Study Optometry at Flinders

Realise your vision as a registered optometrist.

Prepare yourself for a rewarding career in optometry in a high-quality learning environment. You will receive a grounding in the fundamentals of science with an emphasis on vision science, where you will study the visual system and factors that influence sight, in preparation for intensive study and clinical experience in optometry.

This course is not offered in 2023

This course has been replaced by the new Bachelor of Health Sciences (Vision Science)/Master of Optometry (SATAC Code: 244631) from 2023.

Fast facts

Course facts at a glance.

Domestic

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International Student

I am not a citizen of
Australia or New Zealand.

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I am a
Domestic Student

I am an Australian or New Zealand Citizen.

I'm an Australian Permanent Resident
(including Humanitarian Visa holders).

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Prerequisites

None

Assumed knowledge

Knowledge of SACE stage two chemistry, mathematics and physics or equivalent is assumed.

2022 selection rank

95.00

Guaranteed selection rank

N/A

Adjustment factors available

Yes

SATAC code

214931

Delivery mode

In person:

– Bedford Park

Online: No

Duration

5 years full-time
(or part-time equivalent)
Deferrable: Yes

Annual indicative fee

2023: $9,170

How are these fees calculated?

Start dates

– March

Student and ATAR profile

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Student and ATAR profile

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Why study Optometry at Flinders

Taught by our lecturers in state-of-the-art facilities
Researchers involved in cutting-edge vision science research to make difference in day-to-day life
Features unique topics including ophthalmology, communication for the consulting room, and a business intensive module
Sub-quotas available for rural, remote and Indigenous applicants
Enjoy innovative learning such as case-based learning, self-reflection, peer learning, clinical simulation and video recording facilities

Your career

Potential occupations include:

optical consultant
optometrist
outreach optometry coordinator
paediatric optometrist
public health optometrist.

Professional recognition / accreditation

This degree is accredited by the Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand. Graduates will be eligible to register as optometrists.

See all events

Events

Optometry:
Realise your vision

Help people protect and care for one our most precious gifts - eyesight.

Learn more about careers in Optometry

What you will study

First year A typical first year may include:	science topics in physics for the health sciences, evolution of biological diversity, the molecular basis of life, chemistry for the life sciences, and chemical structure and bonding or general chemistry medical and health topics in legal and ethical aspects of health care, skills for medical scientists, and human physiology and structure.
Second year A typical second year may include:	medical science topics in biochemistry, human molecular genetics, human physiology, fundamental neuroscience, and human immunology and infectious diseases optometry topics in skills for optometry practice, optics of the eye and vision, and communication for the consulting room.
Third year A typical third year may include:	topics in pathophysiology, principles of pharmacology and toxicology, ocular pharmacology and therapeutics, knowledge of health and illness for optometrists, ocular anatomy and histology, clinical skills, and normal eye and vision.
Fourth and fifth year A typical fourth and fifth year may include:	core topics in knowledge of health and illness for optometrists, ophthalmology, clinical skills for optometrists, and optometry a series of clinical placements.

View study program

Practical experience

The degree provides you with practical experience that prepares you for the workforce.

Complete diverse urban and rural clinical placements.
Nurture and enhance your interest in an expert area, such as contact lenses or paediatric optometry, through clinical placements and research topics.

What you will need

Prior to clinical placements in fourth and fifth year, you must:

be immunised in accordance with the relevant state or territory immunisation standards for healthcare workers in South Australia and any additional private provider requirements as needed
complete required Department for Communities and Social Inclusion screening checks.

Study abroad

There are opportunities to take your studies overseas through short-term study abroad programs, including short-term clinical placements.

ATAR and Student Profile Information

ATAR and Selection Rank profile

The table below shows ATAR and Selection Rank data for students offered a place wholly or partly on the basis of ATAR commencing in Semester 1, 2024. It is limited to applicants that have recently completed secondary education (within the last two years). Data may reflect multiple courses available within a suite of courses.

Notes:
<5 – less than 5 ATAR based offers made
N/A – This course uses additional selection criteria and therefore Selection Rank is not published

ATAR-based offers only across all offer rounds	ATAR - Excluding adjustment factors	Selection Rank - ATAR plus any adjustment factors
Highest rank to receive an offer	99.95	99.95
Median rank to receive an offer	96.10	98.65
Lowest rank to receive an offer	78.10	83.20

Student Profile

The table below gives an indication of the likely peer cohort for new students in this course. It provides data on students who commenced study in this course in Semester 1, 2024 including those admitted through all offer rounds and international students studying in Australia. Applicant background groupings are based on educational background, not basis of admission. Data may reflect multiple courses available within a suite of courses.

