Applying for both optometry and biomedical science (2024) Should I do it?

The a levels I currently do are biology, psychology and business. My plan always was to study psychology at uni but long story short, I got diagnosed with a debilitating eye disease which sparked my interest in optometry and disease prevention. I can only apply to UWE Bristol and Plymouth uni for optometry because I don't do chemistry or physics. It's obviously risky to apply to only 2 unis and the grades I need are quite high (AAB/ABB and I'm predicted AAA but I don't know if I'll get those grades.) So I'm also applying to 3 unis for biomedical science since I'm interested in the human body and it's quite a broad degree. I've written most of my personal statement and I've linked optometry and biomed together well but I'm worried I won't get in to any unis because I didn't pick one course. I've done work experience at optometry clinics and I'm doing the Nuffield Research Placement in July but my research topic doesn't directly relate to biomed or optometry (it's about lily cells, they give you the topic) so I'm worried unis won't accept me because my personal statement isn't completely focused on one course. Am I screwing myself over by applying for 2 different courses? Also adding my research about the structural changes that occur to lilly cells to allow the plant to open feels a bit random to add to my personal statement? I know the NRP is very useful but I'm just so worried.

Do not try and write one Personal Statement for two totally different courses - ever.

Apply to the two Optometry Unis first with a firmly 'Optometry' Personal Statement - as early as you can in Sept/Oct.
This gives you the best chance of knowing where you stand with those applications as early as possible - ie. interview and/or offer - so that you can then make a decision about what to do with your other choices.

Remember that you dont have to add all your 5 choices at once - so you can still add your other three (Biomed) choices between then and 31 January. So, you need to email several Biomed Unis now and ask if they will accept a 2nd Personal Statement sent directly to them - not all will. You can then add your preferred Biomed choices on UCAS before 31 January knowing that they will consider your application.

PS. Get some relevant work experience for Optometry / Ophthalmology over the summer - it isnt enough to have been a patient - you need to be more objective about this as a potential career - https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/optometrist. Its also worth doing some 'Moocs' - free short online courses - that you can use a examples of how you have found out more about this area - example https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/seeing-how-the-brain-creates-the-visual-world

, what if the Unis I want to apply to for biomed don't accept a 2nd personal statement?
How slim are my chances of getting into biomed and optom if my personal statement is about both?

1) Thats is why you need to check with each Uni before you apply.

2) For any vocational course like Optometry you need to show 100% commitment to that course and career. How can you do that if if your PS is muddled up with Biomed? And for Biomed, they will quickly realise you dont want to do 'their' course because you are writing about Optometry. You risk not getting an offer for anything.

"I'm applying for two different subjects. Would it be possible for me to send you a second Personal Statement?"

Lots of people do this - Medicine applicants for instance can only apply to 4 Med choices and so their 5th choice will always be a different subject. Yes, some Unis will not allow 2nd PS, but many will - including Bath btw.

"I'm applying for two different subjects. Would it be possible for me to send you a second Personal Statement?"

Lots of people do this - Medicine applicants for instance can only apply to 4 Med choices and so their 5th choice will always be a different subject. Yes, some Unis will not allow 2nd PS, but many will - including Bath btw.

I don't understand what they mean in this email, I thought you could only submit one personal statement on UCAS?