Huddersfield to increase optometry intake by one third in September 2024

The University of Huddersfield will expand its optometry course to 100 places as it moves to an integrated Master’s programme.

From September 2024, all first-year optometry students at the University of Huddersfield will join the new level 7 Master’s degree, developed in response to the General Optical Council’s (GOC) revised education and training requirements.

Intake numbers will rise from 68 to 100 students in response to demand for places and coinciding with the changes to the course.

Professor John Siderov, head of department for optometry, said: “Optometry at the University of Huddersfield continues to develop and innovate. With the new MOptom we will be offering more students the opportunity to benefit from our high-quality education and facilities.”

Students will have access to the new optometry laboratory, which forms part of the recently refurbished School of Allied Sciences in the Joseph Priestley Building.

The building, which hosts facilities dedicated to the study of biology, chemistry, and optometry, was officially opened earlier this year following a renovation.

Joseph Priestley Building

The optometry department takes up the ground floor of the east section of the Joseph Priestley Building at the University of Huddersfield

Those on the new optometry course will benefit from clinical experience in their first three years through the joint venture eye clinic, University Valli Opticians. This will include carrying out eye examinations in their third year.

In the final year of the course, students will be offered a placement in collaboration with the College of Optometrists, the completion of which will enable them to register with the GOC as an optometrist post-graduation.

Students who have successfully completed the University of Huddersfield’s Science Extended Degree with the required grades are eligible to advance onto the Optometry MOptom course.