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Following on from critical acclaim from those that matter, the students obviously, Aston University has announced that it is upgrading one of its current optometry degree courses in the subject. The new masters degree in optometry will be launched for new students applying for places in their 2012/13 calendar.
Currently the university, based in the Birmingham area, offers two courses to budding optometrists of the future, a BSc in the subject as well as a graduate diploma in optometry. The current bachelor of science degree is the UK's highest ranked programme for student satisfaction in the subject, and covers a three year learning period, providing the theoretical and practical knowledge skills required to become a qualified optometrist. The university's other course offers graduates who have not achieved the needed grades for automatic progression onto the UK pre-registration period an opportunity to gain their diplomas. It is also available for practitioners whose certificates have expired.
The new masters course arrives to take the place of the current BSc degree and stretches to a studying period of 4 years from the bachelors 3 years. The university has the support and accreditation of the GOC and College of Optometrists. The newly added fourth year will look to cram in a number of important extras including:
- Opportunities to attend weekend workshops at the university during year 4
- Final year work placement while enrolled as students at Aston university
- 6x masters levels required during placement
- The fourth year completion will be required to attain the masters degree
Students currently enrolled on the 3 year BSc degree will be given the option to transfer to the masters degree or continue as they currently are.