Optometry

• 11 Jan to 28 Feb 2027: Placement provider application window
• 1 to 25 Mar 2027: Desk-based approval
• 26 Mar 2027: Providers informed of application decision
• 12 Apr to 20 Jun 2027: Student-placement engagement window
• 21 Jun to 18 Jul 2027: Student/provider preferences submitted
• 19 Jul to 8 Aug 2027: Central matching process
• 9 Aug 2027: Initial matching outcomes
• 6 Sep 2027: Final matching outcomes

Dates are indicative and may be subject to change. Any changes will be communicated to placement providers and students.

👉 Click on this link between 11^th January - 28^th February 2027 to apply via the PSD Scotland Recruitment Site to become a Placement Provider and Clinical Supervisor for the FTY (commencing Summer 2028).

As part of your application, you will be asked to confirm:

• Practice details and placement capacity.
• Named Clinical Supervisor(s) (see the Interested in Supervision? page for eligibility criteria).
• Agreement to Terms of Participation.
• Details of a student facing placement information to be published during the allocation process.

Applications are designed to be straightforward, and further guidance and support will be available in advance of and throughout the process.

Placement providers will be informed of the final application decision by 26^th March 2027.

Please note: While you may be eligible, the allocation of a student is not guaranteed and will be determined through the centralised matching process, which will take account of both placement provider and student preferences.

Once approved, placement opportunities will be published online for students to explore before submitting their preferences.

During the engagement period, placement providers and students can engage with each other to help build an understanding of the placement and what it will involve.

Engagement can take many forms, such as:

• 🏥 Practice visits
• 👋 Open days
• 💻 Virtual or face-to-face meetings
• 💬 Informal discussions
• 🤝 Interviews or structured conversations

The approach may vary depending on the placement provider. Engagement should be fair, transparent and consistent, allowing students and placement providers to make informed choices.

Following the engagement period, students and placement providers will both be able to express their preferences, and PSD Scotland will coordinate a centralised matching process which considers:

• student preferences
• placement provider preferences
• programme requirements
• geographical distribution across Scotland, including remote, rural and island areas

Students will normally complete placements across two different geographical zones. Individual circumstances and reasonable adjustments will be considered where appropriate.

🔄 How the allocation process works

• Students and placement providers both rank their preferences.
• PSD Scotland then coordinates a national matching process.
• Allocations aim to balance preferences while ensuring placement capacity is used effectively and programme requirements are met across Scotland.
• Every student is allocated at least one IP-active placement.
• As students remain part of a university degree programme, final allocations are made centrally rather than through individual recruitment by placement providers.

The image below summaries the placement allocation process.

Once allocations are confirmed, PSD Scotland will support placement providers to prepare for the FTY.

This includes:

• confirming Clinical Supervisor(s)
• completing any outstanding supervisor training
• planning local induction
• confirming consulting room availability
• confirming protected development day arrangements
• advising PSD Scotland of any changes that may affect placement delivery.

PSD Scotland will provide each placement provider with details of their allocated student's mandatory Teach and Treat Clinics and Simulation Sessions to support local planning.

If you have any questions or would like further information beyond the Placement Provider FAQs, please contact nes.ftyoptometry@nhs.scot.