Bradford College

Clearing 2010: Limited Vacancies

Bradford College currently has limited vacancies on this course. Please complete a Clearing enquiry form in the first instance. Please apply through our Online Clearing form or call Admissions on 01274 433333.

Subject Area Overview

Ophthalmic Dispensing

The Ophthalmic Dispensing with Management degree will prepare you for a career as a Dispensing Optician or for a range of management roles within the profession.

The course is delivered by a first class teaching team of academic and practising professionals in purpose built dispensing laboratories and teaching rooms.

The quality of learning resources, high standards of the teaching and learning and the excellent employment rate for successful students have been commended by the Governments Quality Assurance Agency (QAA).

In recent years, Bradford College`s Ophthalmic Dispensing students have gained outstanding results in their exams and are among the highest achievers in the country.

Career Opportunities: Successful graduates are employed as Dispensing Opticians in: private practice, large optical companies, hospital eye clinics, prescription houses, and frame and lens manufacturers. Other roles include practice management and optical sales.

Course Overview

If you are entering the field of Ophthalmic Dispensing and want a higher qualification, this course is tailor-made for you. By successfully taking external examinations, you can achieve the Fellowship of the Association of British Dispensing Opticians. In addition to dispensing spectacles, you will be able to fit and supply low visual sharpness aids and carry out clinical measurements under the supervision of an optometrist. Your role as a Dispensing Optician often includes a wide variety of management issues, as well as supplying optical aids. We will familiarise you with the business environment, and encourage an understanding of practice management theory and legislation concerning consumer law.

Course Structure

This course covers all part of the ABDO Syllabus, delivers the Core competencies of the General Optical Council and will prepare you to successfully take the ABDO Professional Qualifying Examinations to become a registered dispensing optician. You will need to register with the General Optical Council (GOC) and the Association of Dispensing Opticians (ABDO). There are also additional fees for the ABDO professional examinations.

Modules Covered

Year One: General Anatomy, Introduction to Ophthalmic Lenses, Optics, Practical Ophthalmic Dispensing, Communication Skills, Personal Development Planning and Professional Practice.
Year Two: Ocular Anatomy and Pathology, Ophthalmic Lenses, Visual Optics, Practice Placement, Theory of Low Vision and Contact Lenses and Vocational Ophthalmic Dispensing.
Year Three: Nutrition and the Eye, Advanced Prescription Analysis, Patient Management in an Ophthalmic Practice, Management and Operations for Dispensing Opticians, Marketing and Strategy for Dispensing Opticians and Professional Selling.

Learning Methods

A wide range of learning methods is employed alongside independent study to build on and increase your knowledge.

Teaching Methods

The course includes: formal lectures, practical sessions and small group seminars.

Assessment

You will be assessed by a range of diverse methods including: practical reports, written course work and timed examinations. Assessed grades are subject to external moderation.

Work Placement/Fieldwork

A work placement forms an essential part of your course.

What`s Next?

Your career prospects are very good. Dispensing opticians are employed in the following areas: in an ophthalmic practice as a dispensing optician, in hospital eye clinics, in prescription houses, in frame and lens manufacturers and with ophthalmic instrument manufacturers and suppliers as sales representatives. There is also the possibility of you becoming self-employed.

Entry Requirements

A minimum of 5 GCSEs (A*-C) including Mathematics, English and Science. 120 - 160 tariff points including one A level in Biology, Physics, Chemistry or Mathematics, or a BTEC National Award with Merit in Science or related area, or an equivalent qualification.
The College welcomes applications from mature students who do not satisfy these entry requirements, provided the students can demonstrate that, by virtue of other studies, they are capable of coping with and benefiting from the course.

Programme Specification

Additional Costs

Registration with the General Optical Council (GOC) and with the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO).
Professional Examination Fees payable to the ABDO.

Travel and accommodation for the ABDO Professional Examinations
Textbooks and equipment.

Did You Know?

Ophthalmic and Dispensing Optics course have been delivered at Bradford College for over 60 years. Read all about the successful reunion event on the Alumni pages of the College Website.

Did you know?

We were delighted that the QAA's Integrated Quality and Enhancement Review (IQER), carried out in January 2010 concluded that they had 'Confidence' (the highest judgement possible) in the quality of our Higher Education provision.

For further details read the summary report