Information and Policies

The University uses email as an official form of communication for students. All UNSW students have their own email account. The School of Optometry and Vision Science also makes use of this form of communication.

It is extremely important that you know how to use your zMail and ensure that you check it regularly. You are advised to link your official UNSW email address to your habitual email address (e.g. hotmail). You will miss out on vital information from the School and University if you do not check your zMail.

For more information or if you are having connection or access problems, see:

IT Service Centre website 

Telephone: (02) 9385-1333

Email: itservicecentre@unsw.edu.au

The School Office is located in room 3.003 on Level 3, North Wing of the Rupert Myers Building.

The School Office is open to student enquiries at the following times:

• 10.30 am to 12.00 noon*
• 1.30 pm to 3.00 pm*

*These hours will also apply during all recesses.

The first week of Session is usually the busiest and most confusing, therefore the hours are extended for this period only. Enquiry times for Week 1 of Semester are as follows:

• 9.30 am to 12.30 pm
• 1.30 pm to 4.00 pm

Outside of the above hours, you can contact the Undergraduate Administrator by email optometry@unsw.edu.au or telephone (02) 9385 4639.

There is a slot in the enquiry counter. Forms, assignments, etc. can be deposited here at any time.

The School has an academic staff member appointed as a Student Advisor. You may approach Associate Professor Michele Madigan to talk about any academic or personal issues affecting your studies. Contact details below:

Associate Professor Michele Madigan

Tel: +61 2 9385 9879

Email: m.madigan@unsw.edu.au

Student equipment kits, replacement items and locker hire available here.

• Guideline on Supplementary Assessments for the School of Optometry and Vision Science
• Assignment/Practical Attachment Sheet
• General Education Rules in the 3952 BOptom BSc Program
• Honours Policy - 3952 BOptom BSc
• Plagiarism & Academic Integrity
• Preparation of a Scholarly Report
• Progression Policy - 3952 BOptom BSc
• Timetable Clash Approval application form
• School Assessment Policy: Submissions of assignments, penalties for late assignments and request for Extension
• Application to Waive Course Pre- and Co- requisites
• School of Optometry and Vision Science Guidelines for Waiving a Course Pre Or Co Requisite Trimesters 2019

Info for stage 3 program 3181 students who wish to enter program 3182 or 8095 in 2020

The number of places available each year in 8095 (MClinOptom) is limited and will vary from year to year; entry into the program is competitive. In 2020 and 2021 it is expected that the number of places available will range from 1 to 6. Updated estimates of places available will be provided in subsequent years.

For admission to the MClinOptom in 2020, selection is based on the weight average mark (WAM) (see below for definition of program WAM) for UNSW program 3181  Bachelor of Vision Science (BVisSci). 

Only students who have completed 3181 - BVisSci at UNSW will be considered for entry into 8095 – Master of Clinical Optometry.

1.    Students can now apply for admission into 8095 - Master of Clinical Optometry through Apply Online.

The deadline for applications is Nov 1, 2019 at 11:59 pm. Late applications will NOT be accepted. The School of Optometry & Vision Science (SOVS) will rank the applicants according to their 3181 BVisSci WAM. Note that if you have completed 3181 BVisSci and an honours year in Vision Science, the honours year will NOT be taken into consideration when applying through this pathway.

2.    Students can apply through UAC for admission to program 3182 - Bachelor of Vision Science/ Master of Clinical Optometry and if accepted, apply for advanced standing for the stage 1-3 courses already completed. See UAC for details.

Definition of program weight average mark (WAM)

The above information refers to a program WAM. The program WAM, for purposes of entry into 8095 Master of Clinical Optometry, is calculated using all the courses in the 3181 BVisSci program including the 2 General Education (GenEd) courses (12 UOC). If more than 12 UOC of GenEd have been completed, only the first two GenEd courses will be included in the program WAM. If 3 GenEd courses were completed, with one in one term, and the other two in the same subsequent term, we will count the first GenEd, and the GenEd with the higher mark, out of the other two.

Please note:

On successful completion of the optometry qualification at UNSW (MClinOptom), students must apply for registration with the Optometry Board of Australia to practice within Australia. As part of this process, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), on behalf of the National Board, must check an applicant’s criminal history to ensure only those practitioners who are suitable and safe to practise are granted registration in Australia. Please see AHPRA for further information. For information on registration in New Zealand, please see: ODOB NZ.

This document provides information to students about special considerations and applying for a supplementary exam within the School of Optometry and Vision Science - 2019.

You can download the list of approved anatomical abbreviations that can be used by School of Optometry and Vision Science students. Note that these can also be found on Moodle.

• Email: postgrad.optom@unsw.edu.au
• For further information on research programs contact our Postgraduate Coordinator: Dr Maria Markoulli: m.markoulli@unsw.edu.au
• Course information enquiries may be directed to the Postgraduate Research Administrator: anne.barnes@unsw.edu.au
• For information on Plagiarism & Academic Integrity please see: Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
• See the School of Optometry and Vision Science at UNSW Sydney Postgraduate Programs Handbook for further information.

• Coursework Students: Policy on Submission of Assignments and Penalties for Late Assignments 
• Research Students: Go to Graduate Research School