Orthoptics
UCAS code B520
- Study mode
- Full-time
- Duration
- 3 years
- Start date and application deadlines
-
- Start date
- September 2026 September 2027
- Apply by:
- Starts on:
About this course
Orthoptics BSc (Hons) prepares future professionals for an enriching career in a highly significant field within the modern healthcare world.
Introduction
This course combines academic study with extensive clinical experience, preparing you for contemporary orthoptic practice.
You will gain the knowledge and practical skills required to assess, diagnose and manage visual disorders across the lifespan—from infants to older adults. The programme covers a wide range of conditions, including strabismus (eye misalignment), amblyopia (“lazy eye”), and visual complications associated with trauma, tumours, head injuries, diabetes and stroke, to name but a few.
The programme is structured around four key themes: ‘Anatomy, Physiology & Disease’, ‘Clinical Orthoptics’, ‘Optics and Ophthalmology’ and ‘Professional Development’ (incorporating the sub-themes of research, leadership and education). These themes that run throughout the programme ensure that learning is appropriately scaffolded and structured
Throughout the course, you will be supported to become a critical, evidence-informed practitioner, capable of evaluating and enhancing clinical practice while delivering high-quality, patient-centred care. You will also develop as a creative, culturally aware and highly employable graduate, with digital fluency, confidence, and a strong sense of global citizenship.
Upon graduation, you will be a competent and reflective orthoptist, ready to make a meaningful contribution as part of a multidisciplinary eye care team.
What you'll learn
- Critical thinking
- Problem solving
- Numeracy skills
- Science acumen
- Research gathering
- Observational skills
Course content
Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.
Year one
In year one, a wide range of factual knowledge and basic clinical skills are developed. The whole of semester one is spent in the University. This enables you to develop core knowledge and skills and more specifically the knowledge required to undertake orthoptic practice via profession-specific modules. This provides preparation for the professional practice placement observation week which occurs prior to the second semester. During year one, you will learn about the basic principles of eye movement systems and binocular vision, be able to undertake essential orthoptic assessments and have a total of seven weeks clinical placement.
Modules
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change. The course content currently shown on this page reflects the programme as it is running in September 2026. The University is currently reviewing all of its programmes for 2027 entry. View the 2027 version of this course for more information.
Year two
In year two, you will learn to apply the knowledge gained in year one to a wide range of clinical scenarios. Additionally, you will also gain the fundamental knowledge to enable you to use medicines under exemptions within the orthoptic scope of practice. You will continue to develop clinical skills at the University and at clinical sites throughout the UK (undertaking a total of 11-weeks clinical placement). Throughout year two, you will also learn essential principles for understanding and undertaking research, with the opportunity to undertake an orthoptic based clinical research project.
Modules
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change. The course content currently shown on this page reflects the programme as it is running in September 2026. The University is currently reviewing all of its programmes for 2027 entry. View the 2027 version of this course for more information.
Year three
In year three, you will focus on an evidence-based practice approach to their clinical care. During this year you will undertake a 12-week clinical placement, where you will prepare to become an autonomous practitioner. On completion of this year, you will be able to:
- Select and use appropriate orthoptic assessment techniques within their own practice accurately
- Devise an orthoptic intervention for a range of patients, and in accordance with established orthoptic standards
- Demonstrate a capacity to advise, with a high-level of autonomy and communication skills, individuals or their carers about management options which will be clinically effective
- Critically evaluate new concepts, arguments and evidence from a range of current theories and research from relevant disciplines and use these to analyse problems in orthoptic practice.
Modules
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| ADVANCED THEORETICAL ORTHOPTICS (ORTH330) | 30 |
| CLINICAL VISUAL OPTICS (ORTH332) | 15 |
| LITERATURE REVIEW (ORTH310) | 30 |
| ORTHOPTIC CLINICAL PRACTICE (ORTH335) | 30 |
| DEVELOPING AND ENHANCING PRACTICE (ORTH334) | 15 |
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change. The course content currently shown on this page reflects the programme as it is running in September 2026. The University is currently reviewing all of its programmes for 2027 entry. View the 2027 version of this course for more information.
