Optometry  BSc (Hons)

Overview

The Optometry degree course at City offers a professionally recognised qualification preparing you for a flexible and rewarding career in optometry.

The course is at the cutting edge of optometry and visual science study in both its curriculum and the way it is taught. Throughout the course, students benefit from a combination of state-of-the-art clinics and laboratories and experienced tutors from a wide range of disciplines.

Our close links with Moorfields Eye Hospital and King's College London School of Medicine also provide students with access to a wide range of patients and pathology. City is the only university that offers a BSc Optometry degree in London making it a unique experience - studying in a rich and diverse capital city.

If you require the MSc in Clinical Optometry please visit the MSc Clinical Optometry page. 


Entry Requirements:

380 UCAS tariff including 3 A levels at AAB plus at least one grade C at AS level.

More...

Course Fees:

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

Start Date:

September 2012

UCAS code:

B510

How to Apply

Entry Requirements

Tariff Points

Typical offers require one of the following:

A-level: 380 UCAS tariff including 3 A - AS level at AAB plus at least one grade C at AS level.
AVCE: AA in science (12 unit award) plus mathematics A-level.
IB: 33

  • Other science or medically related degree: Grades: 2i to first class Honours, 2ii in Orthoptics may be considered.

Dispensing diploma: Over 75% in all theory examinations over the duration of the course.

In addition GCSE grade C or above in mathematics, English language and science.

You will be required to have Enhanced Criminal Records Bureau clearance.

  • Access to this course is possible through the Foundation Degree in Ophthalmic Dispensing
  • We welcome applications from overseas and have a good track record of teaching overseas students
  • In addition to academic ability, you must be able to demonstrate good communication and interpersonal skills.

All candidates who receive an offer will be invited to visit the department.

English Requirements

One of the following:

  • IELTS: 7.0 overall: with at least 7.0 in the listening, reading, writing and speaking sections
  • TOEFL: 110 internet-based total
  • GCSE: English language grade C.

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.

Course Content

Year one

You will build a foundation in the basic sciences that underpin optometry while at the same time starting your clinical training from day one. Lectures are supported by tutorials and laboratory-based work in our bioscience and optics laboratories, clinical skills suite and dispensary.

Year two

You further expand and enhance your clinical skills so that you are competent to enter the public clinics in the third year. This involves developing an understanding of ocular and systemic disease coupled with the neuroscience of visual perception. Your clinical confidence and competence will be supported by expert guidance in utilizing the latest technologies to investigate ocular abnormalities.

Year three

You will be developing the knowledge and clinical skills that form the basis of modern optometric practice by working under supervision seeing patients in our Fight for Sight Optometry Clinics at Bath Street. You will carry out full eye examinations, under supervision, and gain specialist skills in the paediatric, binocular vision, contact lens, dispensing and visual impairment clinics. You will also attend Moorfields Eye Hospital, where you will examine patients with a range of eye diseases. In addition, you will benefit from a placement scheme with local optometric practices to gain experience in dispensing spectacles and practice management.

Course Structure

Core modules - Year one

  • Human physiology and ocular anatomy
  • Optics
  • Visual optics and Mathematics
  • Ophthalmic lenses and dispensing 1
  • Clinical skills 1

Core modules - Year two

  • Visual Science
  • General pathology and eye disease
  • Clinical skills 2
  • Contact lenses 1
  • Ophthalmic lenses and dispensing 2
  • Binocular Vision

Core modules - Year three

  • Eye disease and therapeutics
  • Clinical skills and professional practice
  • Binocular vision, paediatrics and visual impairment
  • Contact lenses 2
  • Dissertation or research project

Teaching and Assessment

The optometry department at City has an excellent reputation. Our expert staff come from a range of disciplines - optometrists, ophthalmologists, dispensing opticians, orthoptists, physicists, psychologists, neuroscientists and biologists.

You learn through lectures, tutorials, seminars, laboratory work, clinical practice and our web-based virtual learning environment.

We prepare you for a professional career where you will manage primary eye care with ophthalmology and general practitioners.

Assessment is through coursework, written examinations, clinical observation, vivas and practice-based assessment. A project or dissertation of around 6,000 words is required in the final year.

Sample Course Materials

All students at City need to buy their own equipment prior to the start of each academic year, as you will use them during your lab sessions from the first week onwards. To help you decide which equipment is best for you, we invite all first and second year optometry students to the Clinical Skills Equipment lecture and Optometry Induction Fair during Induction week. Here, companies will provide you with information and allow you to purchase the following equipment:

Year 1

  • Streak Retinoscope
  • Direct Ophthalmoscope
  • Occluder
  • City Rule
  • Trial frame

(Approximately £1350)

Compulsory dummy lenses and voting pad (these teaching aids will be provided by the University but a £60 deposit is required which is returned in full after the academic year).  Details of how to obtain these items will be given to you during the induction week.

Year 2

  • VOLK lens
  • Lab coat
  • Cross cylinders (optional)
  • Confirmation test (optional)

(Approximately £200)

Suppliers who will be at the Optometry Induction Fair this academic year:

Keeler: www.keeler.co.uk/optometry-students-pc34.htm
Louis Stone: www.louisstone.co.uk/students.asp
Albert Waeschle: www.heineclub.co.uk

Fees

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

Funding

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

ELQ: EU nationals who have already obtained a degree (BSc/BA or higher qualification, or equivalent) are no longer entitled to public funding (HEFCE). The tuition fee for students in this category is £10,600.

Scholarships

New for 2012 entrants: Up to £2,000 cash each year for at least three years for students on this course. Read more here to see if you might qualify.

Career Prospects

After graduation, you must work under supervision for about one year, then subject to the successful completion of a final assessment, you can register as an optometrist with the General Optical Council (GOC).

Job opportunities are available in private practice, hospital eye departments and in research and teaching. City University London has a 100% employment rate for optometry.

Find out more about City University London

Optometry

UCAS code: B510

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.

How do we make our decision?

In reaching our selection decisions we will take into account your:

  • Exam performance (actual or predicted)
  • Personal Statement and reasons for choice of course / career
  • Evidence of intellectual ability
  • Tutor references
  • Relevant work experience

For more information

Contact us on: