Cautious welcome for fast-track degree

The course will last just 45 weeks and will be open initially to those with contact lens qualifications, with dispensing optician entrants receiving the same optometry degree as other graduates, and then start on their pre-reg year. It was reported that the course would cost entrants £15,000 (News, January 31).
Speaking last week after a confidential session of the GOC, registrar Peter Coe said the Council realised it had to face 'the new educational approaches of this century' in its approval capacity. 'The council are looking at the course with provisional approval, subject to close scrutiny and visiting,' he said.
The first visit will take place in November this year. Mr Coe said the GOC applauded the way in which the university had asked for approval early in its plans. 'Any education establishment wanting to deliver something that will be part of the registration process ought to make a very early and up-front approach,' he said. 'So you cannot but welcome what Bradford has done.'
Last week the GOC reported that there was an 'unfortunate trend' of courses enrolling students before Council approval (News, March 7). The Council issued a statement warning training groups that if enrolment started before provisional approval was granted then the GOC would refuse to approve that part of a course.