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Advanced Audiology: Otology and Skull Base Surgery MSc

London, Bloomsbury

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.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2024/25)
£15,100
£7,550
Pathways include:
Otology and Skull Base Surgery (TMSAUDSOSB01)
Audiovestibular Medicine (TMSAUDSMED01)

Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Overseas tuition fees (2024/25)
£34,400
£17,200
Pathways include:
Otology and Skull Base Surgery (TMSAUDSOSB01)
Audiovestibular Medicine (TMSAUDSMED01)

Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Duration
1 calendar year
2 calendar years
5 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2024
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 31 Jul 2024
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 30 Aug 2024
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

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.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 4

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.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

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. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

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.

Who this course is for

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.

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

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.

Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

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.

Employability

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.

Networking

Throughout their time at the Ear Institute, students will have opportunities to develop new connections with staff and peers to expand their academic and professional networks through our interactive and participative programme. Students will learn from each other, from academic staff and practicing professionals, and will benefit from the Institute’s engagement with external groups including health trusts, charities, public and private sector institutions.

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.

Each taught module is worth 15 academic credits and represents approximately 150 learning hours (this includes lectures, tutorials, laboratory and practical work, assessments, home reading and revision). Students should note that this is approximately the equivalent of four weeks’ work in an average full-time job.

For MSc students, the Dissertation is worth 60 credits and represents approximately 600 learning hours, including supervision, collecting date and independent study.

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.

Modules

MSc students undertake eight modules to the value of 120 credits, plus a Dissertation to the value of 60 credits. 180 credits in total.

PG Dip students take 120 credits of taught modules but do not write a Dissertation.

All modules must be completed within 24 months from the date of enrolment. Students enrolled on the MSc programme will complete the research project over the summer.

Students may study on a Modular/flexible basis. Modular/flexible students must complete all the assessments for their programme of study within 5 years of the date of first enrolling (this includes the Research Project for students taking the MSc) but may choose to complete the programme in less time. This mode of study is aimed at students who intend to follow the programme while continuing to work on either a full time or part time basis.

Compulsory modules






Optional modules











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 are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an 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.

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 and Wellbeing team.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2024/25) £15,100 £7,550
Tuition fees (2024/25) £34,400 £17,200

Pathways include:
Otology and Skull Base Surgery (TMSAUDSOSB01)
Audiovestibular Medicine (TMSAUDSMED01)

Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

Students will be required to have an enhanced DBS Check and pass occupational health clearance if their research project involves a clinical placement.

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 £15.00. 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 UCL Graduate 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.

Funding your studies

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

UCL Ear Institute MSc Excellence Scholarships

Deadline: 30 June 2024
Value: £4,000 (1yr)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: UK, EU, Overseas

Next steps

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 Application fees.

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.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Ear Institute
Ear Institute

ear.education@ucl.ac.uk

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