The course is three years and prepares students for the fellowship diploma examinations (FBDO). The course is made up of units of work, assignment questions, block release study and practice-based learning.

The Fellowship Dispensing Diploma course is based around the ABDO Syllabus and the GOC Core Curriculum for Dispensing Opticians. Both of these documents are available on request from the appropriate body.

Year 1

Theory:
Ophthalmic Lenses, Optics, Professional Conduct and Communication.
Practical:
Ophthalmic Dispensing Practice.

Year 2

Theory:
Theory in Ophthalmic Dispensing, Advanced Theory of Ophthalmic Lenses, Abnormal Ocular Conditions and Standards of Practice, Ocular Anatomy, Paediatric Dispensing and Communication.

Year 3

Theory:
Refractive Management, Low Vision and Contact Lenses.
Practical:
Advanced Ophthalmic Dispensing Practice.

ABDO College.

For an information pack with details of the next intake, fees, deadline and an application form contact us by telephone, fax, email, post or via the ABDO College website.

The diploma course is for trainee dispensing opticians working in optical practice in the UK, Ireland or overseas who are interested in advancing their optical knowledge but do not want to achieve a university degree.

Yes. It is essential that you are working in practice and involved in a comprehensive variety of tasks in order to gain the necessary practical experience. You need a supervisor and the support of your employer.

Yes. You will need to have regular access to a computer and the internet as  study material will be provided on a virtual learning platform.

You will need to have five GCSEs of grade C or above in English, Mathematics, Science and two other subjects. If you have 5 or more years optical experience, GCSE Science is not required.

Call us and we can talk through your options with you; you may need to take Access Courses first.

Yes, you will need to retain student membership for the duration of your course.

Yes. Student registration will cost £30*. You will need to visit the GOC website and complete your application directly with the GOC.

*Correct as at December 2017

Yes. ABDO College also run a Foundation Degree and BSc (Hons) course by blended learning. This course takes three years and also prepares students for ABDO examinations to become a dispensing optician. The difference is that the degree course is accredited by a university and will give you a recognised academic qualification.

Yes. If you want to become a dispensing optician, and we hope that you do, you will have to study for three years and take external (ABDO) examinations. Success in these examinations will allow you to register with the General Optical Council as a dispensing optician.

Essential reading
Optics (2nd edition) – A H Tunnacliffe / J G Hirst
Essentials of Dispensing (2nd edition) – A H Tunnacliffe
Ophthalmology Lecture Notes (12th edition) – B James & A Bron
Worked Problems in Optics (2nd edition) – A H Tunnacliffe
Worked Problems in Ophthalmic Lenses (3rd edition) – A H Tunnacliffe / G D Janney
Principles of Ophthalmic Lenses (5th edition) – M Jalie
Practical Dispensing (3rd edition) – A I Griffiths
ABDO Frame Rule with Instruction Manual (ABDO)
British Standards Extracts (BSI/ABDO)

Recommended reading
Dictionary of Optometry & Visual Science (7th edition) – M Millodot
Practical Ophthalmic Lenses (3rd edition) – M Jalie / L Wray
The Sciences Good Study Guide – A Northedge, J Thomas, A Lane and A Peasgood

ABDO College has its own bookshop and sell all of the books that you will need for your course. Contact Justin Hall at the ABDO College Bookshop by telephone on 01227 733 904, by email at jhall@abdocollege.org.uk or order online at the ABDO College Bookshop.

Call the courses team at ABDO College on 01227 738 829 (option 1). Any member of the team will be happy to help you.

Call us. We are happy to answer questions about the available courses from ABDO College and to provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision.

Talk to your employer straight away. There are a limited number of spaces on the course and when it is full, it is full! Your employer will need to support you and you will need a dedicated supervisor to work with you and help you with your training in practice. If your employer or supervisor has any questions they should call us.