Optometry course brochure - University of Bradford

SCHOOL OF OPTOMETRY 

AND VISION SCIENCE 

Optometry 

BSc (Hons) 3 years full-time


CONTENTS 

The BSc (Hons) in Optometry 1 

Special features 2 

Course content 3 

Course structure diagram 4 

Your career in optometry 5 

Admission 6 

Postgraduate activities 8 

The student view 9 

University life 11 

The City of Bradford 12 

How to find us 13 

Dean of the School of Life Sciences 

Professor Richard Greene MBBS PhD MBA 

Head of the Bradford School of Optometry 

and Vision Science 

Dr Jim Gilchrist BSc MPhil PhD Brad., FCOptom 

Admissions Tutors 

Dr Edward Mallen BSc PhD Aston, MCOptom 

Dr James Heron BSc PhD Brad, MCOptom 

We can arrange for this material to be transcribed into 

an accessible format such as Braille, large print, E-text 

(compatible with screen-reading software) or digital 

audio such as CD. Please contact the Bradford School of 

Optometry and Vision Science. Tel: 01274 236296. 

The University of Bradford - 

Confronting Inequality: Celebrating Diversity 

The University of Bradford is committed to promoting equality, diversity and an inclusive 

and supportive environment for students, staff and others closely associated with the 

University in conformity with the provisions of its Charter. 

Please address enquiries to: 

The Admissions Secretary (H36) 

Bradford School of Optometry and Vision Science 

University of Bradford 

Bradford 

West Yorkshire 

BD7 1DP 

Tel: 01274 236296 

Fax: 01274 309742 

Email: optometry-admissions@bradford.ac.uk 

Website: www.bradford.ac.uk/acad/lifesci/optometry 

If you are dialling from outside the UK, please use the code 

+44 1274 before the final six-figure number 

General Course Enquiries 

Course Enquiries Office 

Tel: 0800 073 1225 

Minicom: 01274 233685 

Fax: 01274 235585 

Email: course-enquiries@bradford.ac.uk

Optometrists do much more than supply spectacles and contact 

lenses. In the UK, optometry is part of the primary healthcare 

programme, and an optometric examination includes screening 

for signs of disease that may need medical attention. Conditions 

such as diabetes or high blood pressure, which may affect the 

eyes, are often first detected by an optometrist. Optometrists 

may also offer specialist advice and treatment to patients having 

problems with low vision, binocular vision, and those with 

specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia. The broad range 

of responsibility of the optometrist is reflected in the breadth of 

your studies, with the course evenly balanced between three 

elements: basic sciences (such as anatomy, physiology and 

optics), optometric studies, and clinical practice. 

Optometry requires a detailed understanding of the structure and 

functions of the human eye and visual system. The work calls for 

a high degree of accuracy, attention to detail, and a measure of 

manual dexterity - all skills which you will have the opportunity to 

acquire during the course. You also need an interest and ability in 

scientific work, and an ability to work with people and to win their 

confidence. 

The BSc Honours in Optometry 

www.bradford.ac.uk/acad/lifesci/optometry 

Our three-year Optometry course is designed to provide you with 

all the theoretical and practical knowledge and skills needed to 

become a qualified optometrist. 

The course is assessed by a combination of examinations and 

coursework, with your final degree classification being based on 

assessments during the second and third academic years. The 

academic year is divided into two semesters (late September 

to January, and January to May). Each semester consists of 

12 weeks of teaching, followed by a period for revision and 

assessment. You take six modules in each semester, twelve 

each year, and thirty-six over the full degree course. 

After graduation you will need to spend a further ‘pre-registration’ 

year of training, under the supervision of a qualified optometrist, 

and pass professional qualifying examinations. Graduates in 

optometry can look forward to excellent career prospects, with 

a 97% employment record for our 2008 graduates and the 

remaining 3% undertaking further study. 

A brief description of the syllabus and a course structure 

diagram can be found on the following pages. For more detailed 

information on the Bradford School of Optometry and Vision 

Science (including information on research and clinical facilities), 

please refer to our web pages at 


Psychology Optometry 1

2 

Special Features 

• AN EMPHASIS ON CLINICAL PRACTICE 

• EXCELLENT TEACHING QUALITY 

• TEACHING BY QUALIFIED OPTOMETRISTS 

• WELL-EQUIPPED CLINICS 

AND LABORATORIES 

• THE EYE CLINIC 

• A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH LOCAL 

HOSPITALS AND THE COMMUNITY 

• JOBS AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES 

• A FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE 

• IDEALLY SITUATED 

An Emphasis on Clinical Practice 

Our Honours degree course in Optometry 

prepares you for clinical practice. The 

emphasis is very much on the optometric 

service to patients, and the clinical 

content of the course begins in the first 

week and increases steadily through the 

three years of the programme. 

