Optometry

Train to become a qualified optometrist with DMU’s Master of Optometry (MOptom) - combining science, clinical practice, and professional experience to prepare you for GOC registration and a rewarding healthcare career.

Optometry is an exciting and fast-evolving healthcare profession that combines clinical expertise with cutting-edge technology to protect and improve ocular health. DMU’s brand new integrated Master of Optometry (MOptom) prepares you for registration with the General Optical Council (GOC) and a successful career as a practicing optometrist

This four-year, full-time degree blends academic excellence with substantial clinical experience. You’ll study the science of the visual system, explore disease detection and management, and develop the professional and communication skills required to deliver patient-centred eye care.

From your first year, you’ll develop your clinical practice skills in our newly-built optometry teaching labs and through external placements that span each year – providing practical exposure to vision assessment and clinical techniques. In your final year, you will complete a paid 44-week Clinical Learning in Practice (CLiP) placement, delivered nationally in partnership with the College of Optometrists, where you will apply your learning directly in a real optometry setting.

By embedding reflective practice, patient-centred care, and evidence-based decision-making throughout the programme, our MOptom course ensures that graduates meet the outcomes required for entry onto the GOC register.

At DMU, we pride ourselves on delivering high-quality programmes with an excellent student experience at the heart of what we offer. As with all new programmes, this course is currently progressing through the university’s validation process, alongside the General Optical Council’s (GOC) staged approval process, which is the standard procedure for a new MOptom degree in the UK*.

The GOC has granted DMU permission to accept applications and issue provisional offers for September 2026 entry. However, full GOC approval of the programme will not be confirmed until a later stage in the process. Once full approval is granted, graduates will be able to register as optometrists and practise in the UK.

Key features

• Top 5 for Health Professions: Our Optometry course is taught in the Leicester School of Allied Health Science home to our Health Professions courses which are ranked 4th best in the UK by The Guardian University Guide 2026.

• Integrated Master’s: Combines undergraduate and postgraduate level study in a four-year degree.

• Extensive clinical training: Includes a 44-week Clinical Learning in Practice (CLiP) paid placement delivered in partnership with the College of Optometrists.

• Strong professional links: Developed with input from the College of Optometrists and sector experts, ensuring you are taught the latest developments and techniques relevant to your future career.

• Excellent career prospects: Graduates can enter NHS, high street, and independent practice, or progress into specialist areas and research.

• Free registration with the GOC: we’ll cover the cost of your registration fee with the GOC for all four years of your studies, saving you the upfront cost.

*All applicants will be kept informed of progress with the validation and GOC approval processes throughout the cycle and will be notified before enrolment of any changes that may affect September 2026 entry.

Year 1

• Pure and Applied Optics
  This module will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles of optics and their applications in clinical and technological contexts. You will explore the physics of light, geometrical and physical optics, and the interaction of light with optical systems.
• Vision and Refractive Correction 1
  You will study the optics of the eye and the use of basic optical appliances, and develop the knowledge and skills needed to recognise, select, and dispense such appliances. You will gain an understanding of visual perception and psychophysical principles relevant to clinical optometry, as well as the fundamental principles of refraction and visual assessment. Practical training will enable you to develop basic clinical skills for both objective and subjective refraction and the assessment of visual acuity.
• Ocular Health and Eye Examination 1
  This module will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the anatomy, structure, and function of the eye and visual pathway. It integrates human physiology relevant to vision and introduces clinical techniques used to assess ocular health and integrity. You will explore mechanisms of ocular and systemic diseases affecting the visual system, along with approaches to their management.
• Professional Studies 1
  You will be introduced to the principles of professionalism, law, and ethics within ophthalmic practice in the UK. The module will develop essential patient communication skills and provide an understanding of how to critically appraise evidence for clinical decision-making. You will be given training in the knowledge and practical skills required to perform core clinical procedures in optometric practice, enabling effectively to patient management.

The Master of Optometry teaching and learning strategy is aligned with the University’s overarching framework, The Empowering University. It is grounded in the principles of inclusivity, ensuring that all students have equal opportunities to succeed while developing the knowledge, skills, and professional behaviours required for registration as an optometrist. The strategy is authentic and contextualised, with learning activities designed to reflect real-world professional practice. The use of group seminars and workshops are used to promote student engagement and ownership of learning.

A wide range of assessment methods are employed to reflect the programme’s emphasis on inclusivity, authentic learning, and professional preparation. These include traditional and oral examinations, presentations, reflective writing, patient management plans and practicum-based assessments. The variety of approaches allows students from all educational backgrounds to evidence knowledge, critical awareness, and understanding in ways that best reflect their abilities. Both formative and summative assessments are embedded across the programme to ensure progressive skill development. Diagnostic and formative tasks provide early opportunities for students to receive constructive feedback, which can then be applied to summative submissions.

Academic support is structured through an assessment introduction session, assessment guide with detailed criteria, timetabled formative support, and drop-in sessions prior to submission deadlines. Clinical skills, professional proficiency, and values are continuously assessed throughout practice-based learning and placements. This ongoing evaluation ensures that students are supported in developing the professional behaviours, reflective capability, and technical skills necessary for successful registration with the General Optical Council and future employment as competent, confident optometrists.

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

• General Optical Council

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