Optometry MOptom
4 years
Optometry combines the empathy and compassion of healthcare with the clinical expertise of using specialist diagnostic equipment. As an optometrist you will need to know how equipment and software work, have a thorough understanding of the anatomy of the eye and eye health, in addition to making clinical decisions and working with a wide range of patients.
Course description
Course description
Please note, this course is being advertised subject to approval.
Developed and taught by our School of Healthcare, the Master of Optometry (MOptom) degree is a gateway to a rewarding career as a registered optometrist.
Optometrists work on the frontline of healthcare, playing a critical role in maintaining and improving the eye health of people of all ages and backgrounds.
Optometrists work in a variety of settings, including in hospitals and on the high street. They carry out detailed eye examinations, prescribe glasses or contact lenses and, through their use of advanced technology and deep clinical knowledge, they also detect and manage defects in vision or disease.
This course is undergoing accreditation by the General Optical Council (GOC). This means that, following successful approval of the programme, once you graduate, you can become a registered optometrist.
On this degree, you will develop your knowledge and skills through a mix of academic study and work- and clinic-based learning. You will be taught by expert practitioners, and you will benefit from our outstanding clinical facilities at Leicester Royal infirmary and optic labs on campus, as well as pioneering and highly specialist facilities such as our medical dissection rooms and Space Park Leicester.
Preparing you for your professional career life is a fundamental aspect of this course, which has been designed in close collaboration with the professional optometry sector. We believe that gaining practical, real-world experience is one of the best ways to develop the professional competencies demanded of an optometrist. You will undertake multiple placements throughout the course, which will allow you to experience the wide range of workplace environments and applications of an optometrist. These placements will also develop invaluable patient-centred skills which are essential to your role.
For the first three years of the course, you will join other healthcare students from across the College of Life Sciences (which includes , Nursing, Midwifery, Physiotherapy, Diagnostic Radiography, Operating Department Practice and Pharmacy) in a series of inter-professional teaching and learning sessions. Learning alongside other healthcare students is ideal preparation for the workplace environment.
You will also study aspects of business and management that are relevant to an optometrist's role in the high street or private sector. This includes business models, practice management and clinical law.
In your final year, you will undertake a year-long College of Optometrists Clinical Learning in Practice (CLiP) module, in addition to a Professional Certificate in Glaucoma (ProfCert Glauc), with a single employer. This allows you to implement your clinical learning into routine practice and build on your experience at university instead of doing a separate pre-registration year. This also means that you will be ready for the workplace upon graduating, having spent a year in a professional role already.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
- A-levels: AAB, including at least two from: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths or Psychology. General Studies, Citizenship Studies, Critical Thinking or Global Perspectives not accepted.
- GCSE: English Language and Maths at grade 6/B. Science subjects must be held at grade 6/B (single subjects, dependent on those taken at A-level or both grades of Combined/Double Science).
- International Baccalaureate: Pass Diploma with 30 points overall including three higher level subjects at grades 6, 6, 6. Higher Level subjects required are Biology or Chemistry or Physics, plus one of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths or Psychology. Must include a minimum of grade 4 in HL Mathematics or 5 in SL Mathematics Analysis and Approaches or SL6 in Mathematics Application and Interpretation, if minimum of grade 6/B not held in Maths GCSE. Plus grade 5 in English A or 6 in English B if minimum of grade 6/B not held in GCSE English Language.
- BTEC Nationals: D*D*D in either Applied Science or Biomedical Science.
- Access to HE: Specialisms will be considered on a case-by-case basis with a full list of unit titles and credit values. Pass Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits at Distinction. Access to HE course must have at least 15 level 3 credits in Biology and 15 credits in Chemistry or Physics in order to be considered. Please contact the Admissions Team with the full details of your Access to HE Diploma for eligibility.
- Graduate applicants: Applicants achieving 2:1 or above, in a science related degree may apply for the programme.
- Armed Forces into Allied Health: See HEPAF for more information about the Higher Education Pathway for Armed Forces.
- T Levels: Distinction in Healthcare Science, with Grade A in Optical Care Services.
- Contextual Offers: These offers will be made where University of Leicester criteria are met. The same GCSE requirements as above will be required, and A-level subjects studied, but A-level grades will be reduced to ABB.
You will be expected to show academic attainment at the required entry level within three years of the course proposed start date.
Other official national and international qualifications considered from across the world. You can review some of the qualifications we accept on our countries page and English Language equivalencies.
If your qualification or country is not listed, please contact us for more information, including the name and result of the qualification you have studied.
Second year entry may be possible with suitable qualifications.
Occupation Health and Criminal Records Check
UK Students
School of Healthcare students are expected to undertake all relevant vaccinations as recommended by Occupational Health and in line with the Green book recommendations (Immunisation of healthcare and laboratory staff: the green book, chapter 12 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)), in order to be able to attend clinical placements. These vaccinations are a requisite for students to successfully complete their course.