Teaching and assessment
How you'll learn
We incorporate a wide variety of activities into our teaching to enable students to become autonomous and continuous learners.
Interactive lectures, practical and clinical skills group work, simulation, directed study, role play, problem based learning, small group work, student-led seminars, collaborative project work and interactive tutorials are key learning strategies of all of the School of Allied Health Professions and Nursing programmes.
Practical work using state-of-the-art, professional-standard equipment, our Clinical Skills Resource Room and the Human Anatomy Resource Centre complement teaching activities.
Face-to-face interactions between all students will occur at shared lectures, tutorials and group work whilst online interaction will be encouraged and facilitated. There are also inter-professional education and learning opportunities across all healthcare professions programmes.
How you're assessed
Using a mixture of coursework and examination, a range of assessment methods can be seen across our Orthoptic programme. These include seen and unseen written examinations, essay assignments with specific word lengths, multiple choice questions, case study presentations, video analysis and interactive practical examinations.
Assessment of the work-based learning element of all School of Health Sciences programmes is an important aspect of our students’ life. You will be required to communicate your views orally and in written form; analyse, implement and evaluate your practice; and to extend the research and evidence base of your chosen profession.
The various methods of assessments have been chosen to provide a balance that will permit the undergraduates to demonstrate their intellectual abilities in all areas to the full.
Liverpool Learning Framework
At Liverpool, we take a distinctive approach to education through the Liverpool Learning Framework. This means teaching that is engaging, inclusive and designed to help you succeed during your studies and beyond.
You’ll develop specialist subject knowledge alongside the skills employers value most, including:
- Digital fluency
- Confidence
- Global citizenship
Our curriculum is characterised by the three Liverpool Hallmarks:
- Research-connected teaching - learning informed by the latest ideas and discoveries
- Active learning - taking part, applying knowledge and learning by doing
- Authentic assessment - assessments designed around real-world tasks and challenges
We also embed key priorities across our curriculum, including AI literacy, employability, and sustainability, helping you prepare for the future and make a positive impact in the world.
We’re committed to creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment where every student can thrive.
Your experience
Orthoptic students benefit from the School of Allied Health Professions and Nursing‘s experience in delivering over 100 years of dynamic, research-led teaching. As well as crucial skills specifically related to a career in healthcare, we place particular emphasis on developing our students’ scholarship and professionalism which is particularly important for their future careers.
A day in the life of Allied Health Professions and Nursing student Charmain Yip
Virtual tour
Supporting your learning
From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:
- Careers and employability support, including help with career planning, understanding the job market and strengthening your networking skills
- A dedicated student services team can help you get assistance with your studies, help with health and wellbeing, and access to financial advice
- Confidential counselling and support to help students with personal problems affecting their studies and general wellbeing
- Support for students with differing needs from the Disability advice and guidance team. They can identify and recommend appropriate support provisions for you.
An exciting place to study
- Major centre for education and research in health sciences
- State-of-the-art facilities
- Opportunities for in-depth study and development of advanced clinical skills
- Flexible programmes for postgraduate study
- Active research environment
- Provides specialist training with taught and clinical placement components.
I knew the degree I wanted to do, so it was really a choice of which university would be best for me. I chose Liverpool as it offered a great sense of community and care.
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A day in the life of Allied Health Professions and Nursing student Charmain Yip
Careers and employability
Orthoptic graduates are eligible to apply for statutory registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
Most graduates choose to work in the National Health Service as an orthoptist in an eye care team. However, there are opportunities to progress within your role as an orthoptist in a number of additional extended roles and advanced practice such as stroke, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma and special educational needs. There may also be opportunities to work in a private clinic or even abroad due to the international high recognition of the qualification.
Overall, this programme offers graduates a rewarding career as autonomous practitioners and part of the health care team with an excellent record of graduate employment.
You can pursue a career in the National Health Service, Social Services or the private sector.