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Optometry

  • Master of Science
  • 4 Years
  • Full-Time
  • 21 September 2027
  • Undergraduate
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2026-20272027-2028
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Course summary

The Manchester MSci Optometry course will enable you to gain the knowledge and skills required to register as a UK optometrist.

The course uses mixed learning methods, but the key Manchester approach is the study of themed patient cases in an active learning environment that will allow you to integrate scientific understanding, clinical skills and professional skills throughout the course. Facilitated group activities will emphasise enquiry, discussion, self-education, and the development of critical faculties and communication skills, all essential skills for healthcare professionals.

You will cover a broad spectrum of industry-relevant study areas that prepare you for work as a professional optometrist, including:

  • the key principles of optics;

  • clinical optics and treating eye and vision disorders;

  • ocular function and structure;

  • the science of vision.

We provide a supportive and inclusive learning environment, with each year group looked after by a team of academics and clinicians. Theory assessments are focused on clinical cases and are taken at the end of an academic year, with plenty of opportunity to practise beforehand. Practical skills are monitored and assessed throughout the year rather than using a single set of high-pressure practical tests.

You will meet volunteer patients in your first year and then receive clinical experience in our university optometry clinics from the second year, seeing real patients and working in teams with students from across the course. You will also have the opportunity to gain clinical experience in a wide range of settings external to the University, for example in community, hospital, and domiciliary practice. In your final two years, you can choose to focus on a specialist area of optometry.

International students

The Manchester MSci Optometry degree is approved by the General Optical Council for UK registration. Many graduates go on to practice overseas, and each country has its own registration process which may require additional assessments. In countries such as Hong Kong, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and Singapore the registration process is straightforward and this is also the case in some other countries. Those seeking to practice optometry abroad should ensure they fully understand the process for registration in that country.

Modules

https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/2027/21273/msci-optometry/

Assessment method

Subjects taught throughout the year will be examined at the end of the second semester. To progress between years and to successfully graduate, you must demonstrate competence in specified clinical practical skills.

Unlike many universities, instead of a single examination to assess your clinical competence, at Manchester you will be assessed across a number of clinical activities throughout the year.

The final degree classification is based on marks obtained during all years of the course, weighted as follows:

  • Year 1 - 6%

  • Year 2 - 19%

  • Year 3 - 37.5%

  • Year 4 - 37.5%

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • Master of Science • Full-Time • 4 Years

Start dates

  • 21 September 2027

Apply by
13 January 2027

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:
M20
Campus name:
Main Site
Points of Entry:
Year 1

University of Manchester 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

Apply by
13 January 2027

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:
M20
Campus name:
Main Site

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Open days

Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level
AAB-AAA

AAA-AAB including two science subjects (Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics or Physics) both of which should be achieved/predicted at grade A.

Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A Level taken. Where applicants are applying for science and related degrees, this is likely to be made explicit in the offer you will receive.

Applicants taking A Levels are normally expected to offer three full A Levels. If you’re taking more than three A Levels, any offer will be based on three A Levels, and any additional A Levels won’t be included in your offer. Any offer will normally be based on three A Levels taken in the same sitting and based on your qualification portfolio. Your offer will stipulate which subjects and the grades required.

Please check for specific GCSE/IGCSE subject entry requirements.

Typical Contextual Offer: AAB-ABB including two science subjects (Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics).

Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A Level taken. Where applicants are applying for science and related degrees, this is likely to be made explicit in the offer you will receive.

Applicants taking A Levels are normally expected to offer three full A Levels. If you’re taking more than three A Levels, any offer will be based on three A Levels, and any additional A Levels won’t be included in your offer. Any offer will normally be based on three A Levels taken in the same sitting and based on your qualification portfolio. Your offer will stipulate which subjects and the grades required.

Please check for specific GCSE/IGCSE subject entry requirements.

T Level

We do not accept T Levels as entry onto this course. The University does accept specific T Level qualifications on a number of courses please review to our T Level information page for a full list.

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

Scottish Higher

We require grades AABBB to include two science subjects (Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics or Biology) together with grade B in an Advanced Higher science subject. If you have not studied National 5 qualifications, we would expect you to have studied English and mathematics at Higher level.

Access to HE Diploma

We require 60 credits overall with 45 at Level 3, including a minimum of 15 credits in Biology with a Distinction grade, plus a minimum of 15 credits in Chemistry with a Distinction grade and a further 15 credits with Distinction.

Applicants should also have GCSE English Language at grade 5 (B) or above and GCSE Maths at grade 5 (B) or above, or equivalent. We also consider other factors such as additional educational achievements, life experience and skills on an individual basis. We will accept C+ in the Northern Ireland reformed GCSEs.

Students educated up to GCSE level who have only taken a one-year Access course will not normally be accepted.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

We require at least five GCSEs at minimum grade 5 (B), including English Language and Mathematics. We will accept C+ in the Northern Ireland reformed GCSEs.

For applicants whose status has been confirmed as WP+ using the University's Contextual Data Eligibility tool, we will allow an overall reduction of 2 grades on the full GCSE requirements. Please note, however, that no individual subject should be lower than C/4.

For applicants whose status has been confirmed as WP++ using the University's Contextual Data Eligibility tool, we will allow an overall reduction of 4 grades on the full GCSE requirements. Please note, however, that no individual subject should be lower than C/4.

