Bachelor of Optometry at MCHP

Manipal

Choose your focus and shape the future of vision care

The Bachelor of Optometry is a five-year course with a four-year program and a one-year internship, equipping you with comprehensive skills in eye care and vision sciences. Optometry students learn to conduct eye examinations, diagnose, manage and provided appropriate referral for ocular conditions and dispense optical aids and low vision aids, and also provide vision therapy, thus gaining exposure to clinical and community settings for independent and collaborative practice.

The structured NCAHP based curriculum blends scientific knowledge with hands-on training, offering early clinical exposure and advanced practical sessions. Access to leading hospitals, expert faculty, and global perspectives fosters professional integrity, effective communication, and confidence in practice.Interdisciplinary learning also prepares students to work independently and collaboratively with ophthalmologists and other healthcare professionals

Program Highlights

Competency-Based Curriculum: Integrates foundational knowledge, clinical skills, ethics, and patient communication.

Lateral Entry Advantage: With relevant prior qualifications, you can enter directly into advanced stages of the curriculum (2nd year Bachelor of Optometry, 3rd semester), accelerating your pathway to professional practice.

Early Clinical Exposure: Begin patient interactions from the first year for practical skill development.

Advanced Preclinical Labs: Premium facilities for refraction, contact lenses, low vision, and dispensing optics.

Evidence-Based and Community-Focused: Emphasis on quality care, research, and community outreach programs.

Global Faculty Interaction: Exposure to lectures and workshops by national and international experts.

Clinical Exposure

Clinical and preclinical training, including refraction, contact lenses, low vision, and binocular vision. The well-equipped lab space supports skill development for the students in a controlled environment.

Internships

12-month clinical internship at Kasturba Hospital and affiliated centres. Rotations cover diagnostics, community outreach, contact lens practice, low vision, and vision therapy.

Clinical Exposure

Admissions Path

Apply online

Upload 10+2 Mark card

Manipal Entrance Test (MET)

Merit list based on PCB / PCM marks

Physical / Online Counselling

Note

Eligibility & Admission process may change per National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Profession (NCAHP) directions.

Weightage

MET score - 50%

10+2 marks (Physics + Chemistry + Biology/Maths + English) - 50%

Program Eligibility

QUALIFICATION

Indian Boards

You must have successfully completed 10+2 or equivalent from a recognized board with Biology, Chemistry, English, and Physics, Mathematics, or any other Life Science subject, with a minimum aggregate of 55% marks.

A Levels

You must have successfully completed A Levels with Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, Mathematics, or any other Life Science subject with a minimum Grade C average at the A Level, English at 'AS' level, OR a minimum of 5 passes at IGCSE / GCSE or GCE 'O' level examinations (including English), with a minimum average of 'D' grade in PCB / PCM.

International Baccalaureate (IB)

You must have successfully completed the IB Diploma or IB Certificate with Biology, Chemistry, English, and Physics, Mathematics, or any other Life Science subject, with an average of at least 4 points in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics/ Mathematics/ any other Life Science subject, and an overall minimum of 24 points. You must also have: • A minimum of 3 points in each subject • 3 Higher Level (HL) and 3 Standard Level (SL) subjects • At least 2 science subjects at HL • The third science subject and English may be taken at either HL or SL

You must be at least 17 years old on or before 31 December of the admission year.

Scholarships

Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) Manipal awards scholarship for its Under Graduate (UG) and Post Graduate (PG) students under the following categories

Manipal Foundation – MAHE Merit Scholarships
Konkani Speaking Students
Scholarships for Allied Health Programs
Children of MAHE Alumni
Merit Scholarship for Wards of Indian Military & Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF)
International Scholarship
AGES Scholarships
SAGES Scholarship
Achiever Category
Scholar Category
Achiever Category

Degree / Marks/ Board

70% aggregate (as per admission criteria) in the 12th standard Board exam of the Karnataka State Board, and a certificate from Manipal Foundation confirming completion of Scholar Program in 11th and 12th standards with minimum 75% attendance

Entrance Test

MET

Scholarship on program fee

75% Fee Waiver

Scholarship on hostel fee

Not Applicable / Not Available

Room type

Not Applicable / Not Available

Monthly Stipend

Not Applicable / Not Available

Continuation of Scholarship

The scholarship will be extended in subsequent years only to those students who have cleared all subjects in the University Examinations of the previous year before the due date for payment of the annual program fee. Students who are promoted to next year with failures (F) / Incomplete (I) / Detention (DT) grades will NOT be eligible for a scholarship for that academic year. The scholarships will be forfeited in the event of irregular attendance, proven charges of indiscipline, or bringing disrepute to the Department/Institution/University, etc.

Withdrawal Policy

In case the MF MAHE scholar leaves the course before its completion (for any reason), he/she MUST reimburse the total program fee (as per the Prospectus 2025) for the years of scholarship utilised to MAHE Manipal.

To Know More

Program Highlights

Competency-Based Curriculum: Integrates foundational knowledge, clinical skills, ethics, and patient communication.

Early Clinical Exposure: Begin patient interactions from the first year for practical skill development.

Advanced Preclinical Labs: Premium facilities for refraction, contact lenses, low vision, and dispensing optics.

Evidence-Based and Community-Focused: Emphasis on quality care, research, and community outreach programs.

Global Faculty Interaction: Exposure to lectures and workshops by national and international experts.

Clinical Exposure

Internships

12-month clinical internship at Kasturba Hospital and affiliated centres. Rotations cover diagnostics, community outreach, contact lens practice, low vision, and vision therapy.

Clinical Exposure

Program Details

Outcomes
Careers

Upon completion of this program, you can:

Conduct comprehensive vision and eye-health assessments.

Identify refractive errors and recommend suitable optical correction.

Evaluate binocular vision and manage selected visual dysfunctions.

Fit and manage different types of contact lenses.

Recognise signs of ocular disease and make appropriate referrals.

Apply evidence-based methods in primary and specialised eye care.

Communicate effectively with patients, caregivers, and healthcare teams.

Follow professional ethics, patient-safety standards, and clinical protocols.

Develop the skills required for employment, private practice, entrepreneurship, or higher education.

Admissions Path

Apply online

Upload 10+2 Mark card

Manipal Entrance Test (MET)

Merit list based on PCB / PCM marks

Physical / Online Counselling

Note

Eligibility & Admission process may change per National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Profession (NCAHP) directions.

Weightage

MET score - 50%

10+2 marks (Physics + Chemistry + Biology/Maths + English) - 50%

Note

Eligibility & Admission process may change per National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Profession (NCAHP) directions.

Weightage

MET score - 50%

10+2 marks (Physics + Chemistry + Biology/Maths + English) - 50%

Program Eligibility