Master of Clinical Optometry

at University of New South Wales

Program Structure

Students must complete 96 UOC when taken as a standalone program.

Year 1 Core Courses (Stage 4)

48 Units of Credit:

Students must take 48 UOC of the following courses.

• Optometric Preclinical Practice

• Contact Lenses

• Clinical Optometry 4A

• Anterior Eye Therapeutics

• Binocular Vision, Paediatrics and Low Vision

• Clinical Optometry 4B

• Therapeutics and the Posterior Eye

• Professional Optometry

Year 2 Core Courses (Stage 5)

48 Units of Credit:

Students must take 48 UOC of the following courses.

• Clinical Paediatrics, Low Vision and Colour Vision

• Clinical Optometry 5A

• Clinical Ocular Therapy 5A

• Optometry Research Project A

• Clinical Contact Lenses

• Clinical Optometry 5B

• Clinical Ocular Therapy 5B

• Optometry Research Project B

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.

Indicative First Year Fee

AU $42,520

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. Access to proper eye care can correct many of these cases through different clinical measures. Sadly, for people living in communities with limited access to health care, treatment for vision problems is often inadequate. There are many opportunities for qualified optometrists to join programs and organisations that provide care to these populations on a short-term or long-term basis.