Optometry schools see improved grades

Representatives of the eight departments reported strong levels of interest from students this year, and that the universities continued to look for the same exacting grades from those applying. However, all added that the A-level performance of those chasing optometry degree places was even more impressive than in previous years.
Dr Mark Dunne, Aston University's admissions tutor, said the department had been looking for two A grades and a B, with good performers in Biology and Maths particularly sought after.
'We've had slightly more applicants than last year, with over 800 applicants this year after 120 places,' he said.
'It's not been a huge rise, but the good thing is it hasn't been a drop. We had a few years of the numbers of applicants falling Ð my hunch is that the number of applications for optometry is rising again.'
Dr Dunne said there was stability across the universities in terms of grade requirements for optometry, and his university had already decided that next year's offer would remain two A grades and a B.
'When you consider that all 800 tend to apply to all eight optometry departments in the UK universities, the success rates of getting into optometry are quite high,' he said, 'at around a 50 per cent chance I think.'
Cardiff University, which also required two As and a B for its 80 places confirmed that interest was up on last year, with many applicants performing better too, some with three straight As. The department has had so many students applying with good grades some have been turned away.
Richard Earlam, admissions tutor, said some others have chosen another subject: 'I understand this year pharmacy had fewer applicants in most of the pharmacy schools. We've had a couple of students who have moved over and gone to pharmacy, as they've got good grades and they're not prepared to wait. These would be the people who had one A and two B grades.'
Bradford University's standard offer was an A and two Bs for its 102 places (96 'home' students, and six from overseas).
Dr Declan McKeefry, optometry lecturer, reported that the number of applicants was up on last year, and interest was 'healthy'.
'We have been oversubscribed this year, with good quality applicants.'
UMIST offered an A in Biology, a B in Maths, Physics or Chemistry, and a B in another subject, including the Arts subjects for its 67 places, with Glasgow Caledonian University requiring three Bs in 'essential subjects' for its 55 places available.
A total of 112 places are being offered at City University for students who have achieved an A and two grade Bs.
Anglia Polytechnic University reported that its offer was for three B grades in appropriate subjects for its 40 places, and Ulster required two As and a B for its in-take.
david.challinorrbi.co.ukHigher-quality applicants characterised this month's admissions process for Britain's optometry universities, with departments chasing the cream of the A-level academic year for their respective courses.
Representatives of the eight departments reported strong levels of interest from students this year, and that the universities continued to look for the same exacting grades from those applying. However, all added that the A-level performance of those chasing optometry degree places was even more impressive than in previous years.
Dr Mark Dunne, Aston University's admissions tutor, said the department had been looking for two A grades and a B, with good performers in Biology and Maths particularly sought after.
'We've had slightly more applicants than last year, with over 800 applicants this year after 120 places,' he said.
'It's not been a huge rise, but the good thing is it hasn't been a drop. We had a few years of the numbers of applicants falling Ð my hunch is that the number of applications for optometry is rising again.'
Dr Dunne said there was stability across the universities in terms of grade requirements for optometry, and his university had already decided that next year's offer would remain two A grades and a B.
'When you consider that all 800 tend to apply to all eight optometry departments in the UK universities, the success rates of getting into optometry are quite high,' he said, 'at around a 50 per cent chance I think.'
Cardiff University, which also required two As and a B for its 80 places confirmed that interest was up on last year, with many applicants performing better too, some with three straight As. The department has had so many students applying with good grades some have been turned away.
Richard Earlam, admissions tutor, said some others have chosen another subject: 'I understand this year pharmacy had fewer applicants in most of the pharmacy schools. We've had a couple of students who have moved over and gone to pharmacy, as they've got good grades and they're not prepared to wait. These would be the people who had one A and two B grades.'
Bradford University's standard offer was an A and two Bs for its 102 places (96 'home' students, and six from overseas).
Dr Declan McKeefry, optometry lecturer, reported that the number of applicants was up on last year, and interest was 'healthy'.
'We have been oversubscribed this year, with good quality applicants.'
UMIST offered an A in Biology, a B in Maths, Physics or Chemistry, and a B in another subject, including the Arts subjects for its 67 places, with Glasgow Caledonian University requiring three Bs in 'essential subjects' for its 55 places available.
A total of 112 places are being offered at City University for students who have achieved an A and two grade Bs.
Anglia Polytechnic University reported that its offer was for three B grades in appropriate subjects for its 40 places, and Ulster required two As and a B for its in-take.
david.challinorrbi.co.uk