B.Sc. Optometry

Key skills for Optometry include the ability to understand and apply scientific principles and methods, a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail, good organizational and administrative skills, good manual dexterity and strong interpersonal and communication skills.

The Optometry degree at Ulster has been accredited by the General Optical Council to provide optometric education and provides the training required to become a registered optometrist in the UK or Ireland. The programme has become an established and high profile component of the University’s portfolio of undergraduate courses.

Right from the first week of your studies you will be in the eye clinic, where you will learn how to test each other's eyes before you apply these skills to paid volunteers in the second year. In the final year of study you will provide eye tests and contact lens assessments for patients of all ages in our public Optometry Clinic. Final year students also experience a range of specialist clinics both in the on-campus Optometry Clinic and in NHS placements. The small number of students accepted each year onto the Optometry degree allows a high level of interaction between students and both staff and patients making sure that you get the best out of the experience.

A wide range of teaching and learning methods are utilized including lectures, practicals, tutorials and clinical practice. Computer based and problem based learning are integral to the programme. Assessment for most modules is by a combination of coursework and sessional examination. Coursework may include written reports of practical work, essays, class tests, projects, oral presentations and a wide range of clinical assessments.

Each year usually comprises six or seven modules of study spread across two semesters as detailed below:

Year 1

• Human Physiology & Anatomy
• Visual & Ophthalmic Optics
• Optics & Optical Materials
• Medical Cell Biology
• General examination Techniques
• Visual Anatomy & Physiology

Year 2

• Contact Lens Practice
• Advanced Examination Techniques
• Dispensing Practice
• Human Disease
• Visual Function
• Low Vision
• Law, Management & Ethics

Year 3

• Binocular Vision & Orthoptics
• Patient Management
• Ocular Disease
• Paediatric Optometry
• Optometry Research Project
• Ocular Pharmacology & Therapeutics
• Advanced Optometric Practice.