BSc Healthcare Science (Audiology)

Key facts

3 years full-time with integrated placement year

UCAS Code: B611

Typical offers:
A Levels: Three A Levels are required and must include one Science subject. A typically minimum offer would be ABB/BBB at A level or 320 tariff points. This offer may be increased where A levels are being retaken for the first time. Additional AS levels are taken into account when making offers.

IB: Applicants with an IB qualification must offer six predominantly science subjects. Three subjects must be taken at Higher level, including two science subjects. Three further subjects must be taken at Subsidiary level. A minimum offer would usually be 34 points.

BTEC, Access & other: Applications from students studying BTEC National Certificate or Diploma in Science subjects are considered on an individual basis.
Access Certificates in science or social science subjects are considered on an individual basis and performance in a formal interview.

Specific subject requirements: A level in a Science subject. GCSE English Language & Mathematics grade B.

Tuition fees: £9,000 (£1,000 during placement year) for UK/EU students. (2012). More on fees

Audiology virtual tour

Key benefits

Aston is ranked 1st out of 77 universities for Subjects Allied to Medicine in the Times and Complete University Guide league tables 2011-12

Research in the School ranked 3rd out of 63 universities in the latest Research Assessment Exercise

Includes integrated placement experience

Study the professional aspects of hearing, balance and associated disorders

Leads to professional qualification as a Graduate Audiologist

Course outline

The BSc in Healthcare Science (Audiology) programme is designed to meet the needs of professional audiologists providing services in both the NHS and independent sector. It is a 3-year programme, with an integrated placement year spent working in clinical practice. Students are expected to become competent in many areas of audiological practice during the course. This means that they will be able to register and work in the NHS and independent sector on graduation.

Subject guide & modules

In the first year students are introduced to a range of basic sciences related to healthcare science. They will also receive more detailed teaching in the related areas of neurophysiology and vision science as part of the neurosensory sciences strand. They will be introduced to clinical procedures and the skills needed to work with and manage patients.

In the second year, more advanced areas of audiology are introduced, such as hearing assessment and hearing aid provision. In addition, hearing sciences are addressed in more depth and students learn about research methods.

The final year prepares students for a professional career as an audiologist. They have the opportunity to research a chosen audiology topic in depth in the dissertation component, and learn how to relate research to developing good clinical practice. They are introduced to specialised areas of audiology such as the assessment of children and balance disorders.

Year 1

Professional Practice
Clinical Measurement & Treatment
Introduction to Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology
Introduction to Pharmacology, Microbiology and Genetics
Introduction to Healthcare
Introduction to Cell Biology and Body Systems
Applied Physics & Measurement

Year 2

Professional Practice
Research Methods
Clinical Practice
Applied Physiological Measurement & Instrumentation
Auditory Sciences
Audiological Assessment
Auditory Intervention
Child Development

Year 3 - Optional placement year

See the Placement Year section below to find out more about the Aston placement year.

Final Year

Professional Practice
Research Project
Clinical Practice
Speech, Language & Auditory Perception
Specialist Audiological Assessment
Advanced Auditory Intervention

Learning, teaching & assessment

As audiology cohort numbers are small we can use a wide range of teaching approaches. These include traditional lectures, seminars, tutorials, group work, problem based learning etc. In year 3 students undertake a project, which helps them develop their research skills.

We also use the virtual learning environment to support all teaching activities. In the Clinical Skills Laboratory we use a computerised patient to help students develop their clinical skills along with simulations of clinical situations.

Assessments are varied and include exams, essay writing, practicals, report writing, seminars and presentations.

Placement year

Students are provided with placement opportunities in each academic year. Placement experience is also very important for the development of a wide range of interpersonal skills such as working in clinical teams, managing time etc.

Professional accreditation

As this is a new programme professional accreditation has yet to be confirmed. It is anticipated that the programme will be accredited by the Registration Council for Clinical Physiology which is relevant to practise in the NHS and to the Hearing Aid Council which is relevant to the independent sector.

Career prospects

Many audiologists work in multidisciplinary teams, frequently liaising with medical, education, and research professionals. A desire to work with and help people is essential and is an important component of the programme.

The ageing population means that demand for both hearing assessment and treatment services is set to rise substantially over the coming years. Our Graduates will be well placed to enter careers in hospitals, community-based practice and also audiological and neurosciences research.

The programme is designed to formally meet the requirements of the profession and builds on Aston’s established links and extensive experience of health education.

Personal development

It is important that students working in healthcare have a wide range of interpersonal skills. These include good communication skills, presentation skills, team working, report writing, negotiation and IT skills. The audiology course aims to help students recognise this need and develop the appropriate skills.

Facilities & equipment

Students are primarily taught in recently refurbished lecture theatres, which make use of latest AV technology.

The audiology Clinical Skills laboratory is equipped with the latest audiometric instruments, identical to those that the students will encounter in practice.

The virtual learning environment, Blackboard, is used throughout the course in all areas of teaching from revision to assessment.
Students can obtain course texts and relevant journals from the library either electronically or in book form.

Teaching staff

Audiology teaching staff

Further information

lhsadmissions@aston.ac.uk