Optometry with Integrated Foundation Year

Optometry is the healthcare profession concerned with the examination, diagnosis and management of conditions affecting the eye and visual system. Optometrists carry out sight tests, detect eye disease, prescribe and fit corrective lenses, and refer patients to ophthalmologists and other specialists when needed. As the population ages and conditions including diabetes, glaucoma and macular degeneration become more common, the demand for skilled optometrists is growing, and the scope of the profession is expanding to include independent prescribing and the management of a wider range of ocular conditions.

At the University of Plymouth, this five-year full-time programme includes an integrated foundation year, providing an accessible entry route for students who want to build their scientific foundations in biology, chemistry and mathematics before progressing into the main optometry degree. The foundation year includes study of microbiology and the human immune system, providing context for the clinical science that follows. As you progress through the programme, you will develop a thorough grounding in optics, visual science, ocular physiology and anatomy, pharmacology and clinical optometry practice, alongside the clinical skills needed to examine patients, detect pathology and manage a wide range of visual conditions.

Successful completion of an accredited optometry degree and the subsequent pre-registration period leads to registration with the General Optical Council, which is required to practise as an optometrist in the UK. Graduates work in high street optometry practices, hospital eye departments, contact lens clinics and specialist ophthalmic settings. Many go on to develop enhanced roles in areas including glaucoma management, medical retina, children's vision and independent prescribing.

Postgraduate study in optometry, vision science or ophthalmology is available for those who want to develop specialist clinical or research expertise.