Excellent Teaching Quality 

The School of Optometry was awarded 

23/24 in a recent Subject Specialist 

Review of teaching quality - a grade 

regarded as excellent. 

Teaching by Qualified Optometrists 

We have a core staff of qualified 

optometrists, all with broad experience in 

optometric practice and teaching. Staff 

are also actively involved in academic 

research, with which you may become 

involved in your final year. The National 

Student Survey for 2007 voted Bradford 

the top Optometry department in the 

UK and we maintained our high score 

in 2008. 


Well-Equipped Clinics 

and Laboratories 

We offer well-equipped clinics for eye 

examinations, detection of eye disease, 

ocular measurement and photography, 

and electrophysiological investigation. 

There are speciality clinics in contact 

lenses, binocular vision, low vision and 

diabetes, offering treatment of difficulties 

in co-ordination of the two eyes, as well 

as the prescription and dispensing of 

spectacles, contact lenses and low 

vision aids. 

The Eye Clinic 

Opened by HRH the Duke of Gloucester 

in October 1997, the eye clinic provides 

comprehensive optometric services of a 

high standard to University staff, 

students, their families and members of 

the local community. It also supports 

local optometrists and other healthcare 

professionals requiring diagnostic, 

consultative or treatment services. 

A Good Relationship with Local 

Hospitals and the Community 

You will regularly visit eye departments 

of local hospitals and receive tuition 

from senior ophthalmologists. 

Optometrists, hospital consultants, 

social workers, schools and general 

medical practitioners now frequently 

refer patients to the University for 

special investigation. 

Jobs and Career Opportunities 

With a 100% record for 2008 graduates 

going onto employment or further study, it 

is easy to see why our graduates are 

spoilt for choice. For career opportunities, 

see page 5. 

A Friendly Atmosphere 

With an intake of around 100 

undergraduate students per year, you can 

be sure of a close-knit group and an 

atmosphere conducive to serious but 

enjoyable study. Should you have any 

problems, your personal tutor will be on 

hand to help out. 

Ideally Situated 

Centrally located in the Richmond 

Building, you are only minutes from all the 

University facilities. We are also 

conveniently located for the many patients 

from the University and outside who attend 

our clinics. With the city centre just 

minutes away, you can be sure of a good 

social life and you can enjoy all that 

Bradford has to offer.

Syllabus Details 

The timing and duration of all modules is laid out in the course 

structure diagram on page 4. In the first year, we ensure that all 

students start the more fundamental studies from a common 

academic base by providing introductory modules. 

Basic Sciences 

Pure and Visual Optics is a comprehensive course covering 

the fundamental principles of geometrical and physical optics 

(pure optics), and how they apply to the human eye (visual 

optics). 

Human Body in Health and Disease covers the anatomy, 

physiology and biochemistry of the human body and how these 

are affected by disease. Study topics in this module include the 

function of physiologically important molecules in living cells and 

tissues, the structure and functions of body tissues and systems, 

digestion, respiration, blood circulation, nervous system, 

endocrine system and renal system. 

Ocular Anatomy and Physiology is the study of how the 

eye works. It involves a detailed study of the eye and visual 

system in two stages. In semester one, you will study the 

internal and external anatomy and physiology of the eye. The 

second semester covers external eye muscles and eye 

movement, bones of the skull, and the structure and functions of 

the brain and visual system. 

Physiology of Vision and Perception is the study of how 

we see. In the first semester you are introduced to this subject 

as a basis for the clinical study of optometry, emphasising the 

physical and physiological aspects of vision. In semester two, 

you will extend this to include principles of psychophysical 

measurement, visual detection and discrimination, visual search 

and attention, and binocular vision. 

Optometric Mathematics covers all the algebra and 

trigonometry you will need to solve problems in optics, 

ophthalmic dispensing, contact lenses, low vision and other 

modules, as well as providing a foundation for a later module in 

Clinical Methodology and Statistics. 

Optometric Studies and Clinical Practice 

Course Content 


Clinical Optometry and Communication Skills extends 

throughout the three years of the course. You will spend an 

increasing proportion of your time in learning clinical skills, and 

in integrating them into a clinical routine for the examination of 

patients’ visual and ocular problems. 

In the first year you will learn the theoretical basis behind the 

many clinical measurements which you will subsequently use. 

You will also learn the practical skills you need to make these 

measurements and to use optometric instruments. 

