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CONTENTS
- What is optometry?
- Studying an optometry degree at university
- Best universities for optometry
- Minimum UCAS points to study optometry
- Subjects you need to study optometry
- Studying optometry with a BTEC
- Finding optometry courses in Clearing
- Can’t find an optometry course in Clearing for this year?
What is optometry?
Optometry is the study of our visual system. On an optometry degree you’ll learn how to examine people’s eyes through an eye test; diagnose any injuries or illnesses; and prescribe and fit classes or contact lenses.
Studying an optometry degree at university
Approximately a third of your learning is theoretical, with the rest of your time dedicated to practical learning. Some universities have specialist eye clinics on campus with virtual and even real patients for student to practice their skills on, whereas others offer placements in local hospitals to give students real-world experience, under the supervision of senior ophthalmologists.
After your course has ended, you will need to register with the General Optical Council (GOC) in order to practice. To register, you’ll need to complete a year-long pre-registration work placement with a registered optometrist.
Best universities for optometry
Our sister site, the Complete University Guide, publishes university league tables every year ranking UK unis nationally and in 70+ subject areas. Check out the latest rankings to see the best UK unis for optometry.
Minimum UCAS points to study optometry
The average number of UCAS points needed to be considered for an optometry degree is 136 UCAS points, or AAB at A-Level. However, there are some courses which will consider applicants with as low as 120 points, equivalent to BBB at A-level.
During Clearing, some universities have been known to lower the entry requirements for their courses, in order to encourage students to apply and fill spaces on their courses. However, with popular courses such as optometry this is unlikely to happen.
Subjects you need to study optometry
Not only do you need three good grades at A-level (or their Scottish equivalent) to study optometry, at least two of these grades typically must come from science subjects (e.g. physics, biology, human biology, chemistry) or mathematics. General studies will not be accepted as one of your three A-levels.
A-levels must usually include two subjects from: maths, physics, chemistry and biology. The third subject can be any subject excluding general studies and critical thinking.
Studying optometry with a BTEC
Some universities will accept students who have studied vocational courses like BTECs, however in most cases BTECs will only be accepted if they have been combined with one or potentially two A-level qualifications in a science subject (biology, chemistry, physics or maths). Generally, universities will ask for DDD plus an A-level but some may accept DDM.
Finding optometry courses in Clearing
Unfortunately, optometry degrees are some of the most popular courses in the UK and, as such, are regularly oversubscribed. Because of this, there are often very few optometry courses advertised during Clearing and those that are go very fast. That said, in the past, universities such as Anglia Ruskin and University of Bradford have listed optometry courses in Clearing in previous years, so you might be lucky and find spaces advertised in Clearing for this year.
Top tip! If you have only just missed the grades you need for your firm or insurance choices, and your UCAS Hub account hasn’t updated yet, it’s worth contacting your chosen universities to see if you can persuade them to accept you on the course.
You can search for Clearing vacancies on optometry courses right here on Whatuni. Simply enter ‘optometry’ into the search bar at the top of this page and you’ll see a full list of courses available. You can then enter your grades by clicking the button at the top of the search results page to see a tailored list of course your grades would make your eligible for.
If you see a course you really want to apply for, but don’t quite have the grades listed as require, once again it’s worth contacting the university to speak to them to see if there is a chance that they will accept you. You’ll need to use all your powers of persuasion, but if optometry is the career for you, it’s worth a shot.
The key to securing a place on optometry is to act fast. In fact, if are reading this before results day its worth checking the availability right now and getting a list of back-up options, so you are ready to call universities straight away on the day if you need to. Clearing opens on Friday 5th July 2024, so you have plenty of time to search ahead of time.
It’s also worth making sure you understand exactly how Clearing works so that you can go through the process quickly and easily.
Can’t find an optometry course in Clearing for this year?
If you can’t find a place on an optometry course in Clearing for this year, there are still options available to you.
For instance, if you are fascinated by the study of the eye and eye health, then you could look at studying orthoptics, to embark on a career as an orthoptist. Orthoptists work mainly in hospitals in non-surgical roles, and diagnose and treat conditions that affect people’s vision, including neurological conditions such as brain tumours.
You could also consider doing a degree in a medical subject, for example health science or biomedical science. While these might not lead to a career as an optometrist, they could lead to a career involved in understanding health conditions and helping people who are sick.
Another option is to take a year out, re-sit your exams and apply again next year to your preferred university. During your gap year, you could try and get some voluntary work experience in an optician which will help your application and also help you to decide if this is indeed the right career for you.
