BSc (Hons) in Optometry
Glasgow Caledonian University - The School of Health and Life Sciences
Key Information
Campus location
Glasgow, United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
4 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
GBP 1,820 / per year *
Application deadline
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Earliest start date
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* Home/EU students; £9250 RUK students; £11,500 International students
Scholarships
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Introduction
GCU's Optometry programme is designed to provide the theoretical and practical training to equip graduates with advanced clinical skills which they will use to work as independent eyecare professionals.
Optometrists are eye care professionals who detect sight problems and prescribe and fit glasses as well as contact lenses and other visual aids. Optometrists also detect and manage a variety of eye conditions such as Glaucoma and Age-related macular degeneration.
Optometrists in Scotland have an extended healthcare role compared to elsewhere in the UK. The advanced knowledge and clinical skills that optometrists need to fulfill this role are at the center of our four-year Optometry programme.
We offer a high-quality clinical and didactic education that is highly rated by students. As an integral part of their studies, students benefit from a wide range of clinical experiences in our purpose-built on-campus Vision Centre.
GCU has been the hub for non-medical eye-care education in Scotland since 1971 and remains the only institution in Scotland to offer a degree programme in Optometry.
International student start dates
For new international students, orientation events start on 14 September 2018. This extra time is specifically designed to assist new international students in settling into the UK and GCU prior to the start of general student induction and teaching.
There will be a whole host of fun and informative activities taking place during this period, including campus and city tours, as well as welcome events where you can meet other international students.
Professional accreditation
Graduates become qualified optometrists after one year's supervised clinical practice and successful completion of the Scheme for Registration run by The College of Optometrists.
Assessment methods
We use a wide range of learning and teaching methods to ensure that you have both the necessary knowledge and understanding of business and management and a portfolio of intellectual and personal skills.
Each module on the programme uses its own learning, teaching and assessment strategy to achieve learning objectives. Assessment methods vary between modules and may include unseen examinations, class tests, essays, management reports, case studies, presentations, and group work.
Teaching methods
The learning and teaching methods we use to ensure that our programme is both vocationally relevant and academically challenging. Our approach is student-centered, practical, participative and relevant to the needs of employers.
We've moved away from the traditional teacher-centric learning to a more independent learning approach, where you are encouraged to develop critical thinking skills.
Admissions
Curriculum
What you will study
Year 1
Foundations of Optics, Ophthalmic Anatomy & Physiology, Ophthalmic Materials, Refraction & Binocular Vision.
Year 2
Diagnostic Techniques, Refraction & Binocular Vision 2, General & Systemic Pathology, Physiology & Microbiology, General & Ocular Diagnostic Pharmacology, Clinical Practice & Communication, Introductory Ocular Disease.
Year 3
Clinical Ophthalmology, Contact Lenses, Clinical Studies, Visual Neuroscience, Clinical Research Methods & Statistics, Visual Ergonomics, Incomitant Strabismus.
Year 4
General Optometric Practice, Concomitant Strabismus & Visual Development, Low Vision & Speciality Clinics; Shared Care & Ocular Therapeutics, Ophthalmic Professional Studies, Law & Management, Project/Dissertation.
Scholarships and Funding
Career Opportunities
Your career
Employment prospects are excellent and our graduates are highly rated by employers throughout the UK. Opportunities include private optometric practice, hospital eye services, teaching, and research.
Graduates become qualified optometrists after one year's supervised clinical practice and successful completion of the Scheme for Registration run by The College of Optometrists.
Program Tuition Fee
English Language Requirements
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