Optical qualifications level assessed

Research has been commissioned to establish the most appropriate level for the qualifications approved by the General Optical Council (GOC).

The GOC, the College of Optometrists, the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (Abdo), the Opticians Academic Schools Council and the Optometry Schools Council has co-commissioned the Quality Assurance Framework to carry out the research.

It has been commissioned as part of the Education Strategic Review in order to develop new standards and outcomes for optical education.

Leonie Milliner, director of education at the GOC, said: ‘This project will give us the information we need to specify within our standards a required Regulated Qualifications Framework level for qualifications we approve and given the significance of the decision, it is important that the sector is in alignment, and that the decision is informed by best available evidence.’