Optometry is a health care profession that focuses on the assessment, diagnosis, treatment and management of eye diseases and vision disorders.
Choose a career in Optometry if you:
- are interested in science and health
- like to work with and help people
- want the flexibility of working in metropolitan centres, rural regions or remote communities within Australia.
Why Optometry at Flinders?
Ours is the only optometry course offered in South Australia and outside of the Eastern states.
We offer a range of learning experiences:
- clinical placements
- applied case-based learning
- group problem solving
- online lectures and learning tools
- our course includes extensive ‘hands on’ clinical experience.
We have places set aside for - and strongly encourage - students from rural and remote regions to apply.
There is a marked undersupply of Optometrists in South Australia, Western Australia, the Northern Territory, Tasmania and regional and remote areas of the eastern states. The Flinders University Optometry program is the only optometry program offered outside the eastern states and we pride ourselves on having a strong regional and remote focus.
Pathways
Whether you are a Year 12 student looking for alternative pathways to the course of your choice or you’re a non-school leaver wanting to start your University studies, we offer a range of pathways to undergraduate study.
Courses
Bachelor of Medical Science (Vision Science) / Master of Optometry
| SATAC code: | 214931 |
| Course length: | 5 years full-time (or equivalent part-time) |
| 2017 ATAR: | 99.70 |
This course prepares you with the skills you will need to provide vital optometry services to the community. It will also give you the necessary training to perform valuable research into eye diseases and conditions that cause blindness, and to identify, diagnose and treat a variety of eye problems.
Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this course, however we strongly recommend you have completed chemistry, biology, mathematics and physics subjects.
Clinical placements: Optometry students receive most of their training through clinical placements.
Most placements are within private practices located in metropolitan, regional and remote areas as most optometrists in Australia are private practitioners.
Students undertake a series of six week placements in various settings. This is to expose students to different styles of practice and patient needs.
More information about placements.
Note: Placement providers may have additional requirements to be met prior to completing clinical placement at their facility, for example immunisations and criminal history checks. You must successfully complete the Bachelor of Medical Science (Vision Science) in order to enter the Master of Optometry. If you do not complete the Bachelor component of this degree, entry to the Masters program will not be granted.
Our research
Our research themes are:
- Patient-reported outcomes and quality of life measurement
- Clinical visual electrophysiology
- Emmetropisation
We offer state-of-the-art facilities and research environment to conduct world class research.
Research students get ample opportunities for their career development from direct supervisory mentoring, research training, conference and networking opportunities.
Flinders Vision
At Flinders Vision, our experienced staff provide the best possible eye care by combining latest technology with years of experience.
We are the only optometry clinic in South Australia that provides access to such a comprehensive range of imaging and diagnostic equipment in the one location.
Partner institutions
Flinders University has a relationship with a number of interstate institutions, allowing students to study part of their degree at their home institution, and part at Flinders. Our partner institutions are:
- University of Tasmania
- Curtin University
- Charles Darwin University.
Sturt Rd, Bedford Park
South Australia 5042
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