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Distance Learning Courses  |  Godmersham Courses


1st Year Course Application Form online - PDF format. You can also download the file, by right-clicking the link then selecting Save Target As ... from the context menu.

What does the coursework involve?
To what extent is my employer involved?
Are there any extra costs?
How do I know which course is right for me?
When do I pay the fees?
If I decide the course isn't for me will I get a refund?
 
What does the coursework involve? Top
Courses consist of a series of assignments, or units. Students are issued the units at the beginning of the course year, and allocated a tutor. The units must be completed weekly and sent to the student's tutor for marking. Tutors are available to give advice and assist the student, and will issue two progress reports during the year.

Additionally, UK and Irish students on the dispensing courses must attend four weeks' block release (residential course) annually at the ABDO College of Education in Kent.

Dispensing students must be employed for a minimum of 30 hours per week in a dispensing practice, under the supervision of a registered dispensing optician (qualified at least two years) or optometrist. The supervisor has an obligation to assist the student, especially to see that s/he receives adequate practical instruction and training. Supervisors are given a copy of the student's progress reports.

The student will be able to apply for the appropriate ABDO examination on successful completion of the coursework and attending the block release courses.

If a course student is the subject of an adverse report from his/her tutor, or consistently fails to submit course work on time, the student may be withdrawn from the course, or be refused admission to the examination.

To what extent is my employer involved? Top
Employers have an obligation to assist the student, especially to see that s/he receives adequate practical instruction and training. Employers are given a copy of the student's progress reports.

Are there any extra costs? Top
The ABDO fee covers the dispatch of course material to the student and the allocation of tutors. The student must also allow for other costs such as ABDO Membership, textbooks (approximately 350-450 for the first year dispensing course), postage of assignments to course tutors, examinations fees, and Block Release fees (college fees, accommodation and subsistence, travel, etc).

How do I know which course is right for me? Top
Although there is a minimum standard of education required to enter the dispensing course, students embarking upon a career in dispensing optics come from many different backgrounds - some have recently left school or college, while others will have studied in other disciplines, or decided upon a change of career. Some may not have undergone any form of study for a considerable time.

Study by distance learning requires a special kind of self-discipline. Presentation of course work for assessment is very important in order to ensure that tutors can help students through the course work and to prepare them for examination. Time can often be lost at the beginning of a course by students not submitting work in an acceptable form or according to schedule. In addition, Geometry, Trigonometry, Algebra and Optics covered in GCSE Maths and Science will not have been studied in such specific detail as that covered in the level of a first-year dispensing optician's course.

Any student lacking the pre-requisite qualifications in Mathematics, a general Science subject, or in English may be interested in ABDO's Access Courses.

When do I pay the fees?Top
Full payment, or a deposit of £100 must accompany the application form, or, if the employer has agreed to pay the fees, an invoice will be issued, which must be paid in full one month before the course commences.

If I decide the course isn't for me will I get a refund? Top
Students withdrawing from any course within three weeks of the course commencement date will be entitled to a refund of the course fees less a £150 administration charge.

Students withdrawing from any course more than three weeks after the course commencement date, whether of their own accord, or by decision of their tutor, are not entitled to any refund of fee.

Refunds are only issued subject to prior return of literature and stationery sent.