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Optometry with Independent Prescribing MOptom
- MOptom
- 5 Years
- Full-time
- 09/2026
- Undergraduate
- UHI House
- Awarded by:
- University of the Highlands and Islands
Course summary
There is a growing demand across our region and beyond for optometrists - highly skilled healthcare professionals, trained to examine the eyes to detect defects in vision, signs of injury, ocular diseases, and abnormalities - who are qualified to independently prescribe. Join our innovative, interactive, integrated MOptom Optometry and Independent Prescribing* programme, and develop the knowledge and skills you need to confidently pursue a career in this vital field and register as an optometrist with the General Optical Council.
Our progressive course follows a patient- and team-based approach to your learning and teaching, grounding you in foundational skills and building on them throughout each level. Through this method, you will gain in-depth theoretical knowledge and practical experience, and develop key skills including critical thinking, problem solving, patient management, and independent prescribing, as you learn how to make clinical management decisions to provide exactly the right care and treatment plan for your patients.
Practical teaching within clinical workshops is delivered in modern, purpose-built facilities in Inverness. Along with training in our clinical skills suite, in years 1-4 you will also undertake a total of 19 weeks of placements in community practice and hospital eye clinics, giving you unique and immediate access to the situations and emergencies dealt with by optometrists daily, experience that goes above and beyond anything that can be replicated in a university setting.
In year 5, you will spend your entire year in the field, with two paid 6-month placements in different types of practices. During this period, you will cover the practical elements required for independent prescribing and, on successful completion of all modules and assessments, you will be eligible for the GOC register as an optometrist, with the specialist qualification of Independent Prescribing.
How to apply
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:
- H49
- Campus name:
- UHI House
- Campus Code:
- U
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
International applicants
This course is not currently available for international students (including EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status in the UK) requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK.
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
A level - BBB
Must include 2 science subjects out of the following - physics, biology or human biology, chemistry, mathematics
Scottish Higher - ABBB
Must include 2 science subjects out of the following - physics, biology or human biology, chemistry, mathematics
GCSE/National 4/National 5
For those without mathematics or physics at A level, then GCSE mathematics at a minimum of grade B/6 is required
For those without English at A level, then GCSE English Language at minimum grade B/6 is required
For those without mathematics or physics at higher, National 5 mathematics or National 5 Applications of mathematics at grade B or above or standard grade mathematics (grade 2) level or above
English at higher is preferred, although other essay-based subjects such as history or modern studies would be accepted as an alternative. For those without English higher, or equivalent, then National 5 English at grade B or above or standard grade English (grade 2) level or above
Scottish HNC - Pass
A science-based HNC such as HNC Applied Sciences with grade B or above in the graded unit
UHI does not use Tariff points, and accepts a range of qualifications. Applicants with other relevant qualifications or experience will be considered on an individual basis.
Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.
Additional entry requirements
- Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)
- Successful applicants will be required to complete a PVG Disclosure Check and become PVG Scheme Members in order to undertake this course.
- Health checks
- Successful applicants must be passed fit by occupational health. This will require a questionnaire and also a personal visit to the occupational health department in addition to and on a separate occasion to the interview day
- Interview
- All applicants will be required to attend an interview. Full guidelines will be provided in advance of the interview day, including required preparation for the event. As part of the interview you will be expected to demonstrate the following: A genuine interest in the care of patients and demonstration of care ‘values’, team working ability, good verbal and written communication skills, IT experience eg. word processing packages, email and using the internet, and a high level of commitment due to the intensive nature of this academic and clinical degree programme.
- Other
- Successful applicants will be required to obtain student membership of the General Optical Council in order to undertake this course
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 7 | A minimum overall score of 7 is required. Individual scores for each section of the test must not be lower than 6, with the exception of the ‘Speaking’ section, where a minimum score of 7 is required. |
Our programmes are taught and examined in English. To make the most of your studies, you must be able to communicate fluently and accurately in spoken and written English in an academic environment and provide certified proof of your competence before starting your course. Please note that English language tests need to have been taken no more than two years prior to the start date of the course.
Course web page including english language requirements https://www.uhi.ac.uk/en/courses/bsc-hons-optometry/
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.
UHI is committed to achieving widening access, and achieving a fair balance of entrants to higher education. Widening access can be broadly defined as ‘ensuring fair access to higher education’. Widening access is principally about ensuring that those who have the ability and potential to benefit from a higher education, irrespective of their background or economic circumstances can do so.
Learn more on the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) website
Historical entry grades data BETA
This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted 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
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Scotland | £1820* | Year 1 |
| England | £9250* | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9250* | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9250* | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9250* | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9250* | Year 1 |
| EU | £16950* | Year 1 |
| International | £16950* | Year 1 |
* This is a provisional fee and subject to change.
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 full information on fees please see our Undergraduate Tuition Fees page at https://www.uhi.ac.uk/en/studying-at-uhi/first-steps/how-much-will-it-cost/ug/
For course specific fees information please refer to the Fees/funding tab on the university website course page.
You can also find information on additional funding available such as bursaries and scholarships at https://www.uhi.ac.uk/en/studying-at-uhi/first-steps/how-much-will-it-cost/funding-your-studies/bursaries-and-scholarships/
University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)
UHI House
Old Perth Road
Inverness
IV2 3JH
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Course contact details
UHI Course Information Line
Phone:01463 279190
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