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What study do I have to complete to be eligible to become an optometrist?

Optometry training at Deakin constitutes 3.5 years of study, specifically sequential study in the Bachelor of Vision Science and then the Master of Optometry. The Deakin Optometry curriculum is aligned to the competencies defined by the Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand (OCANZ), the accrediting body for optometry courses in Australia and New Zealand. Deakin Optometry is in the process of being assessed for 'accreditation with conditions' by OCANZ.

Once I have completed the Bachelor of Vision Science, is the process of admission to the Master of Optometry a competitive process?

No. Provided students obtain a passing grade for the Bachelor of Vision Science, they will automatically articulate into the Master of Optometry, should they so wish.

When does entry to the Master of Optometry commence?

The Master of Optometry will have its first intake in 2014, immediately following the graduation of the first cohort of students from the Bachelor of Vision Science.

What are the selection requirements for entry to the Bachelor of Vision Science?

Is the UMAT or GAMSAT required for entry?

Neither the Undergraduate Medicine and Health Sciences Admission Test (UMAT) nor the Graduate Australian Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT) are required for entry into the Bachelor of Vision Science.

I am a current Deakin University student.  How do I apply?

Students who wish to apply to transfer to another course in the University may do so by completing an Application for Course Transfer form and lodging it via the Deakin portal. Further details may be obtained from the Faculty of Health website.

Is there a mid-year intake?

No. Sequential delivery of compulsory units in this degree course cannot facilitate a mid-year intake.

Is it possible to receive Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) for past studies?

When you are finalising your enrolment, you will be able to confirm your eligibility for credit for any prior studies. Deakin University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for relevant approved prior study or informal learning that exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course of interest and is within the constraints of specific course regulations. Credit for Prior Learning will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Generally, students who have partially completed an undergraduate degree will be awarded credit on a pro rata basis for areas of study that are common with the Bachelor of Vision Science, whereas graduate applicants will be eligible for credit against the entire first year of the Bachelor of Vision Science.

International students

Places will be offered to international students from 2014. In addition to meeting the same selection requirements specified for domestic students, international students must also achieve a minimum International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 7, with minimum scores of 7 in each of the components. For international students, participation in the MMI may be replaced by a face-to-face or electronic interview. International students studying Year 12 in Australia should apply through VTAC www.vtac.edu.au. International non-Year 12 students should apply directly to Deakin International deakin.edu.au/international.

(Due to the specific language requirements of the Optometry Board of Australia some students may to retake IELTS tests toward the end of their course in order to be eligible to register in Australia. Further information is available from the OBA website: http://www.optometryboard.gov.au/

What will the ATAR be in 2013?

The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) is not a score; it is a rank, which shows a student's achievement in relation to other students who apply for the course. The ATAR cut-off corresponds to the lowest-ranked successful candidate from the previous year.

The clearly-in ATAR in 2012 for entry into the Bachelor of Vision Science was 91.7. The Grade Point Average (GPA) required for selection into the course in 2012 was a High Distinction/Distinction or equivalent.

When will the course be accredited?

The Deakin Optometry curriculum is aligned to the competencies defined by the Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand (OCANZ), the accrediting body for optometry courses in Australia and New Zealand. Deakin Optometry is in the process of being assessed for 'accreditation with conditions' by OCANZ. This accreditation will then need to be confirmed after the first cohort of students graduate in mid-2015. Thereafter Deakin Optometry will be subject to the same 8-year accreditation cycle applicable to all Australasian Optometry Schools.

Where will I do my clinical training?

During the final six months of the Course, you will undertake training as an 'optometrist in training' in a variety of clinical optometric and medical settings. These clinical rotations will enable you to consolidate your knowledge and skills in supported environments under the supervision of qualified optometrists. Clinical rotations will include time in a regional setting, and, where possible, students from rural and regional backgrounds will be placed near their community of origin.

Why is your course only 3.5 years in length compared to other courses offered in Australia?

By taking advantage of Deakin's trimester system (three periods of study each year), Deakin Optometry students are able to fast-track entry into this exciting profession by gaining a professional optometry qualification in just under three and a half years of full-time study.

The Bachelor of Vision Science and Master of Optometry require the completion of 40 credit points of study, comprising 24 units relating to the Bachelor of Vision Science and 16 units relating to the Master of Optometry. This on campus course is only available to students on a full-time basis.

How many students are selected for the course?

In 2012, 75 Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) were offered for entry into the Bachelor of Vision Science. It is anticipated that a similar number of places will be available in 2013.

Are there any Fee-Paying Places available?

For information about tuition fees, please visit deakin.edu.au/study-at-deakin/fees.

Is it possible to defer my studies if I am offered a place?

Deakin has recently made deferring your studies a whole lot easier. Most courses now allow you to postpone your studies to work or travel, but still retain your University place, for up to two years. You can apply for deferment after you have received a regular offer, using the form at www.deakin.edu.au/future-students/accept-your-offer/defer. You must lodge this form within five days of receiving your offer. For more information, phone 1300 DEGREE (1300 334 733).

Will classes and clinical placements be held during the day, evening or both?

Classes will generally run during the day; however, some of the clinical placements will likely require students to attend a placement site at weekends or during the evening.

Can I study part time?

A full-time student typically enrols in units amounting to 4 credit points in each trimester in an academic year; however, enrolment in 3 or more credit points in a trimester is deemed to be full-time study. Students awarded Credit for Prior Learning may effectively reduce their study load to 2 credit points (or fewer) per trimester of study and therefore be considered to be a part-time student. However, due to the compulsory, sequential nature of the Deakin Optometry Course, such study would only be practicable during the first year of study. Thereafter, the Course Curriculum would not be amenable to part time study.

Does the course include therapeutics?

Yes, therapeutics is included in the curriculum. The OCANZ terms of accreditation now require all entry level Australasian Optometry courses to provide therapeutic training, thus facilitating the therapeutic endorsement of all newly qualified optometrists.

What are the career outcomes for Optometrists?

Demand for optometrists is high, job opportunities are strong and career outcomes are excellent, particularly in rural and regional areas. Deakin optometry graduates will be well prepared for employment in a diverse range of work settings including, but not limited to: hospitals, clinics, health services, state and local governments, non-government organisations, research institutes, tertiary education institutions, private practice, and corporate and community settings. Career and employment opportunities for qualified optometrists include private and public eye care, practice ownership, research and teaching, associates in eye surgery practice, and recognised specialties within optometry such as low vision, paediatric vision, and behavioural optometry.

Salaries for optometry graduates are among the highest in the country and typically range between $75,000 and $100,000 - with the highest salaries paid to optometrists willing to work in regions of workforce shortage. Optometrists with their own practice generally earn in excess of $100,000 per annum, with incomes often exceeding $150,000.

Are there any Scholarships available?

Deakin University offers scholarships for academic excellence, access and equity, accommodation and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, ensuring higher education is accessible for all members of the community. For more information on scholarships, please visit deakin.edu.au/scholarships.

Scholarships are also available through the Nursing and Allied Health Scholarship and Support Scheme (NAHSSS). For more information about this scheme, please contact Services for Australian Rural and Remote Allied Health by sending an email to sarrah@sarrah.org.au or visit www.sarrah.org.au.

Are there any special enrolment requirements for the course?

Enrolment in the course requires current immunisation, police checks and working with children checks, all of which are requirements of the Optometry Board of Australia. Further details can be found at their website: http://www.optometryboard.gov.au/

Are there any additional costs associated with my study?

Yes, you will be expected to purchase some equipment during your course, and there may be some additional costs associated with your clinical placements. Further details will be provided during your enrolment.