BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science vs MOptom (Hons) Optometry

Course Comparison

Course	BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science	MOptom (Hons) Optometry
Award	Bachelor of Science - BSc (Hons)	Master of Optometry - MOptom (Hons)
Duration	3 years	4 years
Assessment breakdown	-	-
Course type	Full-time	Full-time
Placement	(with placements)	(with placements)
Location	Plymouth	Plymouth
Provider	School of Health Professions	School of Health Professions
Entry requirements	GCSE All applicants require at least five GCSEs at grade C/4 or above. These must include mathematics, English and science. Preference is given to applicants who have obtained these grades on application. Please note the institution may consider equivalent numeracy and literacy qualifications. A level The normal entry requirement for A levels is 128 UCAS points (e.g. ABB). The minimum entry requirement for A levels is 112 UCAS points (e.g. BBC). These A levels must include study of biology/human biology, chemistry or physics, to achieve a grade B or above (in some instances, an A level in physical education may be an appropriate alternative too). No UCAS credits are given to A levels in general studies. BTEC National Diploma For BTEC, the minimum entry requirements are three distinctions (DDD), 144 UCAS points from a relevant access course (eg. health or science, but not public services or uniformed protective services). Study must contain units covering sufficient biology and/or chemistry (unless supplemented by an A-level in biology). Access to Higher Education The minimum entry requirements are 45 credits from a relevant access course (eg. health, nursing, science, etc). Of these, 36 must be at distinction, to include 15 credits in a relevant science (preference is biology but can consider 15 in physics or chemistry). The remaining 9 credits must be at merit or above. T level Those undertaking T levels in health and science pathways require a distinction or distinction, as well as a grade B or above in the core component. International Baccalaureate* 28-32 overall. These must include five at higher level in biology and/or chemistry. If overseas and not studying English within IB, must have an overall average score of at least 7.0, with a score of at least 6.5 in each element Extended entry requirements In addition to the above, acceptance depends on a number of other factors: Applicants must also submit a strong personal statement in order to be considered. Before any offer can be made, successful applicants are interviewed as part of a values based recruitment process. All applicants for professional health programmes must undergo additional screening to ensure their suitability. We are typically unable to accept those with criminal convictions/cautions that were issued in the preceding two years of an application (not including fixed penalty offences, such as speeding or parking infringements). Similarly, we are typically unable to accept those who have had fitness to practise concerns raised within the last two years by an employer, regulator or another university. After a two year period, all applications that involved criminal convictions/cautions or fitness to practise concerns are considered by our professional issues committee to ensure fitness to practise on a healthcare programme. Screening includes assessment of disclosure and barring service (DBS) status as well as occupational health checks. Occupational health assessments ensure that applicants are fit to fulfil the demands of placements. As students undertake ‘exposure prone procedures’, successful applicants must be vaccinated against a number of diseases. If English is an applicant’s second language, and they do not have a GCSE in English at grade C/4 or above, an IELTS qualification is required. A minimum average IETLS score of 7.0 if required, with a score of at least 6.5 required in each element. English language requirements We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To view other accepted qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary. Students must be 18 years old or over at the start date of this programme. Further information Enhancing your application Values based recruitment Driving Direct entry to year 2 If you have achieved certificated learning in addition to the entry criteria required for your programme of study, it may be possible to accredit this learning towards your chosen course. Full details on how to make an application are available on our open access MOODLE site ( download details on how to access the site and submit your claim and supporting evidence). Your application will then be assessed and you will receive confirmation by email on the status of your claim. Deferred entry Unfortunately we cannot permit deferred entry. However, if you have a query please refer to an experienced admissions administrator who will be able to explain the UCAS application process in more detail admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.	UCAS tariff 128 GCSEs: 5 GCSEs grade C/4 or above to include Mathematics, English and Science. Preference is given to applicants who have obtained these grades on application and who have achieved at least B/5 grades in Mathematics, English and Science. Please note that if you do not have this profile please contact the Admissions Team directly on +44 1752 585858 or email: admissions@plymouth.ac.uk and they will be happy to advise you further. A level: ABB from three A levels. Two A levels must come from either Maths, use of Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Human Biology, Applied Science, or Psychology. General Studies will not be considered as part of the offer. The Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate will be accepted in lieu of one A level, alongside two science subjects, as listed above. An applicant studying for an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) alongside three A levels that meet the above criteria, will typically receive an offer one grade lower than the standard A level offer. To be considered for this the EPQ must be in a relevant science-based topic and be predicted to achieve a strong grade. BTEC: BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma/National Extended Diploma: DDD Science profile, must include either Mathematics, Use of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Human Biology, Applied Science, Psychology. BTEC Level 3 Diploma/National Diploma: DD and only considered in conjunction with Science or Mathematics A level at grade A. BTEC modules If you hold a BTEC qualification it is vital that you provide our Admissions team with details of the exact modules you have studied as part of the BTEC. Without this information we may be unable to process your application quickly and you could experience significant delays in the progress of your application to study with us. Please explicitly state the full list of modules within your qualification at the time of application. International Baccalaureate: 32-34 points overall to include 3 subjects at Higher Level and 2 of these subjects must be at 6 points Higher Level. Subjects must come from either maths, use of maths, physics, chemistry, biology/human biology, applied science, psychology. English accepted within If Advanced Level = 4+ (A1) or 5 (A2/B) If Standard Level = 5+ (A1) or 6 (A2/B) If overseas and not studying English within IB – must have IELTS IELTS: 7.0 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in all elements. Access: Pass a named Access to HE Diploma (e.g. Science, Combined Science, Medicine) with at least 45 credits at level 3 of which 30 must be at distinction level and come from at least two specialisms including Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Psychology. At least 9 credits must be in Maths or Physics. The remaining 15 level 3 credits must be at merit. T level: Accepted – preference pathways would be Health and Science. Typical offer will be confirmed once an application is received. Please note: Applications are considered on an individual basis with preference given to those applicants with a strong GCSE profile and those with at least 12 months experience working in optical practice. Preference is also given to those applicants for which it is at least two years since the completion of any previous level 3 qualification. Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions team if you have any queries via email admissions@plymouth.ac.uk or call +44 1752 585858. For a full list of all acceptable qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary. Extended entry requirements Please note we do not accept Key Skills Level 2 in place of GCSE English or mathematics. You must pass disclosure and barring service and occupational health checks satisfactorily in order to be able to start this course. If English is not your first language and you do not have GCSE English grade C or above you will have to achieve an IELTS or equivalent qualification at the grades stated below. IELTS – 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in writing and reading and 6.0 in listening and speaking. Meeting the academic minimum is the first stage of an application being considered. Applicants must also submit a strong personal statement in order to be considered further. English language requirements We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To view other accepted qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary. Students must be 18 years old or over at the start date of this programme. Further information Enhancing your application Deferred entry Due to the professional nature of this course we are unable to accept applications for deferred entry.