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Optometry with Integrated Foundation Year

Entry requirements


80-96 UCAS Tariff points from a minimum of 2 A Levels, including Grade C in a Science subject.

Pass an Access to HE Diploma (e.g science/combined studies/natural sciences/nursing) with at least 33 Level 3 credits at Merit or Distinction.

accepted in combination with other qualifications

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

25

to include Grade 3 at Higher level in a science subject.

80-96 UCAS Tariff points including Higher Level 4 in a Science subject

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma

MMP

in a Science subject

Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF)

MMP

in a Science subject

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

MMP

in a Science subject

UCAS Tariff

80-96

accepted in combination with other qualifications

You may also need to…

Attend an interview

About this course


Course option

5years

Full-time including foundation year | 2024

Subject

Optometry

Do you want to pursue an exciting career as an eye-care professional? Here at Plymouth you will benefit from a forward-thinking clinically focused degree. Our course allows you to engage in the industry while equipping you with the core clinical skills, professional training and confidence required for a successful career as a registered optometrist.

- Become part of a pioneering clinical degree programme – the first to bring optometry to the South West.

- Develop your clinical and communication skills while working with real patients at our Centre for Eyecare Excellence (CEE) optometry practice throughout your third year.

- See your studies in a real-world context, with regional practice placements during Years 1, 2 and 4 and a hospital placement in Year 3.

- Explore the theory side of the course at InterCity Place with brand new clinical facilities, equipment and learning spaces.

- Join a close-knit team of staff and students and benefit from an open, supportive environment.

- Boost your employability through learning in a way that’s based on solving problems, working together and communicating well with others.

- Graduate with the scientific and clinical knowledge, as well as the professional training, required by the General Optical Council (GOC) to practise as an optometrist.

- To complement your formal learning we offer regular PALS sessions that provide the opportunity for you to learn with and from your peers. Share knowledge, discuss ideas, and ask questions in a relaxed and friendly environment.

Modules

Our Integrated foundation course prepares you for the undergraduate degree in MOptom (Hons) Optometry. Taught by University lecturers on campus, you’ll be part of the University from day one. If your current qualifications don’t allow you direct entry to degree level, this course is for you. Students completing the MOptom (Hons) Optometry with Integrated Foundation Year course will normally progress to year 1 of the MOptom (Hons) Optometry course.

For up to date details, please refer to our website or contact the institution directly.

Assessment methods

For up to date details, please refer to our website or contact the institution directly.

The Uni


Course location:

University of Plymouth

Department:

School of Health Professions

Read full university profile

What students say


We've crunched the numbers to see if overall student satisfaction here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.

92%
Optometry

How do students rate their degree experience?

The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Ophthalmics

Teaching and learning

89%
Staff make the subject interesting
89%
Staff are good at explaining things
88%
Ideas and concepts are explored in-depth
98%
Opportunities to apply what I've learned

Assessment and feedback

Feedback on work has been timely
Feedback on work has been helpful
Staff are contactable when needed
Good advice available when making study choices

Resources and organisation

85%
Library resources
92%
IT resources
92%
Course specific equipment and facilities
89%
Course is well organised and has run smoothly

Student voice

Staff value students' opinions
Feel part of a community on my course

Who studies this subject and how do they get on?

96%
UK students
4%
International students
39%
Male students
61%
Female students
68%
2:1 or above
4%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

C
C
B

After graduation


The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Ophthalmics

What are graduates doing after six months?

This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.

£14,000
low
Average annual salary
100%
med
Employed or in further education
98%
low
Employed in a role where degree was essential or beneficial

Top job areas of graduates

100%
Health professionals

What about your long term prospects?

Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.

Ophthalmics

The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.

£24k

£24k

£29k

£29k

£29k

£29k

Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.

Explore these similar courses...

Higher entry requirements
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Lower entry requirements
University of Bedfordshire | Luton
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MOptom 2 Years Full-time including foundation year 2024
UCAS Points: 32-48
Same University
University of Plymouth | Plymouth
Optometry
MOptom 4 Years Full-time including foundation year 2024
UCAS Points: 128-136
Nearby University
Plymouth Marjon University | Plymouth
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UCAS Points: 120

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Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF):

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This information comes from the National Student Survey, an annual student survey of final-year students. You can use this to see how satisfied students studying this subject area at this university, are (not the individual course).

This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.

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This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.

You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.

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Post-six month graduation stats:

This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.

It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.

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Graduate field commentary:

The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show

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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?

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