Start building today!
Experience the Find the courses and unlock the true potential
Course Overview
Graduate in just three and a half years with Australia's only accelerated Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Optometry course. Optometrists are in high demand with occupation growth expected to reach 16.4% by 2029*, you will gain the discipline-specific knowledge and skills to be work-ready and eligible to apply for registration as a practising optometrist in Australia and New Zealand. You will undertake a variety of short-term industry placements throughout your course and spend the final six months as a student resident, empowering you to graduate confidently. You will develop crucial skills in the clinical assessment, treatment and management of eye and vision disorders, with strong foundations in evidence-based and reflective practice, inter-professional collaborative practice and practice management. Our course has a strong emphasis on understanding the visual health issues impacting regional and rural Australia and the rural health gap. During the course you will investigate the structure and function of the visual system while learning about various visual health issues and their wider impact on the local and international community. Gain crucial skills in the clinical assessment, treatment and management of eye and vision disorders, as well as forming a strong understanding of the ethical, legal and professional standards of practice. You will cover a broad spectrum of industry-relevant study areas that prepare you for work as a professional optometrist, including: the key principles of optics, clinical optics and treating eye and vision disorders, ocular function and structure, the science of vision, the business of optometry.
Eligibility
Career & Study Pathways
Quality & Recognition
Course Content
Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin
0 credit point compulsory unit, completed in first study period
Laboratory and Fieldwork Safety Induction Program
0 credit point compulsory unit, completed in first study period
Understanding Health
Year 1 - Trimester 1
Health Information and Data
Year 1 - Trimester 1
Principles of Optics
Year 1 - Trimester 1
Cells and Genes
Year 1 - Trimester 1
Science of Vision 1
Year 1 - Trimester 2
Clinical Optics
Year 1 - Trimester 2
Ocular Structure
Year 1 - Trimester 2
Chemistry for the Professional Sciences
Year 1 - Trimester 2; for students who completed Unit 3 and 4 (or Year 12 equivalent) Chemistry
Chemistry in Our World
Year 1 - Trimester 2; for students who did not do Chemistry in VCE units 3 and 4 (or Year 12 equivalent)
The Business of Optometry
Year 1 - Trimester 3
Science of Vision 2
Year 1 - Trimester 3
Ocular Function
Year 1 - Trimester 3
Accounting for Decision Making
Year 1 - Trimester 3
Health and Vision Sciences 1
Year 2 - Trimester 1
Principles and Practice of Optometry 1
Year 2 - Trimester 1
Health and Vision Sciences 2
Year 2 - Trimester 2
Principles and Practice of Optometry 2
Year 2 - Trimester 2
Health and Vision Sciences 3
Year 2 - Trimester 3
Principles and Practice of Optometry 3
Year 2 - Trimester 3
Advanced Optometric Studies 1
Year 3 - Trimester 1
Advanced Optometric Studies 2
Year 3 - Trimester 2
Community Optometry 1
Year 3 - Trimester 3
Community Optometry 2
Year 4 - Trimester 1
Common Questions
The Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Optometry at Deakin is Australia's only accelerated combined Bachelor/Masters optometry course. It is delivered as a 3.5-year full-time program over ten consecutive trimesters, made possible by Deakin's trimester system. This means you can graduate and begin your career sooner than in a standard program.
The course includes an extensive practical placement component (costs incurred by the student), including a Clinical Residential Placement in the last six months of the course. Clinical placement rotations take place in both metropolitan and regional or rural settings, where students consolidate their knowledge and skills under the supervision of qualified optometrists. Students will also spend at least three months of their extended placement in rural eyecare delivery settings, in keeping with Deakin Optometry's commitment to improving rural eyecare.
Students must hold a valid Victorian Working with Children Check (WWCC) and may also need state/territory-specific checks for interstate placements. A valid Police Record Check is required every calendar year for professional placements. Prior to commencing clinical placements, students are expected to have a current immunisation status including three COVID-19 vaccinations. Students must also agree to and sign the Student Code of Conduct on commencement of the course.
In addition to the cost of practical placements, students will need to purchase personal optometric diagnostic equipment costing approximately $6,500–$7,000 in Year 2 of the program.
Due to the integrated nature of the curriculum and assessment, and the requirements of the external accrediting body, from Year 2 onwards students must pass all units in a given trimester prior to proceeding to the next trimester. Any student who fails to meet this requirement will need to intermit until the next offering of the unit, which will usually be in a period of two trimesters. To support student reintegration after a period of intermission, non-award units will be offered in the trimester preceding re-entry to the course.
Application
Three simple steps to get enrolled
Step 01
Enquire
Click "Enquire Now" and tell us a little about yourself. It's free and takes 2 minutes.
Step 02
Submit Documents
Our team will guide you on exactly which documents to prepare and submit.
Step 03
Get Enrolled
Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!
Honestly I was lost when I first started looking at Australian colleges. There are just too many options and every agent gives you different info. A friend told me about FindTheCourses and within a week I had shortlisted 3 programs that actually matched my budget and visa situation. My advisor Sanjay was super helpful — never felt like I was being pushed into anything.
Priya Sharma
India
Master of Nursing · Griffith University
