Master of Optometry MOptom (Hons)

MOptom (Hons)

Attendance mode

Entry year

Typical offer for 2027: 136
Duration: 4 years
UCAS code: B512
Start date: September
Location: City Campus

Suitable for UK and international applications.

Overview

Optometry is a healthcare profession concerned with the examination, diagnosis and treatment of the human eye and visual system.

In our aging population, the demand for eye care is expected to increase, and optometrists are ideally placed to help meet this demand in both the NHS and private practice.

Our integrated 4-year Master of Optometry (MOptom) programme has been completely redesigned, modernising our course content and structure to enable you to proceed directly to registration as a fully-qualified optometrist with the General Optical Council (GOC) upon completion.

Upon graduation, you will be a skilled, patient-focussed optometrist ready for modern optometric practice. You will be eligible to register with the GOC and practise independently as an optometrist in the UK. You will be highly employable, having developed excellent clinical and communication skills and will be well equipped for lifelong learning and ongoing professional development throughout your career.

Professional accreditation

This course is approved by the General Optical Council (GOC).

The programme is delivered in partnership with the College of Optometrists (CoO), the professional body for optometrists, ensuring you gain real working experience as part of your training.

This means that students completing the CoO placement assessments and graduating with the MOptom (Hons) award can apply to join the professional GOC register of fully qualified optometrists.

Entry requirements

At Bradford, we take into consideration a number of factors when assessing your application.

Below outlines the typical entry requirements for this course. If you’re not sure and want to check if your qualifications would be suitable, fill in an enquiry form at the bottom of this page.

Typical offer - 136 UCAS tariff points.

A DBS check is required.

You should complete your Level 3 qualifications within a three-year timescale.

A levels

AAB, to include two pure Science subjects (Chemistry, Biology, Physics and Maths) required at minimum AA. General Studies is not accepted.

Please note that where a science A level is taken, the University will require applicants to pass the practical element (for A levels awarded from August 2017 onwards).

Applicants are allowed a maximum of three years on AS and A2 level to meet our entry requirements.

T levels

Not accepted for this course.

BTEC Extended Diploma

Applied Science. DDD. Only accepted if combined with a pure Science A level minimum grade B.

BTEC National Diploma - any subject with DD. Only accepted if combined with 2 pure Science A levels minimum grade B.

BTEC National Extended Certificate - any subject with D. Only accepted if combined with 2 pure Science A levels minimum grade A.

Applicants on Access Programmes

Meet UCAS tariff of 136. Science, Medicine, Science and Engineering, Dentistry, Pharmacy or Medical Sciences are accepted.

You should have a maximum of two attempts at an Access to HE course, and all attempts at level 3 qualifications must be within a 3-year timeframe to meet requirements.

You will also be assessed on communication skills, clinical experience, scientific understanding, numerical ability and require suitable paid employment in one of the following areas:

Optical dispensing or optical assistant roles
Regulated health or social care roles involving direct patient or client contact
Other regulated environments that include direct clinical or patient exposure
Employment in optometry practice or regulated healthcare roles are preferred. The duration and recency of employment will also be considered. Full-time employment must be 6 months in total, with at least 4 months employment completed by the January UCAS deadline and at least 2 months employment completed after the January UCAS deadline
Part-time employment must be 12 months in total, at least 8 months employment must be completed by the January UCAS deadline and at least 4 months employment completed after the January UCAS deadline
You must fully detail your work experience on the UCAS application. You must detail relevance to Optometry within the UCAS personal statement. Previous A level performance may be considered as an alternative or supplement to employment history
Employment history will be verified through employer references and HMRC checks during the offer process
If your UCAS personal statement relates to another subject, you can submit a separate personal statement for Optometry

International Baccalaureate Requirements

136 UCAS tariff points from 3 HL subjects, to include 2 HL science subjects at Grade 6 and a third HL subject at Grade 6. Plus Mathematics at HL2 or SL2 and English A at SL5 or HL5 with no subskills below 4, or English B at HL5 with no subskills below 5, or SL7 with no subskills below 6.

