to join BSc Optometry (minimum 2 years).
Find out how studying at City University London helps you to improve your job prospects.
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 University London:
- tel: +44 (0)20 7040 8716
- ugadmissions@city.ac.uk
Or City and Islington College:
- tel: 020 7700 9200
- hedegrees@candi.ac.uk