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Overview
- After completion of Master of Optometry, graduates able to practise as an optometrist and register with the Optometry Board of Australia.
- Receive individual attention from experienced lecturers in small classes.
- Prepare for a career in private practice, contact lens practice, paediatric vision, occupational/public health vision or low vision.
| Careers |
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| QTAC course code | 425312 |
| QUT course code | OP45 |
| Attendance | Full time |
| Course duration | 3 years full time |
| Start month | February |
| Delivery |
On campus
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| Faculty |
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| Course contact |
Student Business Services (SBS) Admissions:
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| CRICOS code | 065380A |
Details
Why choose this course?
QUT offers the only optometry training in Queensland and is one of four universities in Australia to offer optometry. Class sizes are small so you will receive individual attention from experienced lecturers. Our staff maintain strong professional and organisational relationships within the industry, and our guest lecturers are optometrists from private practice and allied health disciplines such as medical and pharmacy professions. The Optometry Clinic, located in the state-of-the-art QUT Health Clinics, allows you to acquire and practise clinical skills under the supervision of registered optometrists.
Course summary
QUT’s Optometry program is a dual award program, the three-year Bachelor of Vision Science followed by the two-year Master of Optometry. On successful completion of the dual award, you can apply for registration as an optometrist in Australia.
As a student in the Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Optometry, you will work with a range of complex instruments and learn to use clinical judgement to treat patients in a variety of ways, including contact lenses, spectacles, or advice on lighting and visual habits. The program will provide you with an excellent understanding of general and ocular pharmacology and skills for therapeutic management of eye disease.
Career outcomes
Graduates in optometry are in high demand and have exciting careers in industry, teaching or research positions in Australia and internationally. Many graduates enter private practice with a view to future partnership or the establishment of their own practice.
Graduates of the dual award program (Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Optometry) can work or specialise in areas such as contact lens practice, paediatric vision, occupational/public health vision, or low vision.
Students may choose to not complete the Master of Optometry, exiting with a three-year Bachelor of Vision Science, to pursue a research career (following completion of an honours year), or find employment in the ophthalmic industry.
Student registration
QUT automatically registers students enrolled in this course with the Optometry Board of Australia in accordance with the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Act 2009. Details about student registration are available from the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency at www.ahpra.gov.au
Professional recognition
You must complete the Bachelor of Vision Science and the Master of Optometry to be eligible for registration as an optometrist with the Optometry Board of Australia.
Units
Entry requirements
Assumed knowledge
Before you start this course we assume you have sound knowledge in these areas:
- Physics
- Maths B
- English
- Chemistry
We assume that you have knowledge equivalent to four semesters at high school level (Years 11 and 12) with sound achievement (4, SA).
Deferment
You can defer your offer and postpone the start of your course for one year.
Course fees
Your actual fees may vary depending on which units you choose. All fees are based on current fixed fee prices. We review fees annually.
2012: CSP $2,260 (indicative) per Semester (subject to annual review)
HECS-HELP: loans to help you pay your course fees
You may not have to pay anything upfront if you're eligible for a HECS-HELP loan.
Find out if you're eligible for a HECS-HELP loan
Scholarships and financial support
You can apply for scholarships to help you with study and living costs.
You may also be eligible for Centrelink payments
Apply
How to apply for Bachelor of Vision Science
You apply through QTAC for all our undergraduate courses.
Are you ready to submit your application?
You're ready if you've:
- Found all the courses you want to apply for - you can apply for up to 6
- Checked important dates
- Semester 1
20121 August 2011 -Applications for Semester 1, 2012 open
30 September 2011 -Due date for on-time QTAC applications for 2012. Further information is available from QTAC.
20 December 2011 -Due date to submit QTAC applications and documentation for the January offer round. Further information is available from QTAC.
5 January 2012 - Final date to change preferences for the QTAC January offer round. Further information is available from QTAC. - Semester 2
20121 August 2011 - Applications for Semester 2, 2012 open.23 April 2012 - Final date to submit QTAC midyear applications and documentation for the May offer round. Further information is available from QTAC.25 May 2012 -Final date to submit QTAC midyear applications, change of preference and documentation for the June offer round. Further information is available from QTAC.
- Checked you meet the entry requirements
- Checked your course costs and if you're eligible for financial support
All done? Then you're ready to apply
Important: Make a note of the QTAC code for this course (425312) because you'll need to enter it as part of your QTAC application.
After you've submitted your application to QTAC
If you've studied before or if you have at least two years' work experience, you may want to apply for credit for prior learning.
