Do you want to become an optometrist, and are you looking for the best optometry schools in UK? If yes, then worry no more. Optometrists are primary care physicians educated to evaluate the eyes for visual impairments, symptoms of the damage, ocular illnesses or abnormalities, and general health issues. Optometrists do health examinations, provide professional advice, and, if required, prescribe glasses or contact lenses. Alright, let’s dive into the best optometry schools in UK.
List Of Best Optometry Schools In UK
- University Of Birmingham
- Cardiff University
- University of Liverpool
- Aston University
Best Optometry Schools In UK
1. University Of Birmingham
The University Of Birmingham is recognized as one of the best optometry schools in UK. With over 41,000 students, the institution has one of the biggest student populations in the UK, and it welcomes 14,000 foreign students to its varied campus. Optometry is under the Faculty of Biology, Medicine, and Health school, which is organized in a way that allows the school to provide a fully translational approach to the living sciences.
This contributes to the seamless progression of research from basic discovery science to clinical application and patient care. In collaboration with the NHS and businesses, they design and provide high-quality education and training for health professionals and life scientists. They also contribute to the University’s heritage of innovation and health improvement for people all across the globe.
The General Optical Council recognizes the institution’s four-year undergraduate MSci degree option as a fully-registrable qualification, and successful students do not need to complete the pre-registration year. This permits students to finish with a Master in Science degree and be certified to practice within four years.
In your fourth year, you’ll complete two five-month internships in a hospital and a top independent practice before qualifying exams to fully register with the General Optical Council. In addition, you will do a research project on your chosen topic. You will attend small-group sessions throughout the course to help you acquire transferable skills to support your study.
You’ll gain acquainted with the profession of optometry in the United Kingdom and overseas, allowing you to become a well-rounded practitioner in the future. Optometry’s top researchers and clinicians will educate you. The department globally recognized scientific interests include optics and refraction, the cornea, tear film, low vision, and visual psychophysics.
It comprises Euro lens Research, a world-renowned center that conducts optical industry research. You will study in purpose-built facilities that include a dispensary, unique optometric examination rooms, multiple specialized specialty clinic rooms, and non-clinical practical courses in dedicated labs.
2. Cardiff University
Cardiff is an international school with over 200 collaborations and official research relationships throughout the globe, providing students with unique possibilities. With over 8,500 students from more than 130 countries, Cardiff University boasts a welcoming and dynamic international community.
The School of Optometry and Vision Sciences is located on the Maindy Park Innovation Campus and is housed in a £22 million custom-built teaching and research building. The school is a prominent optometry and visual sciences institution in Wales, offering undergraduate, postgraduate, and research education possibilities.
The school’s on-site eye clinic is available to the public. It offers ‘in-house’ internships and research opportunities for its students, contributing to their teaching and research operations. Hands-on experience, interaction with globally acclaimed academic staff, and purpose-built facilities are what the students benefit from.
The school is enthusiastic about optometry and takes pleasure in welcoming and supporting its students. The students’ pass rates for the optometric Professional Qualifying Examinations have always been greater than the national average.
Cardiff research has a broad variety of exciting real-world applications and has had a positive and long-lasting influence on the lives of persons with visual problems. For example, their Down’s Syndrome Visual Study Unit was granted the UK’s most prestigious academic award – a Queen’s Anniversary Prize – for its pioneering research and treatment of vision difficulties in children with Down’s Syndrome.
The school’s postgraduate research program allows students to obtain experience working with world-renowned research leaders, their teams, and collaborators, as well as the abilities needed to continue a successful academic career after graduation.
Through Wales Optometry Postgraduate Education Center, they provide postgraduate taught courses as well as short courses. The Center is the world’s first postgraduate education center for optometry. A wide range of courses is offered via a mix of distance learning, e-learning, and practical days.
3. University of Liverpool
The University of Liverpool is well-known for its exceptional education in medicine, dentistry, business, law, architecture, and engineering. It is also recognized among the best optometry schools in UK.
The institution’s Orthoptics program will prepare graduates to detect and treat issues that may arise in individuals ranging from babies to the elderly. Strabismus disorders (eye misalignments), amblyopia (also known as lazy eye), severe injuries, tumors, brain traumas, diabetes, and strokes are examples of these issues.
