Assessments and examinations
First Year BSc Optometry
Marks from first-year examinations will contribute 10% of the total on which the overall degree performance is assessed.
Second Year BSc Optometry
Marks from second-year examinations will contribute 30% towards the total on which the final degree classification is assessed.
Students with an overall average greater than 60%, no fails and good passes in clinical subjects will be considered on merit for transfer to available places on the MSci course and, providing they prove acceptable to the placement supervisors in a preliminary meeting.
Third Year BSc Optometry
Marks from third-year examinations will contribute 60% towards the total on which final degree performance is assessed, the second-year total will contribute 30% and the first-year total 10%. In the case of third-year students who received direct entry into the second year marks from third-year examinations will contribute 67% towards the total on which final degree performance is assessed and the second-year total will contribute 33%.
Progression Regulations for Third Year MSci Students
Students obtaining an overall average of at least 50% and no marks less than 40% in any subject and having completed the stage one core competencies of the General Optical Council (see GOC website www.optical.org or Blackboard unit BIOL30200) satisfactorily will continue onto the MSci placement. Any student failing to meet these criteria will revert to the BSc. (Hons) programme and their results will be considered as a BSc. student.
During the placement year MSci students must complete the designated duration of experience, submit an appropriate number of case reports and perform adequately in the OSCE assessments as well as receive satisfactory reports from the placement supervisors. In the event of student performance in the placement year being unsatisfactory, the student failing to gain adequate skills and experience, the student will be awarded a BSc (Hons) degree as an exit award with a classification based on their marks obtained prior to commencing the placement year.
Fourth Year MSci
The final mark for the MSci will be calculated as follows: 37.5% from the fourth year assessments (; 37.5% from the third year examinations; 19% from the second year examinations; 6% from the first year examinations. The degree of MSci is awarded on achieving 40% or more in all subjects and an overall average of at least 50%.
Registration with the General Optical Council
Students will be eligible to register with the General Optical Council for inclusion on the register of qualified optometrists immediately after they have successfully completed the MSci Optometry course providing they have satisfied the basic clinical competence requirements for unsupervised practice and have submitted documentary evidence, endorsed by their placement supervisors, that the total numbers of patients examined during the training period at least satisfy the minimum numbers for registration stipulated by the General Optical Council.