Optometry

Why Optometry at ARU?

• Accredited by the General Optical Council (GOC), enabling you direct entry into the GOC register immediately after graduation.
• We work in partnership with the College of Optometrists, the professional body for optometry. This will give you the best start to your working career with our clinical learning in practice modules.
• Our unique University Eye Clinic boasts 16 fully equipped optometric consulting rooms including specialist facilities in contact lenses, low vision and visual stress.
• Gain essential clinical experience by providing optical care to the local community through the Eye Clinic.
• You’ll be fully supervised by experienced and qualified optometrists who are a mixture of full-time lecturers and visiting clinicians from local practices.
• We're 1st in the East of England for Optometry, Ophthalmics & Orthoptics (Complete University Guide, 2025).

As an MOptom Optometry student at ARU, you’ll study in our specialist eye care facilities, learning a range of clinical skills including how to perform eye examinations, diagnose sight problems, improve people’s vision, dispense spectacles, fit contact lenses, and manage a range of eye conditions. You’ll learn about how visual perception works, and how research guides our knowledge of vision.

Your time studying optometry will combine academic study of vision science, ophthalmic conditions and the principles of vision, with real world experience of providing eye care to local communities.

With support from expert tutors, this is the perfect place to train as an optometrist and gain direct entry to the General Optical Council (GOC) register when you graduate.

Our integrated Masters degree in Optometry (MOptom) has been developed to allow you to register with the GOC as a fully qualified optometrist at the end of your four years with us.

Optometry students will need to accumulate 485 credits (usually over four years of study) to be eligible for MOptom. For students who do not meet the requirements for a MOptom qualification, a BSc (Hons) Applied Vision Sciences or BSc Applied Vision Sciences will be awarded, but this will not allow you entry onto the GOC register.

If you do not pass the pre-requisite examination in Year 2, you will be unable to undertake Clinical Learning in Practice modules. Whilst this is an unlikely scenario, you would be transferred to an alternative award, but this will not allow you entry onto the GOC register.

Once you’re a registered optometrist, you could go on to work in your own practice, a hospital, or an international optical company. You could also take the first step towards becoming an academic or a researcher with our postgraduate research degree. Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship and get a discount on your fees.

For students who complete their first year of MOptom Optometry to an exceptional high standard, there may be the opportunity to transfer to Year 1 of MBChB Medicine. We encourage your interest in studying medicine, but it should be noted that this is a highly competitive route and there is limited availability.

Employability and personal career development

Informed by employers, our courses support an integrated approach to employability. You’ll have opportunities to develop the skills and abilities they are looking for and gain a deeper understanding of how your academic learning relates to the world of work through Live Briefs.

To amplify your career ambition, you will need to actively dedicate time outside of your studies, such as volunteering. Or you could make a social impact by collaborating with our partner organisations through our volunteer scheme Students at the Heart of Knowledge Exchange (SHoKE). These all give you an edge, providing you with experience that you will be able to evidence on your CV and talk about in interviews.

Our Employability and Careers Service offers a range of expert advice and support to build your unique professional profile, including tailored career appointments, advice on writing your CV, and help to complete job applications. You’ll have 24/7 access to the Careers Centre, our comprehensive online digital resource, which empowers you to start building a Personal Career Development Plan from the very start. Design your future at ARU.