Optometry

Start your journey into the world of optometry by studying our four-year integrated Masters degree in Cambridge.

• Accredited by the General Optical Council (GOC), enabling you direct entry into the GOC register immediately after graduation.

• We work in partnership with the College of Optometrists, the professional body for optometry. This will give you the best start to your working career with our clinical learning in practice modules.

• Our unique University Eye Clinic boasts 16 fully equipped optometric consulting rooms including specialist facilities in contact lenses, low vision and visual stress.

• Gain essential clinical experience by providing optical care to the local community through the Eye Clinic.

• You’ll be fully supervised by experienced and qualified optometrists who are a mixture of full-time lecturers and visiting clinicians from local practices.

• We're 1st in the East of England for Optometry, Ophthalmics & Orthoptics (Complete University Guide, 2025).

As an MOptom Optometry student at ARU, you’ll study in our specialist eye care facilities, learning a range of clinical skills including how to perform eye examinations, diagnose sight problems, improve people’s vision, dispense spectacles, fit contact lenses, and manage a range of eye conditions. You’ll learn about how visual perception works, and how research guides our knowledge of vision.

Your time studying optometry will combine academic study of vision science, ophthalmic conditions and the principles of vision, with real world experience of providing eye care to local communities.

With support from expert tutors, this is the perfect place to train as an optometrist and gain direct entry to the General Optical Council (GOC) register when you graduate.

Qualified optometrists are hands-on, examining patients and managing their visual needs and eye health. And we know that it’s important for you to gain this kind of practical experience.

In the lecture theatre, we’re often joined by visiting professors, orthoptists and optometrists working in hospitals and their own practices. They’ll share their professional insights – as will our expert lecturers and tutors, who are trained optometrists and dispensing opticians. In one module you'll also learn alongside other healthcare students, giving you insight into interdisciplinary teamwork.

Much of your learning time in years 1, 2 and 3 is spent in clinical and laboratory sessions, practical demonstrations, and in our University Eye Clinic.

In your summers after years 1 and 2, you’ll be encouraged to undertake short placements in a variety of settings to aid your employability in the future. These could be in independent or multiple practices, in a hospital or charity.

You’ll spend much of Year 4 combining your academic study with real-world clinical learning in practice. This involves a period of supervised practice in the professional world over 44-48 weeks. You’ll be supported in applying for this by our expert team of careers advisors, and by our partnership with the College of Optometrists.

Once you have met all the requirements of the course, as an MOptom Optometry graduate, you’ll be ready to register as a fully-qualified optometrist.

• In the UK, an optometrist can examine the eyes and is trained to recognise abnormalities. They can prescribe glasses or contact lens, offer clinical advice and refer patients for further treatment relating to their eyes.

• An ophthalmologist is a doctor who has completed their seven years of basic and foundation medical training, then further training specialising in medical and surgical care of the eyes.

• An orthoptist specialises in diagnosing and non-surgically managing squints and eye movement disorders.

• A dispensing optician cannot examine the eyes, but can advise on and fit glasses and lenses. We offer a foundation degree to become a dispensing optician.

Year 1
Geometrical and Visual Optics (15 credits)
Clinical Optometry 1 – Introduction to Optometric Practice (30 credits)
Human and Ocular Anatomy (30 credits)
Theoretical and Practical Ophthalmic Lenses (30 credits)
Vision Science (15 credits)

Year 2
Clinical Optometry 2 – Skills for Optometric Practice (30 credits)
Pharmacology and Pathology (30 credits)
Binocular and Paediatric Vision (15 credits)
Introduction to Ocular Disease (15 credits)
Clinical Optometry 3 – Introduction to Professional Practice (15 credits)
Ruskin Module: How Can Professionalism Promote Patient Safety? (15 credits)

Year 3
Clinical Optometry 4 – Low Vision Assessment and Management (15 credits)
Clinical Optometry 5 – Professional Practice (30 credits)
Clinical Optometry 6 – Advanced Contact Lens Practice (15 credits)
Management of Ocular Disease (15 credits)
Advanced Clinical Skills (15 credits)
Research Methods (15 credits)
Optometry, Lifestyle and the Workplace (15 credits)

Year 4 Core Modules
Clinical Learning in Practice 1 (40 credits)
Clinical Learning in Practice 2 (40 credits)
Major Project (30 credits)

Year 4 Optional modules
Advanced Glaucoma Management (15 credits)
Advanced Management of Medical Retina (15 credits)

Throughout the course, we’ll use a range of assessment methods to measure your progress. Because our course is so practical, a lot of your assessment will be practical too – including exams and clinical competence.

You’ll also do written exams, problem-solving exercises, essays, presentations and data analysis. Additionally, you’ll be encouraged to critically reflect on your work to feed forward for the next stages of your career.

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

• General Optical Council