General Optical Council

Optometrists and dispensing opticians need comprehensive and relevant training so that they can deliver good standards of eye care.

One of our main functions is to assess and approve the quality and content of education provided for those training to practise optometry and dispensing optics in the UK. We do this in three ways:

• Set criteria for all higher education courses and qualifications in optics that lead to full registration with the GOC.
• Approve courses and qualifications that meet these standards.
• Carry out quality-assurance visits to check that education and examination bodies are maintaining and improving standards.

Find out about education training courses and the approvals process in this section.