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Orthoptics

  • BSc (Hons)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-time
  • 22/09/2025
  • Undergraduate
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2025-20262026-2027
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Course summary

The Orthoptics programme aims to develop your knowledge of how the vision system works, binocular vision involving how the eyes work together, and eye movement systems including the importance of assessing ocular motility. In addition, you will focus on the fundamentals of the nervous system, neuro-anatomy and physiology, and where it relates to the practice of orthoptics. This background knowledge will enable a graduate orthoptist to perform as a competent and reflective practitioner and be a valuable member of the eye care team.
The Orthoptic programme will equip a graduate with the skills to diagnose and manage conditions which may present in a range of patients from newborns to the elderly, eg strabismus (eye misalignments), amblyopia (sometimes called lazy eye), traumatic injuries, tumours, head injuries, diabetes and strokes.

This programme is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) for the purpose of providing eligibility to apply for registration with the HCPC as an orthoptist.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • BSc (Hons) • Full-time • 3 Years

Start dates

  • 22/09/2025

Apply by
29 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
B520
Institution code:
L41
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1

University of Liverpool has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Apply by
29 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
B520
Institution code:
L41
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff

Not accepted

A level

BBB
Three A2 Levels (or two A2 Levels and two AS Levels with potential higher grades required) with at least one of the following subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology or Mathematics to full A-Level. Note: General Studies is not accepted Higher grades may be required from resit students and Applied Science A2 Level must be accompanied by another Science A-Level, not applied. For applicants from England: Where a science has been taken at A level (Chemistry, Biology or Physics), a pass in the Science practical of each subject will be required.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

DDD
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate: Accepted at a minimum of Distinction accompanied by 2 A levels at grade B (A levels must include one of the following: Biology, Maths, Chemistry or Physics). Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (120 Credits) in either Health and Social Care or Applied Science at Grade DD, PLUS 1 additional A Level at a minimum of Grade B. Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care will be considered at Grade DDD. Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Applied Science will be considered at DDD.

Access to HE Diploma

D: 30 credits M: 15 credits
45 credits at Level 3 in Biological, Psychological, Mathematical, Healthcare or Physics based subjects. 30 credits passed at distinction (Must include a minimum of 15 credits in a Biological or Physiological Science) and the remaining 15 credits must be passed at merit or higher. 5 GCSE subjects graded A*C and must include: English Language, Mathematics and Science.

Scottish Higher

BBBBB
BBBBB (must include Biology, Physics, Maths or Chemistry). Combination of Advanced Highers and Highers will be considered. A mixed presentation must include Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Maths at a minimum grade B. Advanced Highers must be in different subjects to those of Highers.

Scottish Advanced Higher

BBB
BBBBB (must include Biology, Physics, Maths or Chemistry). Combination of Advanced Highers and Highers will be considered. A mixed presentation must include Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Maths at a minimum grade B. Advanced Highers must be in different subjects to those of Highers.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

30 points
30 points to include 3 Higher Level subjects at a minimum of grade 5. Biology must be offered at a minimum of a grade 6.

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)

A
Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate: Grade BB at A-Level ( which must include one of the following: Maths, Biology, Physics or Chemistry), plus the Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate at Grade A.

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)

H2, H2, H3, H3, H3, H3
Junior Certificate: 6 subjects at Grade B or above, to include Science, Mathematics and English Language. and 6 Higher Level subjects to include English and Mathematics and one of the following Science subjects: Biology, Physics or Chemistry. Two subjects should be graded at H2 or higher (this should include a Science subject) and the remaining four subjects should be graded at H3 or higher.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

5 GCSE subjects at grade A*-C or grades 9-4. Subjects to include English Language, Mathematics and a Science. Core and Applied Science GCSEs will not be considered. All GCSEs should be obtained at one sitting.

T Level

D
T Levels in Health; Heath Science and Science will be considered with a grade of Distinction overall.

Profession-specific knowledge and skills required
Candidates must show evidence, in their UCAS Personal Statement, of a good understanding of the profession. It is highly recommended that a candidate should observe a state registered Orthoptist, but where this is not possible a visit to a clinical department involving discussion with the Orthoptist is required. The experience gained should be discussed in their UCAS Personal Statement, and the applicant must show evidence of a good understanding.

Candidates should be able to discuss in lay terms the conditions/examination procedures etc observed. They must also be aware of the differences between Orthoptics and Optometry.

Candidates should have experience of working with the general public and especially children, people with special needs and the elderly.

Careers conventions, information leaflets, and websites may also provide helpful background information.

Declaration of Criminal Background
You will understand that as a health sciences student, and when you qualify, you will be asked to treat children and other vulnerable people. We therefore need information about any criminal offences of which you may have been convicted, or with which you have been charged. The information you provide may later be checked with the police. Please complete the Declaration of Criminal Background form‌‌.

Health screening
The University and the School of Health Sciences has an obligation to undertake health screening on all prospective healthcare students. Any offer of a place to study is conditional on completion of a health questionnaire and a satisfactory assessment of fitness to train from the University’s Occupational Health Service. This will include some obligatory immunisations and blood tests.

Disability information
If you have, or think you have dyslexia or a long term health condition or impairment that may have the potential to impact upon your studies and/or your Fitness to Practice duty, please complete the Disability form‌. We will contact you to discuss your support needs.

Important information
The academic profile, reference and personal statement of each candidate are given equal consideration. Due to the large number of applications it is advised that candidates ensure that they present with the strongest possible application.

Additional essential requirements

Additional requirements include:
Knowledge/understanding of the profession
Evidence of care/compassion for others
Evidence of teamwork and personal achievement
Evidence of verbal/written communication skills

Please download Orthoptics entry criteria 2017 for full details.

Additional entry requirements

Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

The University of Liverpool is committed to supporting talented applicants from all backgrounds to succeed. One of the ways we support students and fair access to higher education is through making reduced offers as part of our contextual admissions strategy, the Liverpool Scholars programme, Realising Opportunities national collaboration of universities and Sutton Trust Pathways. Additional consideration may be given to applicants with disrupted education or extenuating circumstances.

Learn more on the University of Liverpool website

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

Tuition fees for Home undergraduates
If this is your first degree and you are a Home student applying for entry in 2024, you do not have to pay your fees upfront. Instead, you can take out a tuition fee loan which is paid straight to the University. This is available to most students, no matter what their household income.

For UK students applying for 2024 entry the Tuition Fees are £9,250.

Check tuition fees for our undergraduate degrees. Select a course and go to the fees and funding section on the course page: Https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/paying-for-your-studies/

Some of our programmes charge less than the full £9,250 fee:
• Foundation programmes: the fee for the foundation year of specified programmes at Carmel College
• Programmes with a Foundation element: Psychology BSc (Hons) (2+2 programme with Foundation element) is run in collaboration with Wirral Metropolitan College.
• Programmes with a year in industry or a year abroad:
Some programmes which include compulsory fieldwork or additional elements such as the Pilots Licence in Aerospace Engineering may incur additional costs. Where this is the case, those costs will be outlined at on-campus events such as the University Open Days or Post Application Visit Days

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