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University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)

UCAS Code: B511 | Master of Optometry - MOptom

Entry requirements

A level

B,B,B

Must include 2 science subjects out of the following - physics, biology or human biology, chemistry, mathematics

GCSE/National 4/National 5

For those without mathematics or physics at A level, then GCSE mathematics at a minimum of grade B/6 is required For those without English at A level, then GCSE English Language at minimum grade B/6 is required For those without mathematics or physics at higher, National 5 mathematics or National 5 Applications of mathematics at grade B or above or standard grade mathematics (grade 2) level or above English at higher is preferred, although other essay-based subjects such as history or modern studies would be accepted as an alternative. For those without English higher, or equivalent, then National 5 English at grade B or above or standard grade English (grade 2) level or above

Scottish HNC

Pass

A science-based HNC such as HNC Applied Sciences with grade B or above in the graded unit

Scottish Higher

A,B,B,B

Must include 2 science subjects out of the following - physics, biology or human biology, chemistry, mathematics

UCAS Tariff

114-120

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About this course

Course option

5years

Full-time | 2026

Subject

Optometry

There is a growing demand across our region and beyond for optometrists - highly skilled healthcare professionals, trained to examine the eyes to detect defects in vision, signs of injury, ocular diseases, and abnormalities - who are qualified to independently prescribe. Join our innovative, interactive, integrated MOptom Optometry and Independent Prescribing* programme, and develop the knowledge and skills you need to confidently pursue a career in this vital field and register as an optometrist with the General Optical Council.

Our progressive course follows a patient- and team-based approach to your learning and teaching, grounding you in foundational skills and building on them throughout each level. Through this method, you will gain in-depth theoretical knowledge and practical experience, and develop key skills including critical thinking, problem solving, patient management, and independent prescribing, as you learn how to make clinical management decisions to provide exactly the right care and treatment plan for your patients.

Practical teaching within clinical workshops is delivered in modern, purpose-built facilities in Inverness. Along with training in our clinical skills suite, in years 1-4 you will also undertake a total of 19 weeks of placements in community practice and hospital eye clinics, giving you unique and immediate access to the situations and emergencies dealt with by optometrists daily, experience that goes above and beyond anything that can be replicated in a university setting.

In year 5, you will spend your entire year in the field, with two paid 6-month placements in different types of practices. During this period, you will cover the practical elements required for independent prescribing and, on successful completion of all modules and assessments, you will be eligible for the GOC register as an optometrist, with the specialist qualification of Independent Prescribing.

Tuition fees

Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:

Channel Islands
£9,250
per year
England
£9,250
per year
EU
£16,950
per year
International
£16,950
per year
Northern Ireland
£9,250
per year
Republic of Ireland
£9,250
per year
Scotland
£1,820
per year
Wales
£9,250
per year

The Uni

Course location:

UHI House

Department:

Applied Life Studies

Read full university profile

What students say

How do students rate their degree experience?

The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Ophthalmics

Sorry, no information to show

This is usually because there were too few respondents in the data we receive to be able to provide results about the subject at this university.


Who studies this subject and how do they get on?

100%
UK students
0%
International students
9%
Male students
91%
Female students
1%
2:1 or above
29%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

C
B
B

After graduation

The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Ophthalmics

What are graduates doing after six months?

This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.

£33,000
high
Average annual salary
77%
low
Employed or in further education
70%
low
Employed in a role where degree was essential or beneficial

Top job areas of graduates

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This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.

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This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.

You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.

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Post-six month graduation stats:

This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.

It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.

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Graduate field commentary:

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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?

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