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Course summary
Want an exciting career in eyecare? At Plymouth, you'll study a forward-thinking, clinically focused degree that will equip you with core skills, confidence, and industry experience – preparing you for success as a registered optometrist.
Immersive learning, first-hand
At Plymouth, our innovative learning spaces – like the Centre for Eyecare Excellence (CEE) – are designed to help you apply your learning in practice and work with real patients.
Hands-on, real-world experience
You'll be gaining valuable experience on placements in a range of optometry settings, with regional practice placements during Years 1, 2 and 4 and a hospital placement in Year 3.
Graduate ready to enter the workforce
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.
This course is for you if...
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you want to become part of a pioneering clinical degree programme – the first to bring optometry to the South West
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you want to develop your clinical and communication skills while working with real patients
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you want to make a difference to society through healthcare
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you want to boost your employability by learning through problem-solving and collaboration.
Modules
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.
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.
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.
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.
Assessment method
For up to date details, please refer to our website or contact the institution directly.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- General Optical Council
Qualified teacher status (QTS)
To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:
- Course does not award QTS
This course is not accepting applications for deferred entry.
Ways to study this course
Campuses
- Main Site
Study options
- MOptom • Full-time • 4 Years
Start dates
- 21 September 2026
Apply by
14 January
This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.
Application codes
- Course code:
- B511
- Institution code:
- P60
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus Code:
- -
- Points of Entry:
- Year 1
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
University of Plymouth has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?
How to apply
This course has limited vacancies, and is no longer accepting applications from some students. See the list below for where you normally live, to check if you're eligible to apply.
- EU does not have vacancies
- Wales has vacancies
- England has vacancies
- International does not have vacancies
- Scotland has vacancies
- Northern Ireland has vacancies
- Republic of Ireland has vacancies
Apply by
14 January
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- B511
- Institution code:
- P60
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus Code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
International applicants
The University of Plymouth has a dedicated International Student Advice (ISA) service who will support you from the day you accept an offer at the University, right through to graduation. They will offer help and advice so you can get the most out of your studies, and your time in the UK, visit www.plymouth.ac.uk/student-life/services/international-students/international-student-advice for more information. Once you have applied through UCAS, your conditional offer letters will also be sent to you by email, so be sure to enter your current email address on your application and to check this email regularly. You'll need your unconditional letter, and the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) that we'll send you, when applying for your student visa to the UK. A tuition fee deposit will be required before we'll send you the CAS. We're a licenced Sponsor under the Points Based System. To comply with our duties as a Sponsor, we're required to check other aspects of your application in addition to your academic achievements, for example any previous studies, financial status and your immigration history in the UK. For course entry requirements (inc. English requirements) please refer to the specific page for the course you are interested in (www.plymouth.ac.uk/study). A recognised English language qualification (e.g. IELTS) would be required or successful completion of one of the University's pre-sessional English Language courses. Check our country pages to find out more about application from your specific home country www.plymouth.ac.uk/international/study/international-students-country-guides. International fees, please visit our fees and funding pages www.plymouth.ac.uk/study/fees. If you have any questions please contact admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.
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Entry requirements
UCAS Tariff 128 - 136 points
Typical offer is : ABB including 2 of the following subjects: Mathematics, Use of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Human Biology, Psychology.
A level ABB - AAB
Typical offer is : ABB including 2 of the following subjects: Mathematics, Use of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Human Biology, Psychology.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) D*D*D
From a Science profile. It must include at least 2 of the following subjects: Mathematics, Use of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Human Biology, Applied Science, Psychology.
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.
Access to HE Diploma D: 30 credits M: 15 credits P: 0 credits
Pass a named Access to HE Diploma with 30 Level 3 credits at Distinction, which must come from at least 2 of the following subjects: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Psychology. The remaining 15 Level 3 credits must be at Merit. At least 9 credits must come from either Maths or Physics specialisms.
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 at least two years since the completion of any previous Level 3 qualification. If you have any queries please contact the Admissions team.
Scottish Higher
Achieve 128 points including Advanced Highers grade B in two of the following subjects: Mathematics, Use of Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Human Biology, Psychology
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) D*D*
Must be in a Science subject, and only considered in combination with a Science or Mathematics A Level at Grade A. 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.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Considered in combination with 2 relevant A Levels. 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.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
Only considered in combination with A Levels. 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.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
Points will be considered at Confirmation.
Scottish Advanced Higher
Achieve 128 points including Advanced Highers grade B in two of the following subjects: Mathematics, Use of Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Human Biology, Applied Science, Psychology
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme 32 - 34 points
Typical offer is 32 points Including 3 subjects at Higher Level, with Grade 6 at Higher Level in 2 of the following subjects: Mathematics, Use of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Human Biology, Applied Science, Psychology.
English, Maths, and Science accepted within as GCSE equivalent.
WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales C
This would be accepted in combination of other level 3 qualifications
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024) C
This would be accepted in combination of other level 3 qualifications
Extended Project
Points will be considered at Confirmation.
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) H2, H2, H3, H3, H3
Including 2 of the following subjects: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Human Biology, Applied Science, Psychology
English, Maths, and Science accepted within as GCSE equivalent.
T Level
Accepted – preference pathways would be Health and Science. Typical offer will be confirmed once an application is received
5 GCSEs required at Grade C/4 or above including English, Maths, and Science
IELTS 7.0 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in all elements
Additional entry requirements
- Health checks
- Interview
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 7 | With 6.5 in all elements. |
Full details of English Language requirements can be found on our website.
English Language Requirements https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/international/how-to-apply/english-language-requirements
Contextual admissions
Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.
At the University of Plymouth, we believe in building a welcoming and inclusive community that supports every student to achieve their full potential.
With our contextual offer scheme, we may extend offers below our standard entry criteria to those applicants whose circumstances and experiences could have impacted their education and academic performance. You can check your eligibility for a contextual offer using our online postcode checker.
Historical entry grades data
This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).
It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.
Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
Not enough data available
We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
Additional fee information
For all information about tuition fees, please visit our fees and funding pages at www.plymouth.ac.uk/study/fees
- Fees are correct at the time of publication and may be subject to change.
Course contact details
Admissions
Email:admissions@plymouth.ac.uk
Phone:+44 (0) 1752 585858
University of Plymouth
Drake Circus
Plymouth
PL4 8AA
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