Ophthalmic Dispensing - Level 6 Diploma

This course offers the exciting opportunity to gain an ABDO Level 6 Diploma in Ophthalmic Dispensing alongside your job, attending just one day per week. The day-release model provides you with all the knowledge and skills required to become a General Optical Council (GOC) registered dispensing optician.

As a dispensing optician, you will form an integral part of the optical team, working with other optical professionals to provide excellent primary eye care. Your responsibilities include interpreting ophthalmic prescriptions, taking facial measurements, advising patients on frame and lens choices, performing spectacle repairs, and providing patient aftercare. You will often be the point of contact for patients and need to advise them on how best to use their spectacles.

The course follows the syllabus of the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) and the General Optical Council's (GOC) outcomes for registration. You will be assessed in college and your workplace during the course, and complete two professional exams with ABDO.

Following successful completion of the association's exams, a student can register with the General Optical Council as a dispensing optician at Level 6.

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For our full list of policies, governance and fees, please see our website’s policy page.

This course is also available as an apprenticeship. Learn more about our Dispensing Optician - Level 6 Apprenticeship.

You will develop the theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and professional standards necessary to become a dispensing optician in your practice. Your knowledge of the prescription of ophthalmic lenses and the dispensing of ophthalmic frames will be advanced during the course.

The course will cover the following topics:

• Theory of General Optics
• Theory of Ophthalmic Lenses
• Patient Centred Care
• Theory and Practice of Ophthalmic Lenses and Dispensing – Elementary and Advanced
• Paediatric Dispensing
• Professional Conduct and Communications
• The Assessment and Management of Refractive Errors
• The Assessment and Management of Visual Impairment
• Ocular Anatomy and Pathology
• The Principles of Contact Lens Wear
• Practitioner Development

You will need to attend college 1 day per week for in-person theory and practical lessons. Alongside this, we recommend completing at least 10 hours of self-study per week.

You will need:

• To be employed in an optical practice and have a work-based supervisor*
• Five GCSEs at grade 4 or above (or A*-C), including Maths, English Language and Science

Applicants without the required qualifications but with significant experience (10 years) will be interviewed to assess their suitability for the course.

Upon enrolment, learners must register for student membership of GOC and ABDO and maintain registration for the duration of the course.

* A work-based supervisor must be a GOC-registered Dispensing Optician, Contact Lens Optician or Optometrist, qualified for a minimum of 2 years. A supervisor can only supervise a maximum of three students at one time.

The theoretical components of the course will be assessed during two examination periods throughout the year, in December and May. The practical skills developed will be assessed formatively at key points throughout the academic year.

ABDO conducts professional, practical summative assessments in Birmingham (further information will be available at the interview).

Adults - Level 6

You or your employer need to pay full fees for this course.

To enrol, you need to meet residency criteria:

• You must be allowed to live, work and study in the UK without any conditions.
• There are some exceptions, such as certain visa types.

Check here which documents you need to show us, and which visa types are allowed.

Some courses have additional costs, such as for specialist materials and trips.

Tuition Fees

£4,500 per year

This course is not eligible for funding through a Student Finance England Loan or an Advanced Learner Loan. For more information on financial support, please visit our course fees page.

Additional Costs

In addition to the annual tuition fees, there will be additional costs associated with your programme, including:

• Two professional examinations with ABDO
• ABDO Practice Visit and Portfolio submission
• ABDO and GOC student membership fees
• General stationery
• Ophthalmic rulers
• Reading material

Further information on these costs will be given at enrolment/induction.

Successful completion of all theory and practical elements of the course will enable you to apply for GOC registration as a qualified Dispensing Optician and work within community practices.

Additional courses are available to specialise in Low Vision, Therapeutic Dispensing and Glazing.

You could also progress to further Higher Education programmes.