MOptom (Hons) Optometry

Optometrists are trained to detect defects in vision, signs of injury or abnormalities and ocular disease, through undertaking eye examinations. They help to identify problems with general health, to make a difference to people with sight loss or visual impairment.

During eye examinations they asses ocular health and prescribe spectacles, contact lenses or low vision aids, where appropriate. Optometrists offer clinical advice to help manage and treat certain eye conditions. They interact with other clinicians within the optometry field, such as ophthalmologists and orthoptists, and work in close-knit teams. They are key in referring patients to other healthcare professionals when further treatment is required.

Eye conditions that optometrists may work with:

• Short and far sightedness (myopia and hyperopia)
• Astigmatism
• Glaucoma
• Cataract
• Age-related macular degeneration
• Retinitis pigmentosa
• Diabetic retinopathy
• Stroke.

• Multiple chain or community practices
• Hospitals
• Visiting patients at home
• Specialist optometry roles
• Industry
• Education and academia
• Research
• Leadership roles
• Voluntary roles.

• Become part of a pioneering clinical degree programme – the first to bring optometry to the South West.
• Develop your clinical and communication skills while working with real patients at our Centre for Eyecare Excellence (CEE) optometry practice throughout your third year.
• See your studies in a real-world context, with regional practice placements during Years 1, 2 and 4 and a hospital placement in Year 3.
• Explore the theory side of the course at InterCity Place (new from 2023) with brand new clinical facilities, equipment and learning spaces.
• Join a close-knit team of staff and students and benefit from an open, supportive environment.
• Boost your employability through learning in a way that’s based on solving problems, working together and communicating well with others.
• Graduate with the scientific and clinical knowledge, as well as the professional training, required by the General Optical Council (GOC) to practise as an optometrist.
• To complement your formal learning we offer regular PALS sessions that provide the opportunity for you to learn with and from your peers. Share knowledge, discuss ideas, and ask questions in a relaxed and friendly environment.

• Year 1

• In your first year, you’ll focus on learning the basic scientific principles of optometry. You’ll also begin developing the clinical skills essential to the profession. During your one-week observational placement, you’ll see first-hand what working as an optometrist involves.

  Core modules

  • Visual Perception (OPT404)

    This module is designed to help the student develop the necessary knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of visual perception, visual pathways and psychophysical methodology associated with visual perception.

  • Geometric and Physical Optics (OPT405)

    This module introduces the student to the physical and geometric properties of light and prepares the student for the module Visual optics and Ophthalmic lenses

  • Visual Optics and Ophthalmic Lenses (OPT406)

    This module introduces the student to the optical properties of the eye, ophthalmic lenses and other optical instruments.

  • Anatomy and Physiology (OPT407)

    This module is designed to introduce optometry students to the fundamentals of ocular and human anatomy and physiology relevant to practice in this profession.

  • Clinical Optometry Skills (OPT408)

    This module enables the student to develop the skills and competencies to conduct a basic refraction and ocular health examination.

  • Preparation for Practice (SOHP401)

    This inter-professional module will introduce students to professional practice and the inherent standards expected of them. The characteristics and identity of allied health professionals, as evidence based practitioners, will underpin learning.

• Year 2

• In the second year, you’ll learn about advanced ophthalmic examination and study ocular diseases and pharmacology in more detail. On your two-week clinical placement, you’ll start getting hands-on experience, applying the skills you’ve learnt so far and working directly with patients.

  Core modules

  • Project Studies (SOHP503)

    This module develops knowledge and skills related to evidence-based practice and lifelong learning. The content is designed to enable the students to understand different research designs, to evaluate the research literature and to prepare them to undertake research at undergraduate level. Meets all or part of HCPC Standards of Proficiency: 2b.1, 3a.

  • Paediatric and Binocular Vision (OPT503)

    This module will enable the student to understand and assess extra-ocular muscles and their relation to eye movements.

  • Clinical Optometry Skills and Refractive Management (OPT505)

    This module will enable the student extending and enhancing the clinical skills to conduct an eye examination and interpret the results to make basic clinical and refractive management recommendations.

