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Bachelor of Vision Science (372JA.2)
Please note these are the 2026 details for this course
| Selection rank | English language requirements | Duration | UAC code |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80 | 3.0 years | 368073 | |
| Faculty | Discipline(s) | Location | Available teaching periods |
| Faculty of Health | Discipline of Optometry |
Bruce, Canberra |
View teaching periods |
Fees
English language requirements
An IELTS Academic score of 6.0 overall, with no band score below 6.0 (or equivalent).
Fees disclaimer
Annual fee rates
The fees shown are the annual fee rates for the course. The annual rate is the fee that applies to standard full-time enrolment, which is 24 credit points. The final fee charged is based on the proportion of 24 credit points in which a student enrols. Students enrolled in a Commonwealth Support Place (CSP) are required to make a contribution towards the cost of their education, which is set by the Commonwealth Government. Information on Commonwealth Supported Places, HECS-HELP and how fees are calculated can be found here.
Please note: Course fees are assessed annually and are subject to change.
| Academic entry requirements | English language requirements | CRICOS code | Faculty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 094977J | Faculty of Health | ||
| Discipline(s) | Location | Available teaching periods | Duration |
| Discipline of Optometry |
Bruce, Canberra |
View teaching periods | 3.0 years |
Fees
Fees disclaimer
Annual fee rates
The fees shown are the annual fee rates for the course. The annual rate is the fee that applies to standard full-time enrolment, which is 24 credit points. The final fee charged is based on the proportion of 24 credit points in which a student enrols. Information on how fees are calculated can be found here.
Please note: Course fees are assessed annually and are subject to change.
English language requirements
An IELTS Academic score of 6.0 overall, with no band score below 6.0 (or equivalent).
Academic entry requirements
To study at UC, you’ll need to meet our academic entry requirements and any admission requirements specific to your course. Please read your course admission requirements below. To find out whether you meet UC’s academic entry requirements, visit our academic entry requirements page.
See yourself in this specialist field
Study a Bachelor of Vision Science and begin your journey towards a career in optometry. Our course has been developed with academics, practitioners and representatives from international optometry companies and will be launched in the same year UC opens the doors to our state-of-art UC Public Hospital. During your degree you will develop foundation knowledge and skills in the biomedical sciences with a specific focus on optical and vision sciences. You will also broaden your skills in business and management related areas should you choose to explore private practice. On graduating from this undergraduate degree you will be eligible for entry into a Master of Optometry.
Study a Bachelor of Vision Science at UC and you will:
- demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental sciences underpinning health, optical and vision sciences
- perform common optical and visual diagnostic assessments
- demonstrate a strong understanding of the dysfunctions and diseases of the eye
- demonstrate an awareness of the inter-disciplinary nature of health practitioners and health professions
- demonstrate awareness of and respect for individual human rights and cultural and social diversity.
Work Integrated Learning
In your final year you will enrol in the work-integrated unit Integrated Eye Care and Ocular Therapeutics. This unit incorporates a significant component of industry experience and includes clinical and non-clinical placements designed to observe the latest vision science industry projects and optometric practice in progress.
Career opportunities
- Optometrist
- Private practice & retailer
- Vision-related government and non-government organisations
- Hospitals
- Health clinics & Services
- Research institutes
Professional accreditation
This course is accredited with the Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand (OCANZ). Successful completion of both the Bachelor of Vision Science AND the Master of Optometry course at the University of Canberra will allow graduates the chance to apply for registration with the Optometry Board of Australia to practice as an optometrist.
Admission to this course is based on an entrance rank. A rank can be achieved by the following means:
- Year 12 ATAR
- other Australian Qualification
- work experience
- overseas qualification
We also offer a number of entry initiatives that give you the opportunity to gain entry to the University via alternate pathway programs and admissions schemes.
More information is available on our Alternative Entry page: http://www.canberra.edu.au/future-students/applications/apply-now/alternative-entry
Admission to this course is competitive. Applications will be assessed on the basis of academic merit and the number of available places. Domestic applications will open on the 1st September. First offer round applications must be received by 30th November with offers being released mid-December. Applications remain open while vacancies exist for ongoing consideration of offers.
Applications from international students are accepted on an ongoing basis while vacancies exist. Please refer to the key dates (https://www.canberra.edu.au/future-students/apply-to-uc/key-dates) for further information.
Additional admission requirements
Clinical practice is a key component of the program and is assessed. Students may be required to complete this component outside of teaching time. Prior to commencing clinical practice, all students need to present a complete immunisation schedule, and First Aid certificates including CPR, as a requirement of the ACT and NSW health departments. All students are required to undergo a 'working with vulnerable people' check, an Australian Federal Police Record Check prior to undertaking clinical experience in the ACT, and a NSW Police check before undertaking practice in NSW.
Assumed knowledge
ACT: Mathematical Methods major; Chemistry major; and Physics major. NSW: Mathematics; Physics; and Chemistry.
Periods course is open for new admissions
| Year | Location | Teaching period | Teaching start date | Domestic | International |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Bruce, Canberra | Semester 1 | 02 February 2026 |
Credit arrangements
There are currently no formal credit transfer arrangements for entry to this course. Any previous study or work experience will only be considered as part of the application process in accordance with current course rules and university policy.
