How does it work?
Register your interest and, once you've applied for an optometry degree, you'll be invited to apply for the Bright Stars Scholarship. You'll need a recommendation from a teacher, tutor or someone who can speak about your potential and commitment.
If you're successful, we'll aim to match you with a local Specsavers practice where you can gain valuable part-time experience alongside your studies. You'll also receive financial support throughout your degree, up to a total of £10,000 (€10,000 in the Republic of Ireland). If you're studying a four-year degree, you'll receive £2,500 per year (€2,500 in the Republic of Ireland). But if you're studying a five-year degree in Scotland, you'll receive £2,000 per year, paid in annual instalments over the duration of your course. By the time you graduate, you'll have both the qualifications and real-world experience to help kick-start your career in optometry.
Find out moreA future career in optometry
The eyes are incredible organs that not only help us see the world around us but can also reveal signs of wider health conditions. Optometrists are the healthcare professionals who look after our eye health, examining eyes, diagnosing conditions and giving expert clinical advice.
At Specsavers, our optometrists use the latest technology to care for patients of all ages and make a real difference every day. From helping to detect glaucoma, diabetes and high blood pressure, to protecting people's sight, it's a career that combines science, healthcare and people skills. And the opportunities don't stop there. You could develop specialist expertise, gain higher qualifications, provide care in patients' homes, or even become a Partner and co-own your own Specsavers business.
More than a university scholarship
Financial help - Get £10,000 (or €10,000 in the Republic or Ireland) each year, across four years (five years in Scotland), to help towards the costs of university. You’ll also benefit from paid part-time work in one of our practices.
Store experience - With your part-time work, you’ll build a working understanding of optometry, gain real business experience and get clinical exposure before you even do your final year CLiP placement.
Team support - Both our practice teams and the Early Careers team will be there for anything you need. You’ll have support and mentorship throughout to help you get the most out of your experience.
Events and networking - We organise social events for both Year 1 and 2 of your course, as well as offering a community event (working with Big Issue or Crisis for example) for Year 2 students. In year 3, the top 25% of students on the programme will gain a place on an exclusive event, likely to be overseas.
Bright Stars in Ireland!
Did you know that you can now study optometry at TU Dublin? The Bright Stars Scholarship will be available annually and this exclusive university scholarship offers you the chance to receive €10,000 over four years, towards the cost of your university experience, a paid part-time role in a local practice, and a whole host of exclusive social and CPD events. Want to find out more? Register your interest below.
Register your interest
Know a bright STEM student?
If you’re a teacher with a student who you think has the potential to go far, we’d love to hear from you. For each successful student that enrols with us on the Bright Stars Scholarship, we’re offering £100 (or €100 in the Republic or Ireland) worth of vouchers to spend in school with your class. It’s our way of saying thanks for helping to shape the future of Optometry.
Let us know