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This MSc is structured to provide the theoretical, scientific, clinical, research and vocational skills necessary to practise enhanced otology, audiovestibular medicine and audiology. The programme is designed for ENT surgeons, audiovestibular physicians, paediatricians, GPs, neurologists and other trainees and physicians with an interest in the medical aspects of audiology who wish to develop or enhance their careers or specialise in otology.
Key information
Programme starts
September 2021
Modes and duration
Flexible part-time students will usually attend one, two or three days a week depending on the duration they plan to take to complete the course.
Application dates
Tuition fees (2021/22)
Note on fees:
The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees. Fees for flexible, modular study are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session.
Entry requirements
A UK medical degree or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard is required. Applicants should also have the relevant postgraduate clinical experience in their parent medical specialty. As there will be clinical placements within the NHS, students will also be expected to satisfy the requirements of the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and Occupational Health.
English language requirements
If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency.
The English language level for this programme is: Advanced
UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level. International Preparation Courses
Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.
International students
Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.
International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below.
Select your country:
About this degree
Students will learn about the anatomy and physiology of the vestibulocochlear system and facial nerve, related disorders and pathologies, diagnostic techniques and management strategies in both children and adults. Clinical and surgical placements provide an opportunity to develop specialist skills and competencies in evidence-based medicine, multidisciplinary practice - including facial reanimation, skull base and cochlear implantation clinics - and translational research and ethics.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.
The programme consists of three core modules (45 credits), five optional modules (75 credits) and a dissertation/report (60 credits).
A Postgraduate Diploma, three core modules (45 credits), five optional modules (75 credits), full-time one year, flexible two to five years is offered.
A Postgraduate Certificate, four modules (60 credits) is offered.
Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded a MSc in Advanced Audiology: Otology and Skull Base Surgery. Upon successful completion of 120 credits, you will be awarded a PG Dip in Advanced Audiology: Otology and Skull Base Surgery. Upon successful completion of 60 credits, you will be awarded a PG Cert in Advanced Audiology: Otology and Skull Base Surgery.
Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change.
Compulsory modules
- Anatomy and Physiology of the Audiovestibular System
- Imaging
- Research Methods and Statistics
Optional modules
- Introduction to Amplification and Aural Rehabilitation
- Advanced Audiological Management
- Signals, Systems, Acoustics and the Ear
- Advances in Auditory Implants
- Auditory Processing Disorders
- Diagnostic Audiology
- Balance
- Vestibular Rehabilitation
- Lateral Skull Base and Facial Nerve
- Medical and Surgical Treatment of Hearing and Balance Disorders
- Paediatric Audiology
- Advanced Management of Tinnitus and Hyperacusis
Please note: not all optional modules will be available in any given academic year. Please contact the department for more information.
Dissertation/report
All students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a dissertation of 10,000-12,000 words.
Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars and observation at accredited clinical placements. Assessment is through a combination of methods including unseen examinations, written assignments (essays and a dissertation), case presentations, clinical portfolios and vivas.
Additional costs
This programme requires a completed DBS check for some compulsory modules. You will receive more information from UCL on how to complete the check once you have firmly accepted an unconditional offer for the programme. The DBS application cost will be covered by UCL, but offer holders will also need to have their ID checked and verified at a Post Office, for which they will incur a charge of £12.75. The offer holder is also required to arrange and pay for any overseas police check that may be necessary; costs vary by country. For more information about the DBS application process, please contact the Admissions team.
For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.
Accessibility
Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support & Wellbeing team.
Funding
For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.
Careers
This MSc provides a firm foundation in the practice of audiovestibular techniques and their clinical applications for physicians who wish to enhance their careers or develop a research career in this field. This programme at UCL has a highly acclaimed track record in catering for a broad range of training needs of physicians both from the UK and abroad. Alumni include high-profile audiovestibular and ENT physicians, practising within the UK and internationally, with highly successful clinical, research or public health career trajectories after completing the programme. The Postgraduate Certificate option provides key theoretical foundations to inform evidence-based practice and translational research and is recognised for specialty training in the UK by the Joint Royal Colleges of Physicians Training Board (JRCPTB) for Audiovestibular Medicine. It also represents part of the General Medical Council approved theoretical assessment component.
Employability
On successful completion of this MSc, graduates will have acquired wide-ranging skills which will enhance professional practice and future employability. Research skills gained will include data management and analysis, critical literature evaluation and an enhanced understanding of how evidence informs healthcare provision. For ENT surgeons at a foundation/core training level, the programme adds a substantial clinical and research dimension to an application for core/higher training. For those already in higher training, completing this MSc demonstrates a commitment to acquiring advanced research skills and the opportunity to develop an academic clinical career as a practising surgeon. For individuals in specialties allied to otology, the programme offers enhanced clinical and research skills relevant to careers in clinical research and service development.
Why study this degree at UCL?
The UCL Ear Institute provides a unique environment for graduate study and is one of the largest and most broad-based academic unit for research into hearing, auditory processing, deafness and vestibular research in the UK.
Students benefit from an interdisciplinary range of clinical and research expertise. Collaboration between disciplines provides integrated research projects utilising a wide range of clinical and laboratory techniques.
The associated University College London Hospitals (UCLH) house the largest clinical audiology and dedicated vestibular service in the country, and the first Cochlear Implant team in the UK. All students benefit from placements in UCLH and UCL Partners hospitals and excellent networking opportunities.
Department: Ear Institute
Application and next steps
Applications
Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.
This programme requires two references. Further information regarding references can be found in our How to apply section.
There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications and £115 for paper applications. Further information can be found at: ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/taught/application.
Who can apply?
The programme is suitable for ENT surgeons, audiovestibular physicians, GPs, neurologists or other medical trainees and physicians wishing to develop their careers including overseas doctors wishing to set up their own specialised practice abroad.
Application deadlines
- Visa nationals
- 31 May 2021
- Non-visa nationals
- 30 July 2021
For more information see our Applications page.
Apply nowWhat are we looking for?
When we assess your application we would like to learn:
- why you want to study Otology and Audiology at graduate level
- why you want to study Otology and Audiology at UCL
- what particularly attracts you to the chosen programme
- how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this challenging programme
- where you would like to go professionally with your degree
Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver. Applicants who have a portfolio are strongly recommended to submit it when they apply.
UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.
Page last modified on 28 August 2021
