21 August 2025
For Teesside University, receiving full approval from the General Optical Council (GOC) for its BSc and MOptom optometry qualifications marked a number of milestones, for the region and for the course team.
Hannah Bartlett, professor of optometry and inclusive practice at the university, said of the GOC approval: “As the first university in the North East to offer optometry, this is a proud and significant milestone and will give many people from the local and wider region the opportunity to study and join the profession.”
Bartlett explained: “The North East of England faces a shortage of qualified optometrists, which has put increasing pressure on local eye care services. This shortage can lead to longer waiting times for patients and reduced access to timely eye care. Addressing this workforce gap is essential to ensure the region’s population receives high quality, accessible eye health services.”
“Establishing an optometry programme at Teesside University directly responds to this need by training optometrists locally, helping to strengthen and sustain eye care provision across the North East,” she added.
Addressing this workforce gap is essential to ensure the region’s population receives high quality, accessible eye health services
In September, Teesside University will welcome its fourth cohort of optometry students. This follows another recent milestone as the course celebrated its first graduating cohort.
The course launched in the wake of the COVID-19, which presented unique challenges, but Bartlett noted that it: “highlighted the resilience and dedication of our academic team, students and partners.”
The GOC introduced its new education and training requirements in 2021, reflecting modern regulation practices and with the aim of ensuring optical professionals would be equipped to meet the needs of patients as the optometry landscape changed.
In reviewing the new requirements and developing the MOptom curriculum, programme leads at Teesside University took the opportunity to reflect on delivering the first and second years of the BSc programme.
The structure of the new ETR aligns with the original vision of the course leads, Bartlett shared: “To provide students with outstanding clinical experience and meaningful opportunities to engage with the eye care community across a range of real-world settings.”
“This alignment has strengthened our commitment to producing confident, capable graduates ready to deliver high-quality, patient-centred care,” she added.
Developing the MOptom brought both challenges and opportunities for innovation, building on the foundation of the BSc Optometry programme.
The course was well-prepared to meet the enhanced placement requirements of the ETR, as these were already supported by partnerships with practices and stakeholders.
We are very proud of the journey we have taken to design and gain full approval for our BSc and MOptom optometry programmes
Bartlett described the development of the MOptom curriculum alongside the launch and embedding of the updates BSc programme as “the most significant milestone.”
She shared: “Achieved by a small, dedicated team, this dual endeavour showcased collaboration and resilience. Navigating course design, regulatory alignment, and implementation within ambitious timeframes, the team ensured that the MOptom course would not only meet, but exceed expectations.”
Looking back at the process of developing the courses, Bartlett told OT: “From the outset, our focus has been on creating courses that deliver outstanding clinical education and prepare students to meet the evolving needs of eye care in the region.”
“We are very proud of the journey we have taken to design and gain full approval for our BSc and MOptom optometry programmes. This achievement reflects the dedication, expertise, and collaboration of our academic team, clinical partners, and wider professional community,” she said.
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