BOptom - Bachelor of Optometry

Overview
Entry Requirements, Fees and Dates
Regulations
Schedule
Graduate Profile and Programme Capabilities

Our Bachelor of Optometry (BOptom) programme covers both Clinical Optometry and Vision Science. It includes the study of basic physical and life sciences as they relate to the visual system. You will also gain extensive knowledge of optics, the anatomy and physiology of vision, ocular pharmacology, pathology, therapeutics, and immunology.

Programme highlights

New Zealand’s only BOptom degree and one of only eight Australasian degrees accredited by the Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand
Once you graduate and are registered as an optometrist, you'll be fully qualified to diagnose and treat eye diseases in New Zealand and Australia
Clinical and business skill development to help you manage your own practice or to work in the public health sector
The opportunity to complete your degree with honours
Opportunities to develop communication, empathy and problem-solving skills, particularly with children, the elderly and the partially sighted

There are two application categories for entry into the BOptom:

Undergraduate entry: Undergraduate applicants may apply from either BSc at the University of Auckland or the HSFY at the University of Otago. You can apply as an Undergraduate applicant at the end of your first and/or second year of study in the Bachelor of Science.
Graduate entry

Please note:

Entry criteria may change every year. There is no direct entry from secondary school, school leavers are encourage to apply under the Undergraduate entry category
Shortlisted applicants will attend a Multiple Mini Interview (MMI).
Special entry schemes are available for domestic students.

Check out the BOptom FAQs.

The BOptom is a five-year qualification (600 points) including four years of optometry-specific content:

In the second and third years (Parts II and III) you will take a combination of core courses in applicable life sciences, vision and optometric sciences, anatomy and physiology of vision, mechanisms of disease and options and visual science. You will study general optometric practice and aspects of clinical optometry.
In your fourth and fifth years (Parts IV and V) you will study contact lenses, paediatric optometry and binocular vision, and continue to learn about eye diseases and treatements. You will be required to take courses in advanced clinical optometry, and undertake a research project. You will gain practical experience in examining and treating patients in our public clinic and during external placements.

On graduation you can register as an optometrist, able to diagnose and treat eye diseases in New Zealand and Australia. The majority of optometrists enter private practice, which offers regular hours and the freedom to choose where to live and work. Optometrists can also practise in hospitals and clinics or work in the industry or research. We advise that the University of Auckland is not involved in the employment of graduates and can make no guarantee of post-qualification registration or employment in New Zealand or any other country.

Registered optometrist

Once you become a student at the University, you can get help with planning and developing your career from Career Development and Employability Services.

We advise that the University of Auckland is not involved in the employment of graduates and can make no guarantee of post-qualification registration or employment in New Zealand or any other country.

Key Information for Students

Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.

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Overseas qualifications

If your highest qualification was gained outside New Zealand, view our international entry requirements .

Undergraduate entry

The Bachelor of Optometry is a limited Entry programme and the selection criteria below is subject to the University Council approval. The finalised selection criteria is expected to be available in May.

To apply for BOptom as an undergraduate student you must complete the first year of the Bachelor of Science (BSc) at the University of Auckland, or the Health Sciences First Year at the University of Otago. This must be completed on a full time basis and must include the following courses:

Option A: Bachelor of Science (BSc), University of Auckland

CHEM110: Chemistry of the Living World
BIOSCI107: Biology for Biomedical Science - Cellular Processes
MEDSCI142: Biology for Biomedical Science - Organ Systems
BIOSCI101: Life! Origins and Mechanisms
PHYSICS160: Physics for the Life Sciences
BIOSCI106: Foundations of Biochemistry
POPLHLTH111: Population Health
WTRSCI 100: Contemporary Science in Aotearoa, New Zealand

Option B: University of Otago's Health Science First Year (HSFY)

CHEM191: The Chemical Basis of Biology and Human Health
CELS191: Cell and Molecular Biology
PHSI191: Biological Physics
BIOC192: Foundations of Biochemistry
HUBS192: Human Body Systems II
HUBS191: Human Body Systems I
POPH192: Population Health
Optional paper

Interview Eligibility

Applicants will need to achieve a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 5.5 across the 7 first year courses listed in bold above, with no fails, to be eligible for consideration for an admission interview (MMI – Multi Mini Interviews). All University of Auckland applicants must also pass WTRSCI 100.

Interview Ranking

If eligible, you will be ranked for interview invitation. This ranking will be based on your grades in the courses in bold above. If your final grades are not available at the time of interview ranking, an interim grade (highest possible) will be temporarily assigned. Official final results will be used for the final selection.

