Doctor of Optometry
The Doctor of Optometry (OD) is the pathway to an exciting and rewarding optometry career. The Melbourne OD is a masters level professional entry degree that creates a new benchmark in 21st century optometric education. It is an internationally recognised qualification and the first of its kind in the southern hemisphere. Clinical studies commence in first year and gradually increase to full-time in the final year. The course is of four years duration and consists of a combination of on-campus teaching and clinical placements. A research project, with clinical relevance, is conducted as a required component of the degree.
The Melbourne OD is taught by the Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences , within the Graduate School of Science at the University of Melbourne. The department has long led the way in optometry training in Australasia and was the first optometry school to respond to the expanded scope of professional optometric practice by introducing therapeutic training.
Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) are available for Australian and New Zealand citizens and Permanent Resident visa holders undertaking this degree. Due to limited availability, these places will be awarded on the basis of academic merit. Full-time students enrolled in this program are also eligible to apply for Youth Allowance, Austudy or Abstudy. Refer to the financial support web page for more information.
How to apply
Local applicants
Local applicants are those with Australian or New Zealand citizenship, Permanent Residency or a humanitarian visa. These applicants should apply via the GEMSAS system.
International applicants
International applicants are those intending to study under a student visa. These applicants should apply directly via the University's online system.
Early applications
Applicants with a completed degree and GAMSAT/MCAT are eligible to apply in the Early round.
Applications open - 30 April 2012
Applications close - 31 July 2012
Outcomes - Applicants will be notified of the outcome by 29 August 2012. Applicants not successful in the Early round will automatically be considered with the Timely applications.
Timely applications
This is the primary application round and is open to all applicants who have GAMSAT/MCAT and and who have completed or are completing an undergraduate degree.
Applications open - 30 April 2012
Applications close - 30 September 2012
Outcomes - There are three outcome rounds:
| Round 1 | Applicants will be notified of the outcome by 31 October 2012. Applicants who do not receive an offer may be placed on a waiting list and will be automatically considered in Round 2 if required. |
| Round 2 | If a second round is required, applicants will be notified of the outcome by 31 January 2013. Applicants who do not receive an offer may be placed on a waiting list and will be automatically considered in Round 3 if required. |
| Round 3 | Depending on acceptance rates, there may be a very late round. Applicants will be notified of the outcome by 22 February 2013. |
Contact Details
The Melbourne Graduate School of Science
The University of Melbourne
Tel: +61 3 8344 6128
Fax: +61 3 8344 3351
CRICOS Code 062189B
What are some of the benefits of the new postgraduate degree?
- Students entering the OD have previously completed an undergraduate degree, allowing teaching in the OD to be delivered at a more sophisticated level and for the development of more advanced clinical skills.
- Early clinical experience will be a feature of the program. Later years will focus on developing advanced clinical skills with a strong emphasis on evidence-based practice.
- Broad clinical experience will be achieved by providing an unparalleled range of rural and metropolitan placements and international externship opportunities.
- The Doctor of Optometry will qualify you to practise as a therapeutically endorsed Optometrist in Australia, and to register to practise in several overseas countries. Accreditation in other countries, including North America, is being planned.
- The Doctor of Optometry is currently the only one of its kind in the southern hemisphere and internationally recognised.
What attributes will graduates of the OD display?
