The Master of Clinical Optometry is a two-year degree that serves as a pathway to registered practice as an optometrist in Australia, New Zealand and parts of Asia. It combines the theoretical discipline of vision science – the optics of lenses and instruments, the physiology of the eye, the psychophysics of vision and neuroscience – with the clinical art of primary eye care, which covers the diagnosis and management of ocular disease, the dispensing of spectacles and contact lenses, the management of people with special needs (children, low vision), sports vision and vision in the workplace. 

Direct pathway: Entry into the double award 3182 Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Clinical Optometry program.

Students must maintain an overall CREDIT average (65%) at the end of the Bachelor of Vision Science component of the program to progress to the Master of Clinical Optometry. Students who do not meet this requirement are expected to exit the program with a Bachelor of Vision Science degree.

Alternative pathway: Program 8095 is only open to students who have completed program 3181 (BVisSci) from UNSW.

Applicants who have completed a Bachelor of Vision Science (3181) degree at UNSW may apply for entry into the Master of Clinical Optometry. Admission into the Master of Clinical Optometry will be a competitive process that is based on academic performance. To be considered for entry into the Master of Clinical Optometry, students must have at least an overall CREDIT average (65% WAM) in their completed undergraduate degree, however, there is no guarantee of a place in the Master of Clinical Optometry as only a limited number will be available.Students with a Bachelor of Vision Science degree (or equivalent) from an international institution are advised to either apply for the Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Clinical Optometry (3182) program, or the Bachelor of Vision Science (3181) and apply for entry into the Master of Clinical Optometry via the above competitive selection process.

The award of credit in recognition of prior learning (RPL) for external students will be considered (in accordance with UNSW RPL policy and procedure), and a study plan will be developed on a case by case basis.Students with a Bachelor of Vision Science degree (or equivalent) from an Australian or New Zealand institution are advised to either apply for the Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Clinical Optometry (3182) program, or the Bachelor of Vision Science (3181) and apply for entry into the Master of Clinical Optometry via the above competitive selection process. The award of credit in recognition of prior learning (RPL) for external students will be considered (in accordance with UNSW RPL policy and procedure), and a study plan will be developed on a case by case basis.

Applications must be submitted through our Apply Online portal. We encourage you to submit your completed application as early as possible to ensure it will be processed in time for your preferred term.

Some high-demand programs with limited places may have an earlier application deadline or commencement date. Find out more.

^There is a limited number of Commonwealth Supported Places available for this degree. The indicative tuition fee for domestic postgraduate students shown is for fee paying students, not students in Commonwealth Supported Places. To find out more about the student contribution amounts for Commonwealth Supported Places visit Postgraduate Commonwealth Support.

*Fees are subject to annual review by the University and may increase annually, with the new fees effective from the start of each calendar year. The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only – other fees and charges are not included. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year to enrol, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (8 courses per year). Indicative fees are a guide for comparison only based on current conditions and available data. You should not rely on indicative fees. More information on fees can be found at the UNSW fees website.

Indicative fees to complete the program have been calculated based on a percentage increase for every year of the program. Fee increases are assessed annually and may exceed the indicative figures listed below.