Final Selection Ranking

Applicants will be offered admission to the programme according to the rank order until the available places in the category are filled. Interviewed applicants’ final ranking will be based on a weighting of the following components:

GPA for the 7 courses in bold above: 50%
Multi Mini Interview: 50% (a minimum threshold will apply, this will be determined year to year)

Please note that selection criteria may change from year to year. For further information, refer to our FAQs or contact the Faculty directly on fmhs@auckland.ac.nz.

Graduate entry

To apply for the BOptom under the Graduate entry category, applicants must have completed a relevant degree/degrees on a full time basis at a recognised university. Your last year of full time study must be no more than five years prior to the year of application. A minimum of 105 points over Semesters One and Two per academic calendar year is required to be considered as full time for BOptom admission. A typical academic calendar year is 120 points.

Interview Eligibility

Applicants will need to achieve a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 5.5 across their last 2 years of full time study to be eligible for consideration for an admission interview (MMI – Multi Mini Interviews ). Shortlisted international applicants will be interviewed over Zoom.

Interview Ranking

Eligible applicants are ranked for interview invitations based on the GPA from their last two academic years of full time study in completed qualification/s. If your final grades are not available at the time of interview ranking, an interim grade (highest possible grade) will be temporarily assigned. Official final results will be used for the final selection.

Final Selection Ranking

Applicants will be ranked for selection based on a weighting of the following components:

GPA for last two years of study: 50% (a minimum overall GPA of 5.5 is required)
Multi Mini Interview: 50% (a minimum threshold will apply, this will be determined year to year)

Please note that selection criteria may change from year to year. For further information, refer to our FAQs or contact the Faculty directly on fmhs@auckland.ac.nz.

Depending on the type of programme you are pursuing, you may have the opportunity to complete a unique research project. To find out more about the research carried out at the University of Auckland and to identify potential supervisors, check out our researcher profiles.

You could be eligible for another programme, or check out these alternative pathways:

See if you meet the criteria for the Undergraduate Targeted Admission Scheme (UTAS).
Bridge your educational gap with a preparation and foundation programme.
If you are under 20, have no formal University Entrance (UE) qualification, and are a New Zealand or Australian citizen or permanent resident you can apply for discretionary entrance.
If you can demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and maturity, we offer admission to applicants under 16.

Year Fees Applicable

Domestic Student Annual Fees

International Student Annual Fees

Fees are set in advance of each calendar year and will be updated on this website. Fees are inclusive of 15% GST, but do not include the Student Services Fee, course books, travel and health insurance, or living costs. Fees will be confirmed upon completion of enrolment into courses. For more information, please see Fees and Money Matters.

*Please note: amounts shown are indicative and estimates only.

Scholarships and awards

Find out about the scholarships you may be eligible for.

Student loans and allowances

Are you a New Zealand citizen or resident? You could be eligible for a student loan or allowance.

Cost of living

Get an idea of how much accommodation and general living in Auckland will cost.

Please note: Additional costs for the BOptom include purchasing prescribed texts and essential equipment, and potential costs associated with travelling to off-site practicum locations. You should allow approximately $13,000 over the four years of study.

This is a limited entry programme: there is a limit on the number of enrolments due to staff or space capacity. For more information, please see the Programme and Course Limitations section of the University Academic and General Statutes and Regulations.

Please note: Late/incomplete applications are not accepted. International students should start the application process as early as possible to allow sufficient time to apply for a visa.

Semester	Application Closing Date	Semester Start Date	Semester End Date
2026 Semester One	01 July 2025	02 March 2026	29 June 2026

1 - 1

See important dates for the academic year, including orientation, enrolment, study breaks, exams, and graduation.

The regulations for this degree are to be read in conjunction with all other relevant statutes and regulations including the Academic Statutes and Regulations.

1 In order to be admitted to this degree an applicant must have:

a(i)(a) completed the requirements for courses listed in Part I of the Bachelor of Optometry Schedule, or an equivalent programme of study deemed appropriate by the Programme Director, with a Grade Point Average of 5.5 or higher

and

(b) completed WTRSCI 100

(ii) successfully completed, no more than five years prior to the date of application, with at least the equivalent of a Grade Point Average of 5.5 or higher, a degree or postgraduate diploma deemed appropriate by the Programme Director

(iii) met the requirements of a special entry scheme

and

b demonstrated in accordance with approved selection criteria the qualities determined by the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences as appropriate for a person seeking a qualification as an optometrist. This requirement will normally include an interview.

2 Applicants admitted under Regulation 1a(ii) or 1a(iii) may be required to successfully complete some or all of the courses listed in Part I in the Bachelor of Optometry Schedule prior to Part II.

Note: This is a limited entry programme as per the Limitation of Entry Statute 1991 and selection criteria apply. Selection criteria are available from the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences.

