Fast facts
Course facts at a glance.
Bachelor of Medical Science (Vision Science) / Master of Optometry
Study Optometry at Flinders
Realise your vision as a registered optometrist.
Prepare yourself for a rewarding career in optometry in a high-quality learning environment. You will receive a grounding in the fundamentals of science with an emphasis on vision science, where you will study the visual system and factors that influence sight, in preparation for intensive study and clinical experience in optometry.
Why study Optometry at Flinders
- Taught by our lecturers in state-of-the-art facilities
- Researchers involved in cutting-edge vision science research to make difference in day-to-day life
- Features unique topics including ophthalmology, communication for the consulting room, and a business intensive module
- Sub-quotas available for rural, remote and Indigenous applicants
- Enjoy innovative learning such as case-based learning, self-reflection, peer learning, clinical simulation and video recording facilities
Your career
Potential occupations include:
- optical consultant
- optometrist
- outreach optometry coordinator
- paediatric optometrist
- public health optometrist.
Professional recognition / accreditation
This degree is accredited by the Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand. Graduates will be eligible to register as optometrists.
Optometry:
Realise your vision
Help people protect and care for one our most precious gifts - eyesight.
What you will study
First year A typical first year may include: |
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Second year A typical second year may include: |
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Third year A typical third year may include: |
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Fourth and fifth year A typical fourth and fifth year may include: |
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Practical experience
The degree provides you with practical experience that prepares you for the workforce.
- Complete diverse urban and rural clinical placements.
- Nurture and enhance your interest in an expert area, such as contact lenses or paediatric optometry, through clinical placements and research topics.
What you will need
Prior to clinical placements in fourth and fifth year, you must:
- be immunised in accordance with the relevant state or territory immunisation standards for healthcare workers in South Australia and any additional private provider requirements as needed
- complete required Department for Communities and Social Inclusion screening checks.
Study abroad
There are opportunities to take your studies overseas through short-term study abroad programs, including short-term clinical placements.
Innovation and
enterprise topics
At Flinders University, we recognise that careers are evolving and the workplace of the future will look very different from today.
Whatever undergraduate course you are studying at Flinders you can add innovation and enterprise electives to your degree to gain new, adaptable and transferrable skills that will equip you for changes in the global job market.
These innovation and enterprise electives prepare you for the careers of tomorrow by developing what we like to call ‘personal enterprise skills’ – the innate ability to adapt to whatever life throws at you, professionally and personally.
How to apply
Choose your preferred course.
Check the entry requirements and admission pathways available to you.
Choose other courses to include in your preferences.
Visit SATAC and submit your application online.
Applicants can only apply for this course using Year 12 qualifications or through previous higher education study.
Students who are enrolled in the Bachelor of Medical Science can apply for transfer to the second year of the Bachelor of Medical Science (Vision Science)/Master of Optometry. Students must meet the following requirements to be considered for entry:
- Complete at least one year of full-time equivalent study
- Follow a specific study plan
- Achieve a grade point average of credit or above
- Attend an interview
For more information about applying for this pathway, please visit our Internal Transfer webpage.
An annual subquota is available for applicants from rural and remote areas. To be considered for the rural and remote subquota applicants must apply to SATAC in the normal way.
Applicants must also, within 10 working days after submitting the SATAC application, submit a Statutory Declaration to SATAC which confirms that they have lived in non-metropolitan areas of Australia (Remoteness Classifications RA2 to RA5) for at least 5 consecutive years, or 10 years cumulatively, from birth (i.e. during any period of their life). A Statutory Declaration form can be downloaded here.
Applicants can check their eligibility in accordance with the definition above using the search tool at the Remoteness Area (RA) Locator site. Filter your search using the ASGS Remoteness Areas (2016) layer.
An annual sub-quota of up to 5 places is available for Indigenous applicants. Such applicants are required to apply in the normal way. It is expected that applicants will need to achieve an ATAR of 90 or above (after the addition of eligible bonus points) to be considered a place in this sub-quota.
Applicants must also, within 10 working days after submitting the SATAC application, submit a Statutory Declaration to SATAC confirming the applicant is of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Island descent.
When choosing your preferences through SATAC, another Flinders degree you might want to include in your list is the Bachelor of Medical Science
How to apply
Select your course.
Check entry requirements.
Check your eligibility for credit.
Obtain certified documents.
Submit your application and documents.
If you don’t meet our English language entry requirements and need to improve your English language proficiency, you can do so through our approved English Language Instruction Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS) providers.
This means that you can attend the required English language tuition at approved ELICOS providers and gain direct entry into university without an IELTS or TOEFL test.
If you don’t meet our academic entry requirements, you can still gain entry to Flinders University through academic pathways programs provided by the Flinders International Study Centre.
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Course enquiries
Want more information about studying at Flinders University? Contact us to find out more – we’d love to help you decide if Flinders University is the right choice for you.
Course enquiries
For all course enquiries phone or email us or complete the course enquiry form.
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South Australia 5042
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