Glasgow Caledonian University - Undergraduate Open Day
4 Sept 2026, 09:00
Glasgow
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Course summary
If you're interested in health care, people and particularly children then Orthoptics may be the perfect career for you.
Orthoptists work in the care and management of young patients with poor development of vision. They also work with a variety of adult patients with conditions that may include stroke, diabetes, traumatic brain injury as well as low vision, and glaucoma.
Orthoptists are usually based in hospitals, where they work in multi-disciplinary teams alongside a range of health professionals.
Glasgow Caledonian University offers the only degree course in Orthoptics in Scotland. You will be based in the department of Vision Sciences, where you'll have access to excellent clinical facilities and the unique opportunity to study alongside trainees in other eye care specialties. You will have the opportunity to undertake clinical placements in hospital eye departments from Year 1. These placements take you across the UK to experience the full range of Orthoptic practice.
Your career
Studying Orthoptics is interesting and challenging and employment opportunities are excellent. The qualification is recognised worldwide.The course has been approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). When you graduate, you will be eligible to apply for registration with the HCPC and for membership of the British and Irish Orthoptic Society and the International and European Orthoptic Organisations.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- Health and Care Professions Council
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:
- B520
- Institution code:
- G42
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus Code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
Standard Qualification requirements
A level - BCC
including two sciences from Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Maths.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DMM
Applied Science.
Access to HE Diploma
Science based access courses that include Physics and Maths with 60 Credits overall and 45 at level 3 are considered.
Scottish Higher - BBBC
to include two sciences subject from Biology/Human Biology, Chemistry, Physics to Maths.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 26 points
including two sciences at HL 4.
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H2, H3, H3, H3
to include two sciences subject from Biology, Chemistry and Physics to Maths.
Scottish HNC - Pass
HNC in Science or health related HNC with Graded Unit – B required
Foundation Apprenticeship (SCQF Level 6) - Pass
Accepted as equivalent to one Higher at grade B as part of the overall grade profile of Highers required for entry. Any essential subjects at Higher should still be achieved in addition to the Foundation Apprenticeship.
T Level - M
Health and Science: Science
Health and Science: Healthcare Science
Health and Science: Health
SWAP Access to Science & Technology/Ophthalmics – 70% overall (Distinction) or ABB pass, at first attempt. With 70% in Physics Module
SWAP Access to Engineering – 70% overall (Distinction) or ABB pass, at first attempt considered and it is very advantageous to complete the additional Higher Biology unit.
ABDO qualification
Academic IELTS of 7.0 with no other element below 6.5
or
Higher English at A
or
Higher ESOL at A
Minimum Qualification Requirements
Scottish Higher - BCCC
to include two sciences subject from Biology/Human Biology, Chemistry and Physics or Maths.
If English is not your First Language we will look for one of the following:
Academic IELTS of 7.0 with no other element below 6.5
or
Higher English at A
or
Higher ESOL at A
Additional entry requirements
- Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)
- Health checks
- to be organised by the university
- Other
- applicants must be at least 16 at the point when they start the programme in order to obtain a PVG
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 7 | IELTS of overall 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each element |
Will also Accept
Higher English at A
or
Higher ESOL at A
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 |
|---|---|---|
| England | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £1820 | Year 1 |
| EU | £15700 | Year 1 |
| International | £15700 | Year 1 |
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 further information please visit our website www.gcu.ac.uk/study/tuitionfees
Additional costs may apply to students on this programme. Please check the fees and funding section of the programme page on the GCU website for specific details.
Sponsorship information
The fees and financial support that are relevant to you depend on where you lived before coming to university.
Glasgow Caledonian University
City Campus
Cowcaddens Road
Glasgow
G4 0BA
Visit our website Visit our course page
Course contact details
Enquiries
Email:studentenquiries@gcu.ac.uk
Phone:0141 331 8630
Admissions Office
Email:studentenquiries@gcu.ac.uk
Phone:0141 331 8630
Fax: 0141 331 8676
Related courses
At Glasgow Caledonian University
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