Optometry 2026 personal statement guide

Keep an eye on what skills you need for an optometry course, where your interest in optometry comes from, what you enjoy doing in your spare time, and what relevant work experience you’ve had. That way you’ll have the right prescription for a 20/20 personal statement.

General advice about writing your personal statement

What do admissions staff at universities and colleges want to see?

Guidance and examples you can use

Question 1: Why do you want to study this course or subject?

This is your opportunity to showcase your passion and knowledge of your chosen subject area and to demonstrate to universities and colleges why it’s a good fit for you and your future ambitions.

Examples:

• Ask yourself why you want to study optometry, and back up your interest with evidence. For example, you may have read a science book that talked about the senses, which prompted you to carry out further research into how our eyes work. Or maybe you saw a charity video about eye diseases and knew you wanted to help people retain their sight. 
• Reference other books you’ve read or programmes you’ve watched that have enhanced your understanding of optometry. Maybe you started watching YouTube videos on Smile and Learn, or began to read the Sightsavers site, which gave you an idea of where your career could take you.
• Mention any shadowing or experience that has sparked your interest too. Perhaps you went to eye appointments with a parent, carer or grandparent and you were fascinated by the machinery optometrists use. Did you ask them any questions or find out more about their jobs? Thinking about all of these things for your personal statement will also help you if you’re then invited for an interview. 

Question 2: How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?

This is your chance to shout about the relevant or transferable skills you’ve gained from your formal education and highlight your understanding of how they will help you succeed in this subject area.

Examples:

• Most universities will ask for at least two sciences (check each course’s entry requirements), so get across why you love science and some of the competencies you’ve picked up, like lab skills, technical skills, analytical skills, and attention to detail.
• Are there any specific biology topics or other projects that relate to the course you’re applying for? Maybe studying human anatomy has taught you something already about the eye, or studying engineering or design technology, for example, has helped you to be precise and operate technical machinery.
• Think about what other attributes you may need to study optometry – for example, good time management, independent and group study, good communication and people skills – and write about when you’ve picked these up during school or college work.
• Have you done any online courses to boost your knowledge in the subject? For example, why not try Subject Spotlights or Virtual Work Experiences from Springpod to grow your skills and interest? 

Question 3: What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?

This is your chance to talk about any other activities you have undertaken outside of your formal education, or personal experiences which further demonstrate your suitability for the course. This section is likely to be highly personal to you and anything you do include should reflect on why you’re including it.

Examples:

• Work experience will really help your application, so mention any times you’ve shadowed or volunteered at an optician’s or in an eye hospital or community setting, or when you’ve had the chance to ask an optometrist about their job, and then expand on why you think you’re suited to this career.
• You may have already worked in a care home, hospice charity, shop or restaurant. All of these part-time jobs will show you’ve picked up good interpersonal skills, listening skills, customer service skills, and empathy.
• Think of times you’ve shown good leadership or responsibility skills too, whether you’ve led a sports team, Scouts, or Duke of Edinburgh expedition, or overseen a club at school.
• Write about your outside interests. If you love gaming, golf, gardening, or getting to Grade 8 in piano, these all show you’re a rounded person and that you can commit to something you’re passionate about.

How to set yourself apart 

The key to setting yourself apart in your application is to remember how important the ‘personal’ bit is to your personal statement. What makes you, you?

Write about what you do in your spare time that you can also relate to the skills you’ll need as an optometrist. If you babysit to earn money, for example, this is also a position of responsibility and shows you can care for others. Similarly, if you’ve done a part-time job in a cafe or supermarket and you’re now training or supervising others, this shows your maturity and ability to take on extra responsibility, as well as good people skills.

Don’t forget to mention any experiences in a medical or care environment, especially if it relates to optometry. If you wear glasses or contact lenses yourself, what insight has it given you into what optometrists do? Or if you’ve volunteered for a charity or community group, can you show you understand what impact an empathetic and calm approach can have with people/patients?

Some more tips to consider 

1. Volunteer: Voluntary or paid work in a local hospital, optician’s, clinic, or retail store can provide a great opportunity to observe how optometry and effective care is delivered.
2. Enthusiasm and commitment: Demonstrate why you want to study optometry and show you’ve got what it takes. Use examples from school, work, and outside interests to show your commitment to seeing things through.
3. Make your work experience count: Keep a reflective diary of any related work or voluntary experience you do. Be specific and write about how particular moments, events, or activities impacted on you, or what you learned from them.
4. Transferable skills: Whether through extracurricular or supercurricular activities, work experience, or a part-time job, you’ll have lots of skills that will be relevant to your course. Try to think outside the box – ok, so you run the drama club; can you explain how that has given you leadership, communication, and critical thinking skills, and helped with your organisation and motivation?