Students that do not engage with the relevant immunisation programmes and do not have the required vaccinations will not be able to participate in their clinical placements. Consequently, they will not be able to complete their course requirements and will therefore not be able to successfully complete their degree.
There may be exceptions for students who have a medical reason as to why they cannot be vaccinated. This will be reviewed and advice will be sought from the Occupational Health team.
Offers are also subject to a satisfactory enhanced check with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
International Students
School of Healthcare students are expected to undertake all relevant vaccinations as recommended by Occupational Health and in line with the Green Book recommendations, in order to be able to attend clinical placements. These vaccinations are a requisite for students to successfully complete their course.
Students that do not engage with the relevant immunisation programmes and do not have the required vaccinations will not be able to participate in their clinical placements. Consequently, they will not be able to complete their course requirements and will therefore not be able to successfully complete their degree.
There may be exceptions for students who have a medical reason as to why they cannot be vaccinated. This will be reviewed and advice will be sought from the Occupational Health team.
Offers are also subject to you providing a Certificate of Good Standing or Good Conduct Letter from your embassy or local police force, which should be no more than six months old prior to starting the course. This must specifically include confirmation that there is no known reason that you cannot work with vulnerable adults and children.
If you have studied in the UK for a minimum of 12 months prior to starting the course we will not require the Good Conduct Letter but will require a satisfactory ‘Disclosure and Barring Service’ (DBS) check (as required for Home students) upon arrival.
General Optical Council Registration
Students on this course are required to remain registered as a student with the General Optical Council (GOC) for the duration of the programme leading to the award of the approved qualification. Please note there is a £30 per year annual registration/renewal fee.
Contextual offers
The University of Leicester is committed to providing equitable opportunities for all applicants from all backgrounds. We make contextual offers to support students who may be impacted by the area they live in, their personal circumstances or who have completed one of our progression programmes. These offers are usually one or two grades lower than the standard entry requirements. To qualify for a contextual offer, you must apply for an eligible course and meet specific criteria – check if you’re eligible.
Selection Process
When considering your application, we will look for evidence that you will be able to fulfil the objectives of the course and achieve the standards required. We will take into account a range of factors including previous exam results.
Applicants are not normally interviewed. If you receive an offer you will be invited to visit the School of Healthcare.
English Language Requirements
IELTS 7.0 or equivalent. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. If you do not yet meet our requirements, our English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU) offers a range of courses to help you to improve your English to the necessary standard.
International Qualifications
Find your country in this list to check equivalent qualifications, scholarships and additional requirements.
Countries ListFees and funding
Fees and funding
UK Students
Starting in 2026
Tuition fees for 2026/27 are yet to be confirmed. As an indication of what you might pay, the fees for students who started on similar courses in 2025/26 were:
- £9,535 in your first year. Tuition fees are subject to government regulations and may change in future years
Find out more about scholarships and funding.
Other costs
These costs are standard for any optometry degree:
Students on this course are required to remain registered as a student with the General Optical Council (GOC) for the duration of the programme leading to the award of the approved qualification. There is a £30 per year annual registration/renewal fee.
From the second year of the course you will require your own equipment:
- Ophthalmoscope
- Retinoscope
- Trial frame
- Condensing (Volk) lens
- Near vision (budgie) stick
- Occluder
- Pen torch
- Frame ruler
A student bundle is offered by several suppliers which includes the necessary equipment and retails at approximately £1,500.
The Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers offers a bursary of up to £1,000 to support with costs.
You will also be required to cover the cost of travel to and from your placements.
International Students
Starting in 2026
Tuition fees for 2026/27 are yet to be confirmed. As an indication of what you might pay, the fees for students who started on similar courses in 2025/26 were:
- £22,300 per year
If you are resident outside the UK and the Republic of Ireland, you will need to pay a deposit of £3,000 to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition fee.
If you are an EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU settlement scheme, you may qualify for the UK fee (subject to criteria).
Find out more about scholarships and funding.
Other costs
These costs are standard for any optometry degree:
Students on this course are required to remain registered as a student with the General Optical Council (GOC) for the duration of the programme leading to the award of the approved qualification. There is a £30 per year annual registration/renewal fee.
From the second year of the course you will require your own equipment:
- Ophthalmoscope
- Retinoscope
- Trial frame
- Condensing (Volk) lens
- Near vision (budgie) stick
- Occluder
- Pen torch
- Frame ruler
A student bundle is offered by several suppliers which includes the necessary equipment and retails at approximately £1,500.
The Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers offers a bursary of up to £1,000 to support with costs.
You will also be required to cover the cost of travel to and from your placements.
Careers and employability
Careers and employability
This course is provisionally accredited by the General Optical Council (GOP).
This course has been designed to fulfil the professional demands of registered optometrist. The course was developed with the input of external representatives from across the sector in industry (hospitals, national high street chains and independent practices) to ensure we deliver the necessary knowledge and skills required for you to be successful academically and professionally.
Employability skills are embedded throughout the course. However, as well as learning the professional competencies required to be a registered optometrist, you will study the aspects of business and management that are relevant to roles in the high street sector, including business models, practice management and clinical law.
