Specsavers scholarship and UCAS partnership drive 16% rise in optometry applications

Specsavers scholarship and UCAS partnership drive 16% rise in optometry applications

A £10,000 Specsavers scholarship and a targeted partnership with UCAS have driven a 16% rise in optometry degree applications year-on-year.

Applications increased from 4,845 in September 2024 to 5,610 in September 2025, which UCAS, the UK’s university admissions service has attributed to the scholarship and the targeted campaign.

‘Students interest in optometry careers has been piqued by the Specsavers Bright Stars scholarship. It has been a game changer,’ explains Lucy Knock, early talent lead at Specsavers.

‘The initiative was launched in 2024 to help pave the way for the next generation of clinical experts.

‘Alongside the £10,000 financial support, students work in their local Specsavers practice to gain vital experience. They see how optometry is applied in real-world settings, as well as attending wider cohort development events and being part of something beyond their university course.’

On the UCAS partnership, Lucy explains: ‘We needed to be visible and engage with students at the right moments in their decision-making journey and not rely on traditional outreach alone. UCAS provides that trusted gateway into informed choice at scale. It’s helped us to build awareness of optometry careers among young people exploring their next steps.’

The campaign used UCAS applicant insight tools and a multi-channel approach from social, emails and adviser outreach to physical events. It reached medically aligned students at key decision-making moments and supported promotion of the Specsavers Bright Stars scholarship programme.

‘The key insight was that awareness, not interest, was the barrier. When students understand the scope of optometry, applications follow,’ explains Lucy.

‘This is about building a sustainable profession as part of Specsavers commitment to meet the needs of the communities that we serve by helping train the next generation of our experts who care.’