In the second year you will start to learn how to integrate all the 

clinical results and solve the patients’ problems. You will start to 

examine real patients in this year and will learn the principles of 

how to communicate effectively with patients. 

Visual and Ocular Assessment involves detailed study and 

practice of clinical procedures used by optometrists to examine 

the eyes and measure visual function. 

Assessment and Management of Binocular Vision deals 

with the importance of binocular vision and how it is affected by 

problems with eye muscle co-ordination or weakness. You will 

learn how to assess binocular vision anomalies, including squint, 

and how to manage these with spectacles and orthoptic training. 

Ophthalmic Lenses and Dispensing deals with the design 

and performance of spectacle lenses. You will also learn the 

basic principles of dispensing, with examples of the practical 

problems you may encounter in ophthalmic workshops. 


4 

Course Content 

SemeSTer One 

Optometric 

mathematics 

Clinical optometry 

Pure and visual optics 

Human body in health and disease 

Ocular anatomy and physiology 

Physiology of vision and perception 


FIRST YEAR 

Contact Lens Practice is introduced with 

a single module in the second year, in which 

you deal with the basic principles of contact 

lens design and fitting. More advanced 

theoretical and practical study of this subject 

is presented in the third year of the course. 

Low Vision and Ageing is studied in 

the third year. The aim is to assist those 

patients, whose vision cannot be improved 

significantly using conventional spectacles 

or contact lenses, to make the most of their 

residual vision using magnifying systems 

and imaging technology. 

General and Advanced Clinical 

Practice is undertaken in the third year. 

Under supervision, you will examine patients 

with many different problems in clinics 

dealing with primary care, contact lenses, 

low vision, binocular vision, diabetes, and 

dispensing. You will also visit hospital eye 

clinics and observe in ophthalmologists’ 

clinics. 

Clinical Case Studies is a third-year 

module which complements General and 

Advanced Clinical Practice. The module 

involves the study, in depth, of individual 

clinical cases so that you may gain a more 

thorough understanding of how to examine 

patients efficiently and find effective solutions 

to a range of clinical problems. 

SemeSTer TwO SemeSTer One 

Clinical 

methodology 

and statistics 

SECOnD YEAR THIRD YEAR 

Clinical optometry and 

communication skills 

SemeSTer TwO 

General and ocular pharmacology 

Visual and ocular assessment 

Assessment and management 

of binocular vision 

Ophthalmic lenses and dispensing 

Pharmacology and Pathology 

Contact lens 

practice 1 

General and Ocular Pharmacology 

is taught in both semesters of the second 

year. Drugs may be used on the eye for both 

diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. In this 

module you will study how different drugs 

act on the body in general, and the eye in 

particular. The module also covers those 

aspects of diagnostic drug use that are 

appropriate to your work as an optometrist, 

together with an indication of therapeutic 

agents used by the ophthalmologist. You will 

also examine the adverse ocular effects of 

various systemic drugs. 

Ocular and Systemic Disease is 

studied throughout the final year. One 

of the most important responsibilities of 

the optometrist in practice is detection of 

disease that affects the eyes and visual 

system. The eyes may be affected by a 

wide range of conditions including cataract, 

glaucoma, diabetes and hypertension. In this 

module you will learn how to identify normal 

variations of the eye, external and internal, 

and look at early clinical manifestations of 

ocular and related pathology. 

Allied Studies 

Clinical optometry cannot be complete 

without significant contributions from allied 

studies. These are briefly described below. 

Clinical Methodology and Statistics is 

taught in the second year. An understanding 

of statistics is important in optometry, 

SemeSTer One 

Low vision 

and ageing 

Contact lens 

practice 2 

General clinical practice 

SemeSTer TwO 

Advanced clinical practice 

Ocular and systemic disease 

Research project 

Clinical case 

studies 

Professional, 

legal and ethical 

studies 

not only for application in laboratory 

experiments and research studies, but also 

for understanding how to interpret clinical 

evidence in optometric practice. In this 

module you will learn the basic principles of 

statistical analysis, including the principles 

of measurement and decision making in 

clinical vision science, and you will apply 

these principles in studies using both 

experimental and clinical data. 

Professional, Legal and Ethical 

Studies, presented in the final year, gives 

you an outline of the principles of English 

law, followed by detailed examination of 

those statutes and rules which govern the 

conduct of the practising optometrist. 