  • Specialist Optometry Skills (OPT506)

    This module addresses specialist skills in clinical optometry, including contact lenses and visual impairment.

  • Introduction to Pathology and Therapeutics (OPT507)

    This module is designed to develop the necessary understanding, differential diagnosis and investigation of ocular and systemic pathology, including the principles of ocular pharmacology and medicines relevant to optometric practice and use in management of some ocular diseases.

• Year 3

• In your third year, you’ll continue developing confidence and clinical skills by working directly with real patients at the University’s Centre for Eye Care Excellence optometry practice. Alongside this practical learning, you’ll study complex case scenarios in the key areas of optometry and complete a supervised research project in an area you’re interested in. You’ll also investigate the legal and ethical issues around managing a business.

  Core modules

  • Project (SOHP605)

    This module consolidates knowledge and skills related to evidence-based practice and lifelong learning. The content will support the students to undertake research at undergraduate level, to discuss their findings in the context of the contemporary evidence base and to evaluate the implications of their activities on their future practice.

  • General Optometric Practice (OPT601)

    This module will enable the student to apply and integrate previous experience to carry out a routine eye examination and consider occupational and lifestyle requirements to make appropriate management decisions.

  • Specialist Optometric Practice (OPT602)

    This module will enable the student to apply and integrate previous knowledge and skills gained in contact lenses, binocular vision and visual impairment to carry out routine and non-routine patient assessment and management.

  • Enhanced Pathology and Therapeutics (OPT603)

    This module is designed to build on and expand the student's knowledge and understanding of ocular and systemic pathology and therapeutics and supplements the second year introductory module.

  • Clinical Case Management in Optometry (OPT604)

    This module will enable the students to develop their problem solving and professional reasoning skills, including the legal and ethical framework, in optometric practice. The module will also help to develop an awareness of business skills relevant to optometrists.

• Final year

• In your fourth and final year you will undertake a 44 week placement where you will have the opportunity to hone your clinical skills. During this year you will work in clinical practice under the supervision of a Registered Optometrist.

  Core modules

  • Clinical Optometric Learning in Practice 1 (OPT701)

    This module builds on studies in Year 3 and permits students to further develop their clinical testing and management skills under supervision in a clinical placement setting.

  • Clinical Optometric Learning in Practice 2 (OPT702)

    This module builds on studies in Year 3 and permits students to further develop their clinical testing and management skills under supervision in a clinical placement setting. The module ensures that students can work effectively and efficiently in the clinical environment, including addressing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) issues and delivering safe and effective testing, management and referral of patients.

  Optional modules

  • Glaucoma (ACO701)

    This module will enable students to extend their theoretical knowledge of glaucoma and develop their clinical skills to an enhanced level to support accurate referral and monitoring of diagnosed ocular hypertension and suspect chronic open angle glaucoma patients.

  • Medical Retina (ACO702)

    This module will enable students to extend their theoretical knowledge of medical retina and develop their clinical skills to an enhanced level to support differential diagnosis, referral, management and treatment pathways.

  • Acute and Emergency Eye Care (ACO703)

    This module will enable students to extend their theoretical knowledge of acute and emergency eyecare and develop their clinical skills to an enhanced level to support differential diagnosis, referral, management and treatment pathways.

  • Cataract (ACO704)

    This module will enable students to extend their theoretical knowledge of cataract and develop their clinical skills to an enhanced level to support differential diagnosis, referral, management and treatment pathways.

  • Advanced Glaucoma (ACO705)

    This module will enable students to extend their theoretical knowledge of glaucoma investigation and management and develop their clinical skills to an advanced level to support diagnosis and complex decision making in ocular hypertension and new or established glaucoma.

  • Advanced Medical Retina (ACO706)

    This module will enable students to extend their theoretical knowledge of medical retina and develop their clinical skills to an advanced level to support differential diagnosis, referral, management and treatment pathways.

  • Advanced Acute and Emergency Eye Care (ACO707)

    This module will enable students to extend their theoretical knowledge of acute and emergency eyecare and develop their clinical skills to an advanced level to support differential diagnosis, referral, management and treatment pathways.

