A-level results day brought excitement for some of the next generation of science students looking for a career in optics.
A poll by Optician found optometry courses had been filled at each of the universities who responded during the frantic clearing window.
This included a new four-year integrated Masters in Optometry (MOptom) course at the University of Portsmouth, which accepted its first intake of students last September.
‘We filled all spaces and were not open to new applicants in clearing. We were given a limit of 16 by the General Optical Council,’ a spokesperson for the University of Portsmouth said.
Another new optometry course at Plymouth University, which only launched in 2011, was filled with 72 places both this year and last year – double the original 36 students initially allowed by the GOC. A spokesperson for Plymouth said eight places were offered through clearing this year, compared to 14 in clearing last year.
An Ulster University spokesperson said: ‘Ulster University filled 36 places this year, similar to last year, and there was high demand in clearing.’
The optometry course at Aston University was also full within hours of the results being released. There were 150 places, with 36 of them filled through clearing.
Meanwhile, the University of Manchester increased its intake by three students to offer 97 optometry degree places, with no need to enter clearing.
Even more were enrolled at Cardiff University, where 105 places were made available and have been filled with only a handful via clearing. Glasgow Caledonian filled all 76 places across all the student fee statuses of Scotland, the EU, rest of UK and international.
Anglia Ruskin, the University of Bradford, City University, the University of Hertfordshire did not provide admissions data.
With optometry courses oversubscribed, and a further three programmes mooted for development at the University of Central Lancashire, the University of the West of England (UWE) and now Highlands and Islands (see panel), the occupation remains as popular as ever.
Concerns have been expressed that an increased flood of optometrists into the profession could cause an oversupply and hit salaries. Indeed, thousands of people signed a petition to ‘Stop Hertford’ when a new optometry course was launched there in 2014.
Such concerns were allayed by the College of Optometrists’ Optical Workforce Study early last year though.
Its key findings indicated a loss of capacity in both optometry and dispensing optics, estimating that there were currently 12,099 full-time optometrists in the UK, whereas 12,912 were needed to meet the needs of the population. However, locum working had soared in popularity, with 17.5% of respondent optometrists now locums, in comparison to 10.5% in 2010.
A College of Optometrist spokesperson said: ‘The optometric landscape is changing but so are the UK’s health demographics and it is clear that the growing demand cannot continue to be met by hospital eye services. Overall, looking at the projections, the College’s Optical Workforce Study estimated that there might be a slight undersupply of optometrists nationally, based on assumptions relating to projected growth in demand due to population demographics, in combination with the trend toward increased part time working within the profession.
‘It also reported that optometrists’ salaries had levelled out, although it is impossible using the College’s OWS data to identify any one single factor for this.’
The Workforce Study also identified clear differences in regional supply relative to population throughout the UK. This was one of the key drivers behind the introduction of a new optometry course at Portsmouth last year.
Malcolm Maciver, optometrist and senior lecturer in optometry at the University of Portsmouth told Optician the new course would answer supply issues in the surrounding area amid the changing face of a career in optics. The four-year Portsmouth programme provides pre-registration training within the undergraduate course.
He said: ‘In recent years, many practitioners have chosen to change how they practice, with many practitioners choosing to work part time or as locums rather than undertaking a traditional full time residential role. This has been accompanied with an uneven distribution of optometrists, with practitioners tending to settle close to the institutions where they trained.
‘This localised abundance of clinicians settling in close proximity to training establishments is likely to have a greater impact than the increase in training establishments. Indeed, the Optical Workforce Survey identified that several areas throughout the UK experienced an under-supply of optometrists. The University of Portsmouth developed its programme to address the real shortage of practitioners within the south of England.
‘With the development of a new small programme, the Portsmouth MOptom course has been developed to have a hands-on practical approach from its outset, while maintaining flexibility to prepare our students for the changing world of eye care.’
Maciver said health care courses have traditionally been popular with university applicants, and optometry was no different.
He added: ‘As a profession optometry has proved popular due to its varied role, integrating scientific investigation and healthcare provision to patients. Through their training, the skills and abilities honed can be used to make a major difference to people’s lives.
‘It is increasingly clear to applicants that optometry graduates are trained with an array of skills that enables them to develop beyond traditional clinical practice. This allows them to engage with new areas of investigation across discipline boundaries. The flexibility of the role allows graduates to embrace change and seize opportunities for personal development, both within and outwith their chosen field.’
The key benefit of studying optometry was, he said, the flexibility that a qualification in optometry allows for.
‘In addition to becoming a registered professional, training in optometry gives the student a thorough grounding, not only in the delivery of ophthalmic healthcare but also in scientific methodology and business,’ Maciver added.
This flexibility has also been extended to working routines, with increased availability of locum work attracting new optometrists who do not wish to be pinned down to a single employer.
Therefore, with varied courses, an open jobs market and clear career path, optometry courses are ‘booming’ while those already in the profession can be reassured it should not lead to them going ‘bust’.
Optician is publishing its annual Workplace Guide on September 22, as a free supplement to the magazine. To support the Workplace Guide or send us your stories contact joe.ayling@markallengroup.com.
Remote learning
Earlier this year the University of the Highlands and Islands became the latest learning institution to make plans for an optometry course.
Plans were announced in June to develop a BSc degree in optometry to address the growing demand for eye care services in the region. The College’s Optical Workforce Study highlighted the North of Scotland as one of the main areas in the UK with an undersupply of optometrists.
A new programme, part of the university’s wider plans to develop a School of Health, Social Care and Life Sciences, was to incorporate a new approach to support the delivery of optometry services in remote and rural communities.
Samantha Watson, chair of Optometry Scotland, said: ‘The Scottish Government has correctly recognised the pivotal role of eye health and vision to the health, wellbeing and prosperity of our nation. Scotland has very specific eye health requirements with geographical challenges that must be met with a long term local workforce strategy. Optometry Scotland recognises the difficulties recruiting and retaining optometrists in the remote and rural areas of Scotland and supports this initiative.’
The University of the Highlands and Islands has submitted an initial proposal to the GOC to develop the new course and has secured a funding partnership with FODO’s Educational Trust to provide expertise and funding.
Hal Rollason, chair of Federation of (Ophthalmic and Dispensing) Opticians Scotland, added at the time: ‘The development of this course is a direct response to the need to upskill and expand the optometric professional workforce so that we can play our full part in meeting the growing and changing eye health needs of the population. FODO is very proud to support that work.’
Multiple Specsavers also vowed to support the new course.