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University

University of Auckland
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Bachelor of Optometry

This course is available

On-Campus

Level of Study

Bachelor's Degree

Duration

5 years

Next start date

Expected Feb 2024

Campus

Grafton Campus

Summary

The University of Auckland offers New Zealand's only BOptom degree, which qualifies you to work as an optometrist.

Programme overview

The BOptom is accredited by the Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand.

This programme enables you to develop communication, empathy and problem-solving skills, particularly working with children, the elderly and the partially sighted.

It will prepare you for registration as an Optometrist, and you’ll be equipped to diagnose visual problems or impairments, advise on the prevention of vision loss, prescribe and provide treatment.

This programme covers both theory and the clinical aspects of Optometry, preparing you for the workforce after graduation.

The BOptom is limited and competitive. You will be selected on the basis of academic merit and personal qualities exhibited during the selection interview. There are 60 places available each year.

Programme structure

The BOptom is a five year qualification (600 points) that includes year one, as the Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science (or an equivalent programme of study such as the first year in Health Sciences from the University of Otago).

In the second and third years (Parts II-III), you will take a combination of core courses in applicable life sciences, vision and optometric sciences, anatomy and physiology of vision, mechanisms of disease and optics and visual science.

You will study general optometric practice and aspects of clinical optometry.

In your fourth and fifth years (Parts IV-V), you will study contact lenses, paediatric optometry and binocular vision, and continue to learn about eye diseases and treatments.

You will be required to take courses in advanced clinical optometry and undertake a research project.

You will gain practical experience in examining and treating patients in one of our public clinics and during external placements.

You must also include two General Education courses in your programme (30 points total). One will need to be completed prior to admission to the BOptom (during the first year of the BSc in Biomedical Science), and one the following year in Part Two of the BOptom. Your options are listed in the General Education Schedules that are approved for the BOptom programme.

Where could this programme take you?

On graduation you can be accredited as a registered optometrist, able to diagnose and treat eye diseases in New Zealand and Australia. The majority of optometrists enter private practice, which offers regular hours and the freedom to choose where to live and work. Optometrists can also practise in hospitals and clinics or work in the industry or research.

Jobs related to this programme

  • Registered optometrist

Further study options

  • Postgraduate Diploma in Science
  • Master of Science
  • Master of Health Sciences

Entry criteria

To apply for BOptom as an undergraduate student you must complete the first year of the Bachelor of Science (BSc) (Biomedical Science) at the University of Auckland, or the Health Sciences First Year at the University of Otago.

Interview Eligibility
Applicants will need to achieve a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 5.5 across all 8 first year courses, with no fails, to be eligible for consideration for an admission interview (MMI – Multi Mini Interviews).

Graduate entry

To apply for the BOptom under the Graduate entry category, applicants must have completed a relevant degree/degrees on a full time basis at a recognised university. Your last year of full time study must be no more than five years prior to the year of application. A minimum of 105 points over Semesters One and Two per academic calendar year is required to be considered as full time for BOptom admission. A typical academic calendar year is 120 points.

Interview Eligibility
Applicants will need to achieve a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 5.5 across their last 2 years of full time study to be eligible for consideration for an admission interview (MMI – Multi Mini Interviews).

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