  • Advanced Cataract (ACO708)

    This module will enable students to extend their theoretical knowledge of cataract and develop their clinical skills to an advanced level to support differential diagnosis, referral, management and treatment pathways.

  • Advanced Paediatric Ophthalmology (ACO709)

    This module will build upon increasing your knowledge of the development of vision and the eye, and common ocular conditions encountered in childhood to enable you to adapt your routine to meet the specific needs of younger patients and provide high quality paediatric ophthalmology care in a hospital or community setting.

Every undergraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the course aims, the course structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

The following programme specification represents the latest course structure and may be subject to change:

MOptom Hons Optometry programme specification 7462

UCAS tariff

136

UCAS tariff

136 - 144

GCSEs:

5 GCSEs grade C/4 or above to include Mathematics, English and Science. Preference is given to applicants who have obtained these grades on application and who have achieved at least B/5 grades in Mathematics, English and Science. Please note that if you do not have this profile please contact the Admissions Team directly on +44 1752 585858 or email: admissions@plymouth.ac.uk and they will be happy to advise you further.

A level:

AAB from three A levels. Two A levels must come from either Maths, use of Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Human Biology, Applied Science, or Psychology. General studies will not be considered as part of the offer.

The Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate will be accepted in lieu of one A level, alongside two science subjects, as listed above. An applicant studying for an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) alongside three A levels that meet the above criteria, will typically receive an offer one grade lower than the standard A level offer. To be considered for this the EPQ must be in a relevant science-based topic and be predicted to achieve a strong grade.

BTEC:

BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma/National Extended Diploma: D*D*D Science profile, must include either Mathematics, Use of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Human Biology, Applied Science, Psychology.

BTEC Level 3 Diploma/National Diploma: D*D* and only considered in conjunction with Science or Mathematics A level at grade A.

BTEC modules
If you hold a BTEC qualification it is vital that you provide our Admissions team with details of the exact modules you have studied as part of the BTEC. Without this information we may be unable to process your application quickly and you could experience significant delays in the progress of your application to study with us. Please explicitly state the full list of modules within your qualification at the time of application.

International Baccalaureate:
36 - 34 points overall to include 3 subjects at Higher Level and 2 of these subjects must be at 6 points Higher Level. Subjects must come from either maths, use of maths, physics, chemistry, biology/human biology, applied science, psychology.
English accepted within
If Advanced Level = 4+ (A1) or 5 (A2/B)
If Standard Level = 5+ (A1) or 6 (A2/B)
If overseas and not studying English within IB – must have IELTS

IELTS: 7.0 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in all elements.

Access:
Pass a named Access to HE Diploma (e.g. Science, Combined Science, Medicine) with at least 45 credits at level 3 of which 30 must be at distinction level and come from at least two specialisms including Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Psychology. The remaining 15 level 3 credits must be at merit.

T level:
Accepted – preference pathways would be Health and Science. Typical offer will be confirmed once an application is received.

Please note: Applications are considered on an individual basis with preference given to those applicants with a strong GCSE profile and those with at least 12 months experience working in optical practice. Preference is also given to those applicants for which it is mailto:admissions@plymouth.ac.uk at least two years since the completion of any previous level 3 qualification. Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions team if you have any queries via email admissions@plymouth.ac.uk or call +44 1752 585858.

For a full list of all acceptable qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary.

Extended entry requirements

• In addition to the above, evidence of academic study within the last five years is required.
• Please note we do not accept Key Skills Level 2 in place of GCSE English or mathematics.
• You must pass disclosure and barring service and occupational health checks satisfactorily in order to be able to start this course.
• If English is not your first language and you do not have GCSE English grade C or above you will have to achieve an IELTS or equivalent qualification at the grades stated below.
• IELTS - 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in writing and reading and 6.0 in listening and speaking (if you need to improve your English language to get onto a degree course at University of Plymouth you can book a pre-sessional academic English course).
• Meeting the academic minimum is the first stage of an application being considered. Applicants must also submit a strong personal statement in order to be considered further.
• English language requirements
• We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To view other accepted qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary.

Further information

• Enhancing your application

Deferred entry

Due to the professional nature of this course we are unable to accept applications for deferred entry.