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Level 6 Ophthalmic Dispensing Course in Islington

CostTuition Fees£4,500 per yearPlease note that this course is not eligible for funding by a Student Finance England Loan or an Advanced Learner Loan.Additional CostsIn addition to the annual tuition fees, there will be additional costs associated with your p
Duration147 weeks
LevelLevel 6
DeliveryClassroom based
Start2 Sep 2026
Study modePart-time
AttendanceDaytime
Awarding bodyABDO
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About this course

Level 6 Diploma in Ophthalmic Dispensing Course in Islington. Classes run at Capital City College Angel Campus one day per week, on a day-release basis, so you study alongside your job in an optical practice. This level 6 diploma in ophthalmic dispensing qualification follows the ABDO syllabus and the General Optical Council's outcomes for registration. You'll cover interpreting prescriptions, taking facial measurements, advising patients on frames and lenses, and patient aftercare. The course runs over approximately 147 weeks part-time. Tuition fees are £4,500 per year. Additional costs apply.

Who this course is for

This course offers the exciting opportunity to gain an ABDO Level 6 Diploma in Ophthalmic Dispensing alongside your job, attending just one day per week. The day-release model provides you with all the knowledge and skills required to become a General Optical Council (GOC) registered dispensing optician.As a dispensing optician, you will form an integral part of the optical team working with other optical professionals to provide excellent primary eye care. Your responsibilities include interpreting ophthalmic prescriptions, taking facial measurements, advising patients on frame and lens choices, spectacle repair and patient aftercare. You will often be the point of contact for patients and will need to be able to advise them on how to best use their spectacles.The course follows the syllabus of the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) and the General Optical Council's (GOC) outcomes for registration. You will be assessed in college and your workplace during the course, and complete two professional exams with ABDO.Following successful completion of the association's exams, a student can register with the General Optical Council as a dispensing optician at Level 6.For information on our Higher Education policies, including admissions, fees, and student contracts, please see the links below:Complaints PolicyFees PolicyHE Admissions PolicyHE Student ContractHE Student Protection PlanFor our full list of policies, governance and fees, please see our website's policy page.This course is also available as an apprenticeship. Find out more information on our Dispensing Optician - Level 6 Apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You will need:To be employed in an optical practice and have a work-based supervisor*Five GCSEs at grade 4 or above (or A*-C), including Maths, English Language and ScienceApplicants without the necessary qualifications but who have a significant amount of experience (10 years) will be interviewed to determine suitability for the course.Upon enrolment, learners must register for student membership of GOC and ABDO and maintain registration for the duration of the course.* A work-based supervisor

What you will learn

  • You'll interpret ophthalmic prescriptions accurately.
  • You'll take facial measurements to fit spectacles correctly.
  • You'll advise patients on frame and lens choices to suit their needs.
  • You'll carry out spectacle repairs and patient aftercare.
  • You'll work as part of an optical team alongside optometrists and other professionals.
  • You'll apply the ABDO syllabus and meet the General Optical Council's outcomes for registration.
  • You'll develop the clinical and communication skills needed to be the primary point of contact for patients.

How you will learn

You'll attend college one day per week on a day-release basis. Assessment takes place both in college and in your workplace throughout the course. You'll also complete two professional exams with ABDO. Successful completion of the college-based programme and the ABDO exams leads to eligibility to register with the General Optical Council as a dispensing optician.

What you will need to bring

The centre will provide most materials. Capital City College Angel Campus will confirm anything else you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Dispensing optician: GOC-registered role in optical practices
  • Optical practice manager: overseeing day-to-day practice operations
  • Contact lens optician: specialist fitting and aftercare for contact lens patients
  • Low vision specialist: supporting patients with significant sight loss
  • Optical retail advisor: senior patient-facing role in optical retail

What you could study next

Once registered with the General Optical Council, you could pursue a Contact Lens Diploma to extend your scope of practice into contact lens fitting. Some dispensing opticians go on to study for a pre-registration optometry degree to qualify as an optometrist. Continuing professional development (CPD) is required by the GOC to maintain registration, so there are ongoing short courses and specialist qualifications available throughout your career.

Apply on capitalccg.ac.uk →
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