Today’s one of the most stressful dates for many learners. It may feel like a disaster if you don’t get the grades for your chosen course, but there are options.
Universities still want you – more than 50,000 students find their places through Clearing every year. There are plenty of healthcare fields outside medicine, where you can study to become a respected professional, combining patient care with science and technology.
You could even move into medicine after studying something else first – biochemistry or biomedical science for instance.
Eyecare careers
Optometry
Optometry can be a great option if you originally applied for medical school. You’ll train to be a qualified health professional, examining the eyes to detect vision problems, injuries, diseases or abnormalities as well as general health problems.
You’ll even learn to treat some eye conditions and can go on to become an independent prescriber. IPs can:
- clinically assess patients
- diagnose
- determine how the patient should be managed
- prescribe any medicines required.
Every optometrist can make a real difference – did you know eye health professionals can even reduce the progress of myopia (short sight) in children? Find out more at the College of Optometrists.
Optometrists usually work in high street practices with other eye health professionals, or in hospitals as part of a multidisciplinary team. You can join a big chain and climb the corporate ladder into senior management. Or a smaller, independent practice, where you can have a closer relationship with your patients. One day you could own your own practice.
Dispensing opticians
Dispensing opticians are qualified to offer the best advice on frames and lenses to suit your lifestyle and prescription. They fit and supply the most appropriate spectacles for you. Some take extra qualifications to become contact lens opticians.
Ophthalmic dispensing is a really flexible choice. You can study full time or earn while you learn, with part time courses on day or block release.
There are two year foundation degree (FD) and three year BSc courses available, some offering the flexibility to earn while you learn. Look at Anglia Ruskin University, Bradford College, ABDO College, City & Islington College and the University of Central Lancashire.
Many people study through blended learning – involving block release, distance learning assignments, in-practice supervision and examinations.
At the end of the course you can achieve the ABDO Level 6 Diploma in Ophthalmic Dispensing (FBDO) qualification required to become a dispensing optician registered with the General Optical Council.
Make the most of Clearing
- Check the UCAS listings for available places
- Look at your application for any matches
- Add your Clearing choice in your application