Diploma in Ophthalmic Dispensing

Year 1:

• Theory of General Optics
• Practitioner Development part 1
• Patient Centred Care
• Theory of Ophthalmic Lenses
• Ophthalmic Dispensing Practice

Year 2:

• Ocular Anatomy
• Standards of Practice
• Practitioner Development part 2 
• Ocular Pathology
• Theory of Ophthalmic and Paediatric Dispensing
• The Assessment of Refractive Errors

Year 3:

• The Assessment and Management of Refractive Errors
• The Assessment and Management of Visual Impairment
• The principles of Contact Lens Wear
• Advanced Theory of Ophthalmic Lenses
• Advanced Ophthalmic Dispensing Practice

Entry to this course requires:

• A minimum of 5 GCSEs 4 (C) or above including Mathematics, English, and Science.
• 20 Hours contract employment in ophthalmic practice

On enrolment, students must have membership with ABDO and be registered with the GOC.

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.

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.

Bradford College has excellent links with industry and students on the Diploma in Ophthalmic Dispensing will benefit from visiting lecturers on a regular basis. These include:

• Hoya UK Ltd Ophthalmic Lens Manufacturer
• Stepper UK Ltd Spectacle Manufacturer
• Coral Eyewear Spectacle Manufacturer
• Rodenstock Ophthalmic Lens Manufacturer
• Alcon Contact Lens manufacturer

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 Part-time Diploma in Ophthalmic Dispensing requires students to be in employment with a GOC registered Optician for a minimum of 20 hours per week.

Successful completion of this course means that you will be in a position to progress to:

• The role of a Dispensing Optician in a private practice, in the NHS or in a large multiple organisation
• A management position in an organisation
• Employment with lens and frame manufacturers
• You could go on to study the Contact Lens Certificate at Bradford College to train to become a Contact Lens Optician
• You could go on to study the Low Vision Honours course at Bradford College to train to become a Low Vision specialist

Many of our previous students have become:

• Practice Owners / Practice Directors
• Practice Managers,
• Account Managers
• Specialists in the field of Contact Lens fitting and Low Vison.

The BSc (Hons) and Diploma in Ophthalmic Dispensing offer students the potential opportunity to go on to study Optometry.

HE Tuition: £4,500.00 per academic year

Other Costs: £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 This is representative of the most common fees scenario, but actual fees can vary depending on a number of factors. Please contact us if you need more guidance.

This is representative of the most common fees scenario, but actual fees can vary depending on a number of factors. Please contact us if you need more guidance.