Scottish Advanced Higher

We require grades AABBB to include two science subjects (Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics or Biology) together with grade B in an Advanced Higher science subject. If you have not studied National 5 qualifications, we would expect you to have studied English and mathematics at Higher level.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DD

We do not consider the National Diploma for entry onto this course as a single qualification. Applicants undertaking a National Diploma must achieve DD alongside two science A-levels (Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics) at grades AB.

Extended Project

The University recognises the benefits of the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and the opportunities it provides for applicants to develop independent study and research skills. Although the Extended Project will not be included in the conditions of your offer, we strongly encourage you to provide information about the EPQ in your personal statement and at interview. A number of our academic Schools may also choose to take your performance in the EPQ into account should places be available in August for applicants who narrowly miss the entry grades for their chosen course.

OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma
DD

We do not consider the Cambridge Technical Diploma for entry onto this course as a single qualification. Applicants undertaking the Cambridge Technical Diploma must achieve DD alongside two science A-levels (Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics) at grades AB.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Offer: 35

35 points overall. 6,6,5 in Higher Level subjects, including two sciences (from Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics or Physics).

For this course we will accept Higher Level Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretation.

Applicants studying the International Baccalaureate Career Related Programme (IBCP) should contact the admissions team prior to applying so that their academic profile can be considered.

WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

We welcome and recognise the value of the Baccalaureate Wales and accept the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales (replacing the Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate from September 2023)

The minimum grade required will normally be the same as the lowest grade listed in the A Level entry requirements.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DDD

We do not consider the National Extended Diploma for entry onto this course as a single qualification. Applicants undertaking a National Extended Diploma must achieve DDD alongside one science A-level (Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics) at grade A.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
D

We do not consider the National Foundation Diploma for entry onto this course as a single qualification. Applicants undertaking a National Foundation Diploma must achieve D alongside two science A-levels (Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics) at grades AA.

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma
DDD

We do not consider the Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma for entry onto this course as a single qualification. Applicants undertaking the Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma must achieve DDD alongside one science A-level (Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics) at grade A.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
D

We do not consider the National Extended Certificate for entry onto this course as a single qualification. Applicants undertaking a National Extended Certificate must achieve D alongside two science A-levels (Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics) at grades AA.

OCR Cambridge Technical Foundation Diploma
DD

We do not consider the Cambridge Technical Foundation Diploma for entry onto this course as a single qualification. Applicants undertaking the Cambridge Technical Foundation Diploma must achieve DD alongside two science A-levels (Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics) at grades AA.

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate
D

We do not consider the Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate for entry onto this course as a single qualification. Applicants undertaking the Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate must achieve D alongside two science A-levels (Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics) at grades AA.

The University recognises a number of foundation programmes as suitable for entry to this undergraduate programme however we do not offer a foundation year specifically for Optometry. Applicants should not apply for the University of Manchester Biosciences with a foundation year, if they wish to progress to MSci Optometry.

Applicants completing the INTO Manchester in partnership with The University of Manchester international foundation programme in Science are required to achieve AAA in Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics and an EAP score of B. INTO Manchester in partnership with The University of Manchester students are required to attend an interview.

Applicants completing the NCUK International Foundation year in Science are required to achieve AAA in Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics and an EAP score of B and will be required to attend an interview.

For all foundation year applicants we consider the full educational background. A decision about suitability will not be taken solely on the foundation year completed, and will include all prior qualifications. Applicants should pass the foundation year at the first attempt as resits may not be considered.

Additional entry requirements

Health Checks
All applicants will be required to complete a Pre-acceptance Health Questionnaire.
Interview
Interviews may be required as part of the selection process and for those applicants invited to attend an interview this will be conducted via Microsoft Teams.
Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) / Disclosure Scotland Check
We do not require applicants to complete an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check during the admissions cycle. However should you register on the Optometry course, you will be required to complete the enhanced DBS check during the first semester of formal teaching. International applicants will need to submit an overseas police check and this will be included as a formal offer condition.

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)7IELTS 7.0 with no less than 6.5 in any one component.

All applicants to the University (from the UK and Overseas) are required to show evidence of English Language proficiency. The minimum English Language requirement for this course is either: GCSE/IGCSE English Language grade 5/B, or; IELTS 7.0 with no less than 6.5 in any one component, or; An acceptable equivalent qualification. Please note that if you hold English as a second language IGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of  our acceptable equivalent English Language qualifications  or achieve a higher grade in your IGCSE than the one stated above. Please contact the academic School for clarification. If you need to improve your English language skills to meet the entry requirements for your academic course, the University Centre for Academic English (UCAE) summer pre-sessional courses can help. Check if your academic course offers the option of taking a pre-sessional course on the UCAE page . The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requires that every student requiring a visa to study in the UK must show evidence of a minimum level of English Language (common European Framework (CEFR B2 level) to be granted a Student Route visa (previously known as a Tier 4 visa) to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level. In addition, our academic Schools/Departments may require applicants to demonstrate English proficiency above the B2 level.

International entry requirements

The University welcomes applications from appropriately qualified candidates across the world. We value global talent and are proud to receive applications from a wide range of educational systems and national backgrounds.

Because international qualifications vary widely, it is not possible for us to list entry information for every country on this page. If your country is not listed below, please contact us and a member of our team will be happy to assist you: https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/international/contact-international-team/ https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/international/country-specific-information/

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

The tuition fees for 2027 are yet to be confirmed.

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