Figures announced by the General Optical Council (GOC) have revealed a total of 87.6 per cent of student optometrists and dispensing opticians applied for retention before its July 15 deadline.
GOC head of registration Philip Hallam praised the regulator's MyGOC online system and said: 'These figures show that the significantly better retention rates last year were no aberration.'
A total of 548 students missed the deadline and must now pay an extra £10 late application charge. Students who fail to apply by August 31 will not be able to continue studying until they have restored their registration. Hallam added: 'Those students who missed the deadline should remember that GOC registration is a legal requirement. Until they register they may be unable to take part in clinical training or exams and are putting their future careers at risk.'
Students can contact the GOC registration team on 020 7580 3898 or email registration@optical.org