Demand 'very strong' for optometry courses

Demand has continued to soar for expanding optometry courses in the UK, according to intake figures provided for the academic year ahead.

Of the universities responding to Optician, courses at Manchester, Bradford, Ulster, Cardiff, Aston, City and Anglia Ruskin reported being at full capacity last month.

Aston University was expecting around 140 new first year students, with a spokesperson describing demand from inside and outside the UK as ‘very strong’ this year.

Anglia Ruskin’s BOptom (Hons) optometry course attracted around 60 students, a slight increase on last year, and the programme at Ulster recruited 36 students, which it said remained at a similar level. Bradford, Cardiff and City of London were also full.