Overview

Optometrists are eyecare professionals who detect sight problems and prescribe and fit glasses as well as contact lenses and other visual aids. Optometrists also detect and manage a variety of eye conditions such as Glaucoma and Age-related macular degeneration.

Optometrists in Scotland have an extended healthcare role compared to elsewhere in the UK. The advanced knowledge and clinical skills that optometrists need to fulfil this role are at the centre of our four-year Optometry programme.

We offer a high-quality clinical and didactic education that is highly rated by students. As an integral part of their studies, students benefit from a wide range of clinical experiences in our purpose-built on-campus Vision Centre.

Your career

GCU has been the hub for non-medical eye-care education in Scotland since 1971. Employment prospects are excellent and our graduates are highly rated by employers throughout the UK. Opportunities include private optometric practice, hospital eye services, teaching and research.

Graduates of the Optometry (Hons) degree course from Glasgow Caledonian University become qualified optometrists after one year's supervised clinical practice and successful completion of the Scheme for Registration run by The College of Optometrists.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Ophthalmic Anatomy & Physiology
Ophthalmic Materials
Refraction & Binocular Vision
Diagnostic Techniques
Systemic Pathology
Physiology & Microbiology

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 24 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-01-26 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-10-24 00:00:00 , International
Starting 2027-09-07 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-01-14 00:00:00

More details

Closing Date (Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam) 14 November

Language

English

TOEFL^® IBT

78

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

59

Schedule a PTE test!

OTE

121

IELTS

6

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Credits

240 alternative credits

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Glasgow, United Kingdom

Disciplines

Optometry View 17 other Bachelors in Optometry in United Kingdom

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

TOEFL^® IBT

78

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

59

Schedule a PTE test!

OTE

121

IELTS

6

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Year 2 entry:

ABDO (Associate of British Dispensing Opticians) with good marks required on the first attempt with an average of 75%. Contact Lens/Low Vision from ABDO qualification is desirable.

Year 3 entry:

Successful completion of three years of the BSc Orthoptics course at GCU with not less than a Merit, or 2:1 degree in Orthoptics.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

15200 GBP / year

≈ 15200 GBP / year
Domestic Applies to you

Applies to you

Citizens or residents

1820 GBP / year

≈ 1820 GBP / year

Additional Details

RUK: £9,250 per year

Living costs

Glasgow

United Kingdom

620 - 1012 GBP / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Bachelor's scholarship opportunities for Optometry (Hons).

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About

Overview

Your career

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic Applies to you

Additional Details

Living costs

Glasgow

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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