The full-time Bachelor of Science Degree in Ophthalmic Dispensing is aimed at those who wish to work towards becoming a fully qualified and registered Dispensing Optician whilst achieving a level 6 qualification. The BSc (Hons) in Ophthalmic Dispensing will provide you with the skills to achieve Fellowship of the Association of British Dispensing Opticians and become a General Optical Council Registered Dispensing Optician.
During this course you will study up to level 6 and receive a BSc (Hons) in Ophthalmic Dispensing on successful completion. In addition to your Bachelor’s degree, successful completion of your final qualifying exams will allow you to use the suffix FBDO (Fellow of the Association of British Dispensing Opticians).
The course benefits from almost 80 years of combined academic experience of the staff team. All staff on the Ophthalmic Dispensing programme team are qualified Dispensing Opticians. In addition to this, members of the Ophthalmic Dispensing programme team are employed as ABDO external examiners of both theory and practical examinations and this experience of working with the Professional Body is reflected in the currency of the programme.
Bradford College has excellent links with industry and students on the Bachelor of Science Degree in Ophthalmic Dispensing have benefitted from visiting lecturers on a regular basis. These include:
Speakers from ABDO and the GOC visit the College annually to provide the students with information about registration and membership. You will need to register with both the GOC and ABDO as a student registrant during the period of your study.
As part of their studies, students will be offered the opportunity to visit an optical manufacturer to complete Case Record 51 – a compulsory part of their pre-registration period. This is organised by the College where students gain valuable experience in all aspects of lens manufacture and glazing.
The course is taught over three years, covering three levels from 4-6
Level 4 is delivered in semester 1 and 2 of year 1
Level 5 is delivered in semester 1 and 2 of year 2
Level 6 is delivered in semester 1 and 2 of year 3
Semester 1+2. Practice Related Learning – Level 4 – 20 Credits. Practical Ophthalmic Dispensing – Level 4 – 20 Credits. Ocular Anatomy – Level 4 – 20 Credits.
Semester 1. Optics – Level 4 – 20 Credits. Communication Skills – Level 4 – 20 Credits
Semester 2. Introduction to Ophthalmic Lenses – Level 4 – 20 Credits. Prescription Analysis – Level 4 – 20 Credits.
There are seven core modules at Level 4 which are delivered throughout year 1. Practice Related Learning is a module which looks to link the theories and knowledge learnt on the course with the practical role of the Dispensing Optician. Optics, delivered in Semester 1, is designed to introduce students to the basic optical concepts. Communication Skills is delivered in semester 1 to build up the skills required for the Dispensing Optician to deal with a range of scenarios. The Introduction to Ophthalmic Lenses in Semester 2 is a maths-based subject looking at the principles which ophthalmic lenses are based. Prescription Analysis is also studied in semester 2 will enable students to analyse and dispense basic prescriptions. Practical Ophthalmic Dispensing and Ocular Anatomy are delivered in Semester 1 & 2 to complete the Level 4 modules and enable progression to the second year of the programme. Practical Ophthalmic Dispensing has been designed to prepare the student for the ABDO Preliminary Practical Examinations at the end of Semester 2.
Semester 1+2. Theory of Low Vision and Contact Lenses – Level 5 – 20 credits. Practical Dispensing Skills – Level 5 – 20 credits.
Semester 1. Vocational Ophthalmic Dispensing – Level 5 – 10 credits. Professional Practice – Level 5 – 20 credits.
Semester 2. Ophthalmic Lenses – Level 5 – 20 credits. Ocular Pathology – Level 5 – 20 credits. Visual Optics – Level 5 – 10 credits.
There are seven core modules at Level 5 which are studied in the second year. The Professional Practice and Ocular Pathology module will develop the students’ understanding of pathological conditions that affect the eye and follows on from Ocular Anatomy at Level 4. The Ophthalmic Lenses module has been designed to extend and develop the knowledge of Introduction to Ophthalmic Lenses.
The Theory of Low Vision and Contact Lenses, and Vocational Ophthalmic Dispensing modules have been designed to introduce the student to more advanced specialist subjects required by dispensing opticians. The Professional Practice Module develops understanding of GOC Codes of Conduct which include a duty to refer. The Visual Optics module will expand the students’ knowledge in relation to vision and will enhance the fundamental understanding of geometrical and physiological optics. Practical Dispensing Skills will develop the more advanced dispensing competencies required for the ABDO Final Qualifying Practical Examination at the end of Year 3.
Semester 1+2. Research Project – Level 6 – 40 credits. Contemporary Dispensing – Level 6 – 10 credits.
Semester 1. Ophthalmic Business and Retail – Level 6 – 20 credits. Reflection on Professional Practice – Level 6 – 20 credits. Mangement and Leadership for Dispensing Opticians – Level 6 – 10 credits.
Semester 2. Clinical Patient Management – Level 6 – 20 credits
There are six modules in Year 3. The Research Project will enable you to work independently in the development and planning of an investigation into a research topic appropriate to the nature and level of your degree. The Reflection on Professional Practice module is a work-related module that has been designed to develop your advanced dispensing and reflective writing skills. The Ophthalmic Business and retail module is designed to introduce you to the retail aspects and considerations for work in optical practices. The Management and Leadership module provides an overview of the theories which are applicable to the leadership and management of a modern optician’s practice. The Clinical Patient Management module has been designed to develop your clinical skills so that you can communicate clinical data to Ophthalmic professionals, interpret the data and record information appropriately. The Contemporary Dispensing module will focus on new technology and current trends in practice.