Research Project 

The research project is an individual 

experimental or theoretical study, extending 

over two semesters in the final year of 

the course. You will be able to choose 

from a wide range of titles offered by staff 

supervisors, and your supervisor will guide 

you through the research process. At the 

end of the project you will be required to 

submit a report of about 7,000 words. Many 

recent studies have been linked to staff and 

postgraduate research, covering diverse 

topics such as visual perception, sideeffects 

of systemic and ocular drugs, visual 

problems in childhood, and clinical aspects 

of contact lenses, cataract, diabetes, 

glaucoma and dyslexia.

Pre-Registration Year 

After obtaining a degree, if you wish to 

qualify as an optometrist in the United 

Kingdom, you must undertake a preregistration 

year in private or hospital 

practice. 

During this time you will take professional 

examinations for membership of the 

College of Optometrists. Success in 

these leads to registration by the General 

Optical Council, which will entitle you to 

practise independently as a fully qualified 

optometrist. 

Your Career in Optometry 

The School can boast an excellent graduate 

employment record with 97% of our 2008 

graduates finding employment within the 

first six months, and the remaining 3% 

undertaking further study.* 

The work of an optometrist is principally 

concerned with the examination of the eyes 

and vision. Optometrists give advice about, 

and assistance with, a wide range of visual 

difficulties, as well as prescribing spectacles 

and contact lenses. 

Optometry is a vocational course, and in 

due course the overwhelming majority of 

our graduates become registered with 

Your Career in Optometry 


the General Optical Council to practise as 

optometrists. If you intend to practise as 

an optometrist after graduation, then you 

will need to complete one year in preregistration 

training, under the supervision of 

a qualified optometrist. You must then pass 

professional qualifying examinations. These 

are in addition to the University course, and 

do not form part of it. 

After completing the pre-registration year, 

you may set up in private practice yourself 

or join an established firm or partnership. 

There are also opportunities as a salaried 

employee of a larger corporate body. 

Increasing numbers of optometrists are 

employed by the Hospital Eye Service, on 

the staff of hospital eye departments. You 

may also choose to specialise in particular 

areas of optometry, or take on consultancy 

work for industry. 

As an optometrist, your expertise is needed 

by a broad spectrum of bodies and 

organisations. For example, you may work 

in areas as diverse as the prison service, 

charities for the visually impaired, or the 

Armed Forces. Optometry is, of course, a 

worldwide profession, and a number of our 

graduates have spent a few years overseas, 

everywhere from the Channel Islands to 

Australia. 

Vision Aid Overseas, a voluntary 

organisation formed in 1985, has as its 

aim ‘the advancement of the visual welfare 

and eye health of underprivileged people 

overseas’. Many optometrists, including 

Bradford graduates, have given their time 

and expertise to assist this valuable body. 

Some graduates pursue postgraduate 

research in optometry or visual science, 

either at this University or elsewhere. Others 

choose unrelated careers which make use of 

the excellent general scientific education the 

degree course offers. 

At present, there is no shortage of 

employment opportunities for you as a 

graduate in Optometry. The great majority 

of our students go on to satisfying and 

rewarding professional careers. 

* These statistics are derived from annually 

published data based on those UK 

domiciled graduates who are available for 

employment or further study and whose 

destinations are known. 


6 

Admission 

Optometry is a highly vocational degree, and 

thus has fairly specific entry requirements. 

With respect to candidates pursuing GCE 

A-level subjects, we welcome applications 

from candidates who can fulfil, or expect to 

fulfil, the following criteria: 

340 points (equivalent to grades A,A,B) 

of which a minimum of 240 (A,A) must be 

obtained from two of the following sciences: 

Biology/Human Biology, Chemistry, 

Mathematics or Physics. We do not count 

points from General Studies or Key Skills 

qualifications. 

If not offered at GCE A level, then Biology, 

Physics (or dual-award Science) and 

Mathematics are required at GCSE minimum 

grade C. English language GCSE at grade C 

or better is required for all applicants. 

Offers are not normally made to applicants 

who limit their Year 13 programme to just two 

GCE A-level subjects (or equivalent). 

Candidates offering a Vocational A level 

(Science) may be considered if they fulfil 

the following criteria: obtain a total of 340 

points by a combination of a minimum of 

240 points gained in the 12-unit vocational 

award, plus no less than a grade B (100 

points) in a relevant science subject at GCE 

A level. 


NB: GCE Advanced Subsidiary (AS) scores 

will be subsumed into a GCE Advanced 

score in the same subject. The same is true 

for a 3-, 6-, and 12-unit Vocational A level 

unless no duplication of modular content 

exists. 

Candidates taking Scottish Higher 

examinations would be expected to achieve 

a minimum of 340 points from 5 subjects 

(to include English language and preferably 

three science subjects) with no less than 60 

points (grade B) in any individual subject. 