Notes:
<5 – the number of students is less than 5
N/P – Not published: the number is hidden to prevent calculation of numbers in cells with less than 5 students

Applicant background (Semester 1, 2022)	Number of students	Percentage of all students
Higher education study (includes a bridging or enabling course)	21	28%
Vocational education and training (VET) study	0	0%
Work and life experience	0	0%
Recent secondary education - Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR (regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points)	47	64%
Recent secondary education - Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered (e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test)	<5	<5
Recent secondary education - Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor (e.g. special consideration pathways)	<5	<5
International Students	<5	<5
All students	74	100%

Get inspired

Learn about Optometry at Flinders with Dr Jeremiah Lim.

Gain industry experience at Flinders

Add Innovation and Enterprise
to your degree

At Flinders University, we recognise that careers are evolving and the workplace of the future will look very different from today.

Whatever undergraduate course you are studying at Flinders, you can add innovation and enterprise electives to your degree to gain new, adaptable and transferrable skills that will equip you for the careers of tomorrow.

Learn More

How to apply

Choose your preferred course.

Check the entry requirements and admission pathways available to you.

Choose other courses to include in your preferences.

Visit SATAC and submit your application online.

Admission pathways

Applicants can only apply for this course using Year 12 qualifications or through previous higher education study.

Year 2 Entry

Students who are enrolled in the Bachelor of Medical Science can apply for transfer to the second year of the Bachelor of Medical Science (Vision Science)/Master of Optometry. Students must meet the following requirements to be considered for entry:

Complete at least one year of full-time equivalent study
Follow a specific study plan
Achieve a grade point average of credit or above
Attend an interview

For more information about applying for this pathway, please visit our Internal Transfer webpage.

Rural and remote sub-quotas

An annual subquota is available for applicants from rural and remote areas. To be considered for the rural and remote subquota applicants must apply to SATAC in the normal way.

Applicants must also, within 10 working days after submitting the SATAC application, submit a Statutory Declaration to SATAC which confirms that they have lived in non-metropolitan areas of Australia (Remoteness Classifications RA2 to RA5) for at least 5 consecutive years, or 10 years cumulatively, from birth (i.e. during any period of their life). A Statutory Declaration form can be downloaded here (PDF 95KB).

Applicants can check their eligibility in accordance with the definition above using the search tool at the Remoteness Area (RA) Locator site. Filter your search using the ASGS Remoteness Areas (2016) layer.

Am I eligible?

Indigenous sub-quotas

An annual sub-quota of up to 5 places is available for Indigenous applicants. Such applicants are required to apply in the normal way. It is expected that applicants will need to achieve an ATAR of 90 or above (after the addition of eligible bonus points) to be considered a place in this sub-quota.

Applicants must also, within 10 working days after submitting the SATAC application, submit a Statutory Declaration to SATAC confirming the applicant is of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Island descent.

Download a Statutory Declaration form

Choosing your preferences

When choosing your preferences through SATAC, another Flinders degree you might want to include in your list is the Bachelor of Medical Science

How to apply

Select your course.

Check entry requirements.

Check your eligibility for credit.

Apply online

Obtain certified documents.

Submit your application and documents.

View further details

English language pathways

If you don’t meet our English language entry requirements and need to improve your English language proficiency, you can do so through Flinders University Academy – or our approved English Language Instruction Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS) providers.

This means that you can attend the required English language tuition at approved ELICOS providers and gain direct entry into university without an IELTS or TOEFL test.

Find out more

Academic program pathways

If you don’t meet our academic entry requirements, you can still gain entry to Flinders University through Flinders University Academy. With a range of diplomas, foundation and English language courses, students can find a direct pathway into the destination degree of their choice.

Find out more

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Course enquiries

Want more information about studying at Flinders University? Contact us to find out more – we’d love to help you decide if Flinders University is the right choice for you.

Course enquiries

For all course enquiries phone or email us or complete the course enquiry form.

1300 354 633

askflinders@flinders.edu.au

Bachelor of Medical Science (Vision Science) / Master of Optometry

Study Optometry at Flinders

Fast facts