The course is taught over three years, covering three levels from 4-6
Level 4 is delivered in semester 1 and 2 of year 1
Level 5 is delivered in semester 1 and 2 of year 2
Level 6 is delivered in semester 1 and 2 of year 3
Semester 1+2. Practice Related Learning – Level 4 – 20 Credits. Practical Ophthalmic Dispensing – Level 4 – 20 Credits. Ocular Anatomy – Level 4 – 20 Credits.
Semester 1. Optics – Level 4 – 20 Credits. Communication Skills – Level 4 – 20 Credits
Semester 2. Introduction to Ophthalmic Lenses – Level 4 – 20 Credits. Prescription Analysis – Level 4 – 20 Credits.
There are seven core modules at Level 4 which are delivered throughout year 1. Practice Related Learning is a module which looks to link the theories and knowledge learnt on the course with the practical role of the Dispensing Optician. Optics, delivered in Semester 1, is designed to introduce students to the basic optical concepts. Communication Skills is delivered in semester 1 to build up the skills required for the Dispensing Optician to deal with a range of scenarios. The Introduction to Ophthalmic Lenses in Semester 2 is a maths-based subject looking at the principles which ophthalmic lenses are based. Prescription Analysis is also studied in semester 2 will enable students to analyse and dispense basic prescriptions. Practical Ophthalmic Dispensing and Ocular Anatomy are delivered in Semester 1 & 2 to complete the Level 4 modules and enable progression to the second year of the programme. Practical Ophthalmic Dispensing has been designed to prepare the student for the ABDO Preliminary Practical Examinations at the end of Semester 2.
Semester 1+2. Theory of Low Vision and Contact Lenses – Level 5 – 20 credits. Practical Dispensing Skills – Level 5 – 20 credits.
Semester 1. Vocational Ophthalmic Dispensing – Level 5 – 10 credits. Professional Practice – Level 5 – 20 credits.
Semester 2. Ophthalmic Lenses – Level 5 – 20 credits. Ocular Pathology – Level 5 – 20 credits. Visual Optics – Level 5 – 10 credits.
There are seven core modules at Level 5 which are studied in the second year. The Professional Practice and Ocular Pathology module will develop the students’ understanding of pathological conditions that affect the eye and follows on from Ocular Anatomy at Level 4. The Ophthalmic Lenses module has been designed to extend and develop the knowledge of Introduction to Ophthalmic Lenses.
The Theory of Low Vision and Contact Lenses, and Vocational Ophthalmic Dispensing modules have been designed to introduce the student to more advanced specialist subjects required by dispensing opticians. The Professional Practice Module develops understanding of GOC Codes of Conduct which include a duty to refer. The Visual Optics module will expand the students’ knowledge in relation to vision and will enhance the fundamental understanding of geometrical and physiological optics. Practical Dispensing Skills will develop the more advanced dispensing competencies required for the ABDO Final Qualifying Practical Examination at the end of Year 3.
Semester 1+2. Research Project – Level 6 – 40 credits. Contemporary Dispensing – Level 6 – 10 credits.
Semester 1. Ophthalmic Business and Retail – Level 6 – 20 credits. Reflection on Professional Practice – Level 6 – 20 credits. Mangement and Leadership for Dispensing Opticians – Level 6 – 10 credits.
Semester 2. Clinical Patient Management – Level 6 – 20 credits
There are six modules in Year 3. The Research Project will enable you to work independently in the development and planning of an investigation into a research topic appropriate to the nature and level of your degree. The Reflection on Professional Practice module is a work-related module that has been designed to develop your advanced dispensing and reflective writing skills. The Ophthalmic Business and retail module is designed to introduce you to the retail aspects and considerations for work in optical practices. The Management and Leadership module provides an overview of the theories which are applicable to the leadership and management of a modern optician’s practice. The Clinical Patient Management module has been designed to develop your clinical skills so that you can communicate clinical data to Ophthalmic professionals, interpret the data and record information appropriately. The Contemporary Dispensing module will focus on new technology and current trends in practice.
Modules will be assessed by a range of methods including practical reports, written course work, presentations, written and verbal examinations. Assessed grades are subject to external moderation.
The College welcomes applications from those who do not meet these criteria but have experience in the subject area.
We also consider individual applicants who can demonstrate relevant learning, work/voluntary experience, using our Recognition of Prior Learning process. Please contact the admission team for further information and support.
Applications for the part-time Top-up should be made direct to the College.
The Bachelor of Science Degree in Ophthalmic Dispensing encourages students to be in employment with a GOC registered Optician.
What is next for the student following the course, what can they progress onto? What might they need for the course? i.e. uniform/equipment? Are there any additional costs? On completion of the course, you will be in a position to progress to:
Full-time: £8,750 per year.
£44 Disclosure and Barring Service check
£30 GOC registration fee per year
£100 ABDO registration fee per year
£20 City Rule
£70 Facial gauge
In addition to this, there are 2 sets of professional examinations which need to be sat with the Association of British Dispensing Opticians in order for you to practice as a registered Dispensing Optician
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