Scottish Higher scores will be subsumed 

into Advanced Higher scores in the same 

subject. 

Candidates taking the Irish School Leaving 

Certificate at Higher level should achieve a 

minimum of grade A2 (231 points) in three 

science subjects, with a further 110 points in 

two subjects including English, but excluding 

Irish language. 

Mature students will be considered 

individually on merit, but must achieve or 

offer a similar academic performance to that 

described above. 

Please Note: There is no progression to 

Optometry from the University’s Science 

Foundation Year. 

Degree Students 

Candidates with degrees will be considered 

if they can offer a first- or upper-secondclass 

Honours degree in a related academic 

discipline. 

Dispensing Opticians 

Qualified dispensing opticians and current 

students of ophthalmic dispensing who 

wish to apply for entry to Optometry should 

contact an Admissions Tutor for advice. 

International and other Qualifications 

The qualifications listed above will cover 

the majority of applicants to Optometry, but 

we may also consider applications from 

those with different career experience and 

qualifications. International applicants should 

offer qualifications that are of a standard 

equivalent to GCE A level as described 

above. Please contact an Admissions Tutor 

for advice if you are unsure whether your 

qualifications may be acceptable. 

Canadian Entrance Requirements 

for Optometry 

For all provinces apart from Ontario, our 

minimum entrance requirements are passes 

in at least five grade 12 subjects (at least 

three subjects must be science subjects) 

with an overall average mark of 80%.

For Ontario, our minimum entrance 

requirements are passes in at least six grade 

12 subjects (at least three subjects must be 

science subjects) with an overall average 

mark of 80%. 

For students offering a Canadian degree, 

we require that the degree be in an 

appropriate science subject and that the 

overall average mark be at least 80%. (Grade 

Point Average 3.5). 

Equal Opportunities 

The University seeks to provide equal 

opportunity for admission to all applicants 

with appropriate academic qualifications 

and experience, irrespective of factors 

such as age, gender, ethnic origin, religious 

persuasion or disability. 

Students with Disabilities 

The University of Bradford has always 

encouraged applications from students 

with disabilities, whose applications are 

considered on the same academic grounds 

as are applied to all candidates. 

Optometrists require an eye for detail 

- probably their most critical role is 

discriminating the subtle signs of early 

eye disease from normal variations in the 

appearance of the eye. Manual dexterity is 

important for many clinical techniques, some 

of which involve the precise positioning of a 

diagnostic instrument on the surface of 

the eye. 


If you have any form of disability, you may 

contact the Admissions Secretary before 

you apply, to discuss any special needs you 

may have. If you indicate a disability on your 

UCAS form, you will be invited to contact the 

Disability Service to discuss your particular 

requirements, and will receive information 

about our facilities, and on the Disabled 

Students’ Allowance (DSA). For more 

information, help and advice, please contact 

the Disability Service. 

Tel: 01274 233739 

Minicom: 01274 235094 

Fax: 01274 235340 

Email: disabilities@bradford.ac.uk 

Admissions Policy 

Applicants who are being considered for 

conditional or unconditional offers will be 

invited to visit the Optometry School as part 

of the selection process. 

A Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check will 

be made on all prospective entrants prior to 

commencing the course, and all students 

enrolled on the course will be required to 

register with the General Optical Council 

(GOC). 

Open Days 

You are also welcome to visit the University 

before you apply. The University holds 

special Open Days during the year (in 

spring, summer and autumn). Precise dates 

and further information can be obtained from 

the Course Enquiries Office, 

Tel: 0800 073 1225 or the website 

www.bradford.ac.uk/openday 

How to Apply 

We recognise that you may have any 

number of further questions you would like 

answers to before you commit yourself to 

applying for our course. 

You are most welcome to contact our 

Admissions Tutors informally by telephone, 

email or letter, and they will do their best to 

answer any questions you may have, (email: 

optometry-admissions@bradford.ac.uk). 

Applications for our course must be made 

through UCAS. The UCAS code for 

Bradford is BrADF B56 and the course 

code for Optometry is B510 BSc/0 

Admissions Tutors 

Dr Edward Mallen 

Dr James Heron 

Admissions Secretary 

Tel: 01274 236296 

Fax: 01274 309742 

Email: optometry-admissions@ 

bradford.ac.uk 

Website: www.bradford.ac.uk/ 

acad/lifesci/optometry 


8 

Postgraduate Activities 

What impressed me most about 

Bradford was their warm approach 

towards mature students and their flexibility 

with regard to entry qualifications. 

