Deakin University
Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Optometry
Geelong Waterfront Campus, Victoria, Australia
Level
Bachelor
Duration
3.5F
Campus
Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus (VIC)
Intl. Tuition
A$47,600 (2027-28)
Intake
TBD
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Course Overview
Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Optometry at Deakin University in Geelong Waterfront Campus, Victoria, Australia is a bachelor programme designed to give you both rigorous academic grounding and exposure to current practice in the field.
- Study with academics who are active researchers and industry practitioners, with regular contact through seminars, tutorials, and project work.
- Develop core knowledge in your first year before specialising through optional modules in later years tailored to your interests and career goals.
- Build practical, transferable skills — analysis, communication, teamwork, and project delivery — that employers across sectors actively look for.
- Access dedicated employability support including internships, placements, alumni mentoring, and a careers service that connects students to graduate roles.
- Join a global student community with extracurricular societies, sports, volunteering, and study-abroad opportunities to round out your university experience.
Career snapshot (indicative)
Health sciences graduates pursue clinical, research, policy and industry roles across the healthcare ecosystem, including NHS trusts, pharmaceutical firms, public health agencies and health technology companies.
Student life (indicative)
Geelong offers a great outdoor-focused student lifestyle with beaches, cafés and a welcoming community.
The University at a Glance
Student Population
59,359
Staff Ratio
18.0:1
International
27.0%
Career Prospects
Employment Rate
75.0%
of graduates employed
Avg Starting Salary
£36,340
First-year earnings
Placement Year
✓ Available
Work experience option
Costs & Living
City & Location
Major metropolitan (>1m inhabitants)
Course Curriculum
Year 1
- Foundations of Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Optometry
- Academic and Research Skills
- Quantitative Methods
- Introduction to Theory and Practice
- Optional language or breadth module.
Year 2
- Intermediate Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Optometry topics
- Applied Methods and Tools
- Group Project
- Two optional pathway modules
- Career and Industry Insights.
Year 3
- Advanced Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Optometry
- Independent Dissertation or Capstone Project
- Two specialist optional modules aligned with your interests
- Employability and Professional Development.
Entry Requirements
Subjects
- Current Year 12 graduates ATAR This course uses the ATAR as part of its selection considerations.
- VTAC Personal Statement Applicants can include a VTAC Personal Statement to complement their application.
- Applicants will need to ensure that they outline any relevant work and/or life experience and summarise the reasons why they wish to undertake the course.
- Subject adjustment A study score of 40 in any English equals 3 aggregate points per study.
- A study score of 35 in Biology, Chemistry or Physics equals 3 aggregate points per study.
- A study score of 35 in any English equals 1 aggregate point per study.
- A study score of 30 in Biology, Chemistry or Physics equals 2 aggregate points per study.
- Overall maximum of 12 points.
- SEAS (Special Entry Access Scheme) Applicants who have experienced educational disadvantage are encouraged to apply for equity schemes.
- Depending on eligibility and your circumstances, an equity schemes application may provide support for your course application.
- For further information go to Deakin University Equity schemes information and the Deakin University website Recent Year 12 graduates ATAR This course uses the ATAR as part of its selection considerations.
- VTAC Personal Statement Applicants can include a VTAC Personal Statement to complement their application.
- Applicants will need to ensure that they outline any relevant work and/or life experience and summarise the reasons why they wish to undertake the course.
- Subject adjustment A study score of 40 in any English equals 3 aggregate points per study.
- A study score of 35 in Biology, Chemistry or Physics equals 3 aggregate points per study.
- A study score of 35 in any English equals 1 aggregate point per study.
- A study score of 30 in Biology, Chemistry or Physics equals 2 aggregate points per study.
- Overall maximum of 12 points.
- SEAS (Special Entry Access Scheme) Applicants who have experienced educational disadvantage are encouraged to apply for equity schemes.
- Depending on eligibility and your circumstances, an equity schemes application may provide support for your course application.
- For further information go to Deakin University Equity schemes information and the Deakin University website Applicants with Higher Education study Entire academic record This course uses the entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.
- VTAC Personal Statement Applicants can include a VTAC Personal Statement to complement their application.
- Applicants will need to ensure that they outline any relevant work and/or life experience and summarise the reasons why they wish to undertake the course.
- Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) If you don't meet the academic entry requirements, or haven't completed Year 12, or don't hold any relevant qualifications, the STAT (Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test) may be an option for you to meet course entry requirements.
- SEAS (Special Entry Access Scheme) Applicants who have experienced educational disadvantage are encouraged to apply for equity schemes.
- Depending on eligibility and your circumstances, an equity schemes application may provide support for your course application.
- For further information go to Deakin University Equity schemes information and the Deakin University website Applicants with VET study Entire academic record This course uses the entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.
- VTAC Personal Statement Applicants can include a VTAC Personal Statement to complement their application.
- Applicants will need to ensure that they outline any relevant work and/or life experience and summarise the reasons why they wish to undertake the course.
- Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) If you don't meet the academic entry requirements, or haven't completed Year 12, or don't hold any relevant qualifications, the STAT (Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test) may be an option for you to meet course entry requirements.
- SEAS (Special Entry Access Scheme) Applicants who have experienced educational disadvantage are encouraged to apply for equity schemes.
- Depending on eligibility and your circumstances, an equity schemes application may provide support for your course application.
- For further information go to Deakin University Equity schemes information and the Deakin University website Applicants with work and life experience Entire academic record This course uses the entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.
- VTAC Personal Statement Applicants can include a VTAC Personal Statement to complement their application.
- Applicants will need to ensure that they outline any relevant work and/or life experience and summarise the reasons why they wish to undertake the course.
- Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) If you don't meet the academic entry requirements, or haven't completed Year 12, or don't hold any relevant qualifications, the STAT (Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test) may be an option for you to meet course entry requirements.
- SEAS (Special Entry Access Scheme) Applicants who have experienced educational disadvantage are encouraged to apply for equity schemes.
- Depending on eligibility and your circumstances, an equity schemes application may provide support for your course application.
- For further information go to Deakin University Equity schemes information and the Deakin University website | Year 12 prerequisites Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English as an Additional Language or at least 25 in English other than EAL.
- Non-Year 12 prerequisites As for Year 12 or equivalent, as deemed by Deakin University. | Current Year 12 graduates Immunisations Prior to commencing clinical placements students are expected to have a current immunisation status, including at least two COVID-19 vaccinations, subject to placement provider requirements.
- Information will be provided to applicants once they enrol in the course.
- The Faculty will guide you through this process.
- Student Code of Conduct Prior to commencing, students must sign the Student Code of Conduct.
- Working with children check Applicants will be required to hold a valid Working with Children (WWC) Check for the relevant state prior to undertaking professional placements as part of this course.
- For more information see: Deakin University WWCC information and Working with Children in Victoria Police record check Applicants will be required to hold a valid National Police Record Check for professional placements as part of this course.
- For more information see: Deakin University police record check information and Victoria Police national police record checks Recent Year 12 graduates Immunisations Prior to commencing clinical placements students are expected to have a current immunisation status, including at least two COVID-19 vaccinations, subject to placement provider requirements.
- Information will be provided to applicants once they enrol in the course.
- The Faculty will guide you through this process.
- Student Code of Conduct Prior to commencing, students must sign the Student Code of Conduct.
- Working with children check Applicants will be required to hold a valid Working with Children (WWC) Check for the relevant state prior to undertaking professional placements as part of this course.
- For more information see: Deakin University WWCC information and Working with Children in Victoria Police record check Applicants will be required to hold a valid National Police Record Check for professional placements as part of this course.
- For more information see: Deakin University police record check information and Victoria Police national police record checks Applicants with Higher Education study Immunisations Prior to commencing clinical placements students are expected to have a current immunisation status, including at least two COVID-19 vaccinations, subject to placement provider requirements.
- Information will be provided to applicants once they enrol in the course.
- The Faculty will guide you through this process.
- Student Code of Conduct Prior to commencing, students must sign the Student Code of Conduct.
- Working with children check Applicants will be required to hold a valid Working with Children (WWC) Check for the relevant state prior to undertaking professional placements as part of this course.
- For more information see: Deakin University WWCC information and Working with Children in Victoria Police record check Applicants will be required to hold a valid National Police Record Check for professional placements as part of this course.
- For more information see: Deakin University police record check information and Victoria Police national police record checks Applicants with VET study Immunisations Prior to commencing clinical placements students are expected to have a current immunisation status, including at least two COVID-19 vaccinations, subject to placement provider requirements.
