Advanced Hearing Therapy Practice

Course overview

The Advanced Hearing Therapy Practice programme aims to allow graduates with an interest in audiology and related fields e.g. psychology, speech and language therapy etc, to enhance their understanding and practice of adult rehabilitation and research.

You will initially enrol on the MSc, and will then have the option of taking each of the three stages of the course in order (PgCert, PgDip then MSc), or it is possible to exit the course after any of these stages, enabling you to be flexible with your level of commitment at the outset.

Why Advanced Hearing Therapy Practice at Aston University?

Internationally recognised research

100% of our health and life sciences research environment has been ranked as being at least internationally excellent, with 50% being world-leading

Professional registration

Register with the Academy of Healthcare Sciences in combination with the British Academy of Audiology Higher Training Scheme (HTS) therapeutic skills module as a hearing therapist upon graduation.

Flexible study

Flexible: gain a postgraduate certificate, diploma or master's qualification

Work and study

Ability to remain in practice and apply the knowledge you gain from your studies.

Enhance your practice

Enhance your clinical practice and research skills and develop specialisation to provide complex rehabilitation to adults with hearing needs.

Continuing professional development

Modules can be taken independently as continuing professional development

Why study a postgraduate degree at Aston University?

A postgraduate degree is a great way to improve your career prospects. As well as opening doors, it builds on your experience, develops your skills, and gives you a competitive edge in a crowded job market.

Course description

Advanced Hearing Therapy Practice MSc

Studying the MSc Advanced Hearing Therapy Practice here at Aston University will develop your existing knowledge and expertise in hearing therapy.

What we will provide
First-class teaching delivered by a diverse array of staff with years of close industry collaboration that is harnessed to provide you with learning based on real-world needs. Our teaching aims to inspire and excite you and bring your course to life.

What you will provide
It is important you learn how to adapt a growth mindset to your studies - understanding that intelligence and success comes from applying yourself. You must be able to demonstrate critical thinking and have ambition and drive to excel.

What skills we teach
As an audiologist or healthcare scientist, studying this course will enhance your clinical practice and research skills in addition to developing your level of specialisation. This will enable you to lead your own research, apply clinical reasoning to solving complex problems in healthcare, and develop your communication skills in clinical and management roles.

Career prospects
This course offers you the opportunity to enhance your knowledge and skills to develop your career and make a real difference in your field. Completion of the PgCert or MSc offers graduates the opportunity to register with the Academy of Healthcare Sciences in combination with the British Academy of Audiology Higher Training Scheme (HTS) therapeutic skills module as a Hearing Therapist.

Many of our graduates have gone on to develop their careers in specialist clinical practice such as Hearing Therapy Specialists, Hearing Therapists, and Senior Health Services Managers, as well as move into PhD study.

Rehabilitation continues to be a core part of providing audiological care. Audiology patients are predominantly service users for life and their needs are only partly addressed by technological solutions. The importance of continuing to deliver rehabilitation opportunities beyond hearing aids and to support education and social care provision of services has been recognised in the Department of Health Action Plan.

How you will learn

The programme is based on blended learning to enable it to be conducted while you remain in practice and apply the knowledge you gain from lectures to complete your assignments and case records based on theory and evidence-based practice.

Modules are either 15 or 30 credits. Core learning modules for Hearing Therapy (Hearing Therapy Counselling and Communication Studies and Health Behaviours ) are both 30 credits. This is equivalent to 300 hours of student learning.

The dissertation (60 credits) comprises modules in research methods and a research proposal as well as a final research project. Modules consist of remote access lectures with electronic formative assessments and a module coursework assignment such as reflective case records, or an essay/literature review related to the module.

This course is predominantly taught online and therefore you can study at a time that suits you. There are five days in which you are required to attend live teaching (on-campus), and dates for these are released in advance.

What you will learn

You will develop advanced clinical and professional expertise in Hearing Therapy and Audiology and demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of professional governance and ethical considerations in your practice. You will learn to critically evaluate current research, propose hypotheses, and communicate results effectively.

The course emphasises leadership skills, originality in applying knowledge, and a deep understanding of research techniques relevant to Hearing Therapy. You will also demonstrate self-direction, problem-solving abilities, and the capacity for ongoing professional development.

Our Community

As an Aston University student, you'll be joining a diverse, close community, with students from over 120 different countries choosing to study with us every year. We are also home to an expansive and highly regarded research community, with several audiology research groups including:

Course objectives

Allow audiology and healthcare science practitioners to enhance their understanding and practice of hearing rehabilitation and research.
Enhance the clinical practice and research skills of audiologists and healthcare scientists, and to enhance their level of specialisation. This will enable them to better assimilate and process academic knowledge to provide complex rehabilitation to adults with hearing needs.
Enable students to learn whilst remaining in practice, with students applying the knowledge they gain from lectures to complete their assignments and case records based on theory and evidence-based practice.