Paul Bradford 3rd Year BSc (Hons) Optometry 

The School undertakes a full programme 

of research leading to MPhil/PhD degrees, 

and also provides Continuing Education 

and Training (CET) for qualified optometrists. 

These activities are of great direct benefit to 

undergraduate optometry students, helping 

to ensure that teaching staff are up to date in 

their own knowledge, as well as contributing 

to new developments in theory and practice. 

Research in the School has the aim of linking 

together findings obtained from scientific 

studies of vision with clinical practice, so that 

new methods of clinical investigation can be 

developed from research knowledge. The 

School therefore acts as a bridge between 

optometric practice and optometric and 

vision science. 

Particular areas of clinical research activity 

include binocular vision, contrast sensitivity, 

motion perception, contour mapping of 

the cornea, visual problems in childhood 

and dyslexia, and low vision management. 

Studies on the progress of cataracts and 

their effect on mobility, retinal function behind 

cataracts, visual function in diabetes and 

glaucoma (including computer analysis of 

the retinal image), are being carried out in 

conjunction with local hospitals. 

In addition, final-year undergraduate 

students carry out a research project leading 

to a dissertation, which is frequently linked 

to the mainstream research work of the 


School. This enables students to develop 

their own skills in research methodology, 

and contribute to the advancement of 

knowledge. 

Finally, undergraduate students may 

continue their studies on graduation, 

either immediately, or after a few years in 

professional practice. Whether it is full-time 

or part-time study for a PhD, or attendance 

at Continuing Professional Development 

course, individuals keen to further their 

knowledge of optometry and vision science 

are always welcome. 

Further details of postgraduate activities are 

set out in a separate booklet, available from 

the School. 

If you have any specific queries, do not 

hesitate to contact: 

Dr Declan McKeefry 

Bradford School of Optometry 

and Vision Science 

University of Bradford 

Bradford 

West Yorkshire 

BD7 1DP 

Tel: 01274 234648 

Fax: 01274 235570 

Email: d.mckeefry@bradford.ac.uk 

““

Faye McDearmid 

BSc (Hons) in Optometry 2008 

Coming from a large family of successful optometrists, you 

might expect that optometry was a natural career choice for 

me. However, I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do after 

school and optometry never occurred to me until the UCAS 

forms arrived at college, and I still did not know what I wanted 

to do! 

After visiting the universities of Oxford and Cambridge where 

I had shown an interest in reading chemistry, I attended one 

of Bradford’s many Open Days with my family. My mum had 

supervised several Bradford pre-registration students in the 

past, and I was always impressed by their skills, so as it was 

pretty close to home I was curious enough to go and have a 

look. That curiosity was the foundation to beginning a career I 

now love and really enjoy doing. 

At the Open Day I not only got a chance to look around the 

optometry department and the fantastic eye clinic facility, but 

was also able to talk to the one hundred per cent committed 

staff and some of the undergraduate students. Additionally I 

looked at the University facilities including social, sports and 

nightlife activities as these are important to an 18-year-old 

student too! The optometry course also has its own society 

run by the students (BOOSA) where talks are given by 

representatives from various organisations, from Vision Aid 

Overseas to the multinational giants and the contact lens 

companies. 

The course takes students from a wide variety of backgrounds; 

in my close group of friends alone there were mature students, 

a single mum, students from private school backgrounds, 

state school students like myself, international students, and 

students from the Scottish education system. Everyone is 

welcomed with equal opportunities and the year groups are all 

quite close – one very large optometry family. 

When you are accepted into the Optometry School at Bradford 

you are immediately being trained for a profession. From the 

first week you begin learning practical skills which you continue 

improving throughout your time at the University and into your 

career. 

The course would not be what it is without the staff; many of 

the lecturers are top class in their research fields, but are also 

dedicated to teaching and really get involved with the students. 

The technicians are always there working behind the scenes, 

as are the office staff and the Eye Clinic receptionists. The 

volunteer patients at the Eye Clinic are also a great asset and 

provide some challenging cases as well as great conversation 

while in your final-year clinics! 

Bradford possessed everything I could have wanted from a 

university, a fantastic course, equally great student facilities, a 

low cost of living, a multicultural city living experience and the 

cosmopolitan city of Leeds is just a 20-minute train ride away. 

I have been inspired by my time at Bradford, just as my mum 

was thirty years previously! I am confident that the department 

will continue to provide a first-class education to all of its 

optometry students for at least another thirty years! 



10 

The Student View 

David Robeson 

BSc (Hons) in Optometry 2008 

I originally considered optometry as a potential career when wanting 

a change from my then career in biomedical science. Having spent 

much time researching different career options, particularly in the 

healthcare sector, I decided that optometry looked like a potentially 

rewarding career both financially and in terms of job satisfaction. 

