Glasgow Caledonian University - Undergraduate Open Day
4 Sept 2026, 09:00
Glasgow
You are viewing our beta course page.
Ophthalmic Dispensing (Earn As You Learn)
- BSc
- 3 Years
- Full-time
- 07/09/2026
- Undergraduate
- Main Site
Course summary
Ophthalmic Dispensing
Help people see the world more clearly while building a rewarding career in eyecare.
As a Dispensing Optician, you’ll provide patients with tailored visual solutions, from everyday spectacles to specialist lenses, protective eyewear, and low vision aids. You’ll work closely with optometrists, orthoptists and ophthalmologists to ensure each patient gets the optical correction they need.
At Glasgow Caledonian University, our Ophthalmic Dispensing degree gives you the knowledge, skills and hands-on experience to succeed in this vital profession.
Study while you work
This is a block and blend course, designed so you can earn while you learn. You’ll work in practice as a trainee Dispensing Optician anywhere in the UK, studying online and under supervision in your workplace. You’ll also join us on campus in Glasgow for short, intensive teaching blocks that focus on developing your clinical and professional skills.
Learn in real-world settings
From your first year, you’ll combine vision science with clinical training, supported by our purpose-built facilities and on-campus Vision Centre, which provides a wide range of core and specialist clinical services to the public. You’ll also grow your confidence in decision-making, patient care and practical skills that you can use immediately in the workplace.
Your future career
On graduation, you’ll be eligible to register with the General Optical Council (GOC) as a Dispensing Optician. Employment opportunities are excellent, with graduates going on to work in community and hospital practice, the optical industry, or teaching.
With over 50 years’ experience in training eyecare professionals, Glasgow Caledonian is Scotland’s main provider of ophthalmic education. Our research-led teaching is highly rated by students, and in REF2021, 91% of our health research was judged world-leading or internationally excellent.
This course is subject to approval by GCU and the General Optical Council.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- General Optical Council
How to apply
This course is not accepting applications from students requiring a Student visa. For more information, please contact the course provider.
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:
- B525
- 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 - BC
including 1 Science plus GCSE English at B/6 and Maths at B/6.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - MMP
in Applied Science/Science plus GCSE English at B/6 and Maths at B/6.
Access to HE Diploma - M: 21 credits P: 24 credits
in Health or Care – Requires GCSE Maths at B/6 and English at B/6.
Scottish Higher - BCC
including 1 science from Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Human Biology plus Nat 5 English at B and Nat 5 Maths at B (We don't consider National 5 Applications of Maths).
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H3, H3, H3
including One science at Higher level and Ordinary level Maths at O2.
Scottish HNC - Pass
HNC Applied Sciences with Physics is recommended either as part of HNC or from previous qualifications.
West College – Clydebank Campus HNC Applied Science includes the Physics and this is the course we recommend.
Graded Unit – B
Foundation Apprenticeship (SCQF Level 6) - Pass
Accepted as equivalent to one Higher 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 - P
Health and Science: Science
Health and Science: Healthcare Science
Health and Science: Health Education and Childcare
Plus, GCSE English at B/6 and Maths at B/6
SWAP Access to Science and Technology – Merit overall or BBB at first attempt with 65% in Physics Module.
ABB or 65% if second sitting with 65% in Physics Module.
Access programmes must include Science subjects, specifically Physics and Maths.
We recognise that some applicants may bring valuable experience from optical practice alongside non-standard qualifications. These applications will be reviewed individually to assess suitability for degree-level study.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
-
A level - CC
including 1 Science plus GCSE Maths at B/6 and English at B/6.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - Not accepted
-
Access to HE Diploma - Not accepted
-
Scottish Higher - CCC
including 1 science from Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Human Biology plus
Nat 5 English at B and Nat 5 Maths at B.
We don’t consider National 5 Applications of Maths
Additional entry requirements
- Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)
- Other
- Applicant should be employed as trainee dispensing optician by programme start date. A letter of support from the employer is required as part of the application. Applicant needs to be at the age of 18 years by 1 March of the academic session in which they enter the programme.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 7 | IELTS of overall 7.0 with 7.0 in speaking and no other element below 6.5. |
We accept Higher English 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.
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
Go onto work and study
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| England | £9535* | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9535* | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9535* | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9535* | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9535* | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £1820* | 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 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.
Glasgow Caledonian University
City Campus
Cowcaddens Road
Glasgow
G4 0BA
Course contact details
Admissions Office
Email:studentenquiries@gcu.ac.uk
Phone:0141 331 8630
Fax: 0141 331 8676
Like this page