How do I become an optometrist in the UK?
BSc Optometry or MOptom degrees are the first stages in becoming a fully qualified optometrist in the UK.
You can undertake either a BSc or an MOptom at Ulster University.
The route to becoming a qualified optometrist in the UK takes approximately four years and is as follows:
- Successful completion of an optometry degree with a degree classification of 2.2 or higher
- Completion of a pre-registration period and success in the College of Optometrists qualifying examinations.
This period usually lasts about 12 months and is paid employment within either a high street optometric practice or the Hospital Eye Service (HES).
What is the difference between a BSc Optometry degree and an MOptom?
From September 2017, Ulster University will offer two routes to completion of an optometry degree.
Three-year BSc Optometry degree
The first route is to complete a three-year BSc Optometry degree. After graduation, you will leave University to progress to your pre-registration period and no longer have UK student status.
Four-year MOptom degree
The second route is to complete a four-year MOptom degree. Within this option you complete the three years of the BSc degree alongside those on the BSc route. At the end of year three, you do not graduate and remain enrolled as a distance-learning student for a further year. At the same time, you begin your paid pre-registration period and complete distance learning modules as part of the MOptom degree.
The fees for this year are the same as the other three years of the course.
The decision on which route to choose is fluid for the first two years of the course.
As an international student, it may be more helpful to undertake the four-year programme which concludes with professional registration (subject to passing the registration exams) as it makes the visa situation more straightforward.
If you are planning to return to your home country to practise, this additional year of study undertaken alongside your pre-registration clinical training provides useful skills and knowledge that is beneficial to your future career.
How can a BSc Optometry degree or an MOptom from Ulster help me become an optometrist in my home country?
If you choose to complete an optometry degree outside your home country, you may be able to practise without any further training or you may be required to fulfil specific criteria on your return home.
This differs from country to country and it is not possible to advise on every setting within these FAQs.
You should complete some research to find out the specific requirements for your country. The admissions tutor can then support you with the process if required.
Do I need A level qualifications to apply?
No. A level courses are standardised examinations taken in the UK at the end of high school which, if of a sufficient standard, allow entry to undergraduate programmes in the UK.
These courses are not available to students outside the UK, so different criteria are applied.
Canadian applicants may apply to study optometry at Ulster directly from high school or once they have completed an appropriate undergraduate degree.
We will examine your Grade Point Average (GPA) in your High School Diploma to help us decide whether you have the appropriate type and level of qualifications to enter the programme.
When do I need to apply to your course?
You can apply to our course at one of the following three stages:
- Following completion of your high school examinations
- During your undergraduate degree
- Following completion of your undergraduate degree.
Application deadlines are available here
If you have any queries please contact the admissions tutor.
How can I apply?
All applications must be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
If you have any queries please contact the admissions tutor.
What will happen after I have submitted my application?
All applications are administered through UCAS and you will receive communication from them accordingly. Generally, institutions have 40 days to consider your application.
We are happy to answer any queries that you may have at any time during the application process but we do not have any administrative control over the UCAS process.
Will I get an offer from Ulster University to study optometry?
Yes, if you meet our criteria. There are two types of offer that you may receive:
Unconditional offer
This means that you have fulfilled our entry requirements and if you accept the offer you will automatically have a place on our programme for the next academic year. For example, you may be accepted on your high school grades or it may be that you have completed an undergraduate degree with appropriate course content and suitable overall GPA.
Conditional offer
This offer has been based on your academic performance to date and it means that we require you to fulfil particular criteria. For example, if you are currently undertaking an undergraduate degree we may ask you to achieve a certain GPA.
How many references do I need to provide?
You should follow the application process as laid out by UCAS.
We would usually expect at least one academic reference but a work-related reference may also be helpful.
Why would I choose a UK-based university?
UK-based optometry training is well respected throughout the world and provides excellent career opportunities.
Study in other English speaking countries, such as the US or Australia, may be more expensive than the UK for international students, depending on your locality.
Studying at Ulster University not only provides the opportunity to explore the UK and Ireland, but also other European countries, giving you the chance to broaden your horizons even further.
Why would I choose Ulster rather than another UK-based university offering optometry?
UK-based optometry training is well respected throughout the world and provides excellent career opportunities.
Study in other English speaking countries, such as the US or Australia, may be more expensive than the UK for international students, depending on your locality.
Studying at Ulster University not only provides the opportunity to explore the UK and Ireland, but also other European countries, giving you the chance to broaden your horizons even further.
All first year international students studying at a Northern Ireland campus (including the Coleraine campus where Optometry is situated) are currently eligible for bursaries which discount the fees by £2,000. For further information check the Ulster University webpages;
Find out more and apply for the optometry international scholarship
Why would I choose Ulster rather than another UK-based university offering Optometry?
- Employability
100% of our optometry graduates are employed as a pre-registration optometrist within six months of graduation. - Satisfaction
Optometry at Ulster scored 100% for student satisfaction in the 2014 and 2015 National Student Surveys. - Success
The success rates of Ulster optometry graduates in the professional qualifying examinations consistently places us in the top three of UK optometry courses. - Hands-on
From week one of the course, our students learn practical, clinical skills. As their skills build through the course they see real patients in our in-house clinic, in hospital and specialist placements. We have a small cohort in Ulster which allows a greater amount of small class teaching and more clinical experience during the degree. - Economical
The cost and quality of student accommodation in and around our campus is amongst the best in the UK. - Friendly
Our course is one of the smaller optometry courses in the UK. We usually have about 30-35 students in each year, so there is plenty of opportunity to get to know your year group, students from other years and the staff. - Scenic
The North Coast of Northern Ireland is a very beautiful place to study; the local beaches and coastline in particular are stunning and have been regularly featured in Game of Thrones.