The Department of Optometry undertook a rigorous review of their undergraduate curriculum in designing the new OD degree, determining that graduates of the new course should:
- have a sound foundation in the physical, chemical, mathematical and biological sciences, and in particular have a good knowledge and understanding of human biology;
- understand the passage of light through lenses and optical systems (including the eye) and be able to predict and measure the nature and quality of optical images;
- have a thorough knowledge and understanding of the performance and function of the human visual system;
- understand the dysfunctions and diseases of the eye and visual system and know their genesis, natural course, treatment and prognosis;
- have acquired skill in the techniques necessary for the examination of the eye and the assessment of visual function;
- have developed skills in problem identification, in deciding on effective strategies to gather information for the resolution of these problems, in weighing evidence prudently and in making decisions and are able to apply these skills to scientific problems in the visual and clinical sciences as well as to particular problems presented by patients;
- have developed the interpersonal and communication skills necessary in relationships with patients and professional colleagues and for the communication of the results of scientific enquiries;
- are professionally competent in the practice of optometry and are able to gain registration (including therapeutic endorsement) by the appropriate professional body;
- have the knowledge, skill and attitude to enable adaptation to scientific, technological and social change, have a sense of intellectual curiosity and a desire for lifelong learning and a capacity to be creative and innovative; and
- have a strongly developed sense of professional and ethical responsibility for patients, colleagues and the community generally and are aware of the moral and legal responsibilities of professional practice.
Course structure
| Year | Subjects | |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 2 x 12 wks |
Integrated Ophthalmic Sciences 75 points |
Pre-Clinical Optometry 25 points |
| Year 2 2 x 12 wks |
Research Studies in Vision & Optometry 25 points |
Applied Clinical Training 75 points |
| Year 3 2 x 20 wks |
Clinical Optometry Practice 100 points |
|
| Year 4 44 wks |
Advanced Clinical Optometry Practice 100 points |
|
Year 1
You study the core biological and physical vision sciences within the Integrated Ophthalmic Sciences subject. This subject builds upon your pre-requisite knowledge in the general biological and physical sciences, helping you to apply these general concepts to understanding the structure and function of the visual system. You also commence your clinical training, in the Pre-Clinical Optometry subject, and cover the theoretical aspects of clinical ocular examination and refractive management for the first time. You also start to practice the key techniques of the optometric examination.
Year 2
Through the Applied Clinical Training subject you will continue to develop your clinical investigation skills, along with your understanding of the design and function ocular appliances. You learn about the mechanisms and manifestations of ocular disease, and start to consider strategies for the diagnosis and management of disease. In the later part of Year 2 you start to see patients on your own in the clinical setting and develop capabilities in ocular appliance prescribing, fitting and dispensing. In conjunction with this applied clinical training, you carry out a research project under the supervision of a department academic. This project enhances your knowledge of the vision sciences, emphasises the evidenced-based nature of clinical optometry practice, and prepares you for future postgraduate research work should you choose this path.
Year 3
During the Clinical Optometry Practice subject, the majority of your learning experiences are driven by regular patient contact, primarily in the University of Melbourne's Clinical Training Facility (University of Melbourne EyeCare) but also at a range of local placement sites. Facilitated case-based simulations enhance this clinical experience. The extended semester length ensures that you experience sufficient clinical contacts to provide a solid base for development of your patient assessment and management skills . In the third year, you are also be introduced to the business and ethical aspects of clinical practice, through both didactic interactions and your experiences at University of Melbourne EyeCare, our on-campus clinic.
Year 4
The final year is entirely clinical (Advanced Clinical Optometry Practice) and you will develop advanced experience in all areas of clinical practice, particularly general optometry practice, disease management, contact lenses, paediatrics and low vision management. Rotations through placement sites that include University of Melbourne EyeCare, primary and tertiary eye care sites in city and rural Australia, and international eye care sites will provide a breadth of clinical experience. The extended length of the clinical year offers a level of clinical exposure commensurate with that of the Doctor of Optometry courses offered in North America.
Capstone experience
Compulsory overseas and national externships form the capstone experience for students of the Doctor of Optometry. A capstone experience is designed to draw together the various strands of your education to prepare you for life as a graduate.
These externships, which see students practicing in a variety of environments, will enable you to develop a national and global perspective on optometry, and to experience the similarities and differences in the practice of eye health management throughout the world.
Entry requirements & selection
The following is a summary of entry requirements to the OD. Applicants will require:
- An undergraduate degree (or equivalent); and
- A second or third year subject (or equivalent) in anatomy or cell biology; plus
- Two additional subjects at second or third year level (or equivalent) from one or more relevant biological science disciplines.
