Audiological Science with Clinical Practice MSc

London, King's Cross

The MSc Audiological Science with Clinical Practice is an accredited professional two year programme, and includes a clinical placement in the second year. It is designed to train students from other disciplines as audiologists. The course  provides the core knowledge, skills and clinical competencies necessary for employment as an audiologist and/or hearing aid dispenser.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
£16,000
See Fees Note
Full-time students: 180 credits in Year 1 and 120 credits in Year 2. As such, the fee in Year 1 will be £16,000 (UK) or £36,500 (Overseas) but the fee in Year 2 will be approximately two-thirds of that.
Part-time students: the full-time fee indicated will be pro-rated based on module selection.

Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
£36,500
See Fees Note
Full-time students: 180 credits in Year 1 and 120 credits in Year 2. As such, the fee in Year 1 will be £16,000 (UK) or £36,500 (Overseas) but the fee in Year 2 will be approximately two-thirds of that.
Part-time students: the full-time fee indicated will be pro-rated based on module selection.

Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Duration
2 calendar years
3 calendar years
5 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2025
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 14 Oct 2024 – 31 Jul 2025
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Entry requirements

A minimum of an upper second-class UK Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Candidates who do not meet this requirement but have a minimum of five years’ relevant clinical experience may also be considered.

Students will be expected to meet the requirements of the clinical placement’s human resource department (including satisfactory health clearance and Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check).

Progression to the clinical placement (second) year will be based on satisfactory academic performance and there being no fitness to practise issues.

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



The programme provides a detailed study of the hearing and balance mechanisms, their structure, function, pathology and assessment. You will become competent in a wide range of adult hearing assessments and adult hearing amplification and aural rehabilitation. In addition, students will acquire skills that will allow them to assist in specialist areas, specifically balance and paediatric hearing assessments. 

This two-year programme includes an 11-month clinical placement and provides the core knowledge, skills and clinical competencies necessary for employment as an audiologist and/or hearing aid dispenser. 

Who this course is for

This MSc is suitable for students with a first degree in a relevant subject (e.g. biomedical science, physics, engineering, speech and language therapy, psychology, allied healthcare professions). It is particularly suitable for those who are new to audiology.

What this course will give you

The UCL Ear Institute is one of the largest and most broad-based academic units for research into hearing and deafness in the Europe. Students benefit from the range of clinical and research expertise among its staff. Our teaching staff include some of the most influential clinicians and researchers in the field of ear disorders, and draw from their experience in hearing, tinnitus, and balance disorders. 

 We strongly believe in person-centred care and involve patients and the general public in our teaching and learning. 

 We work closely with NHS departments, private hospitals, and commercial hearing aid dispensers to provide placement and observation opportunities. We are partnered with the Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals, which houses the largest clinical audiology unit in the UK. 

Our programme aims to ensure that graduates are scientifically literate at postgraduate level and clinically competent within an audiology setting, and that graduates from a relevant discipline acquire the knowledge and skills to practise as an audiologist and/or hearing aid dispenser or pursue a research career. 

We are the only university in London where you can study a Master’s degree in Audiology. Our central location gives access to one of the world’s most vibrant, cosmopolitan, and influential cities, ranked as the best city in the world for university students (QS Best Student Cities 2023). 

The foundation of your career

Although the programme is vocational and career-specific (audiology), some of our graduates have 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 home countries. 

Our graduates acquire many transferable skills such as excellent communication and interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to work under pressure, independently and in teams. 

Employability

It is anticipated that the majority of students will seek employment as audiologists within the UK, in both the NHS and private sector. The main area of activity is adult hearing assessment and rehabilitation. 

As experience is acquired, audiologists might develop an interest and expertise in balance assessment and rehabilitation, paediatric audiology, tinnitus, cochlear implants, middle ear implants and bone-anchored hearing aids. 

With further experience, it is anticipated that graduates might also move towards management, research or teaching. 

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. 

Students also take part in interprofessional sessions with trainees on other clinical programmes at UCL. Clinical placements provide a great opportunity to network with practising audiologists and other healthcare professionals. 

Accreditation

This programme has accreditation & approval from the Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Graduates from this programme will meet the relevant Standards of Education and Training and Standards of Proficiency of each of these bodies and be recommended for AHCS registration as a Healthcare scientist (Audiology) and for HCPC registration as a Hearing Aid Dispenser.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through blended learning with a combination of in person lectures and tutorials, recorded lectures, case presentations, online preparation, practical demonstrations and workshops, online tutorials, assignments, clinical placement observations. Practicals will consist of observations followed by supervised testing for rehabilitation and diagnostics in the Ear Institute’s specialist Skills Laboratory.

In the final year, students will undertake in-service clinical placements over 11-month period within accredited audiology departments in the NHS or private sector.

We use our virtual learning environment to provide a range of learning resources, such as video lectures, structured learning activities (e.g. quizzes, online discussion boards, webinars) and directed reading. This is supported with online and live lectures, seminars, group work and practical sessions.

Each module will be assessed using a range of different assessment methods which will typically include written coursework assignments (e.g., essays, presentations, case studies, lab reports, statistical assignments), clinical practical examinations, unseen written tests and examinations, dissertation and poster presentation.

Details of the assessments required for each module, including the weighting of each assessment components and information on which assessment components must be passed in order to pass the module, can be found in the individual module sections.

The deadlines for coursework submission and dates for examinations other assessments take place throughout the calendar year. Full details of the dates for all assessments can be found in each module summary and also on the Moodle page for each module.

Students will also need to complete an individual record of placement learning (clinical placement logbook).

