Bachelor of Vision Science

Overview

• After completion of Master of Optometry, graduates are 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.
• QUT's state-of-the-art Optometry Clinic allows you to acquire and practise clinical skills under the supervision of registered optometrists.

Details

Why choose this course?

QUT offers the only optometry training in Queensland and is one of five 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. In the later years of the course, students spend much of their time in QUT's Optometry Clinic, examining and treating patients and also attend other external specialist clinics, to gain hands-on, real-world experience.

Career outcomes

Graduates in optometry are in high demand and have exciting careers in industry, public hospitals, 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, binocular vision/paediatric vision, occupational/public health optometry, or low vision/vision rehabilitation.

Optometrists have an important responsibility to detect and diagnose eye disease and either manage the condition or refer the patient for medical advice. They employ a variety of complex instruments and techniques to test vision for defects such as short-sightedness, far-sightedness and astigmatism, and exercise clinical judgement to advise and treat their patients accordingly. Optometrists with appropriate training are also able to use a number of therapeutic drugs to manage a range of eye conditions.

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. Graduates are also eligible for membership of Optometrists Association Australia.

Graduates of the dual degree program will be able to apply to the Optometry Board of Australia for therapeutic endorsement. However, the use of therapeutic medicines by suitably-qualified optometrists is subject to relevant State and Territory legislation.

Continuing education

Optometrists have a responsibility to attend formal continuing education seminars after they have finished their university training. This is essential to keep in touch with new developments in the profession.

Units

Entry requirements

Minimum academic requirements

Did you complete secondary school in Australia?

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.

Scholarships and financial support

You can apply for scholarships to help you with study and living costs.

These scholarships are available for this course:

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