Help - move to optometry

I am interested in studying optometry ( change of career pathway) however, I am abit apprehensive if I need to pro-expose myself with a science background in-order to successfully pass the degree and become a optometrist. Qualification wise, I come from a background of architecture which is oriented around art, design and not science as of much at all.I ideally would like to directly start the optometry degree from entry level by using my architectural background as a gateway in but my question is will I learn everything I need to know during my optometry degree inorder to successfully pass or do I need to expose my self to some background basic knowledge ;foundation year /applied science/btec etc a level inorder to understand the material during the degree. I would ideally like to cut time short and immediately start the degree if I am accepted straight away.

(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 1

Amiccoco

I am interested in studying optometry ( change of career pathway) however, I am abit apprehensive if Ineed to pro-expose myself with a science background in-order to successfully pass the degree and become a optometrist. Qualification wise, I come from a background of architecture which is oriented around art and design which is not science oriented.I ideally would like to directly start the optometry degrees from entry level by using my architectural background as a gateway in but my question is will I learn everything I need to know during my optometry degree in order to successfully pass or do I need to expose my self to some background basic knowledge ;foundation year /applied science/btec etc a level In-order to understand the material during the degree. I would ideally like to cut time short and immediately start the degree if I am accepted straight away.

Reply 2

bibachu

Universities Forum Helper

Original post by Amiccoco

I am interested in studying optometry ( change of career pathway) however, I am abit apprehensive if Ineed to pro-expose myself with a science background in-order to successfully pass the degree and become a optometrist. Qualification wise, I come from a background of architecture which is oriented around art and design which is not science oriented.I ideally would like to directly start the optometry degrees from entry level by using my architectural background as a gateway in but my question is will I learn everything I need to know during my optometry degree in order to successfully pass or do I need to expose my self to some background basic knowledge ;foundation year /applied science/btec etc a level In-order to understand the material during the degree. I would ideally like to cut time short and immediately start the degree if I am accepted straight away.

If you aren’t studying at least one science at A level, you will likely be rejected from an optometry course, due to that being one of the requirements. If a university offers a foundation year in science that will allow you to progress onto an optometry course, this would probably be your safest option. If not, you would probably have to take a gap year and sit at least one, if not two science A levels. You’ll need to check the requirements of the university whose course you’re interested in. I would think carefully about your decision, as this isn’t a choice you can just make on a whim. If you are sure about making a switch like this, there is a lot you have to do to prepare yourself to go from a creative background to a STEM world.