Optometry

Once you’re a registered optometrist, you could go on to work in your own practice, a hospital, or an international optical company.

For students who complete their first year of MOptom Optometry to an exceptionally high standard, there may be the opportunity to transfer to Year 1 of our MBChB Medicine degree and train to become a doctor. This can ultimately lead to careers in ophthalmology.

Graduation doesn’t have to be the end of your time with us. You could 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.

ARU graduates have gone on to transform eye health care in communities throughout the world. Some have become owners of their own practices, or have moved into developing medical technologies.

Our graduates have also worked for companies involved in pharmaceuticals, and gone into education and training.

We want you to be a step ahead when you graduate, so we offer:

• courses designed with employers
• tutors with professional industry knowledge
• hands-on learning through Live Briefs, internships and placements
• Ruskin Modules that help develop the skills employers value.

Alongside your course, there are lots of other opportunities to build your skills and experience:

• add value to your CV with an ARU Certificate of Professional Development
• get involved in a thriving volunteering programme
• develop your brilliant business ideas
• work with businesses to make a social impact.

We’re here to help you develop your CV and find that all-important role after graduation. Our Employability Service offers tailored career appointments, advice on writing your CV, help to complete job applications, and much more. You’ll have 24/7 access to an online Careers Centre too, which is packed with useful resources.

The support continues after you graduate, with lifelong access to our Alumni Career Centre.

Find out more about careers support at ARU.

As an Optometry student at ARU, you’ll start gaining practical experience from the first week of your course. You’ll learn how to conduct eye examinations, interpret your clinical findings, and communicate them to patients.

In Year 3, you’ll undertake a weekly placement in our public-facing University Eye Clinic, conducting eye examinations and contact lens appointments, and dispensing spectacles.

In Year 4, you’ll complete formal placements lasting for 44-48 weeks, with four days per week in practice. You’ll be able to make a shortlist of preferred placement locations and providers. These placements are developed and assessed in conjunction with optometry’s professional body, the College of Optometrists.

Throughout the course, we’ll use a range of assessment methods to measure your progress. Because our course is so practical, a lot of your assessment will be practical too – including exams and clinical competence.

You’ll also do written exams, problem-solving exercises, essays, presentations and data analysis. Additionally, you’ll be encouraged to critically reflect on your work to feed forward for the next stages of your career.