Deadline approaches for Euro diploma applicants

At last week's Dusseldorf meeting of the board of management of the European Diploma, between College of Optometrists representatives and French, German and Dutch optical associations, it was revealed that, while the UK has five prospective candidates, Germany has around 45, France 36, and there is further interest from the Netherlands. Nick de Brunner, College of Optometrists deputy secretary and secretary of the European Diploma board of examiners, said this week that the diploma was open to both optometrists and dispensing opticians. 'For the first examinations the fees have been set at a low level,' he said. 'Fees for subsequent examinations will be considerably higher. Exceptionally, the fee for any subsequent examinations, undertaken by applicants for the first examination, will remain unchanged.' The diploma is in three parts: visual perception and optical technology; management of vision problems; and general health and ocular abnormality. Each is separately assessed by written and practical examination. Practitioners pay &\#163;100 for a written examination and &\#163;150 for a practical examination. Students pay &\#163;50 for a written examination and &\#163;75 for a practical examination. Payment and applications must be received by Friday November 6. The contact for potential applicants is Tracy Ferrier, the College's European Diploma project co-ordinator. The first written examinations will take place in London in November.