OptometryOptaiméadracht

Optometry is a regulated primary healthcare profession. Optometrists are often the first professional to be consulted when an eye problem presents.

Optometrists check vision and prescribe and fit spectacles and contact lenses as needed. For children or adults with problems coordinating their eyes, optometrists carry out patching and other forms of vision therapy to help people develop and maintain binocular vision. Optometrists examine the eyes to detect diseases such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, and cataracts. Systemic diseases like diabetes or hypertension can also be detected during the eye examination. 

What does the course involve? 

The optometry course is a challenging and rewarding four-year honours bachelor degree. 

The first year focuses on science subjects necessary for optometric training. Clinical teaching begins in year 1 and increases in year 2 so that students are equipped with the core clinical skills necessary for a routine eye examination.

In years 3 and 4, students have hands-on clinical experience working with patients in our purpose-built clinic, the National Optometry Centre (NOC). The NOC is a state-of-the-art centre for the advanced training of optometry students and is the only facility of its kind in Ireland. 

Expert clinicians and researchers supervise the student clinics. During these sessions students learn to; perform eye examinations to determine if spectacles are required; choose suitable spectacle frames and lenses; fit contact lenses; identify and manage eye-related diseases; carry out specialised clinics in low vision, paediatrics, and binocular vision, and use specialised ophthalmic diagnostic and imaging instrumentation.

Studying at TU Dublin will give you the theoretical knowledge, clinical skills, and patient experience necessary to be confident and competent starting a fulfilling career in optometry.

Work Placement

At the end of Year 4, there is a five-month practice placement where students work under supervision in a high street optometry practice. 

Professional Accreditation

The optometry programme is approved by CORU (the Health and Social Care Professionals Council), Ireland's multi-profession health regulator. Upon successful completion of the honours degree you will be eligible to register as an optometrist with CORU.

Equipment Requirements

Students will be required to purchase diagnostic eye examination sets (retinoscope, ophthalmoscope, Volk lens) in Year 2.

Leaving Certificate Requirements

QQI/FET Requirements

In addition to the QQI minimum entry requirements, QQI quotas and QQI points apply. The max QQI points awarded is 390. Further details at www.tudublin.ie/qqi

Mature Applicants

Applications from mature students (23+) are welcome. Further details at www.tudublin.ie/mature

English Language Requirements

If English is not your first language you will need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency as detailed on our website. Applicants for this course should have a minimum IELTS (Academic Version) English Proficiency of 6.5 overall (or equivalent) with nothing less than 6 in each component.

Garda Vetting

Garda Vetting required through TU Dublin see www.tudublin.ie/gardavetting 

Additional Requirements/Information

Additionally, as this course involves interaction with patients in the provision of healthcare/eyecare, students should have the capacity to perform key skills and tasks so as to be able to succeed in this programme and practice in the profession.  

All Optometry and Ophthalmic Dispensing undergraduates are required to insert drops, contact lenses and probes (with ocular anaesthetic) into fellow students’ eyes and allow fellow students to insert the same into their eyes during the course of their course. All procedures will be carried out in a safe, clean, clinical environment under the supervision of an optometry faculty member.

Click on the link below to view an indicative timetable for this course. Timetables are subject to change and up to date timetables will be provided to students on commencement.

View Sample Timetable

A qualification in optometry offers a diverse career pathway. Optometrists are autonomous healthcare practitioners who can work independently or collaboratively in a health care team. Optometrists work in high street practices, hospitals, primary health care teams, research, and teaching. There are opportunities to specialize and gain higher qualifications in areas such as paediatrics, contact lenses, glaucoma care, and low vision management. 

Employment rates for newly qualified optometrists are typically 100%. 

Irish/EU Applicants

Applications from all Irish/EU citizens are made through the Central Applications Office (CAO).

Note: Applicants presenting with the Irish Leaving Certificate or a QQI FET award, regardless of nationality, should apply through the CAO.

The standard closing date to apply is February 1st. Late applications will close on May 1st. For restricted courses, the closing date is February 1st. Please see important dates on the CAO website. For a detailed guide on how to apply, please visit our CAO Hub.

International Students (Non-EU) 

Applications from international students are welcome for this programme. If you meet any of the following criteria, applications should be made directly to TU Dublin via the “Apply Now – Non-EU” link on each programme webpage.

• You hold Non-EU Nationality, and you live in a Non-EU country.
• You hold EU Nationality, but you have not lived in an EU country for 3 of the last 5 years AND you have not attended 5 years primary/secondary education in an EU country.
• You require a Student Visa to study in Ireland

Note: Applicants presenting with the Irish Leaving Certificate or a QQI FET award, regardless of nationality, should apply through the CAO.

For full details on How to Apply, Visa & Immigration Information, Accommodation Information and International Fees, please visit our International Hub.

Application Dates for Non-EU Applicants

Applications for undergraduate courses commencing September 2025 are now closed.

Applications for undergraduate courses commencing in September 2026 will open in November 2025. Applications will close in June 2026.

Advanced Entry is not offered for this course.

TU Dublin graduates of TU761 Opthalmic Dispensing should contact the admissions@tudublin.ie before 1^st May to discuss their options.

I chose Optometry as I was interested in science, wanted to work with people and make a difference, in their lives. TU Dublin was a great place to study; the class sizes are small so it was a friendly, close-knit community.

Lecturers are available to answer any questions, and the National Optometry Centre has amazing facilities for practical work. I was introduced to working in sustainable development in vision care. I spent some time in Mozambique, and then lectured for a year with the Malawi School of Optometry. Both were amazing opportunities. Now I work in private practice in the family business while pursuing a Master’s in Clinical Optometry.

On graduation from this Level 8 programme, you may proceed to postgraduate studies leading to the award of MSc, MPhil or PhD at research institutes and universities worldwide.