The University of Western Australia
Doctor of Optometry
Nationally Recognised Vocational Education and Training (VET)The Doctor of Optometry is a three-year program that combines on-campus teaching and clinical placements.
You will be trained in the early detection, diagnosis, treatment and management of eye diseases and the rehabilitation of conditions of the visual system.
The course content and teaching is based on the competency standards for optometrists in Australia and New Zealand, which are: professional responsibilities; communication; patient examination; diagnosis and management; and health information management.
UWA has partnered with Lions Eye Institute, Lions Outback Vision, SpecSavers, Luxottica and other optometry industry leaders to deliver the course and offer clinical placements across Western Australia.
Delivery mode
The University of Western Australia offers this course through the following delivery modes:
Blended
Combine the flexibility of online learning with the support of on campus learning.
Locations
- 35 Stirling Highway, Perth
Entry requirements
Domestic Students
- There are no mandated entry requirements.
To be considered for admission into the OD, an applicant must have:
- have a bachelor's degree in biomedical science, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA. Recognised bachelor’s degrees are those conferred by Australian universities or higher education institutions recognised by the Australian Qualifications Framework or the National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (NOOSR). While academic results from postgraduate study will be taken into account, postgraduate studies undertaken without a bachelor’s degree cannot be accepted as an equivalent qualification
- the equivalent of a Selection Weighted Average Mark (sWAM) of at least 65
Applicants must complete a bachelor's degree in biomedical science, or an equivalent bachelor's qualification and must meet the following prerequisites:
- Chemistry – Year 12 ATAR Chemistry is accepted, or a tertiary chemistry unit
- Mathematics OR Statistics – Year 12 ATAR Mathematics Applications or higher is accepted, or a tertiary mathematics or statistics unit
- Microbiology – tertiary level (for example MICR2209, MICR2208 or equivalent foundation unit)
- Pharmacology – tertiary level (for example PHAR2210 or equivalent foundation unit)
It is recommended that applicants have undertaken studies in some or all of the below listed fields:
- Anatomy at Tertiary level
- Physiology/DNA, RNA Cell and Molecular biology at Tertiary level
- Genetics at Tertiary level
- Metabolism, Cell signalling and survival at Tertiary level
- Population health and disease at Tertiary level
- Physics to Year 12 or Tertiary level
To be considered for admission into the OD, an applicant must have:
- have a bachelor's degree in biomedical science, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA. Recognised bachelor’s degrees are those conferred by Australian universities or higher education institutions recognised by the Australian Qualifications Framework or the National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (NOOSR). While academic results from postgraduate study will be taken into account, postgraduate studies undertaken without a bachelor’s degree cannot be accepted as an equivalent qualification
- the equivalent of a Selection Weighted Average Mark (sWAM) of at least 65
Applicants must complete a bachelor's degree in biomedical science, or an equivalent bachelor's qualification and must meet the following prerequisites:
- Chemistry – Year 12 ATAR Chemistry is accepted, or a tertiary chemistry unit
- Mathematics OR Statistics – Year 12 ATAR Mathematics Applications or higher is accepted, or a tertiary mathematics or statistics unit
- Microbiology – tertiary level (for example MICR2209, MICR2208 or equivalent foundation unit)
- Pharmacology – tertiary level (for example PHAR2210 or equivalent foundation unit)
It is recommended that applicants have undertaken studies in some or all of the below listed fields:
- Anatomy at Tertiary level
- Physiology/DNA, RNA Cell and Molecular biology at Tertiary level
- Genetics at Tertiary level
- Metabolism, Cell signalling and survival at Tertiary level
- Population health and disease at Tertiary level
- Physics to Year 12 or Tertiary level
English competency
Graduate applicants require at least two successful years of full-time or equivalent degree studies undertaken in Australia, Canada (excluding Quebec), Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States of America.
Applicants presenting with the IELTS Academic require an overall score of at least 7.0 and no band less than 7.0.
Additional requirements may apply.Course fees
$29,537
$132,225
Career opportunities
The Doctor of Optometry will prepare you for the following role.
Optometrist
An Optometrist tests vision and prescribes corrective lenses and other treatments. You might perform eye tests and determine levels of visual impai...
About The University of Western Australia
Just 10 minutes from Perth city, UWA is located on the banks of the Swan River, or Derbal Yerrigan, on the land of the Whadjuk Nation.
We have the immense privilege of sitting on the sacred soil where Western Australian kaartdijin, or knowledge, began. It has been a place to gather and learn for tens of thousands of years, with stories and lessons shared from generation to generation of the world’s oldest continuous culture.
Today, we welcome you to continue seeking and sharing wisdom with us. Our students take their learning beyond the books, at the cutting edge of knowledge creation, from passionate lecturers with real industry experience and connections. We’ll support them in their learning journeys and help set them up for a career they’ll love.
The global impact of our research and education places us as a world top 100 university (QS 2024). This means students join a community of passionate, intelligent and resourceful leaders who are driving innovation and change. They’ll connect with and work alongside leaders in education, research and industry, and follow in the footsteps of our thousands of graduate success stories.
