Course Title: Bachelor of Science (Honours) Optometry
Optometry is a regulated primary healthcare profession. Optometrists are often the first professional to be consulted when an eye problem presents.
Optometrists check vision and prescribe and fit spectacles and contact lenses as needed. For children or adults with problems coordinating their eyes, optometrists carry out patching and other forms of vision therapy to help people develop and maintain binocular vision. Optometrists examine the eyes to detect diseases such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, and cataracts. Systemic diseases like diabetes or hypertension can also be detected during the eye examination.
What does the course involve?
The optometry course is a challenging and rewarding four-year honours bachelor degree.
The first year focuses on science subjects necessary for optometric training. Clinical teaching begins in year 1 and increases in year 2 so that students are equipped with the core clinical skills necessary for a routine eye examination.
In years 3 and 4, students have hands-on clinical experience working with patients in our purpose-built clinic, the National Optometry Centre (NOC). The NOC is a state-of-the-art centre for the advanced training of optometry students and is the only facility of its kind in Ireland.
Expert clinicians and researchers supervise the student clinics. During these sessions students learn to; perform eye examinations to determine if spectacles are required; choose suitable spectacle frames and lenses; fit contact lenses; identify and manage eye-related diseases; carry out specialised clinics in low vision, paediatrics, and binocular vision, and use specialised ophthalmic diagnostic and imaging instrumentation.
Studying at TU Dublin will give you the theoretical knowledge, clinical skills, and patient experience necessary to be confident and competent starting a fulfilling career in optometry.
Work Placement
At the end of Year 4, there is a five-month practice placement where students work under supervision in a high street optometry practice.
CORU
The optometry programme is approved by CORU (the Health and Social Care Professionals Council), Ireland's multi-profession health regulator. Upon successful completion of the honours degree you will be eligible to register as an optometrist with CORU.
Equipment Requirements
Students will be required to purchase diagnostic eye examination sets (retinoscope, ophthalmoscope, Volk lens) in Year 2.
Leaving Certificate Requirements
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Minimum Number of |
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Subjects |
Higher |
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6 |
2 H5's |
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Minimum Grade in |
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Maths |
English OR Irish |
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O3/H7 |
O6/H7 |
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Other Grade Requirements |
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At Least H4 in one of: Physics, Chemistry, Physics and Chemistry, or Biology. |
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Additional Requirements/InformationTU Dublin students of this programme must undergo Garda Vetting. They must complete the required documentation, including a full list of all previous addresses, in order for clearance checks to be made. Currently, Irish addresses are vetted by the Garda Vetting Bureau at no cost to the student. Additionally, as this course involves interaction with patients in the provision of healthcare/eyecare, students should have the capacity to perform key skills and tasks so as to be able to succeed in this programme and practice in the profession. All Optometry and Ophthalmic Dispensing undergraduates are required to insert drops, contact lenses and probes (with ocular anaesthetic) into fellow students’ eyes and allow fellow students to insert the same into their eyes during the course of their course. All procedures will be carried out in a safe, clean, clinical environment under the supervision of an optometry faculty member. |
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QQI/FET Requirements
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QQI/FET Award Required |
Additional Requirements |
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Level 5: 1 OF THE FOLLOWING AWARDS:
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DISTINCTION(S) REQUIRED: 6 DISTINCTIONS WITH 5 DISTINCTIONS FROM THE FOLLOWING: 5N2751 Laboratory Skills AND TO INCLUDE A DISTINCTION IN: C20139 / 5N1833 Mathematics |
| Level 6: Full level 6 award in a relevant discipline | |
In addition to the QQI minimum entry requirements, QQI quotas and QQI points apply. The max QQI points awarded is 390. Further details at www.tudublin.ie/qqi
Mature Applicants
Applications from mature students (23+) are welcome. Further details at www.tudublin.ie/mature
English Language Requirements
If English is not your first language you will need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency as detailed on our website. Applicants for this course should have a minimum IELTS (Academic Version) English Proficiency of 6.5 overall (or equivalent) with nothing less than 6 in each component.
Click on the link below to view an indicative timetable for this course. Timetables are subject to change and up to date timetables will be provided to students on commencement.
View Sample Timetable
A qualification in optometry offers a diverse career pathway. Optometrists are autonomous healthcare practitioners who can work independently or collaboratively in a health care team. Optometrists work in high street practices, hospitals, primary health care teams, research, and teaching. There are opportunities to specialize and gain higher qualifications in areas such as paediatrics, contact lenses, glaucoma care, and low vision management.
Employment rates for newly qualified optometrists are typically 100%.
Semester 1
- Cell Biology [Mandatory]
- Introduction to Chemistry [Mandatory]
- Mathematics for Optical Professions [Mandatory]
- Visual Science [Mandatory]
- Anatomy and Physiology of the Eye [Mandatory]
- Geometrical Optics [Mandatory]
- Physics for Health Science [Mandatory]
Semester 2
Semester 1
- Physiological Biochemistry [Mandatory]
- Medical Physiology [Mandatory]
- Experimental Statistics [Mandatory]
- Clinical Optometry [Mandatory]
- Contact Lens Practice 1 [Mandatory]
- Optical Dispensing 1 [Mandatory]
Semester 2
Semester 1
- Professional Studies and Intercultural Health Communication for Eye Care Professionals [Mandatory]
- Primary Eyecare Clinic 1 [Mandatory]
- Investigative Clinical Techniques [Mandatory]
- Contact Lens Practice 2 [Mandatory]
- Binocular Vision 2 [Mandatory]
- Diseases of the Eye [Mandatory]
- Ocular and General Pharmacology [Mandatory]
- Physiology of Vision 2 [Mandatory]
Semester 2
Semester 1
- Primary Eyecare Clinic 2 [Mandatory]
- Optometry and Vision Science Research Project [Mandatory]
- Topics in Modern Optometry [Mandatory]
- Contact Lens Practice 3 [Mandatory]
- Paediatric optometry [Mandatory]
- Optical Practice Management [Mandatory]
- Professional Studies 2 [Mandatory]
- Vision Rehabilitation and Environmental Vision [Mandatory]
Semester 2
We are currently closed for Advanced Entry Applications. The courses that will be open for advanced entry will be listed on the CAO website in January 2025. For information on how to make an Advanced Entry application, please visit our CAO Hub. If this course opens for advanced entry, the following will apply.
To qualify for Advanced Entry applicants must be currently studying, completing, or have successfully completed, studies at Level 6, 7 or 8 in a Higher Education Institution (HEI) or an equivalent, in a related area. You must demonstrate by providing transcripts of results that you have achieved the learning outcomes for each stage you wish to advance past, for example:
- To enter Year 2 via Advanced Entry, you must demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for Year 1.
- For entry to Year 3, you must demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for Years 1 and 2.
- For entry to Year 4, you must demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for Years 1, 2, and 3.
If English is not your first language you will need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency as detailed on our website.
I chose Optometry as I was interested in science, wanted to work with people and make a difference, in their lives. TU Dublin was a great place to study; the class sizes are small so it was a friendly, close-knit community.
Lecturers are available to answer any questions, and the National Optometry Centre has amazing facilities for practical work. I was introduced to working in sustainable development in vision care. I spent some time in Mozambique, and then lectured for a year with the Malawi School of Optometry. Both were amazing opportunities. Now I work in private practice in the family business while pursuing a Master’s in Clinical Optometry.
On graduation from this Level 8 programme, you may proceed to postgraduate studies leading to the award of MSc, MPhil or PhD at research institutes and universities worldwide.