Dispensing optician

To qualify as a dispensing optician, you must complete a degree course approved by the General Optical Council .

You'll also need to pass the professional qualifying exams by the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) .

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, including a science

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
• university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/

You may be able to apply for a place on a Dispensing Optician Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship, with a commercial optician.

This can take 3 years to complete. It's equivalent to degree level and leads to a professional qualification.

Entry requirements

To do this apprenticeship, you'll need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

If you're working in an optician practice, as an assistant or optical technician, you may be able to do training on the job through an apprenticeship or part-time degree course. You'll need the support of your employer to do this.

Registrations

you'll need to be registered with the General Optical Council

Career Tips

You might find it helpful to get some experience in an optician before you apply to study. You can see how to find work experience from the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO).

Professional and Industry Bodies

You could join the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) for professional development and training opportunities.

Further Information

You can learn more about a career as a dispensing optician from the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) and the General Optical Council .

As a dispensing optician, you could:

• help customers to choose eyewear based on an optometrist's prescription
• advise customers on frames and styles of eyewear, including safety glasses, sunglasses and screen glasses
• show people how to fit and remove contact lenses
• take facial measurements to fit glasses
• fit, adjust and repair frames
• refer customers to an optometrist for further vision tests if required
• offer advice on how to manage common eye conditions

You could work at a store or at a health centre.