1. Optometry Education and Qualification in the United Kingdom Julie-Anne Little

3. UK Regulation and professional standards
General Optical Council
College of Optometrists
Association of Optometrists

4. General Optical Council (GOC)
Two stages of competency for optometrists
Stage 1: satisfied by BSc Optometry (or equivalent)
Stage 2: satisfied by Examinations at end of ‘Pre-registration year’.

5. UK Optometry Education system
QAA Subject benchmarking statement (levels 4-6)
Entry criteria
‘A-levels’ or equivalent
Students at least 18 years of age

6. UK Optometry Universities
Glasgow Caledonian University
University of Ulster
Manchester University
Bradford University
600 Students per year
Anglia Ruskin University
Aston University
Cardiff University
City University
University of Plymouth

7. UK Optometry Education system
3-4 year BSc degree
Majority exit with BSc in Optometry
MSc in Optometry

8. University accreditation
GOC quinquennial visits to Optometry university courses
Quality assurance system
Competency-based scrutiny

9. University accreditation
Syllabi not identical
Students must keep portfolio of evidence and satisfy core competencies
Reports on GOC website

10. University experience
In-depth anatomy and science foundations
Requirements to perform minimum number of eye examinations and Dispensing activities
Visits to Ophthalmology clinics
In-depth Ocular disease

11. University experience
Specialist practice, e.g. Low vision, binocular vision, paediatrics
Wide range of assessment experiences
Research project
Inter-disciplinary learning
Evidence-based practice
Ocular Therapeutics

12. After University
Compulsory to undertake a Pre-registration year of supervised work
Must have graduated with at least a 2:2
Professional examinations at end of this year
Ran by College of Optometrists

13. Pre-registration scheme – College of Optometrists
Need supervisor to work with
Can be in community or hospital setting
Student AOP

14. Pre-registration scheme – College of Optometrists
Work-based Assessments
Assessing each of the 75 elements of competence. Approximately 4 visits
Work-based Assessment
Assessor examines a routine eye test and Contact lens fitting under timed conditions.

15. Pre-registration scheme – College of Optometrists
3. Final Assessment
Not in own practice. In an examination centre.
Objective Structure Clinical Examinations (OSCEs)
16 OSCE’s, five minutes each
College has video of OSCE

16. After Registration GOC Registered optometrist
Compulsory continuing education. Recent changes to this: e.g. Peer review
Higher qualifcations

17. Career Ladder Independent therapeutic prescribing rights
Further academic and professional options
Post-graduate short courses (level 7)
MSc (level 7)
PhD (level 8)
Professional Doctorates (level 8)
Higher qualifcations