- Information will be provided to applicants once they enrol in the course.
- The Faculty will guide you through this process.
- Student Code of Conduct Prior to commencing, students must sign the Student Code of Conduct.
- Working with children check Applicants will be required to hold a valid Working with Children (WWC) Check for the relevant state prior to undertaking professional placements as part of this course.
- For more information see: Deakin University WWCC information and Working with Children in Victoria Police record check Applicants will be required to hold a valid National Police Record Check for professional placements as part of this course.
- For more information see: Deakin University police record check information and Victoria Police national police record checks Applicants with work and life experience Immunisations Prior to commencing clinical placements students are expected to have a current immunisation status, including at least two COVID-19 vaccinations, subject to placement provider requirements.
- Information will be provided to applicants once they enrol in the course.
- The Faculty will guide you through this process.
- Student Code of Conduct Prior to commencing, students must sign the Student Code of Conduct.
- Working with children check Applicants will be required to hold a valid Working with Children (WWC) Check for the relevant state prior to undertaking professional placements as part of this course.
- For more information see: Deakin University WWCC information and Working with Children in Victoria Police record check Applicants will be required to hold a valid National Police Record Check for professional placements as part of this course.
- For more information see: Deakin University police record check information and Victoria Police national police record checks
Source: CourseSeeker (Australian Government), retrieved September 2026. Always confirm the current requirements with the university.
Assessment Methods
Assessment is varied across the programme and may include: Written examinations across foundational modules; Coursework essays and analytical reports; Group and individual projects with presentations; Practical lab, studio, or fieldwork assessments where relevant; A final-year dissertation or capstone project that lets you specialise in a topic of your choice.
Campus & City Life
Student Population
59,359
Total students
Staff Ratio
18:1
Students per staff
International Students
27%
Of student body
Campus at a Glance
City Size
Major metropolitan (>1m inhabitants)
Climate (indicative)
Four seasons
Safety Index (indicative)
8.0/10
Transport
Good (close to station or regional airport)
Social Scene
Friendly community
Student Life & City (indicative)
Geelong offers a great outdoor-focused student lifestyle with beaches, cafés and a welcoming community.
- Geelong offers a great outdoor-focused student lifestyle with beaches, cafés and a welcoming community.
What Students Love
- Beach lifestyle
- Great café culture
- Thriving student social scene
- Parks & green spaces
University Stats
Total Students59,359
Student-to-Staff Ratio18:1
International Students27%
Safety Index (indicative)8.0/10
Career & Outcomes
Graduate Employment
75%
Employed after graduation
Avg Starting Salary
£36,340
Average first-year salary
Placement Year
✓ Available
Industry work experience
Career Outcomes Overview (indicative)
Health sciences graduates pursue clinical, research, policy and industry roles across the healthcare ecosystem, including NHS trusts, pharmaceutical firms, public health agencies and health technology companies.
- Health sciences graduates pursue clinical, research, policy and industry roles across the healthcare ecosystem, including NHS trusts, pharmaceutical firms, public health agencies and health technology companies.
Top Industries for Graduates
- Healthcare
- Education
- Business
Study Abroad Opportunities
Y
- Y
Costs & Living Expenses
Total Programme Cost
A$166,600
For full 3.5F
Overall Cost of Living (indicative)
HIGH
This location has a higher cost of living. Budget accordingly for accommodation, food, and general expenses.
Estimated Annual Costs
Tuition (International)A$47,600per year, 2027-28 Official fee page
Monthly Student Budget (indicative)
Housing£821/mo
Food & Groceries£331/mo
Transport£86/mo
Estimated Monthly Total£1,429
Annual living costs£17,158/yr
Cost Overview (indicative)
Like most major Australian cities, Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus carries a moderate-to-high cost of living — expect around $1,810/month (housing $1,040, food $420, transport $110). Deakin's multi-campus model means costs vary — Geelong and regional campuses are notably cheaper than Melbourne.
- Like most major Australian cities, Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus carries a moderate-to-high cost of living — expect around $1,810/month (housing $1,040, food $420, transport $110).
- Deakin's multi-campus model means costs vary — Geelong and regional campuses are notably cheaper than Melbourne.