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BSc Optometry / Application and selection

Year of entry: 2021

How to apply

Apply through UCAS .

Advice to applicants

We would normally only consider applicants who obtained the relevant qualification within the three years prior to entry.

If your most recent qualification was taken more than three years ago, please contact the Admissions Office. We will consider each application individually and may require you to submit further information, such as transcripts and details of employment.

Applicants should contact the Admissions Office to discuss their particular circumstances.

Please note that if you are offered a place on this course, you will be required to register with the General Optical Council and, as a result, will be subject to their standards and disciplinary proceedings in addition to those of the University.

There is an opportunity to complete a fourth year and gain an MSci in Optometry. Students can apply for admission to this during their course, and will be advised about the application process in their second year.

How your application is considered

Both international and EU applicants are considered on the basis of their UCAS form. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed via Skype.

Interview requirements

Interviews are part of the selection process. All suitable UK applicants will be interviewed via Skype or Zoom. Please refer to the application process page for more information.

Overseas (non-UK) applicants

Full guidance on how to apply for a visa to study at the University can be found on the  Visa guidance page . Most international students will obtain a Tier 4 (General) Student visa for the three-year duration of the BSc Optometry course.

You may be offered the opportunity to transfer to the four-year Master of Science in Optometry (MSci Optometry) during your second year of study. If you elect to transfer onto this course, you will be able to extend your Tier 4 Student visa until the end of the course. You would become fully qualified to practice in the UK on completion of the MSci Optometry, and there is no requirement for a separate pre-registration year.

Once you complete the MSci Optometry, you can then apply for a Tier 2 General visa if you would like to continue working in the UK.

Visas for the Pre-Registration period

If you complete the three-year BSc Optometry course and you wish to become fully qualified to practice in the UK, you will need to complete a one-year pre-registration year outside of the University, which usually takes place at a hospital or a high street practice. This is not required if you complete the four-year MSci.

The pre-registration year is overseen by The College of Optometrists and you will need to apply for a Tier 5 Government Authorised Exchange (GAE) scheme visa. You can do this while you are in the UK. The College of Optometrists will sponsor BSc Optometry students in their role as an approved licenced sponsor under the Tier 5 (GAE) scheme. Full details can be found on the  College of Optometrists website .

Upon completion of your pre-registration year, your entitlement to stay in the UK under Tier 5 GAE is no longer valid and you will be required to return to your home country or apply for a different visa type, e.g. a Tier 2 (General) visa.

If you need any additional help, please contact us at  ug.optometry@manchester.ac.uk  for guidance.

Fitness to practise / health requirements

All applicants will be required to complete a Pre-acceptance Health Questionnaire. Please see the Optometry Applicants - Fitness to Practise Guidelines (PDF) for more information.

Disclosure and Barring Service check

We do not require applicants to complete an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check during the admissions cycle. 

However should you register on the Optometry programme, you will be required to complete the enhanced DBS check during the first 2 weeks of formal teaching

Deferrals

Applications for deferred entry are considered equally to other applications up to the point of confirmation. Deferred entry is granted on the discretion of admissions staff, and is normally granted for one year only and 2 years at the maximum. Some English Language test results, such as IELTS or TOEFL, are only valid for two years from the test date.

Policy for applicants who resit their qualifications

We will consider resit applications provided you have obtained a minimum of A-level grades BCC at the first attempt (or equivalent qualifications).

Re-applications

If you applied in the previous year and your application was not successful you may apply again. Your application will be considered against the standard course entry criteria for that year of entry.  In your new application you should demonstrate how your application has improved.  We may draw upon all information from your previous applications or any previous registrations at the University as a student when assessing your suitability for your chosen course.If you are applying for a place for the same year of entry through UCAS Extra, you should provide additional evidence of your suitability for the course. If you are applying through clearing you are required to meet the clearing requirements. In both UCAS Extra and clearing the places will be subject to availability.