When visiting the optometry departments that I had applied to, I was 

most impressed with how welcoming Bradford’s Open Day was. The 

admissions tutors were approachable and helpful, and seemed very 

positive about my application despite the fact that I did not satisfy 

the more conventional entry requirements that were stated in the 

application literature. 

Having recently finished my degree in Bradford, I know that I 

made the best choice of university. From week one of the first year, 

practical training begins on the equipment that optometrists will 

use throughout their career. The majority of the theory is covered 

in the first two years, leaving the final year to concentrate more on 

perfecting the student’s practical skills ready for the pre-registration 

training year. 


The teaching throughout the course was first class with some of 

the lecturers being world-renowned experts in their specific subject 

areas. 

Although the course can be quite demanding at times, I still found 

plenty of time to play hockey for the University, and socialise with 

friends that I made through hockey, the course and elsewhere. With 

a little application it is very possible to succeed at the course without 

compromising on the fun times. I will look back on Wednesday 

sports afternoons, and Friday nights in Bradford in particular, with 

fond memories for many years to come!! 

Starting the course as a 29-year-old mature student, I was not sure 

how easy it would be to fit in socially, but I was pleasantly surprised 

with how friendly and open other students were to me. The University 

too seems to be very welcoming to mature students, and my 

class year contained far more mature students than I was initially 

expecting. All of these factors, together with the fact that Bradford is 

one of the cheapest student areas in the whole of the UK to live in, 

make Bradford an extremely attractive place to study optometry, and 

I would recommend the course here without hesitation.

The University of Bradford 


With a history spanning the last century, the University of Bradford’s values are 

built on firm foundations with the strong ethos of ‘Making Knowledge Work’ 

The University is constantly investing in 

the future of its students through worldclass 

teaching and facilities. 

Strong roots 

Back in 1966, when England were winning 

the World Cup, Bradford Institute of 

Technology became the University of 

Bradford and Harold Wilson, the longserving 

British Prime Minister, became our 

first Chancellor. Over 40 years on and the 

University has moved from strength to 

strength. 

1882: The University started out as Bradford 

Technical College. Bradford was the textile 

capital of the world, its renowned products 

reaching the four corners of the globe 

1966: The University was granted its 

Royal Charter which makes it one of the 

‘old’ universities 

2005: In April 2005, Imran Khan was 

appointed as Chancellor of the University 

of Bradford succeeding Baroness Betty 

Lockwood on her retirement 

2006: The University celebrated its 40th 

Anniversary and the opening of a grand 

new front to the campus; the vibrant 

Atrium in the Richmond Building, a 

magnificent student space 

Library and Computer Centre 

The Library and Computer Centre are 

based together in the J B Priestley 

building, just a few minutes’ walk from all 

the main campus buildings. The Library 

houses around 600,000 volumes, around 

1,000 printed periodical titles and over 

7,000 electronic journals. The Library 

system is accessible online 365 days a 

year, 24 hours a day. 

The Computer Centre offers a host of IT 

facilities and has been highly praised for the 

internet access it offers: the University of 

Bradford is one of the best in the UK at 

getting students online. 

The University has wireless access to all 

its major buildings. There is an attractive 

laptop rental scheme for students, with 

plenty of cheap and useful software. 

The University’s high-speed Broadband 

network extends to every bedroom in 

University-owned halls of residence, giving 

students free access to the internet as 

well as campus and library services 

Accommodation 

A place in University accommodation is 

available for all first-year students who 

need it. This will mean your own single 

study-bedroom, in a self-catering hall with 

internet connection. You can download 

further information about accommodation 

from www.bradford.ac.uk/ 

accommodation 

In subsequent years most students choose 

to live in furnished houses, flats or bedsits 

in the city. Student accommodation is 

cheaper, easier to find and more 

conveniently located in Bradford than in 

most other university cities. Many students 

live within five minutes of their lectures! For 

details of privately-rented accommodation 

contact the Unipol Accommodation Bureau 

(visit www.unipol.org.uk/bradford). 

Facilities 

Most departments are on the city campus, 

as is the sports centre, Students’ Union, 

Theatre, Music Centre and Art Gallery, and 

student accommodation. The Students’ 

Union runs over 80 clubs and societies, 

and has a shop on campus, and a print 

shop. The newly refurbished ‘Unique: 

Fitness & Lifestyle’ has a 25-metre 

swimming pool, climbing wall, and a new 

gym with the very latest in fitness 

equipment. You can enjoy café bars 

around the campus, offering a range of 

facilities including food, hot and cold 

drinks, pool tables, video games, and a 

big screen TV. The University has recently 

brought the full range of student support 

services together into one area in the 

Richmond Building, known as The Hub. 


