BSc in Ophthalmic Dispensing Management

Dispensing opticians are eye care professionals who fit and supply spectacles and manage optical practices. Dispensing opticians can expand into contact lens fitting and the supply of specialist optical appliances.

GCU is the only university in Scotland to offer a full-time Ophthalmic Dispensing Management programme in the recognized GCU Vision Centre, located on campus. A modern purpose-built dispensing clinic, the Vision Centre provides the ideal environment for training towards commercial practice.

Offering an excellent, integrated professional education, the BSc in Ophthalmic Dispensing Management from GCU opens doors to professional placements, providing links to future employers throughout the UK. Some collaborative programmes also exist with international partners. The BSc Ophthalmic Dispensing Management is accredited by the General Optical Council.

Professional accreditation

The BSc Ophthalmic Dispensing is accredited by the General Optical Council.

International student start dates

For new international students, orientation events start on 14 September 2018. This extra time is specifically designed to assist new international students in settling into the UK and GCU prior to the start of general student induction and teaching.

There will be a whole host of fun and informative activities taking place during this period, including campus and city tours, as well as welcome events where you can meet other international students.

Assessment methods

We use a wide range of learning and teaching methods to ensure that you have both the necessary knowledge and understanding of business and management and a portfolio of intellectual and personal skills.

Each module on the programme uses its own learning, teaching and assessment strategy to achieve learning objectives. Assessment methods vary between modules and may include unseen examinations, class tests, essays, management reports, case studies, presentations, and group work.

Teaching methods

The learning and teaching methods we use to ensure that our programme is both vocationally relevant and academically challenging. Our approach is student-centered, practical, participative and relevant to the needs of employers.

We've moved away from the traditional teacher-centric learning to a more independent learning approach, where you are encouraged to develop critical thinking skills.

What you will study

Year 1

Foundations of Optics, Ophthalmic Materials, Optical Appliances, Ophthalmic Anatomy and Physiology, Refraction and Binocular Vision.

Year 2

Clinical Dispensing Practice and Communication, Diagnostic Techniques (DO), Refraction and Binocular Vision, Ophthalmic Pathology and Pharmacology, Lighting, Colour and Optical Devices, Ophthalmic Professional Studies, Law & Management, Low Vision.

Year 3

Practice placement route: Dispensing Practice 1 & 2, Investigating Management In Healthcare and Management Planning In Healthcare: Full-time study university route, Investigating Management In Healthcare, New Venture Creation, Contact Lens Studies, Directed Literature and Case Review, Clinical Studies and Review and Advanced Orthoptics 1.

Your career

Ophthalmic dispensing Management offers an interesting and rewarding career with excellent employment prospects in private optometric practices or large optometric companies. Alternatively, graduates can set up their own ophthalmic dispensing practice or work within the optical industry.