Furthermore, you will concentrate on the nervous system, neuro-anatomy, and physiology principles and how these connect to orthoptic practice. With this basic knowledge, a graduating orthoptist will be able to function as a competent and thoughtful practitioner, capable of becoming a useful part of an eye care team.
In year one, students gain a broad variety of factual information as well as fundamental clinical skills. The first semester is spent entirely at university. This allows you to learn essential information and abilities, as well as the knowledge necessary for orthoptic practice, via profession-specific programs.
This serves as preparation for the professional practice placement observation week, which takes place prior to the start of the second semester. During year one, you will study the fundamental concepts of eye movement systems and binocular vision, as well as how to perform critical orthoptic examinations and complete a seven-week clinical placement.
According to a recent National Student Survey, the Directorate of Orthoptics and Vision Science received a perfect score for student satisfaction. Graduates of orthoptics may apply for statutory registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
Most graduates choose to work as an orthoptist in an eye care team in the National Health Service. However, as an orthoptist, there is potential to expand in a variety of extra extended responsibilities and advanced practice areas such as stroke, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and special educational requirements.
Due to the qualification’s worldwide high reputation, there may be prospects to work in a private clinic or even overseas. Overall, with a strong graduate employment record, this program provides graduates with a meaningful career as independent practitioners and members of the health care team.
4. Aston University
Aston University is well-known for its career and employability services, as well as the possibilities it gives for students to get actual job experience. Internships, placements, projects, and company start-ups provide opportunities for students to obtain experience.
The School of Optometry at Aston University is committed to offering a relevant, challenging, and supportive learning environment that blends scientific, clinical, and professional components to prepare its students to become competent healthcare professionals.
Aston courses range from undergraduate through master’s and doctorate research, leveraging over 80 years of innovation. Furthermore, they provide a variety of optometry continuing professional development opportunities to supplement current abilities and acquire new knowledge.
Aston University’s learning is influenced by decades of expertise performing globally leading ophthalmic research, ensuring that its students have access to the most recent thinking and developments in optometry and vision science.
The Optometry and Vision Sciences Research Group conducts world-class translational (including professional and teaching evidence-based public clinics) and multidisciplinary research on vision and perception, visual development and myopia, the crystalline lens and ocular surface, and vascular imaging of the eye. Professional practice informs all of its programs.
Optometrists, dispensing opticians, ophthalmologists, and vision scientists lead an interdisciplinary teaching team. Students in its undergraduate programs benefit from significant hands-on experience at the onsite Aston Eye Clinic, one of the biggest at any UK institution, with over 6,000 patient episodes completed each year.
5. University of Bradford
The Bradford School of Optometry & Vision Science research group takes a collaborative, multi-disciplinary approach to study vision and visual perception in order to answer critical research issues. The group is continuing to expand on the University’s 35-year history of vision research. Ophthalmology, optics, ocular imaging, machine vision, psychophysics, biomechanics, and visual neuroscience are among the areas studied.
The school’s courses focus strongly on clinical practice, great teaching quality, instruction by competent optometrists, well-equipped clinics and labs, the eye clinic, and strong ties to local hospitals and the community. Their pupils are taught by high-profile trained optometrists with extensive optometric practice and education expertise. Staff members are also actively engaged in academic research, which you may get interested in during your final year.
The school’s three-year BSc (Hons) Optometry degree program prepares you to practice as a licensed optometrist. They also offer an undergraduate career advancement program, a postgraduate diploma for students who did not obtain the requisite degree result of 2:2 or above, and two specialized CPD courses in addition to their BSc course.
Frequently Asked Questions
Optometry is the study of the eye and the treatment of the eye. You will study the human eye’s anatomy and related topics, including biochemistry and eye problems.
English language examinations, criminal background disclosures, health checks, admission interviews, and the production of a personal statement are regular entry criteria for studying Optometry in the UK.
Tuition for Optometry degrees in the United Kingdom ranges from £12,000 to £24,000 a year for foreign students, depending on the institution. Tuition fees may be affected by a university’s rating and location.
References
- https://britannia-study.com.my/uk-universities/top-uk-universities-for-optometry
- https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/courses/university-search/undergraduate/optometry-ophthalmics-and-orthoptics/university-of-bradford
- https://worldstudentforum.com/best-optometry-schools-in-the-uk/
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