Optometry
Course Overview - Optometry
Our Master of Optometry (MOptom) programme is designed to equip you with a comprehensive understanding of optometry and vision science and the practical skills necessary to excel professionally. In our course, you will learn to become a professional clinician responsible for multiple aspects of vision care, specialising in preserving sight by diagnosing and treating visual problems and trained to examine the eyes and detect disorders originating in the eye, brain or other parts of the body.
With clinical experience integrated throughout every year, this programme stands out...
Our Master of Optometry (MOptom) programme is designed to equip you with a comprehensive understanding of optometry and vision science and the practical skills necessary to excel professionally. In our course, you will learn to become a professional clinician responsible for multiple aspects of vision care, specialising in preserving sight by diagnosing and treating visual problems and trained to examine the eyes and detect disorders originating in the eye, brain or other parts of the body.<br/><br/>With clinical experience integrated throughout every year, this programme stands out as a premier pathway for aspiring optometrists. Benefit from a full learning experience combined with hands-on learning through our extensive network of industry partners; develop your skills in our dedicated specialist facilities and learn from the experience and insight of our expert teaching staff.<br/><br/><strong>Year 1</strong><br/>Develop knowledge of the scientific principles that underpin optometry while acquiring a range of core clinical skills and begin to demonstrate professional skills and behaviours that are required for registration as an optometrist, and complete a one-week period of external clinical learning at a local practice.<br/><br/><strong>Year 2</strong><br/>Further your knowledge of the scientific foundations of the profession, and extend your skills in clinical assessment and interpretation. A range of person-centred care themes are explored in readiness for increasing patient exposure. By the end of the year, you’ll be able to complete a full eye examination, fit a variety of contact lenses, advise on spectacles and perform a range of techniques to investigate binocular vision.<br/><br/><strong>Year 3</strong><br/>You will see a wide range of patients in our public service clinic and gain experience in specialist optometry services, develop further knowledge in areas such as ocular disease and abnormality and specialist practice, and refine professional skills required for a career in optometry. <br/><br/><strong>Final Year</strong><br/>You will work under supervision as a student optometrist during your 44-week paid clinical placement. Once you have successfully completed stage 4 and achieved the Optometry MOptom, you’ll be able to apply to join the GOC register as a qualified optometrist.<br/><br/><strong>Key course benefits:</strong><br/>• Excellent student experience: 94.2% of students felt positive about teaching on their course (NSS 2024)<br/>• Professionally accredited: Our programme is regulated by the General Optical Council (GOC)<br/>• Gold standard teaching: Aston University was awarded Triple Gold - the highest possible rating for the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF, 2023)<br/>• Extensive patient contact: Benefit from extensive patient contact throughout the course<br/>• Excellent student experience: 94.2% of students felt positive about teaching on their course (NSS 2024)<br/>• Top ranking: ranked in top 5 in the UK (Health Professions, Guardian 2025)<br/><br/><strong>Facilities</strong><br/><br/>Students have access to a range of specialist facilities and industry-level equipment, including an onsite public-facing clinic where students experience patient eye care support under close supervision of our expert staff, and a UK-first dedicated ophthalmic simulation suite equipped with the latest. instruments and simulators, designed to develop your clinical skills. See our website for more details of our cutting edge equipment.<br/><br/><strong>Career prospects:</strong><br/><br/>Our Optometry programme is valued by some of the best-known companies in the world. Recent graduates have successfully secured careers with employers such as Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, The Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Boots, Vision Express, Optical Express, Essilor, Neil Gordon Opticians, NHS hospitals, Specsavers, and Tesco.<br/><br/><strong>No Foundation Programme available</strong> <strong>Your UCAS Application:</strong> Explain any gaps in your education, list full qualification names, provide an academic reference, and include predicted grades (even if sitting privately). More tips: https://shorturl.at/cNR2e
Course Information
1 option available
Some courses vary and have tailored teaching options, select a course option below.
Course Details
Information
Study Mode
Full-time
Duration
4 Years
Start Date
14/09/2026
Campus
Main Site
Application Details
Provider Details
Codes/info
Course Code
B512
Institution Code
A80
Points of Entry
Year 1
Entry Requirements
UCAS Tariff
Not Accepted
Scottish Higher
A,A,A,A,B
must include two science subjects from: Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics.