3 a A student admitted to this degree must follow a programme of the equivalent of ten full-time semesters and pass courses with a total value of 600 points, unless credit is granted under the Admission Regulations and/or the Credit Regulations.

b Enrolment must normally be continuous. In exceptional circumstances the Associate Dean Academic, on the recommendation of the Programme Director, may grant a period of suspension from enrolment not normally exceeding two consecutive semesters.

c Interrupted study may be resumed only with the approval of, and on conditions set by, the Programme Director.

4 Of the 600 points required for this degree, a student must pass:

a 585 points: Parts I, II, III, IV and V and any required courses as listed in the Bachelor of Optometry Schedule

and

b 15 points from courses offered in either the General Education Open Schedule or the General Education Faculty Schedule approved for this degree.

5 A student must complete the Academic Integrity course as specified in the Enrolment and Programme Regulations, Academic Integrity, of the University Calendar.

6 A student who is required to meet the Academic English Language Requirement, as specified in the Enrolment and Programme Regulations, Academic English Language Requirement, of the University Calendar, may substitute an academic English language course approved the Programme Director for 15 points of General Education.

7 In exceptional circumstances up to 120 points of credit as approved by the Head of School may be substituted for Part I.

8 a Each Part must normally be completed before the next Part may be taken. However, a student who has failed to pass one of those Parts in its entirety may be allowed, at the discretion of the Programme Director, to enrol for the course or courses needed to complete that Part together with a course or courses towards the next Part.

b A student who fails twice to pass the same Part will not be permitted to continue with this degree.

9 a A student is exempted from the requirement to pass courses offered in the General Education Schedules who has:

either

(i) completed an undergraduate degree at a tertiary institution

(ii) commenced study for this degree at a tertiary institution before 1 January 2006

(iii) been admitted to this degree having completed 240 points or more of degree-level study at another tertiary institution

(iv) completed a minimum of 50 points of study towards this degree in one semester at an overseas institution, either through an overseas exchange programme or through prior approval under the Credit Regulation.

b A student who has been exempted from the requirement to pass courses offered in the General Education Schedules must substitute 15 points from other undergraduate courses offered at this University approved by the Head of School of Optometry and Vision Science or nominee.

c A student admitted to this degree, who has completed between 120 and 235 points inclusive of degree-level study at another tertiary institution, must pass 15 points from the courses offered in the General Education Schedules.

d A student who has been fully or partially exempted from the requirement to pass courses offered in the General Education Schedules is nonetheless required to complete the Academic Integrity course.

10 a A student enrolled for this degree must carry out satisfactorily such practical or clinical work as the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences may require.

b A student who repeats any course may also be required to undertake such additional practical or clinical work as the Head of School of Optometry and Vision Science determines. This may require enrolment in OPTOM 292, 392, 492, 592.

c Where a weakness occurs in the clinical practice component, in accordance with the Deferred Results provisions of the Examination Regulations, students will be required to be enrolled and pay tuition fees at the rate of 10 points for each two-month period or part thereof. This provision will only apply when the student’s current enrolment period has ended.

Fitness to Practise Requirements

11 a In order to complete the requirements for this degree, a student must meet the applicable fitness to practise requirements for this programme, as outlined in the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences’ Fitness to Practise Policy.

b Where a student is being investigated with regard to a fitness to practise matter under the policy, and there is a concern that the student’s attitudes or behaviour are inappropriate, offensive, disruptive, or may pose a risk of harm to the welfare of any party, that student’s attendance at lectures, classes and any clinical, industry or practise attachments may be suspended by the Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences pending the outcome of the investigation.

c If a student is found, after due and fair inquiry, and taking into account any written response from the student, to be not fit to practise, the student’s enrolment in the programme may be suspended or terminated in accordance with the policy.

d Where a student’s enrolment in the programme has been terminated under Regulation 11c, any application to re-enrol may be declined.

e A student whose enrolment is suspended or terminated under Regulation 11c or their application to re-enrol declined under Regulation 12d may apply to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education for the appeal of that decision in accordance with the policy.

12 a This degree may be awarded with Honours where a student’s overall grade is sufficiently high. There are two classes of Honours: First Class Honours and Second Class Honours. Second Class Honours are awarded in either First Division or Second Division.

b Honours may normally be awarded only if the requirements for this degree are completed within ten semesters of initial enrolment for the degree. In exceptional circumstances however, the Programme Director may approve an extension of this period for not more than two further semesters.

13 A student may not be enrolled in this degree at the same time as in another programme, unless special permission is given by the Programme Director.

14 In exceptional circumstances the Programme Director may approve a variation to a student’s programme of study in accordance with the Enrolment and Programme Regulations.