Graduate Diploma in Optometry

Duration of programme: 9 months - October to July

Start date: October 

Deadline to apply for 2013 entry: Friday 2nd August 2013

Entry requirements:
This programme is available for those who have a 3rd or Pass degree classification in a BSc Optometry degree from a UK university. Students from outside the UK may be eligible for this programme if they have a recommendation from the General Optical Council. It can also be taken by practitioners whose certificate of clinical competence has expired.

Tuition fees for 2012 entry:
UK/EU students: £13,470
International students: £14,000.

Tuition fees for 2013 entry have not been confirmed. 

Apply for this course online

This programme is designed for Optometry graduates who do not achieve the grades required for automatic progression onto the UK pre-registration period (i.e. students who do not achieve at least a 2:2 degree and competence in key skills). The course can also be taken by practitioners whose certificate of clinical competence has expired.

The modules that make up the Graduate Diploma in Optometry programme are:

• Anterior Eye Conditions
• Posterior Eye Conditions
• Binocular Vision and Paediatrics
• Clinical Practice
• Elective Studies
• Professional, Occupational and Low Vision
• Ophthalmic Drugs.

Plus an evidence-based research project.

Teaching takes place in lectures, tutorials and practical/clinical classes.

Assessment is by written examination (75%), and assessment of practical and clinical performance (25%).

The General Optical Council have stipulated that only one attempt will be permitted at passing the examinations on this programme. All examinations need to be passed and an overall average of at least 50% achieved for successful completion of this programme.

Performance in the Graduate Diploma in Optometry will not alter the classification of the optometry degree initially awarded. 

Working with patients:
The Aston University BSc in Optometry and Graduate Diploma in Optometry involve the assessment of fitness to practise and one of the requirements is to promote the relationship of trust and confidence between clinician and patient. In order to fulfil this requirement students are prohibited from wearing a full veil during clinical teaching sessions or otherwise obscuring their face in a manner that may adversely affect communication and compromise the relationship of trust and confidence.

This programme is accredited by the General Optical Council (GOC).

After completion of the Graduate Diploma in Optometry, you must complete a pre-registration period that leads to a series of Professional Qualifying Examinations (PQEs). Success in the PQEs earns you the qualification MCOptom (Member of the College of Optometrists) and allows you to register with the GOC as a fully qualified optometrist . Entry to pre-registration training is regulated by the GOC and minimum entry requirements apply - visit their website for more information.

You will need to register with the GOC prior to attending classes. The GOC asks students to disclose any prior criminal convictions that may render them unsuitable for training.

You will have excellent career prospects in:

• Private practice, in your own practice, in partnership or as an employee of a large optical company
• Hospital practice
• The optical industry
• Optical research
• Any other career recruiting high quality graduates.
  

Aston University’s Optometry graduates consistently achieve high levels of graduate employment.

The course integrates IT skills, presentation skills, problem solving, clinical decision making and communication skills into a Personal Development Planning module . This module is designed to assist you in recording your achievements as you progress through the programme. You will reflect on your progress to identify areas you are good at and those which you need to improve on. Using this information, you will develop action plans which will help you to achieve your academic and personal goals.

Our modern, purpose-built vision sciences centre provides outstanding facilities for undergraduate teaching, research and clinical work - including a fully operational Optometry Clinic.

The Aston University Day Hospital, located next to the vision sciences building is unique in Europe and houses the first university cornea and refractive research centre in the UK. The Aston University Day Hospital also brings together our research in areas such as brain imaging, human myopia (short sight) and epilepsy.

As an Aston optometry student your proximity to all this expertise will give your studies additional context and interest. Aston is currently the only optometry school in the world to have cataract and refractive surgery facility on campus.

Note that, although you will have access to key equipment, you will need to purchase some of your own personal equipment (approximate cost of £1,200) by the beginning of term 1 in year 2. This equipment will also be useful during the pre-registration period and future practice.

• Dr Frank Eperjesi - Programme Director and module leader for Binocular Vision and Paediatrics
• Prof Anderson - module leader for Professional, Occupational and Low Vision
• Dr O Hunt - module leader for Clinical Practice
• Prof B Gilmartin - module leader for Ophthalmic Drugs
• Dr D Gherghel - module leader for Posterior Eye Conditions
• Prof Wolffsohn - Optometry lead and module leader for Anterior Eye Conditions

For further information please contact:

Tel:  +44 (0) 121 204 4161       
email: lhspgt@aston.ac.uk