BSc Healthcare Science (Audiology)

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. 

More on Fees.

The BSc in Healthcare Science (Audiology) programme is designed to meet the needs of audiologists providing services in the NHS and hearing aid dispensers working in the independent sector.  It is part of the Modernising Scientific Careers suite of qualifications and fits within the Neurosensory Sciences strand.   It is a 3-year programme, with integrated placements in each year in clinical practice.

Students are expected to become competent in many areas of audiological practice during the course.  This means graduates will be eligible to apply to register with the Registration Council for Clinical Physiologists and the Health & Care Professions Council.

Audiology teaching staff

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

• Clinical & Professional Practice
• Applied Physics and Measurement
• Introductory Sciences I
• Introductory Sciences II
• Introductory Sciences III
• Introductory Sciences IV

Year 2

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

 Final Year

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

Professional Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Registration Council for Clinical Physiologists, which is relevant to practise in the NHS, and by the Health and Care Professions, which is relevant to the independent sector.  

Career Progression

Many audiologists and hearing aid dispensers work as part of healthcare teams, 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 and independent 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

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.

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 have a fully equipped Clinical Skills Laboratory and we also use the virtual learning environment to support all teaching activities.  This includes using 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.