The programme is full-time over 23 months. Term dates vary and the programme does not follow the typical UCL term patterns.

Each 15 credit module will involve 150 learning hours and will typically involve two to four hours of contact each week, with 5- 10 hours of self-directed study or group work per week, although this varies between modules. For MSc students, The dissertation is worth 60 credits and represents approximately 600 learning hours, including supervision, collecting data and independent study. 

The Postgraduate Diploma two-year programme consists of eight core modules (120 credits) in year one, and four core clinical modules (120 credits) in year two.

Modules

Students undertake modules to the value of 300 credits over two years.  

In year one, you will undertake eight taught modules and a research project. (180 credits) 

All taught modules are compulsory modules, and are taught during the academic terms (September to December and January to March) and include lectures, tutorials and private study. 

Dissertation / Research Project - you will work on the Research Project throughout the year, including supervision, data collection and independent study. Students not completing the research project will transfer to the PgDip in Audiolgical science with clinical practice. Students completing this programme will still be eligible to apply for registration with AHCS and / or HCPC. 

In year two, you will undertake two taught modules (term one and two) and two clinical modules over the full academic year (120 credits 

Part-time students will take at least four taught modules in year one and begin their research project. In year two they will complete the remaining taught modules of stage one of the programme and the research project (180 credits). 

Year three (clinical placement) must be taken on a full-time basis. In this year you will undertake two taught modules (term one and two) and two clinical modules over the full academic year (120 credits).  

Note - some modules need to be taken in a specific order. 

The programme may be taken up to five years on a flexible basis. Some modules need to be taken in a specific order; requisites for each module are highlighted in the programme diet. (180 credits) 

The final year (clinical placement) must be taken on a full-time basis. In this year you will undertake two taught modules (term one and two) and two clinical modules over the full academic year (120 credits). Note - some modules need to be taken in a specific order 

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

Placement

Stage 1 (year 1 for full-time students). You will be on placement for several days in term 2 for clinical observation of NHS Audiology departments and private clinics within the Greater London area. The placements are arranged by the clinical placements coordinator and aim to give each student a breadth of experience across different settings in both the public and private sectors. private sector. 

Stage 2 (year 2 for full-time students).  

For the majority of this second year, students will be based in their allocated clinical placement centre(s).. 

Students will be allocated a clinical placement at an Ear Institute approved audiology department, which will typically be located within the London area or in the home counties surrounding Greater London, for 47-48 weeks, and  will also be expected to attend formal teaching at the Ear Institute. 

All placements are arranged by the Ear Institute.  

Our clinical placement training sites meet specific educational requirements and also those of our approving bodies in terms of staff, resources, and experience to provide appropriate supervision. Although the students' personal preferences, current home postcode, travel requirements and any caring responsibilities are taken into account by the placement coordinator where possible when allocating places, their preferred location cannot be guaranteed.  

Please note that clinical placement attendance is a mandatory part of the course. Due to the clinical demands of the course, you may be required to attend clinical placements, or on-campus clinical skills teaching and assessments, outside of normal term-time teaching periods. Also, please note that practical skills labs and clinical placements may be subject to change and are under continuous review. 

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2025/26) £16,000 See Fees Note
Tuition fees (2025/26) £36,500 See Fees Note

Full-time students: 180 credits in Year 1 and 120 credits in Year 2. As such, the fee in Year 1 will be £16,000 (UK) or £36,500 (Overseas) but the fee in Year 2 will be approximately two-thirds of that.
Part-time students: the full-time fee indicated will be pro-rated based on module selection.

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

For Full-time and Part-time offer holders a fee deposit will be charged at 10% of the first year fee.

For flexible/modular offer holders a £500 fee deposit will be charged.

There is no fee deposit required for PG Dip and PG Cert applicants.

Further information can be found in the Tuition fee deposits section on this page: Tuition fees.

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, at time of writing. 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. 

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 at time of writing). 

The cost of travel to clinical placements (or accommodation costs if daily travel is not possible) within the UK.  

In year 1, the expected total travel cost is approximately £100 for the few days (around six) placement  

In year 2, the expected total placement travel cost is approximately £2,500 based on a monthly zone 1-4 London travel card cost for the expected duration of the placements. Student discounts may reduce this, and a placement hardship fund is available for students with financial difficulties. Check Transport for London website for up to date information. https://tfl.gov.uk/fares 

A guide including rough estimates for these and other living expenses is included on the UCL Fees and funding pages. If you are concerned by potential additional costs for books, equipment, etc., please get in touch with the relevant departmental contact (details given on this page). 

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. A charge for Post Office ID verification (£15.00) needed for an application to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is payable by the student. The cost of the DBS check itself is paid for by UCL.

If you have lived, worked, studied or travelled in any single country outside of the UK for six continuous months or more, in the last five years, you will be required to obtain a Certificate of Good Conduct/Police Check from the relevant country/countries. The cost of this check varies by country and is payable by the student. More information on how to obtain these can be found on gov.uk.

For more information about the DBS application process, please contact the UCL Graduate Admissions team.

UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £114.50. This price was published by TfL in 2024. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide.

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.

UCL Ear Institute MSc Excellence Scholarships

Deadline: 31 July 2025
Value: £8,000 (1yr)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: UK, EU, Overseas

Next steps

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.

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • Why you want to study Audiological Science with Clinical Practice at graduate level
  • Why you want to study Audiological Science with Clinical Practice at UCL
  • What particularly attracts you to the chosen programme
  • How your personal, 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.

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.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2025-2026

Got questions? Get in touch

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