Masters (Coursework)
We rely heavily on our five senses to navigate life: touch, taste, smell, hearing and sight. Each of these senses play a vital role in our day-to-day lives. Problems with eyesight can have a profound impact on an individual's life.
We rely heavily on our five senses to navigate life: touch, taste, smell, hearing and sight. Each of these senses play a vital role in our day-to-day lives. Problems with eyesight can have a profound impact on an individual's life. Through optometry, many vision problems and eye diseases can be corrected or managed, restoring sight to people from all walks of life.
Optometrists diagnose vision problems, eye diseases and other eye health issues. These highly skilled professionals correct poor vision and manage or slow degenerative eye diseases with corrective lenses, optical aids, therapy or medication.
The Master of Clinical Optometry is a two-year degree that serves as a pathway to registered practice as an optometrist in Australia, New Zealand and parts of Asia. It combines the theoretical discipline of vision science, the optics of lenses and instruments, the physiology of the eye, the psychophysics of vision and neuroscience with the clinical art of primary eye care, which covers the diagnosis and management of ocular disease, the dispensing of spectacles and contact lenses, the management of people with special needs (children, low vision), sports vision and vision in the workplace.
Gain practical experience in UNSW's Optometry Clinic
You'll gain practical experience in UNSW's Optometry Clinic
Connect with industry-leading research centres and institutes
We'll provide you with a varied education in vision science through the Centre for Eye Health
Study with the School of Optometry and Vision Science
UNSW Optometry and Vision Science is the largest school of optometry in Australia. We are committed to forming partnerships within the ophthalmic industry and across the health care sector. The School is committed to translational research that will lead to practical applications and significant improvements in community eye health.
Direct pathway: Entry into the double award 3182 Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Clinical Optometry program.
You must maintain an overall CREDIT average (65%) at the end of the Bachelor of Vision Science component of the program to progress to the Master of Clinical Optometry. Students who do not meet this requirement are expected to exit the program with a Bachelor of Vision Science degree.
Alternative pathway: Program 8095 is only open to students who have completed program 3181 (BVisSci) from UNSW. Please refer to Admissions from program 3181 to 8095.
Applicants who have completed a Bachelor of Vision Science (3181) degree at UNSW may apply for entry into the Master of Clinical Optometry. Admission into the Master of Clinical Optometry will be a competitive process that is based on academic performance. To be considered for entry into the Master of Clinical Optometry, you must have at least an overall CREDIT average (65% WAM) in your completed undergraduate degree, however, there is no guarantee of a place in the Master of Clinical Optometry as only a limited number will be available. Students with a Bachelor of Vision Science degree (or equivalent) from an international institution are advised to either apply for the Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Clinical Optometry (3182) program, or the Bachelor of Vision Science (3181) and apply for entry into the Master of Clinical Optometry via the above competitive selection process.
The award of credit in recognition of prior learning (RPL) for external students will be considered (in accordance with UNSW RPL policy and procedure), and a study plan will be developed on a case by case basis. Students with a Bachelor of Vision Science degree (or equivalent) from an Australian or New Zealand institution are advised to either apply for the Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Clinical Optometry (3182) program, or the Bachelor of Vision Science (3181) and apply for entry into the Master of Clinical Optometry via the above competitive selection process. The award of credit in recognition of prior learning (RPL) for external students will be considered (in accordance with UNSW RPL policy and procedure), and a study plan will be developed on a case by case basis.
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If you're completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (e.g. NSW HSC or equivalent), you do not need to provide anything extra to prove your proficiency. Your qualification will be used as evidence of your English proficiency.
If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application. You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College's Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
Direct pathway: Entry into the double award 3182 Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Clinical Optometry program.
You must maintain an overall CREDIT average (65%) at the end of the Bachelor of Vision Science component of the program to progress to the Master of Clinical Optometry. Students who do not meet this requirement are expected to exit the program with a Bachelor of Vision Science degree.
Alternative pathway: Program 8095 is only open to students who have completed program 3181 (BVisSci) from UNSW.
Applicants who have completed a Bachelor of Vision Science (3181) degree at UNSW may apply for entry into the Master of Clinical Optometry. Admission into the Master of Clinical Optometry will be a competitive process that is based on academic performance. To be considered for entry into the Master of Clinical Optometry, you must have at least an overall CREDIT average (65% WAM) in your completed undergraduate degree, however, there is no guarantee of a place in the Master of Clinical Optometry as only a limited number will be available. Students with a Bachelor of Vision Science degree (or equivalent) from an international institution are advised to either apply for the Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Clinical Optometry (3182) program, or the Bachelor of Vision Science (3181) and apply for entry into the Master of Clinical Optometry via the above competitive selection process.
The award of credit in recognition of prior learning (RPL) for external students will be considered (in accordance with UNSW RPL policy and procedure), and a study plan will be developed on a case by case basis. Students with a Bachelor of Vision Science degree (or equivalent) from an Australian or New Zealand institution are advised to either apply for the Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Clinical Optometry (3182) program, or the Bachelor of Vision Science (3181) and apply for entry into the Master of Clinical Optometry via the above competitive selection process. The award of credit in recognition of prior learning (RPL) for external students will be considered (in accordance with UNSW RPL policy and procedure), and a study plan will be developed on a case by case basis.
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on whether you are from an English-speaking background or non-English speaking background. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If English is not your first language, you'll need to provide proof of your English proficiency before you can be given an offer to study at UNSW. You can do this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College's Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
Become an optometrist
Optometrists diagnose vision problems, eye diseases and other eye health issues. These highly skilled professionals correct poor vision and manage or slow degenerative eye diseases with corrective lenses, optical aids, therapy or medication.
The demand for qualified optometrists remains steady in Australia and globally, due to ageing and growing populations. By 2036 the number of optometrists is like to increase with Australia's population projected to reach 32.4 million people.
Across the world, over 2.2 billion people experience vision impairment or blindness
Upon completion of the Master of Clinical Optometry, you can apply to register with the Optometry Board of Australia