Ophthalmic Dispensing - BSc (Hons)

Working with children and adults to improve their vision is a stimulating and rewarding career. Our course teaches the skills you need to become a dispensing optician, working alongside optometrists. You’ll learn how to dispense, fit and supply spectacles, and how to run a successful practice.

Studying in a small group, you’ll cover the anatomy of the eye and how vision and lenses work. You’ll learn how to assess and manage low vision, and about eye exams. You’ll explore how to manage a practice, enhancing your communication skills and professional conduct.

As you progress your learning will become more practically based and you'll gain hands-on experience. We'll encourage you to find work experience in your second year which can then be carried over into your third year where your work experience, if appropriately supervised, can be used as part of your pre-qualification portfolio for the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO). On successful completion of your studies, you will gain exemption from the ABDO theoretical examinations.

Throughout the course you’ll use industry-standard equipment in our dedicated dispensing laboratory and eye clinic.

You’ll also have the guidance and support of tutors who are active researchers in this field. Liam Kite, Course Leader and Admissions Tutor, was named Lecturer of the Year at the Association of Optometrists’ annual awards ceremony.