MSci Optometry

The Manchester MSci Optometry course will enable you to gain the knowledge and skills required to register as a UK optometrist.

The course uses mixed learning methods, but the key Manchester approach is the study of themed patient cases in an active learning environment that will allow you to integrate scientific understanding, clinical skills and professional skills throughout the course. Facilitated group activities will emphasise enquiry, discussion, self-education, and the development of critical faculties and communication skills, all essential skills for healthcare professionals.

You will cover a broad spectrum of industry-relevant study areas that prepare you for work as a professional optometrist, including:

• the key principles of optics;
• clinical optics and treating eye and vision disorders;
• ocular function and structure;
• the science of vision.

We provide a supportive and inclusive learning environment, with each year group looked after by a team of academics and clinicians. Theory assessments are focused on clinical cases and are taken at the end of an academic year, with plenty of opportunity to practise beforehand. Practical skills are monitored and assessed throughout the year rather than using a single set of high-pressure practical tests.

You will meet volunteer patients in your first year and then receive clinical experience in our university optometry clinics from the second year, seeing real patients and working in teams with students from across the course. You will also have the opportunity to gain clinical experience in a wide range of settings external to the University, for example in community, hospital, and domiciliary practice. In your final two years, you can choose to focus on a specialist area of optometry.

Our course integrates science and clinical learning, so you can apply scientific knowledge, decision-making and critical thinking, and the latest concepts to your clinical practice. We will foster your leadership abilities, and your commitment to continuing professional development after graduation.

Upon graduation, you will be able to apply knowledge to understand and manage the complex healthcare needs of individuals and society. You will also develop the resilience to meet the demands of changing healthcare environments. You will have the practical and professional skills needed to practise person centred optometry.

You will meet the requirements of the General Optical Council to register as a UK optometrist.

Unique clinical experience

Gain experience at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, one of Europe's biggest eye teaching hospitals, to learn about the management and treatment of eye disease. The hospital also runs satellite clinics from our optometry building, giving you access to a range of cases and patients.

The University of Manchester also has a relationship with a variety of practice partners, including the NHS, community and high street practices, hospitals, private hospitals and organisations that examine people's eyes in their homes.

Early patient contact

Start to meet volunteer patients in Year 1 and begin to work with real patients in the Manchester Optometry Clinics from Year 2 onwards.

Supportive learning environment

When you arrive at Manchester, we will spend around a month helping you adjust to university life and preparing you to study at degree level. We will help you build your community, get to know your fellow students and academics.

We are committed to helping you learn how to get the best out of your time here. Your Academic Advisor will support you through your first year, looking after you academically and pastorally.

Close-knit student cohort

Join the active student-run Optometry Society to take part in formal and informal social activities.

Integrated master's

Direct registration with the General Optical Council on successful completion of the course.

Interprofessional learning

At Manchester, the optometry course is run alongside a broad range of healthcare courses from nursing and midwifery to medicine, dentistry and pharmacy. For you, this means you’ll learn alongside other professions, helping you understand what your role is in the wider healthcare community.

Flexibility and opportunity to specialise

You will have the opportunity to tailor your clinical experience (short and long-term placements) to your interests.

At Manchester, you may choose units from our University College for Interdisciplinary Learning (UCIL). This allows you to study with students from across the university and provides the flexibility to choose from a range of topics that may be delivered online, face-to-face of a mixture of both. Units cover everything from British Sign Language to digital skills and AI. Find out more about UCIL.

In addition, you can choose to specialise in a clinical or academic area in your final year or undertake a research project.

Studying optometry at Manchester means you will benefit from small year groups.

We use a range of teaching and learning methods including lectures, clinics and practical sessions. You will learn by applying your knowledge to cases in groups in both simulated and real environments.

Team-based learning

Here is an example of how team-based learning works at Manchester: Short team-based learning film (1.25 mins)

For optometry students, your team-based learning will usually take place across two weeks. You will focus on a patient case study, either alone or in a group, which is supplemented with learning materials. At the end of the two weeks, you will join your year group and academics to discuss what you’ve learnt. You will undertake a variety of team-based activities and will have access to the expert academics for a full day.

Clinical skills

You will also benefit from our simulation suites, allowing you to practice your clinical skills before working with patients.

Subjects are taught throughout the year will be examined at the end of the second semester. To progress between years and to successfully graduate, you must demonstrate competence in specified clinical practical skills.

Unlike many universities, instead of single examinations to assess your clinical competence, at Manchester you will be assessed across a number of clinical activities across the year.

The final degree classification is based on marks obtained during all years of the course, weighted as follows:

• Year 1 - 6%
• Year 2 - 19%
• Year 3 - 37.5%
• Year 4 - 37.5%

“I have always wanted to be an optometrist, and am absolutely delighted to have had the opportunity to study at Manchester. The learning experience is remarkable, with first-rate lectures and practical teaching delivered by practising optometrists, ophthalmologists, and researchers at the cutting edge of development in vision and optometric study.” Sean Matthews.

“I really enjoyed the practicals. They are great for getting to know others in your year, and the majority of the supervisors are practising optometrists, so learning from them provides an invaluable insight into how it is done in practice. Having patients from the first year also vastly improves your clinical and communication skills, and the patients aren't as scary as you might think!” Sophie Godley.

Find out more about what it's like to study at Manchester on the Biology, Medicine and Health Student Blog.

You will learn in purpose-built facilities that include a dispensing clinic, 16 bespoke optometric examination rooms, numerous dedicated specialist clinic rooms and dedicated laboratories for non-clinical practical sessions.

Take a look at the optometry facilities tour.

You will also have access to the University's other facilities for undergraduates.