BSc Orthoptics
About this course
BSc (Hons) in Orthoptics, a healthcare degree focused on the diagnosis and management of eye movement disorders and binocular vision. Core topics include Clinical Skills. Students can undertake an optional year abroad during their studies. The first year covers foundational knowledge through INTRODUCTION TO PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, INTRODUCTION TO ORTHOPTICS: OCULAR MOTILITY AND STRABISMUS, INTRODUCTION TO OPHTHALMOLOGY, and ANATOMY, PHYSIOLOGY AND DISEASE. The second year expands upon this with EXPANDING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, APPLIED ORTHOPTICS FOR CONCOMITANT CONDITIONS, DISEASE AND OPHTHALMOLOGY, and APPLIED ORTHOPTICS FOR INCOMITANT CONDITIONS. The final year focuses on advanced practice and research through LITERATURE REVIEW, PREPARING FOR PRACTICE & CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, EXAMINING ORTHOPTIC PRACTICE, OPHTHALMICS & OPHTHALMOLOGY IN CLINICAL PRACTICE, and AUTONOMOUS ORTHOPTIC PRACTICE.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: BBB IB: 30 points to include 3 Higher Level subjects at a minimum of grade 5. Biology must be offered at a minimum of a grade 5 or pass the IB Diploma plus 5,5,5 in 3 HL subjects including Biology grade 5. BTEC: BTEC Nationals are considered in addition to 5 GCSE subjects at grade A*-C or grades 9-4. Subjects to include English Language, Mathematics and a Science. Core and Applied Science GCSEs will not be considered. Science Dual Award is acceptable. Applied GCSEs will not be considered.
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Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 76%: 121 offers from 159 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 16 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 87%
- Learning opportunities: 86%
- Assessment and feedback: 81%
- Academic support: 76%
- Organisation and management: 76%
- Learning resources: 90%
- Student voice: 87%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 45 students who started
- Continued on course: 85%
- Left higher education: 15%
What graduates do next
Based on about 9 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 65%
- Unemployed: 30%
Most common jobs
- Therapy professionals: 90%
- Find their work meaningful: 100%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 90%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 100%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 35 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 35%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 10%
- West Midlands: 10%
- East of England: 15%
- South West: 10%
- Wales: 10%
- Northern Ireland: 10%
Who gets in
Based on about 40 students who started
- A levels: 95%
- Access course: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- Approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) for the purpose of providing eligibility to apply for registration with the HCPC as an orthoptist.
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Silver for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- INTRODUCTION TO PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- INTRODUCTION TO ORTHOPTICS: OCULAR MOTILITY AND STRABISMUS
- INTRODUCTION TO OPHTHALMOLOGY
- ANATOMY, PHYSIOLOGY AND DISEASE
- EXPANDING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- APPLIED ORTHOPTICS FOR CONCOMITANT CONDITIONS
- DISEASE AND OPHTHALMOLOGY
- APPLIED ORTHOPTICS FOR INCOMITANT CONDITIONS
- LITERATURE REVIEW
- PREPARING FOR PRACTICE & CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- EXAMINING ORTHOPTIC PRACTICE
- OPHTHALMICS & OPHTHALMOLOGY IN CLINICAL PRACTICE
- AUTONOMOUS ORTHOPTIC PRACTICE
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Orthoptics at University of Liverpool earn?
The median salary is £30,000 after 15 months, £27,500 after 3 years, £30,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £26,000 and £33,000. The £30,500 median after five years is £5,500 less than the UK median for Ophthalmics.
What do graduates of BSc Orthoptics at University of Liverpool do next?
65% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Orthoptics at University of Liverpool?
87% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BSc Orthoptics at University of Liverpool?
The typical offer is BBB at A level, or 30 points in the IB. The average entrant had 121 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for BSc Orthoptics at University of Liverpool?
76% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 121 offers from 159 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Is BSc Orthoptics at University of Liverpool accredited?
Yes. Approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) for the purpose of providing eligibility to apply for registration with the HCPC as an orthoptist.
Does BSc Orthoptics at University of Liverpool include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BSc Orthoptics at University of Liverpool?
85% of students continued into their second year, and 15% left higher education.