Access to HE Diploma
Not Accepted
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
32
STANDARD: 32 points overall and three Higher Level subjects at 6, 6, 6, which must include 2 science subjects from: Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics. You must also have Standard Level grade 5 in English Language and grade 6 in Maths. OR CONTEXTUAL: 32 points overall and three Higher Level subjects at 6, 5, 5 which must include 2 science subjects from: Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics. You must also have Standard Level grade 5 in English Language and grade 6 in Maths for Contextual Offer students.*
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DDD
National Extended Diploma (RQF/AAQ) / Extended Diploma (QCF) in Applied Science: Standard Offer: DDD + one A-Level at grade B in either Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics. Contextual Offer: DDD + one A-Level at grade C in either Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics. Extended Diploma (QCF) / National Extended Diploma (RQF/AAQ) in any subject: Standard Offer: DDD + grades BB in two A Level science subjects from: Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics. Contextual Offer: DDD + grades BC in two A Level science subjects from: Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics.
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
H1,H1,H1,H2,H2
Pass the Irish Leaving Certificate with 5 subjects at Higher Level. Must achieve H1, H1, H1, H2, H2 and includes two core science subjects from: Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics at grade H1.
GCSE/National 4/National 5
Five GCSEs at grade C/4 or above, which must include B/5 in Mathematics and C/4 English Language or English Literature. Please note that we do not accept Key Skills or Functional Skills in place of these.
Pearson BTEC Diploma (QCF)
DD
Diploma (QCF) in Applied Science: Standard Offer: DD + one A-Level at grade B in either Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics. Contextual Offer: DD + one A-Level at grade C in either Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics. Diploma (QCF) in any subject: Standard Offer: DD + grades BB in two A Level science subjects from: Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics. Contextual Offer: DD + grades BC in two A Level science subjects from: Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics.
Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF)
DDD
Extended Diploma (QCF) in Applied Science: Standard Offer: DDD + one A-Level at grade B in either Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics. Contextual Offer: DDD + one A-Level at grade C in either Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics. Extended Diploma (QCF) in any subject: Standard Offer: DDD + grades BB in two A Level science subjects from: Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics. Contextual Offer: DDD + grades BC in two A Level science subjects from: Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DD
Diploma (QCF) / National Diploma (RQF/AAQ) in Applied Science: Standard Offer: DD + one A-Level at grade B in either Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics. Contextual Offer: DD + one A-Level at grade C in either Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics. Diploma (QCF) / National Diploma (RQF/AAQ) in any subject: Standard Offer: DD + grades BB in two A Level science subjects from: Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics. Contextual Offer: DD + grades BC in two A Level science subjects from: Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics.
Scottish Advanced Higher
A,A,B
must include two science subjects from: Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics.
Pearson BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (QCF)
D
Subsidiary Diploma (QCF) / National Extended Certificate (RQF/AAQ) in any subject: Standard Offer: D + grades BB in two A Level science subjects from: Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics. Contextual Offer: D + grades BC in two A Level science subjects from: Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
D
Subsidiary Diploma (QCF) / National Extended Certificate (RQF/AAQ) in any subject: Standard Offer: D + grades BB in two A Level science subjects from: Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics. Contextual Offer: D + grades BC in two A Level science subjects from: Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics.
Pearson BTEC Certificate (QCF)
Not Accepted
Pearson BTEC 90-Credit Diploma (QCF)
DD
90 Credit Diploma (QCF) in any subject: Standard Offer: DD + grades BB in two A Level science subjects from: Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics. Contextual Offer: DD + grades BC in two A Level science subjects from: Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
Not Accepted
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
D
National Foundation Diploma (RQF/AAQ) in any subject: Standard Offer: D + grades BB in two A Level science subjects from: Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics. Contextual Offer: D + grades BC in two A Level science subjects from: Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics.
A level
A,A,B
B,B,B
AAB in three A Levels which must include two sciences from Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics. ABB in three A Levels which must include two sciences from Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics with Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) or Core Maths at grade A BBB in three A Levels which must include two sciences from Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics for contextual offer students for Contextual Offer students* (https://www.aston.ac.uk/undergraduate/contextual-offer-aston-ready) RESIT APPLICANTS: We welcome applications from students who have taken up to one set of resits to improve their grades. Only the highest grades achieved will be considered, and resit applications are treated the same as all others. PREDICTIONS AND ACHIEVED GRADES: At Aston University, we are committed to an inclusive admissions process, ensuring every applicant has the best possible opportunity. While our listed grades are the official entry requirements, we understand that predicted grades are only estimates. We may consider applicants predicted slightly below the listed grades, provided they meet the subject-specific requirements. This gives applicants the opportunity to improve on their predicted grades. However, any offer made will still contain the l
T Level
D
Healthcare Science grade Distinction and must achieve grade A in the Optical Care Services component. Please note that this qualification is being phased out.
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)
This will be accepted in place of one A Level, but not in place of the subject specifics stated.
WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales
This will be accepted in place of one A Level, but not in place of the subject specifics stated.
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Fees and funding
| Region | Costs | Academic Year | Year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales | £9,535 | 2026/27 | Year 1 | |
| EU, International | £22,575 | 2026/27 | Year 1 |
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