Plus minimum of

Five GCSEs at grade C or grade 4 to include English Language, Maths (note: GCSE English Language and Mathematics equivalences will not be accepted) and at least one of the following: Double Award Science, Biology, Chemistry or Physics.

Those applying with Access courses are only required to have GCSE English Language and Maths, plus one Science subject (Double Award Science, Biology, Chemistry or Physics) at grade C or grade 4.

Additional entry requirements

All students enrolled on the course will be required to register with the General Optical Council (GOC).

Whilst not mandatory, a period of paid employment in an optical practice (supported by an employer reference) will strongly support an application.

Applicants will be considered on their highest relevant qualification or study (even if this study is not a complete qualification).

English language requirements

7.0 overall with no sub-test less than 6.5

If you do not meet the IELTS requirement, you can take a University of Bradford pre-sessional English course. See the Language Centre for more details. For further information on English Language requirements please see the dedicated international entry requirements page.

All students enrolled on the course will be required to register with the General Optical Council (GOC).

Whilst not mandatory, a period of paid employment in an optical practice (supported by an employer reference) will strongly support an application.

Applicants will be considered on their highest relevant qualification or study (even if this study is not a complete qualification).

Transferring from another university

Applications to transfer to year 2 or 3 will not be considered for this programme.

Your learning journey

All module information is for 2026/27 entry and is subject to change.

First year

Core

Ocular Health and Disease 1

To develop understanding of the anatomy, structure and function of the eye and visual pathway. To develop understanding of other aspects of human physiology related to vision. To develop understanding of clinical techniques for assessing the health and integrity of the eye and visual pathway. To develop understanding of the mechanisms of ocular and systemic diseases affecting the eye and visual pathway and their management.

Vision, Optics and Refractive Correction 1

To develop an understanding of the optics of the eye and optical systems. To develop an understanding of basic optical appliances and the skills needed to dispense such appliances. To develop an understanding of visual perception and psychophysical principles relevant to clinical optometry. To provide students with a fundamental understanding of the principles underlying refraction and associated visual assessment. To develop an understanding of the effect of ametropia on unaided vision at distance, near and intermediate viewing distances, and to understand how this interacts with patient age and accommodation. To develop the basic clinical skills needed for objective and subjective refraction and visual acuity assessment.

Optometric Practice 1

To develop understanding of professionalism, law and ethics as relevant to the practice of optometry in the UK. To develop skills in communication with patients. To develop knowledge and skills in finding and appraising evidence and to introduce the concept of lifelong learning. To develop the skills and knowledge necessary to perform clinical assistant duties in optometric practice. To begin to draw together the knowledge and skills from all stage 1 modules in working towards full optometric management of patients.

Second year

Core

Ocular Health and Disease 2

To further develop understanding of the anatomy, structure and function of the eye and visual pathway. To further develop understanding of clinical techniques for assessing the health and integrity of the eye and visual pathway. To further develop understanding of the mechanics of ocular and systemic diseases affecting the eye and visual pathway and their management.

Vision, Optics and Refractive Correction 2

To further develop students understanding of ophthalmic lenses, dispensing, contact lenses and their fitting and the assessment and management of binocular vision anomalies, paediatric patients and patients with low vision.

Optometric Practice 2

To develop the communication skills necessary to begin seeing patients in optometric practice. To draw together the knowledge and skills from all stage 1 and 2 modules in preparation for optometric management of patients in the later stages of the course.

Final year

Core

Optometric Practice 3

To further develop clinical knowledge and experience, building upon the skills and knowledge developed in stages 1 and 2. To gain experience with real patients, both healthy and with a variety of presenting conditions. To develop skills in managing more complex cases. To gain experience of working within a professional framework, practising ethically and reflectively within the appropriate scope of practice. To develop skills in appraising research evidence and applying research findings to patient care. To gain a minimum of 4 weeks’ total patient-facing experience throughout the academic year.

