Block in student intake following quality concerns

Prospective optometry students at the University of Portsmouth are facing uncertainty after the institution was told by General Optical Council it could not enrol a new cohort due to ongoing concerns over course quality.

The university has confirmed that nine students would no longer be able to commence studies and would now be supported in efforts to find places on course elsewhere. Second, third and fourth-year students were unaffected by the decision.

The GOC said it hoped the decision would enable the university to focus resources on addressing its outstanding concerns as a condition of continuing provisional approval.

In an effort to aid students in finding places on other optometry programmes, the GOC confirmed that it would temporarily lift its cap on student numbers for any providers who offered fully approved GOC courses. In addition, it said it would fast-track all registration applications for students who transferred to other GOC-approved courses.