Modules

PgCert stage modules

In the taught stage, you will study the following core modules:

Module Title	Credits
Hearing Therapy - This module provides the foundational skills in communication and use of counselling approaches in Hearing Therapy. The module also covers common practices within Hearing Therapy and scope of practice with a range of patient/client groups.	30
Tinnitus Management - This module introduces students to therapeutic practices in tinnitus management. Students critically engage with approaches and evidence on treatment approaches in tinnitus.	15
Adult Rehabilitation - This module examines therapeutic approaches to rehabilitation and the use of technology (including hearing aids).	15
Total	60

PgDip stage modules

In the postgraduate diploma stage, you will study the following core modules:

Module Title	Credits
Vestibular Rehabilitation - This module introduces approaches in vestibular rehabilitation and examines the needs of people with vestibular disorders.	15
Health behaviours and Behaviour Change Interventions - This module introduces students to the model of health behaviours and their role in explaining and predicting how individuals engage with healthcare. Students learn how to plan programmes of intervention and examine effectiveness.	30
Evidence-based practice - This module introduces students to the application of and use of evidence in clinical practice and the importance of well informed change strategies in practice.	15
Total	60

MSc stage modules

In the MSc stage, you will study the following core modules:

Module Title	Credits
Dissertation I: Research Methods & Proposal - This module teaches students about the range of research methodologies used in healthcare and supports the planning of individual project proposals and protocols.	30
Dissertation II: Research Project - This module enables students to conduct original studies in the field of Hearing Therapy and audiology, using a wide range of methods. Students work individually and in small groups with supervisor support. You are able to gain credit for this course within the Aston Flexible Credit Accumulation Framework and continued professional development. This module provides a flexible route if you wish to expand your knowledge and skills by studying one or more modules whilst also managing their working commitments. It also offers a taster of studying at this level without committing to a whole programme.	30
Total	60

We may update our courses to reflect best practices and academic developments. If we do, we’ll let you know of any changes at the earliest opportunity by updating our course webpages. If you have already received an offer, we’ll write to you directly to let you know of the changes.

Entry requirements

We welcome applications from candidates interested in our course who have the skills and capability to excel. All candidates are considered on an individual basis based on their qualifications, experience, references and motivation.
Minimum upper 2nd class degree from a recognised university or international equivalent
We will also consider applicants with relevant professional experience on a case-by-case basis.
International applicants will be considered on a case-by-case basis. (Please note due to the delivery method, this course cannot be taken by students who require a Tier 4 visa).
The information contained on this website details the typical entry requirements for this course for the most commonly offered qualifications. Applicants with alternative qualifications may wish to enquire with the relevant admissions teams prior to application whether or not their qualifications are deemed acceptable. For less commonly encountered qualifications this will be judged on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the academic admissions tutor.

International students

Aston University is a diverse, close community and welcomes international students on many of our undergraduate programmes. Students from over 120 countries choose to study with us every year. Based in the centre of Birmingham, Aston is not only a great place to study, it’s also a great place to live.

Qualifications in your country

For details of equivalent qualifications in your country, use our area pages below:

English language requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of an English language qualification.

English language requirements

How to apply

Aston University provides a range of opportunities for international students to join our community and study on our campus. A key part of our strategy is our relationships with teaching partners, providing multiple pathways to Aston.

Aston’s professional work placements can improve your chance of securing a graduate job. Placements give you experience, confidence and opportunities and, as an Aston student, you’ll be better prepared for your future career. One of the great things about Aston is our focus on employability. Our close links with businesses, industries and professions make this possible.

Find out more about applying

Post-study work visa

Aston University welcomed the creation of a new Graduate Immigration Route which enables international students to remain in the UK for two years after you complete your studies to find work. This new post-study work visa applies to international students completing full-time undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Graduate Immigration Route

Pathway Programmes

If you don’t meet our entry requirements, we have a range of pathway programmes offered by our partner, ONCAMPUS Aston, which you can complete to progress onto one of our degrees.

Speak to our Admissions Team

If you have any questions about the application process please get in touch with our postgraduate admissions team:

Email: professionalcpd@aston.ac.uk

Call: 0121 204 3200 (Please note this line is open Monday-Friday between 09.30am-4.30pm)

Read our guide to applying

Fees and scholarships

Course fees

UK students
(2024/25)

Annual tuition fees:

£11,700

International students (2024/25)

Annual tuition fees:

£11,700

More information on fees

The United Kingdom government has confirmed that European Union (EU), other European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss nationals commencing academic courses in England from August 2021 will no longer be charged the same tuition rates as UK students.

Tuition fees for students are reviewed annually and may increase in subsequent years in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI) to take account of the University’s increased costs of delivering the Programme. Any such increase shall always be in accordance with the law. When undertaking a placement year, a placement year fee applies.

More information on fees

Scholarships

At Aston University we are committed to supporting the most talented and hardworking students to achieve their potential by providing a range of scholarships to help lower tuition and living costs.

Explore scholarships for UK students

Explore scholarships for international students

Assessment

Modules consist of remote access lectures with electronic formative assessments and a module coursework assignment such as reflective case records, or an essay/literature review related to the module.

Course Director: Dr Helen Pryce

Teaching staff:

We additionally bring several guest experts and staff throughout the course for further specialist training.