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The Doctor of Optometry is a three-year program that combines on-campus teaching and clinical placements. You will be trained in the early detection, diagnosis, treatment and management of eye diseases and the rehabilitation of conditions of the visual system. The course content and teaching is based on the competency standards for optometrists in Australia and New Zealand, which are: professional responsibilities; communication; patient examination; diagnosis and management; and health information management.
In the first year, you’ll gain a thorough foundation of the vision sciences and begin to develop patient care skills. This strong base will underpin the development of your skills for optometry practice in year two. In third year you’ll benefit from extended clinical placements with industry partners in metro, regional and remote areas of WA, offering hands-on direct patient experience.
UWA has partnered with Lions Eye Institute, Lions Outback Vision, SpecSavers, Luxottica and other optometry industry leaders to deliver the course and offer clinical placements across Western Australia.
Programme overview
Main Subject
Medicine
Degree
Other
Study Level
PHD
Study Mode
On Campus
The Doctor of Optometry is a three-year program that combines on-campus teaching and clinical placements. You will be trained in the early detection, diagnosis, treatment and management of eye diseases and the rehabilitation of conditions of the visual system. The course content and teaching is based on the competency standards for optometrists in Australia and New Zealand, which are: professional responsibilities; communication; patient examination; diagnosis and management; and health information management.
In the first year, you’ll gain a thorough foundation of the vision sciences and begin to develop patient care skills. This strong base will underpin the development of your skills for optometry practice in year two. In third year you’ll benefit from extended clinical placements with industry partners in metro, regional and remote areas of WA, offering hands-on direct patient experience.
UWA has partnered with Lions Eye Institute, Lions Outback Vision, SpecSavers, Luxottica and other optometry industry leaders to deliver the course and offer clinical placements across Western Australia.
Admission Requirements
7+
To be considered for admission into the OD, an applicant must have:
have a bachelor's degree in biomedical science, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA. Recognised bachelor’s degrees are those conferred by Australian universities or higher education institutions recognised by the Australian Qualifications Framework or the National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (NOOSR). While academic results from postgraduate study will be taken into account, postgraduate studies undertaken without a bachelor’s degree cannot be accepted as an equivalent qualification
the equivalent of a Selection Weighted Average Mark (sWAM) of at least 65
Applicants who can meet the prerequisites and sWAM may be offered an interview. After the interviews, final ranking for course offers is by sWAM and interview score (equally weighted).
31 Aug 2025
3 Years
Jan
International
46,500 AUD
Scholarships
Selecting the right scholarship can be a daunting process. With countless options available, students often find themselves overwhelmed and confused. The decision can be especially stressful for those facing financial constraints or pursuing specific academic or career goals.
To help students navigate this challenging process, we recommend the following articles:
Doctor of Optometry
UWA Perth, Perth, Australia
# 111QS Subject Rankings
36 monthsProgramme duration
46,500 AUDTuition Fee/year
31 Aug, 2025Application Deadline
Programme overview
Main Subject
Medicine
Degree
Other
Study Level
PHD
Study Mode
On Campus
In the first year, you’ll gain a thorough foundation of the vision sciences and begin to develop patient care skills. This strong base will underpin the development of your skills for optometry practice in year two. In third year you’ll benefit from extended clinical placements with industry partners in metro, regional and remote areas of WA, offering hands-on direct patient experience.
UWA has partnered with Lions Eye Institute, Lions Outback Vision, SpecSavers, Luxottica and other optometry industry leaders to deliver the course and offer clinical placements across Western Australia.
Programme overview
Main Subject
Medicine
Degree
Other
Study Level
PHD
Study Mode
On Campus
In the first year, you’ll gain a thorough foundation of the vision sciences and begin to develop patient care skills. This strong base will underpin the development of your skills for optometry practice in year two. In third year you’ll benefit from extended clinical placements with industry partners in metro, regional and remote areas of WA, offering hands-on direct patient experience.
UWA has partnered with Lions Eye Institute, Lions Outback Vision, SpecSavers, Luxottica and other optometry industry leaders to deliver the course and offer clinical placements across Western Australia.
Admission Requirements
- have a bachelor's degree in biomedical science, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA. Recognised bachelor’s degrees are those conferred by Australian universities or higher education institutions recognised by the Australian Qualifications Framework or the National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (NOOSR). While academic results from postgraduate study will be taken into account, postgraduate studies undertaken without a bachelor’s degree cannot be accepted as an equivalent qualification
- the equivalent of a Selection Weighted Average Mark (sWAM) of at least 65
Applicants who can meet the prerequisites and sWAM may be offered an interview. After the interviews, final ranking for course offers is by sWAM and interview score (equally weighted).International
Scholarships
Selecting the right scholarship can be a daunting process. With countless options available, students often find themselves overwhelmed and confused. The decision can be especially stressful for those facing financial constraints or pursuing specific academic or career goals.
To help students navigate this challenging process, we recommend the following articles:
How to get a full scholarship
Looking for a fully-funded scholarship to see you into university? Find out how to boost your chances of getting one.
Scholarships to study abroad
Find scholarships to study abroad with our lists of international scholarships – categorized by country, by subject, and by type of student.
Scholarship Applications: Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to all your questions about scholarship applications, including tips on how to find scholarships and chances of success.
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