A significant proportion of your final year will be spent on the College of Optometrists Clinical Learning in Practice (CLiP) module. This replaces the traditional ‘pre-registration year’ and you will undertake a year-long clinical placement with a single employer. This allows you to implement clinical learning into routine practice and build on your experience whilst still at university. This also means that you will be ready for the workplace upon graduating, having spent a year in the role already.
Get career-ready at Leicester with guidance from our award-winning Careers and Employability Service. We're here to give you a lifetime offer of support, even after graduation. Our team of specialist careers advisers and mentors will help you every step of the way. From supporting you with CVs and interviews, to volunteering opportunities and placements, we're here to help you reach your professional goals.
Placements
Throughout the course you will attend occasional work placements of four to five days each. There will be one placement in your first year, two in your second year, and one in your third year. We will endeavour to find placements that are easily accessible from either your term-time or home address. You will need to arrange and pay for travel to these placements.
You will apply for your final year-long CLiP placement through a centralised portal run by the College of Optometrists which means you will be competing for placements with students from other institutions as well as your fellow Leicester students. The College will do their best to help you find a placement that is fairly located, but cannot guarantee that you will not be required to relocate for that year. As with the short placements, you will be responsible for arranging your own travel and covering all travel costs.
Course structure
Year 1
Year 1
- Anatomy and Vision
- Fundamental Optics and Appliances
- Elementary Clinical Skills
- Professional, Communication and Education Skills
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Year 2
Year 2
- Ocular Pathology
- Advanced Optical Appliances
- Binocular Vision and Paediatrics
- Clinical Procedures and Refraction
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Year 3
Year 3
- Practice Management and Clinical Law
- Patient Care and Case Management
- Advanced Instrumentation
Plus your dissertation
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Year 4
Year 4
In your final year you will:
- study for a Professional Certificate in Glaucoma
- work on your Clinical Placement in Practice (CLiP)
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Why Leicester
Healthcare education at the University of Leicester has been established for over 40 years. This means you'll learn from a dedicated team of experts with a huge amount of experience in training you to succeed. You'll have the opportunity to study inter-professionally alongside students from other healthcare areas, including nursing, operating department practice, physiotherapy, and medicine.
Your fourth year will comprise an extended one-year professional practice placement. You will gain the experience, skills and knowledge to graduate ready to step into the professional environment
In addition to learning the professional competencies required to be a registered Optometrist, you will study aspects of business and management that are relevant to roles in the high street sector.
Enhance your skills with superb facilities, including relevant anatomy and physiology in the Medical School’s dissection room. You will also learn in our state-of-the-art optics labs on campus and in specialist facilities at Space Park Leicester.
Teaching and learning
Teaching
Over the first three years, your time will be split between self-directed learning (circa 25 hours per week) and in-person workshops, tutorials and clinical sessions (circa 12 hours per week). In addition, you will undertake periodic short observational placements in a variety of clinical settings to experience the full breadth of the profession. In the fourth year, you will be undertaking a single clinical practice placement run in collaboration with the College of Optometrists where you will consolidate your learning and gain invaluable clinical experience.
Learning in the first stages of the course establishes the fundamental theory and elementary skills required to develop as an optometrist. Theoretical principles will be merged with real-world clinical applications to ensure that significance remains relevant. Placement-based experiences will allow for work and observation of fully-qualified optometrists in a variety of settings, in addition to a much wider multi-disciplinary approach to appreciate the scope of practice and collaboration required with other professionals involved in eyecare. Working with real clinicians, colleagues and patients allows for authentic feedback on your performance in addition to opportunities to practice and hone your skills.
Team and case-based learning approaches are used in the early stages of teaching to support the transition into university-level education.
Assessment
A variety of assessment types will be used throughout your degree to ensure that knowledge is assessed appropriately and in the context which it is used in clinical practice. There are two types of assessment per module and there will be the opportunity to experience these prior to formal examinations and to gain targeted feedback on your performance.
Independent learning
The Master of Optometry is a full-time course. When you are not attending timetabled lectures, seminars or other sessions, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. This will be supported in early stages as this may be a different style of learning to that experienced previously (e.g. at A-Level). Typically, self-study will involve reading through journal articles and books, working on individual or group projects, undertaking research in the library, working on coursework assignments and presentations and preparing for examinations. To help with your independent learning, you can access the library and our social study spaces in halls of residence.
Academic support
Our AccessAbility Centre offers support and practical help for students with dyslexia or other specific learning difficulties, including physical, mental health or mobility difficulties, deafness, or visual impairment.
Teaching staff
You will be taught by an experienced teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. PhD research students who have undertaken teacher training may also contribute to the teaching of seminars under the supervision of the module leader. Our teaching is informed by the research we do. You can learn more about our staff by visiting our staff profiles.
Apply now
| Course | Qualification | Duration | Attendance | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course Optometry | Qualification MOptom | Duration 4 years | Attendance Full-time |
Availability
This course is being advertised subject to approval. |
