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Audiological Science MSc

The Audiological Science MSc provides a detailed study of the hearing and balance mechanisms: their structure, function and pathology. The relationship between laboratory research and clinical aspects forms a key element: lectures, demonstrations and tutorials will be complemented by practical experience in the clinic and laboratory.

Key information

Programme starts

September 2021

Modes and duration

Full time: 1 year
Part time: 2 years
Flexible: up to 5 years

Students wishing to apply to transfer to the Audiological Science with Clinical Practice MSc only have up to four years to complete the Audiological Science MSc.

Application dates

Visa nationals
Open: 9 November 2020
Close: 31 May 2021
Non-visa nationals
Open: 9 November 2020
Close: 30 July 2021
Notification
Applications may close earlier if all places on the programme are filled.

Tuition fees (2021/22)

UK:
£12,500 (FT)
£6,250 (PT)
Overseas:
£28,500 (FT)
£14,250 (PT)


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.

Optional qualifications: This degree is also available as a PG Diploma with fees set accordingly.
Location: London, Bloomsbury

Entry requirements

A minimum of a second-class Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard.

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

Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English

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 learn how people develop, or are born with, hearing and/or balance difficulties; how to test for hearing and balance problems and how to rehabilitate or habilitate patients with these problems. They learn the theory and science underpinning these practical clinical skills including acoustics and the anatomy and physiology of the auditory and vestibular systems.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

The programme consists of eight core modules (120 credits) and a research project (60 credits).

A Postgraduate Diploma, eight core modules (120 credits), full-time nine months is offered.

Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded a MSc in Audiological Science. Upon successful completion of 120 credits, you will be awarded a PG Dip in Audiological Science.

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

  • Signals, Systems, Acoustics and the Ear
  • Anatomy and Physiology of the Audiovestibular System
  • Diagnostic Audiology
  • Introduction to Amplification and Aural Rehabilitation
  • Balance
  • Paediatric Audiology
  • Clinical and Professional Practice
  • Research Methods and Statistics

Optional modules

There are no optional modules for this programme.

Dissertation/report

All MSc students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a dissertation of approximately 10,000–12,000 words and a poster presentation.

Placement

EARI00013 - Clinical and professional practice module (15 credits) includes 15 to 20 days of observation in audiology departments within the Greater London area.


Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, tutorials, practical demonstrations, and clinical placements. Practicals will consist of observations followed by supervised testing for rehabilitation and diagnostics in the Ear Institute’s specialist Skills Laboratory. Assessment is by essays, presentations, written examinations, clinical practical examinations and the dissertation.

 

Full-time students are expected to attend lectures and participate in clinical practicals and observations for approximately six to seven hours per day as follows:

  • Term one - 50% of week is lectures (with a small number of tutorials); 20% of week is practicals; nearly 30% of week is independent study
  • Term two - 40% of week is lectures (with a small number of tutorials); 40% of week is practical / clinical observations; 20% of week is independent study / research project
  • Term three - Exams
  • Summer term - Time working on independent project; primary contact with project supervisor (100% of each week)

Additional costs

Transport costs depend on home and placement locations but expect to pay £5 to £10.20 each day for attending placements (20 days).

Occupational health screen cost is met by UCL but the cost of necessary vaccinations is met by students (TB immunity; hepatitis B; measles, mumps, rubella; chickenpox - cost is dependent on current levels of immunity - up to £700 for all vaccinations).

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

Many graduates are now employed as audiologists either within the NHS or private sector or work as hearing aid dispensers.

Please note that the Audiological Science MSc does not meet the requirements of the UK regulatory bodies on its own. The programme provides the required theoretical skills and knowledge for clinical registration in the UK but does not provide the practical training required. Applicants wishing to practise as an audiologist and / or hearing aid dispenser in the UK will need to transfer to the Audiological Science with Clinical Practice MSc (two-year full-time). This is subject to availability and there is a competitive interview process.

Employability

As well as working as audiologists, graduates have also pursued academic careers, completing PhDs and taught doctorates. International students have used the knowledge and skills gained to promote and develop audiological services in their countries. It is suitable for audiologists who have no graduate-level qualification in audiology and wish to develop their careers, or academic researchers who have a specialist interest in audiology.

Why study this degree at UCL?

The UCL Ear Institute is one of the largest and most broad-based academic units for research into hearing and deafness in the UK. Students benefit from the range of clinical and research expertise among its staff.

The Institute is associated with the Royal National ENT Hospital which houses the largest clinical audiology unit in the country, and works closely with NHS audiology departments to provide placement and observation opportunities for students.

The programme has close links with healthcare providers and industry (e.g. hearing aid manufacturers) providing students with access to the latest practice and technology and excellent networking opportunities.

Department: Ear Institute

What our students and staff say

Staff view

"I joined UCL in 2011 to establish my own laboratory. I study the neural basis of sound perception so it was critical to me that I joined a university that had both a large group of researchers working on hearing, and a large and thriving community of neuroscientists. At the UCL Ear Institute I interact with scientists who work on all aspects of hearing and deafness while being embedded in probably the largest grouping of neuroscientists anywhere in Europe. "

Dr Jennifer Bizley

Neuroscience MSc, Audiological Science MSc
Sir Henry Dale Research Fellow

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?

This MSc is suitable for students with a first degree in science, engineering or psychology, and will provide the theoretical, clinical and research skills necessary for a career in audiological sciences and/or a research career.

Application deadlines

Visa nationals
31 May 2021
Non-visa nationals
30 July 2021

For more information see our Applications page.

Apply now

What are we looking for?

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • why you want to study Audiological Science at graduate level
  • why you want to study Audiological Science at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to this 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 and the interview are your opportunity to elaborate on your reasons for applying to this programme and demonstrate your commitment to the field of audiology.

Good interpersonal skills and ability to communicate clearly, sympathetically, and in a friendly and professional manner with people of all ages and from all backgrounds.

Enjoys working collaboratively with other people.

Excellent communication skills – with patients, clients and other healthcare professionals. 

Interest in science and technology and life-long learning.

Be able to think in a logical manner and interpret complex information.

Has a scientific but holistic and person-centred approach to work.

Comfortable in using complex equipment and modern technology.

Ability to work under pressure, with effective workload management and very good attention to detail.

Able to work in isolation and also in multi-disciplinary teams.

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.

Page last modified on 28 August 2021