The bachelor’s study programme “Optometry” (LV)

Language of instruction: Latvian

The aim of the Bachelor study programme Optometry is to prepare highly qualified and competitive assistants of vision care specialists for practical work in companies and the public sector – assistants in optical stores, assistants of optometrists and ophthalmologists, who would be able to provide high-quality vision care services in cooperation with health and vision care professionals, as well as manage health care companies and independently develop new vision-care-related approaches in the changing health care system, as well as to provide a set of knowledge, skills, and competences according to the knowledge, skills and competence.

 

The academic content of the study programme mainly consists of natural science subjects and specially selected medical subjects pertaining to the human system of vision. The programme provides students with a scientific basis for their further professional activity in primary vision care, developing scientific analysis skills and the ability to independently solve problems related to patients' vision defects, as well as skills required for continuing scientific work.

Part A (mandatory part) of the study programme requires acquisition of study courses, which form:

  • foundations in natural sciences – physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics
  • foundations in medicine – human anatomy and physiology, microbiology, biochemistry, general pathology
  • specialization courses – physical, geometric and visual optics, eye anatomy and physiology, visual physiology, visual functional disorders, basics of visual diagnostics, optometric instruments, binocular vision.

Part B (limited elective part) of the study programme provides study courses that include social, medical and optometry subjects. The first specialization subject of the bachelor’s study programme “Optometry” is Introduction to Optometry, which starts in the first semester, while the others – with the 2nd semester.


Study plan

After graduation, the graduates work as optometrists' assistants in optician’s shops and clinics, helping to make the necessary assessments and measurements of visual functions or training patients in the use and care of contact lenses. The skills acquired during the study practice also enable a graduate to become an optician or a consultant of visual ergonomics. If a graduate wants to become an optometrist, the studies must be continued in the professional master's study programme “Optometry”, which grants the status of a medical practitioner – optometrist.

Students can acquire the programme in Latvian language, 3 years (6 semesters) in full-time regular studies. Students can acquire the programme in English language, 4 years (8 semesters) in part-time.   Studies take place on working days, mainly from 8:30 to 18:00 depending on the timetable of each respective day.  
In Latvian group - for Latvian citizens/non-citizens; for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens and for EU long-term residents, €3300 per year. €4950 per year for citizens of other countries.
For admission in the autumn semester of 2023/2024 – 45 budget-funded places in full-time regular studies.
Bachelor of Health Sciences in Optometry

General conditions

Previous education: Secondary education


Competition criteria for persons who have acquired secondary education since 2004:

  • CE in Latvian language
  • CE in mathematics*
  • CE in English or CE in French, or CE in German

* For persons who have completed secondary education before 2008, the centralized examination (CE) in mathematics may be replaced by the annual grade in mathematics indicated in the secondary education document (or the average grade in algebra and geometry)

Competition criteria for persons who have completed secondary education up to 2004 (excluding), as well as for those who have acquired secondary education abroad or persons with special needs:

  • annual average grade in Latvian language and literature
  • annual grade in mathematics (or average grade in algebra and geometry)
  • annual average grade in particular subjects

Advantages: the 1st–3rd stage and diploma winners of Latvian National or International Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Mathematical Olympiads in 2020 and 2021; the 1st–3rd stage winners of Scientific Conference of Latvian Secondary School Students in sections of physical sciences, or biological sciences, or medicine and health sciences in 2020 and 2021; the 1st–3rd place winners of the Open Physics or Mathematical Olympiad in 2020 and 2021.