12 

City of Bradford 

Friendly and familiar but with a thriving 

urban centre, Bradford is the city that 

has it all. The cosmopolitan mix, 

booming social scene and host of 

thriving cultural venues create a vibrant 

modern atmosphere that sits perfectly 

alongside the imposing architecture of 

the nineteenth century. Bradford is set 

amongst some of the most beautiful 

countryside in england. At the same 

time it is one of the most affordable 

places to live. Bradford lies right in the 

middle of the country, with easy links by 

road, rail and air north to Scotland, west 

to manchester and Liverpool, east to 

Leeds and York, and south to London. 


The University campus is situated in 

the heart of the city’s ‘west end’ – with 

many new pubs, clubs and restaurants 

within a few minutes’ walk from the 

halls of residence. Bradford can also 

offer a thriving cultural scene, including 

the national media museum, with its 

huge ImAX screen, as well as galleries, 

theatres and museums of art, crafts 

and technology. Further information of 

all that is on offer in Bradford can be 

found on the web at 

www.visitbradford.com, and at 

www.bradford.ac.uk/bradford 

Eating Out 

As every student will soon discover 

Bradford has earned the right to be 

famous for its curries. There are over 20 

curry houses within five minutes’ walk of 

the campus, where you can find a good 

meal for around £5. There are many other 

inexpensive restaurants, shops and 

supermarkets nearby, as well as the 

excellent value markets, specialist shops 

and chain stores in the city centre. 

Sport 

Local sporting clubs are always keen to 

welcome student members, not forgetting 

the University’s own range of sporting 

teams and activities. If you enjoy 

watching rather than participating, there’s 

football at Bradford City and Super 

League rugby with Bradford Bulls. 

Spectacular Surroundings 

Bradford is surrounded by some of the 

most spectacular and picturesque 

countryside anywhere in the country. The 

Pennines, Yorkshire Moors, Yorkshire 

Dales, Lake District and Derbyshire Peak 

District are all within easy travelling 

distance. 

You can take advantage of the host of 

outdoor sporting activities available in the 

area or just enjoy the peace and quiet. 

Yorkshire Dales and Alhambra Theatre

National 

Media 

Museum 

The contents of this publication are correct at the time of printing. The University reserves the right to alter or 

withdraw courses, services and facilities as described in this booklet without notice and to amend 

Ordinances, Regulations, fees and charges at any time. Students should enquire as to the up-to-date 

position when applying for their course of study. Admittance to the University is subject to the requirement 

that the student complies with the University’s admissions procedures and observes the Charter and 

Statutes and the Ordinances and Regulations of the University. 

More detailed maps of the University campus are available on our website at: www.bradford.ac.uk/maps 

Photography by: broad daylight, tel: 0131 477 9571, info@broaddaylightltd.co.uk; 

Camera Crew, tel: 01756 797585; Simon Stock Photography, tel: 01757 709634 

Pictures on page 12 courtesy of Bradford Council 

Produced by Marketing and Communications, University of Bradford 

Print Production: Inprint and Design, University of Bradford 

660/3,000/01/2010 

How to Find us 


How to Find Us 

Road - Bradford is connected to the 

national motorway network via the 

M62 and M606. 

Approximate distances are: 

London 200 miles (320 km) 

Edinburgh 200 miles (320 km) 

Birmingham 120 miles (192 km) 

Bristol 220 miles (352 km) 

Manchester 35 miles (56 km) 

Newcastle 95 miles (152 km) 

York 33 miles (53 km) 

Leeds 8 miles (13 km) 

Coach - services connect most parts 

of the country to Bradford’s Travel 

Interchange. 

Rail - Bradford Interchange and 

Forster Square stations have 

extensive rail links, though many 

involve changing at Leeds. 

Approximate journey times are: 

London, King’s Cross 3 hours 

Edinburgh 4 hours 

Birmingham 3 hours 

Manchester 1 hour 

York 1 hour 

Leeds 20 minutes 

Air - There are direct regular air 

services into Leeds/Bradford 

International Airport, 7 miles (11 km) 

from the University, from various 

cities around the UK and Ireland as 

well as from Amsterdam and other 

European locations. You can get 

from the Airport to the University by 

bus or taxi. Many internal and 

international flights can also be made 

into Manchester Airport, 50 miles 

(80 km) south-west of Bradford.

Optometry course brochure - University of Bradford

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