Teaching, learning and assessment

A wide variety of teaching methods are employed throughout the programme, including lectures, seminars, practical sessions and clinical supervision. They focus progressively on student-centred approaches to learning - you are expected to take increasing responsibility for your learning as you progress through the programme.

A range of assessment methods are used for each module. All modules include both formative and summative assessments. Formative assessment has a developmental purpose and is designed to help you learn more effectively by giving you feedback on your performance and on how it can be improved and/or maintained. Summative assessment for each module includes written exams, whilst many modules will require you to demonstrate practical or clinical ability or competence.

The course is clinically-focussed from the start. You will learn all the practical techniques, theoretical underpinnings, professionalism and communication skills required to qualify as an optometrist.

You will be taught at one of the UK’s longest-established optometry schools by academics and tutors who are experts in their fields. Our world-class teaching facilities have recently been refurbished with £1.2 million of new state-of-the-art equipment and include an integrated eye clinic and our unique Directed Learning Suites.

Our course is renowned for its clinical emphasis and these skills are taught right from the start of the course. You will learn the essential skills required of an optometrist during years 1 and 2, before progressing to gain experience, under expert supervision, in the University’s own eye clinic in year 3. You will then proceed into a 44-week extended clinical placement delivered in partnership with the College of Optometrists in year 4.

The extended clinical placement is a period of paid employment within optometric practice, external to the University. You will be responsible for applying for and securing this placement with the support of the College of Optometrists and the University’s Career and Employability service.

Fees, finance and scholarships

Tuition fee

UK: £10,050 per year
International: £17,312 per year

The University of Bradford will charge home rate tuition fees up to the maximum allowed by the UK Government. For 2027/28, those fees are still to be confirmed.

Should the UK Government choose to increase the maximum tuition fee allowed in the second and subsequent years of your course, the University will raise tuition fees in line with UK Government policy and approvals.

Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE)

From January 2027, the UK government will introduce the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE), offering a more flexible way to study. It is designed to support learners at different stages of their student journey or career, whether you want to retrain, upskill, or change direction. For further information about the variety of options available to help fund your studies and maximise the support available, see our funding your studies section.

Additional course costs

As part of this course you will need to register with the General Optical Council. The cost for this is £30.

Funding your studies

It can be hard to know what financial help is available to you as a student.

Further information about the variety of options that can help fund your studies and maximise the money available to you is available on our funding your studies section.

Scholarships

Every year we award numerous non-repayable scholarships to UK, EU and international students on the basis of academic excellence, personal circumstances or economic hardship. For full details, visit our scholarships section.

Career prospects

Career options for graduates of this course include:

Optometrist
Hospital optometrist
Refractive surgery optometrist
Research optometrist
Paediatric contact lens specialist

Discover more about these careers in our Five careers for an Optometry graduate blog.

Career opportunities

The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance employability and this is an integral part of many programmes. Specialist support is available throughout the course from Career and Employability Services including help to find part-time work while studying, placements, vacation work and graduate vacancies. Students are encouraged to access this support at an early stage and to use the extensive resources on the careers section.

Support for your studies

At Bradford, we’re committed to supporting your success, well-being and future ambitions. We’re here to provide everything you need to make the most of your time with us, ensuring you not only excel in your studies, but also step confidently into the world of graduate employment. In addition to the support you receive from your academic tutors, our Student Support Services are here for you throughout your journey - before, during, and after your studies.

Got a question?

Make an enquiry about this course, and sign up for news updates about studying at Bradford.

Terms and conditions of study

The University has a set of terms and conditions for all students accepting an offer to study on a course here at Bradford. This is called The Student Contract. This document sets out the Terms and Conditions which apply when you accept an offer of a place on a programme of study at the University of Bradford.

View our Student Contract for further details.

Transparency statement

Information about this programme and its modules has been published in advance of the academic year to which it applies. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publication, but changes may occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of teaching. Any change which impacts the terms and conditions of an applicant’s offer will be communicated to them.