MOptom Optometry with Integrated Foundation Year
About this course
MOptom (Hons) in Optometry with Integrated Foundation Year, an undergraduate degree combining a compulsory foundation year with professional optometric training and clinical practice. Core topics include Research Methods, Clinical Skills, and Ethics & Professional Practice. The course includes a compulsory foundation year, regional practice placements, and a hospital placement, and leads to registration with the General Optical Council. Year 0 begins with foundational study through Infection, Immunity and Therapeutics, Current Developments in Human Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Molecules to Cells, and Introduction to Human Physiology. Year 1 covers the biological and optical foundations through Visual Perception, Geometric and Physical Optics, Visual Optics and Ophthalmic Lenses, and Anatomy and Physiology. Year 3 advances clinical capability through Paediatric and Binocular Vision, Clinical Optometry Skills and Refractive Management, Specialist Optometry Skills, and Introduction to Pathology and Therapeutics.
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
GCSE: 5 GCSE subjects at grade C/4 or above to include English, Maths and Science. A level: 88 points from a minimum of 2 A-levels including grade C in a Science subject. BTEC: MMM in a Science related subject. Access courses: Pass an Access to HE Diploma (e.g science/combined studies/natural sciences/nursing) with at least 33 Level 3 credits at Merit or Distinction. T level: Accepted, a minimum of a Pass (C or above in the Core) preference pathways would be Health or Science. Typical offer will be confirmed once an application is received. International Baccalaureate: 25 points overall to include Grade 3 in a Higher Level Science subject from the following: Maths, Use of Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Human Biology, Applied Science, and Psychology. Other qualifications: Other qualifications and professional experience may be considered. Interview may be required, please refer to institution for individual consideration. Enhancing your application: Meeting the academic minimum does not guarantee you a place, you need to make sure that you are strong across all sections of your application form. Read more about enhancing your application . Interview days: Once your application has been received, we will consider your application to help us reach a decision. If successful at the initial screening stage, you will be invited to a short 10-minute online interview (via Zoom). The majority of health courses interview applicants, as this is a requirement of many health regulatory bodies. This applies to all Universities and is vital to the progression of applications. Interviews enable: you to give the best account of your skills, experience and character. us to decide whether you will thrive in the University of Plymouth’s culture. us to explain more about the University, programme and how we work with our students. Optometry interviews with the Faculty of Health : pre-work tasks, what to expect on the day of the interview and what happens after. Screening: All offers are subject to satisfactory screening in terms of your health, welfare and disclosure and barring processes, before the start of your course. Deferred entry: Unfortunately we cannot permit deferred entry. However, if you have a query please contact the admissions team who will be able to explain the application process in more detail at admissions@plymouth.ac.uk .
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What students say
Based on about 49 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 94%
- Learning opportunities: 93%
- Assessment and feedback: 90%
- Academic support: 96%
- Organisation and management: 92%
- Learning resources: 86%
- Student voice: 88%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 70 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 97%
- Left higher education: 3%
What graduates do next
Based on about 19 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 75%
- Working and studying: 20%
- Further study: 5%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Other Health Professionals: 95%
- Process, plant and machine operatives: 5%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 90%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 90%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 95%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 30 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 15%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 5%
- West Midlands: 5%
- East of England: 10%
- London: 10%
- South East: 5%
- South West: 50%
Who gets in
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 95%
- Baccalaureate: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Infection, Immunity and Therapeutics
- Current Developments in Human Biology and Biomedical Sciences
- Molecules to Cells
- Introduction to Human Physiology
- Interdisciplinary Learning and Team Based Learning (Enquiry learning)
- Learning Skills for Health and Social Care Professions
- Interprofessional Learning 1
- Visual Perception
- Geometric and Physical Optics
- Visual Optics and Ophthalmic Lenses
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Clinical Optometry Skills
- Preparation for Practice
- Interprofessional Learning 2
- Paediatric and Binocular Vision
- Clinical Optometry Skills and Refractive Management
- Specialist Optometry Skills
- Introduction to Pathology and Therapeutics
- Project Studies
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MOptom Optometry with Integrated Foundation Year at University of Plymouth earn?
The median salary is £25,000 after 15 months, £40,000 after 3 years, £48,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £26,500 and £54,000. The £48,000 median after five years is £12,000 more than the UK median for Ophthalmics.
What do graduates of MOptom Optometry with Integrated Foundation Year at University of Plymouth do next?
95% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on MOptom Optometry with Integrated Foundation Year at University of Plymouth?
94% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MOptom Optometry with Integrated Foundation Year at University of Plymouth?
The typical offer is 25 points in the IB. The average entrant had 91 UCAS points.
How many students continue on MOptom Optometry with Integrated Foundation Year at University of Plymouth?
97% of students continued into their second year, and 3% left higher education.