Bachelor of Vision Science (372JA) | 72 credit points
Note:
- - Unit 8997 Professional Practice in Health is no longer offered and has been replaced with alternative unit 11616 Patient-Centred Communication.
In addition to course requirements, in order to successfully complete your course you must meet the inherent requirements. Please refer to the inherent requirements statement applicable to your course
UC - Canberra, Bruce
Year 1
Semester 1
Year 2
Year 3
Semester 1
Course duration
3 years, or part-time equivalent. Maximum 6 years.
Learning outcomes
| Learning outcomes | Related graduate attributes |
|---|---|
| 3. Graduates at this level will apply knowledge and skills in one or more areas of the health sector to demonstrate autonomy, judgement and defined responsibility: a. In contexts that are subject to change; and b. Within broad parameters to provide specialist advice and functions. |
UC graduates are professional: Work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict; Display initiative and drive, and use their organisational skills to plan and manage their workload; and Take pride in their professional and personal integrity. UC graduates are global citizens: Behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives. UC graduates are lifelong learners: Reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development; Be self-aware; and Adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas. |
| 2. Perform common optical and visual diagnostic assessments. | UC graduates are professional: Employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills. UC graduates are lifelong learners: Reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development. |
| 5. Demonstrate awareness of and respect for individual human rights and cultural and social diversity. | UC graduates are professional: Communicate effectively; and Take pride in their professional and personal integrity. UC graduates are global citizens: Think globally about issues in their profession; Adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries; Understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures; Communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings; and Behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives. UC graduates are lifelong learners: Reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development; and Be self-aware. |
| 3. Graduates at this level will apply knowledge and skills in one or more areas of the health sector to demonstrate autonomy, judgement and defined responsibility in known or changing contexts and within broad but established parameters. | UC graduates are professional: Work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict; and Take pride in their professional and personal integrity. UC graduates are global citizens: Behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives. UC graduates are lifelong learners: Reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development; Be self-aware; and Adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas. |
| 2. Graduates at this level will have a broad range of cognitive, technical and communication skills to select and apply methods and technologies to: a. Analyse health information; b. Interpret and transmit solutions to unpredictable and sometimes complex problems in the health sector; and c. Transmit information and skills to others. |
UC graduates are professional: Employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills; Communicate effectively; Use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems; and Display initiative and drive, and use their organisational skills to plan and manage their workload. UC graduates are global citizens: Adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries; Understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures; Communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings; and Make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives. UC graduates are lifelong learners: Reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development; Adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas; and Evaluate and adopt new technology. |
| Graduates of the Bachelor of Vision Science will be able to: 1. Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental sciences underpinning health, optical and vision sciences. |
UC graduates are professional: Employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills. UC graduates are lifelong learners: Reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development. |
| 2. Graduates at this level will have a broad range of cognitive, technical and communication skills to select and apply methods and technologies to: a. Analyse health information; b. Provide and transmit solutions to sometimes complex problems in the health sector and; c. Transmit information and skills to others. |
UC graduates are professional: Employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills; Communicate effectively; Use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems; and Display initiative and drive, and use their organisational skills to plan and manage their workload. UC graduates are global citizens: Adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries; Understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures; Communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings; and Make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives. UC graduates are lifelong learners: Reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development; Adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas; and Evaluate and adopt new technology. |
| 3. Demonstrate a strong understanding of the dysfunctions and diseases of the eye. | UC graduates are professional: Employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills. UC graduates are lifelong learners: Reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development. |
| 4. Demonstrate an awareness of the inter-disciplinary nature of health practitioners and health professions. | UC graduates are professional: Communicate effectively; Work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict; Display initiative and drive, and use their organisational skills to plan and manage their workload; and Take pride in their professional and personal integrity. UC graduates are global citizens: Think globally about issues in their profession; Adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries; and Behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives. UC graduates are lifelong learners: Reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development; Be self-aware; and Adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas. |
| Learning outcomes for the Associate Degree in Health Studies. 1. Graduates at this level will have broad technical and theoretical knowledge of a specific health area or of a broad range of areas within the health sector. |
UC graduates are professional: Employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills. UC graduates are global citizens: Think globally about issues in their profession; and Make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives. UC graduates are lifelong learners: Reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development. |
| Learning outcomes for the Diploma of Health Studies: 1. Graduates at this level will have technical and theoretical knowledge in one or more of a broad range of areas within the health sector. |
UC graduates are professional: Employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills. UC graduates are global citizens: Think globally about issues in their profession; and Make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives. UC graduates are lifelong learners: Reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development. |
Awards
| Award | Official abbreviation |
|---|---|
| Bachelor of Vision Science | BVisSc |
Honours
None.
Enrolment data
2020 enrolments for this course by location. Please note that enrolment numbers are indicative only and in no way reflect individual class sizes.
| Location | Enrolments |
|---|---|
| UC - Canberra, Bruce | 72 |
Enquiries
| Student category | Contact details |
|---|---|
| Current and Commencing Students | Email student.centre@canberra.edu.au |
| Prospective Domestic Students | Email study@canberra.edu.au or Phone 1800 UNI CAN (1800 864 226) |
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