- Completion of the GAMSAT (Graduate Australian Medical School Admissions Test), the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) or the OAT (Optometry Admission Test).
- A written statement explaining your interest in Optometry.
- Demonstration of meeting the University's English language requirements.
The Selection Committee may conduct interviews or may call for referee reports to elucidate any of the matters referred to above.
Grade Point Average (GPA) and GAMSAT/MCAT/OAT requirements
There is no minimum GPA or GAMSAT/MCAT/OAT requirement to apply for the program. However, as there are limited places available, selection is expected to be highly competitive.
A double weighting will be applied to the final year (equivalent full-time study) of the degree (equivalent to third year level).
A double weighting will also be applied to an applicant's calculated GPA against the GAMSAT/MCAT/OAT test scores during selection.
For more information on the various tests, please refer to the Optometry Admission Test (OAT), Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and GAMSAT websites.
English Language Requirements
All students will need to ensure that they meet the University's English language requirements. Applicants who need to satisfy the University's English language requirements via an IELTS (Academic) or TOEFL, will require one of the following:
| IELTS*(Academic English Only) | TOEFL(Paper-based test)* | TOEFL(Computer-based test)* | TOEFL(Internet-based test)* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7.0 (written 7.0 with no band less than 6.0) | 600 + TWE 5.0 | 250 + 5.0 essay rating | 100 + written score of 24 and no band less than 21 |
Pathways to the Doctor of Optometry
University of Melbourne students
Guaranteed entry pathway students
Students who meet the prerequisite requirements for entry into the proposed OD will be guaranteed entry to the course if they meet specific criteria. The University's guaranteed pathway to graduate professional entry programs is detailed on the web. Applications using this pathway will be made in the final year of undergraduate study. It is not necessary to nominate an intention to pursue this pathway before then.
Guaranteed entry for school-leavers to graduate professional entry programs.
Students from other Australian universities
Applicants from other degrees or universities will need to ensure that they have completed the prerequisite subjects along with their degree. Completion of a tertiary level mathematics and/or statistics subject is also strongly recommended (but is not compulsory). Applicants whose degree course did not incorporate one or more of the prerequisite subjects are required to successfully complete these before they can be considered for entry.
The prerequisite subjects do not necessarily have to be studied as part of the completed degree. For example, an applicant could complete the subjects separately if they are available as part of the Community Access Program (CAP).
A list of pre-approved prerequisite subjects is available: Doctor of Optometry approved subjects : PDF : 221KB.
Students from overseas universities
We welcome applications from international students.
North American applicants who meet the entry requirements to any OD program taught in USA or Canada will automatically meet the entry prerequisites to the University's OD program and are strongly encouraged to apply. A list of prerequisite subjects for American O.D programs can be found on the Optometry Admission Test (OAT) website.
Applicants from all other overseas institutions will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Students with advanced standing (credit transfer)
Given the structure of the OD course, advanced standing (credit) will rarely be possible, and could only be considered for equivalent postgraduate study in Optometry.
GAMSAT/MCAT/OAT test information
Any domestic student currently studying in Australia should sit the GAMSAT test (Australian or UK version).
Any international student currently studying in Australia should sit the GAMSAT (Australian or UK version) or MCAT test. Registration for the GAMSAT (Australia) test is normally required in February of the year prior to the year of intended commencement. Please refer to the GAMSAT UK website for further information.
International students studying outside of Australia may still elect to sit either the GAMSAT, MCAT or OAT test to fulfill entry requirements.
Quotas and fee types
Intake into the Doctor of Optometry is anticipated to be 64 commencing students per annum. There will be a combination of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP), Australian fee and international fee places.
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) requires that all Optometry graduates demonstrate English language skills at IELTS level 7 or equivalent before being considered for professional registration by the Optometry Board of Australia. Test results from IELTS (Academic) examinations will need to be obtained within two years prior to applying for registration. In many cases this will require students to take the IELTS (Academic) test again during their current study. For further information, visit the AHPRA website.
