The Aston Graduate Diploma in Optometry has been designed for students who require additional study in order to progress onto the UK pre-registration period. This includes:

Optometry graduates who have not achieved the grades required for automatic progression onto the UK pre-registration period (i.e. students that have not achieved at least a 2:2 in their degree and / or competence in key skills).

Practitioners whose certificate of clinical competence has expired.

Students from outside the UK who have a recommendation from the General Optical Council and need to obtain an appropriate qualification to work in the UK.

You will study alongside our BSc Optometry students in a supportive environment, designed to enhance your existing knowledge. Working alongside a team of expert teaching staff from Aston Optometry School, who come from a wide variety of healthcare, industry and research backgrounds, you will complete a range of lectures, tutorials and take part in practical/clinical sessions to hone your skills.

On successful completion of the course, you will be well prepared to embark on your pre-registration year and take the first steps into a rewarding career in optometry.

As a graduate you could enter your career in:

• hospitals
• community-based or private practices
• the optical industry
• optometry research

Recently, Aston graduates from our BSc/MOptom Optometry courses have found rewarding careers at:

• Boots
• NHS hospitals
• Specsavers
• Tesco
• Vision Express

Professional accreditation

This course is regulated by the General Optical Council (GOC).

Students must be registered with the GOC before the start of the academic year - university staff are on hand to help you with this during Freshers’ week.  The GOC asks students to disclose any prior criminal convictions that may render them unsuitable for training.

After completion of the Graduate Diploma in Optometry, you must complete a pre-registration period that leads to a series of College of Optometrist exams through the Scheme for Registration.  Success in the College's exams earns you the qualification MCOptom (Member of the College of Optometrists) and allows you to register with the GOC as a fully qualified optometrist. Entry to pre-registration training is regulated by the GOC and minimum entry requirements apply - visit their website for more information.

The Pre-Registration period involves working in-practice, being supported by supervisors, and taking a number of assessments.  You will be responsible for finding your own Pre-Registration post, however the Aston Careers Team and the Optometry careers tutor will be on hand to support you. In addition, as one of the UK's leading Optometry courses, we are regularly targeted by the major high street optometry chains and other companies that offer Pre-Registration posts.