Type of institution: University/Higher Education Institution
Level: Postgraduate
CRICOS: 00116K

The Doctor of Optometry (OD) at the University of Melbourne is a master’s-level professional entry degree. The OD program is the first of its kind in the southern hemisphere, creating a new benchmark in optometric education.The course has full accreditation from the Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand (OCANZ). The OD degree is a four-year full-time program consisting of a combination of on-campus teaching and clinical placements. Clinical studies commence in first year and gradually increase to full-time in the final year. The course covers the basic and applied optical, visual, and biomedical sciences that underpin optometry. A research project, with clinical relevance, is conducted as a required component of the degree. Students will also be given the opportunity to undertake clinical training at metropolitan, rural and overseas sites as part of their final year of study.

Designed for

Students seeking a career in optometry

Structure

Students must complete 400 credit points over the 4-year program. These 400 points of credit are accumulated from a compulsory series of six core subjects totalling 100 points per year.

Subjects

  • Optometry

Standard entry requirements

An undergraduate degree in any discipline, with studies to have been completed within 10 years of commencing the Doctor of Optometry Or For applicants whose most recently completed undergraduate degree was completed 10 or more years before January 1st of the year in which the applicant intends to commence the Doctor of Optometry, a Graduate Diploma, Master or PhD degree, or equivalent, completed within 10 years of commencing the Doctor of Optometry And Three subjects at level 2 or level 3 (or equivalent) from one or more relevant biological science disciplines with subjects to have been completed within 10 years of commencing the Doctor of Optometry. One of either the GAMSAT (Graduate Australian Medical School Admissions Test), the MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test) or the OAT (Optometry Admission Test (USA)), no more than two years before the date of commencement of the Doctor of Optometry.

Recognition

Optometry Board of Australia

Study pathways

The University of Melbourne Bachelor of Science or the Bachelor of Biomedicine are pathways to this graduate program. School leavers applying for either of these degrees can secure a place in the Doctor of Optometry at the same time through the Graduate Degree Packages program, subject to meeting entry requirements.

Study information

CampusFeesEntryMid year intakeAttendance
Parkville Domestic: $209,368
International: $238,056
No
  • Full-time : 4 years

Further information

Most graduates initially choose to work in an established practice, and many will go on to own and operate their own practice(s). Graduates who choose to pursue a research higher degree in an area of clinical optometry or the vision sciences may go on to a career in academia, training the next generation of optometrists and research scientists. Others take up roles in industry contributing to the research and development of therapies, visual aids or diagnostic instruments to support optometry practice.

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