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Orthoptics

Course details
  • BSc (Hons)
  • 4 Years
  • Full-time
  • 15/09/2025
  • Undergraduate
Course location
Main Site

Course summary

Orthoptics is a small, highly specialised branch of eye care. Orthoptists largely work in the NHS within the acute hospital setting or within community health care. The correction of amblyopia (lazy eye) and strabismus (squint) makes up the majority of their work with children.

Orthoptists also work in the care and management of patients with conditions that include brain injury, diabetes, stroke, low vision and glaucoma.

They work closely with Ophthalmologists and Optometrists as well as a wide range of other professionals such as maxillo facial surgeons, neurologists and contribute to multidisciplinary teams.

If you are interested in health care, people and particularly children then Orthoptics may be the perfect career for you.

The programme involves learning with other health care professionals and students should receive a truly multidisciplinary experience throughout their four years of study.

On successful completion of the degree students can be registered with the Health Professions Council . They can also apply to become members of the British and Irish Orthoptic Society.

Professional bodies

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

  • Health and Care Professions Council

How to apply

This course has limited vacancies, and is no longer accepting applications from some students. See the list below for where you normally live, to check if you're eligible to apply.
  • EU has vacancies
  • has vacancies
  • has vacancies
  • International has vacancies
  • Scotland does not have vacancies
  • Northern Ireland has vacancies
  • Republic of Ireland has vacancies

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:
G42
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Standard Qualification requirements

A level - BCC

including two sciences from Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Maths

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

Applied Science

Access to HE Diploma

Science based access courses that include Physics and Maths with 60 Credits overall and 45 at level 3 are considered.

Scottish Higher - BBBC

to include two sciences subject from Biology/Human Biology, Chemistry, Physics to Maths.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 26 points

including two sciences at HL 4

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H2, H3, H3, H3

to include two sciences subject from Biology, Chemistry and Physics to Maths.

Scottish HNC - Pass

HNC in Science or health related HNC with Graded Unit – B required

Foundation Apprenticeship (SCQF Level 6) - Pass

Accepted as equivalent to one Higher at grade B as part of the overall grade profile of Highers required for entry. Any essential subjects at Higher should still be achieved in addition to the Foundation Apprenticeship.

T Level - M

Health and Science: Science Health and Science: Healthcare Science Health and Science: Health

SWAP Access to Science & Technology/Ophthalmics – 70% overall (Distinction) or ABB pass, at first attempt. With 70% in Physics Module

SWAP Access to Engineering – 70% overall (Distinction) or ABB pass, at first attempt considered and it is very advantageous to complete the additional Higher Biology unit.

ABDO qualification

Academic IELTS of 7.0 with no other element below 6.5
or
Higher English at A
or
Higher ESOL at A

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Scottish Higher - BCCC

to include two sciences subject from Biology/Human Biology, Chemistry and Physics or Maths.

If English is not your First Language we will look for one of the following:

Academic IELTS of 7.0 with no other element below 6.5
or
Higher English at A
or
Higher ESOL at A

Additional entry requirements

Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)
Health checks
to be organised by the university
Interview
Yes - dates TBC
Other
applicants must be at least 16 at the point when they start the programme in order to obtain a PVG

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)7IELTS of overall 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each element
Will also Accept Higher English at A or Higher ESOL at A

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

LocationFeeYear
England£9535Year 1
Northern Ireland£9535Year 1
Wales£9535Year 1
Channel Islands£9535Year 1
Republic of Ireland£9535Year 1
Scotland£1820Year 1
EU£15200Year 1
International£15200Year 1

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

For further information please visit our website www.gcu.ac.uk/study/tuitionfees

Additional costs may apply to students on this programme. Please check the fees and funding section of the programme page on the GCU website for specific details.

Sponsorship information

The fees and financial support that are relevant to you depend on where you lived before coming to university.

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