Learning and teaching

The Aston Graduate Diploma in Optometry has been designed for students who require additional study in order to progress onto the UK pre-registration period. This includes:

• Optometry graduates who have not achieved the grades required for automatic progression onto the UK pre-registration period (i.e. students that have not achieved at least a 2:2 in their degree and / or competence in key skills).
• Practitioners whose certificate of clinical competence has expired.
• Students from outside the UK who have a recommendation from the General Optical Council and need to obtain an appropriate qualification to work in the UK.

You will study alongside our BSc Optometry students in a supportive environment, designed to enhance your existing knowledge. Working alongside a team of expert teaching staff from Aston Optometry School, who come from a wide variety of healthcare, industry and research backgrounds, you will complete a range of lectures, tutorials and take part in practical/clinical sessions to hone your skills.

On successful completion of the course, you will be well prepared to embark on your pre-registration year and take the first steps into a rewarding career in optometry.

Learning and teaching

The teaching methods you will experience on this course are varied, including a range of lectures, tutorials, and practical and clinical skills sessions.

Learning on the course is also supported with Blackboard, our virtual learning environment used for general study, revision and assessment. This platform allows you to access a comprehensive range of study materials, scientific journals, e-journals, databases and much more. Course texts and relevant journals are available from the library either electronically or in book form.

You’ll learn and gain invaluable insight from practising optometrists, ophthalmologists, orthoptists and opticians specialising in dispensing, contact lenses and low vision. They will be there to supervise and support you during your time working in the public service clinics in small groups.

This range of experiences will provide you with not only the practical skills, but also the industry insight and interpersonal skills that will really set you apart in the job market after graduation.

Assessments

Assessment is by written examination (75%), and assessment of practical and clinical performance (25%). All examinations need to be passed and an overall average of at least 50% achieved for successful completion of this programme.
Please note, your performance in the Graduate Diploma in Optometry will not alter the classification of the optometry degree initially awarded.

Key staff

Head of Optometry: Prof Leon N Davies is the Head of Optometry

Programme Director: Dr Amy Sheppard 

Facilities

As an optometry student at Aston, you'll spend most of your time on campus in our Vision Sciences building, which is equipped with a range of facilities and equipment for learning, research and clinical work. This includes our onsite public facing Optometry clinic. Here you will help to provide patients with a full range of primary eye care services under the close supervision of our clinical staff, including ophthalmologists, optometrists, orthoptists and dispensing opticians.

You’ll also have access to our refurbished lecture theatres and seminar rooms with modern audio-visual equipment.