Master of Optometry

at University of New South Wales

Program Structure

Students must complete 72 UOC when taken as a standalone program.

The program is comprised of:

• 12-18 UOC of Core Courses

• 54-60 UOC of Prescribed Electives that may include up to 18 UOC of postgraduate courses from the School of Population Health (PHCM9XXX courses only), Community Medicine or School of Business, subject to the approval of the Program Authorities from all Schools.

Core Courses

Students must take at least 12 UOC, up to a maximum of 18 UOC of the following courses.

Please Note:

• Students electing to take OPTM7208 Research Skills in Optometry (3UOC), must enrol 2 times over two Terms for a total of 6UOC

• Students electing to take OPTM7218 Research Project (4 UOC), must enrol 3 times over three Terms for a total of 12 UOC.

Core Courses

• Evidence Based Optometry

One of the following:

Research Skills in Optometry
 

OR

Research Project

Prescribed Electives

Students must take at least 54 UOC, up to a maximum of 60 UOC of the following courses.

• Introduction to Community Eye Health

• Epidemiology of Blinding Eye Diseases

• Eye Care Program Management

• Advanced Contact Lens Studies 1

• Ocular Therapy 1

• Visual Neuroscience

• Specialty Contact Lens Studies

• Advanced Clinical Optometry

• Advanced Ocular Disease 1

• Advanced Ocular Disease 2

• Introduction to Myopia

• Myopia Management

The minimum requirement is the equivalent of a three-year AQF level 7 Bachelor degree in Optometry with a credit average. Students with an average between 50 and 65 will be considered for admission at the discretion of the Postgraduate Coordinator taking into consideration performance in Optometry courses completed in the undergraduate program, and post-conferral clinical experience.

Applicants with the equivalent of an AQF level 8 Bachelor Honours degree in Optometry may be awarded advanced standing for a maximum of 24 UOC and may complete the degree within one year of full time study (48 UOC). These students will still be required to complete the core course requirements for the program but will take fewer elective courses.

Indicative First Year Full Fee

AU $34,970

Advance your knowledge and skill as an optometrist 

The demand for optometrists remains steady in Australia and globally, due to ageing and growing populations. By 2036 the number of optometrists is likely to increase with Australia’s population projected to reach 32.4 million people.  

In order to adapt to the diversity in the challenges in health that will arise, it is critical for optometrists to acquire the high-level knowledge and skills necessary to remain at the forefront of future innovations that will address the real-world demands in clinical practice and business practices of the profession. The Master of Optometry degree allows optometrists to develop expertise in contact lenses, sensory neuroscience, myopia control, community eye health, as well as business and public health. 

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. Advancing your skills and knowledge as a qualified optometrist will better position you to adapt to domestic and global challenges in the sector.