Healthcare Science (Audiology) BSc Direct entry to Final Year

This course has been designed specifically for students who have previously completed the foundation degree in Hearing Aid Audiology at Aston, or a similar course at a recognised UK institution.

You’ll gain direct entry into the final year of our BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science (Audiology) course, where you will learn a blend of healthcare sciences, audiology, clinical practice, and applied research methods.

By continuing to work full time while you study; you will be able to earn while you progress your career.

During your time on the course you will:

• Learn advanced auditory intervention techniques aimed at helping children and adults.
• Learn in detail about the hearing and balance mechanisms, their structure, function and rehabilitation.
• Develop your professional practice techniques in our clinical skills lab.
• Develop your knowledge and skills in a specialised area of audiology.
• Carry out and complete your own in-depth research project.

What accreditations does the Audiology course at Aston have?

The course is accredited by the National School of Healthcare Science and the Registration Council for Clinical Physiologists. It is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council. Graduates from the course are eligible to apply to register with the Academy of Healthcare Science, Registration Council for Clinical Physiologists and the Health and Care Professions Council.


Course outline 

Throughout your time at Aston, you’ll learn a range of skills like; how to test the hearing of new-born babies, how to help people hear with cochlear implants, and how to test a patient’s hearing by looking at their brain waves.

You will have access to leading expertise, facilities, and technology not available at any other UK university and we ensure you experience hands-on learning that will prepare you for a rewarding career that changes and improves people’s lives.

During this year long course, you’ll continue to work in the audiology field, whilst studying at Aston.

You will study the following core modules:

• Dissertation
• Paediatric Audiology Foundations
• Vestibular Foundations
• Advanced Audiology Investigation and Rehabilitation
• Advanced Clinical Skills
• Research Methods
   

In addition to carrying out routine audiology practice, your employer MUST arrange your placement access to the specialist areas of vestibular sciences and paediatric audiology.
 

Please note, applications must be submitted via UCAS by 14 June to allow time for compulsorily audits to be performed. Unfortunately, we are not able to consider applications from Overseas and EU students for this course

We welcome applicants who have completed the Aston University Foundation Degree in Hearing Aid Audiology, as well as those who have completed a similar Foundation Degree in Hearing Aid Audiology at a recognised UK institution to apply for this direct entry to final year progression route. This Level 6 Top-up programme is suitable for practicing Hearing Aid Audiologists with relevant professional body registration (e.g. Registered Hearing Aid Dispenser with Health and Care Professions Council). Please see full details below:

External Foundation Degree in Hearing Aid Audiology Graduates 

Applicants will need to meet the following academic requirements:

• GCSE Maths and English Language or English Literature at grade C/4 or Functional Skills in Literacy and Numeracy with a pass
• Must have passed a Foundation Degree in Hearing Aid Audiology with a Distinction.
   
• If the Foundation Degree is older than 5 years then you will need to complete a QAA-recognised Access to Higher Education Diploma which must consist of 45 credits at Level 3. You must obtain a minimum of 30 distinction and the rest must be at merit or distinction. Subjects Accepted: Applied Science, Biology combined with Chemistry, Biomedical Science, Biosciences, Combined Sciences, Health Sciences, Health Sciences Professions, Life Sciences and Sciences.
   
• Pass the workplace clinical audit. This is organised by Aston University once the application has been received and undergone initial admissions review.
   
• Demonstrate competence in performing the Scope of Practice in the FD role- HCPC or RCCP registration to be supplied by the candidate.
   
• Be able to gain access to specialist areas (paediatric and vestibular) by having a formal arrangement in place between your employer and the specialist service(s) (either Private or NHS Provision). The confirmation of this from your employer and Head of Service MUST be provided along with the application.

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

What transferable skills will I gain?

It is important that healthcare professionals have a wide range of interpersonal and self-management skills. During your time of the course, you’ll develop a wide variety of integral skills including verbal and written communication, presentation, team working and time management. You will also become familiar with IT and clinically relevant technology, as well as developing your problem solving, critical thinking and reflective skills.

What learning facilities can I expect?

You will benefit from specialist facilities all of which are on campus, including:

• A clinical skills laboratory which is equipped with the latest audiology equipment.
• A computerised patient which helps you develop clinical skills along with simulations of clinical situations.
• Simulated patients, where you practise your clinical skills on real people and gain confidence before going out into clinics.
• Refurbished lecture theatres and seminar rooms.

Key course staff
Programme Director: Claire Wilkes
 

UK students (2023/24)

Fees: £9,250

More information on fees.

This course is not eligible for funding under the government led apprenticeship schemes, however, Aston University does offer the Healthcare Science Practitioner: Audiology Degree Apprenticeship.

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. Find out more about our scholarships.

The ageing population means demand for hearing and balance assessment and treatment services is set to rise substantially over the coming years, so employment prospects are excellent.

As part of the NHS Practitioner Training Programme in Neurosensory Sciences, our audiology course will provide you with the skills and qualifications required to work in the NHS as a Healthcare Scientist or Audiologist, or as a Hearing Aid Dispenser in the commercial sector.

Graduates from our BSc Healthcare Science (Audiology) course enter a variety of careers in hospitals, community-based practice, audiological and neurosciences research, or other roles dedicated to improving hearing problems, and some undertake postgraduate courses.

Recent graduate roles:

• Audiologist
• Clinical Audiologist
• Hearing Aid Audiologist
• NHS Scientist Training Programme Trainee

Recent graduate destinations:

• Boots
• Hearwell Audiology Clinic
• Hidden Hearing
• NHS including: East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, Taunton and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, Wye Valley NHS Trust, Royal Berkshire Foundation NHS Trust
• Specsavers
   

Why study Healthcare Science (Audiology) Direct entry to Final Year at Aston?

This course will allow you to use the knowledge gained in your Foundation Degree to gain direct entry into the final year of the BSc Healthcare Science (Audiology) degree. You will continue to work with your employer whilst studying at Aston via blended learning.

You’ll further develop your professional skills and on successful graduation, be qualified to work in the NHS as a Healthcare Scientist or Audiologist, or in the private sector. 
 

What accreditations does the Audiology course at Aston have?

The course has been designed for students who want to continue to work full-time as they expand on their knowledge. If you’ve done a Foundation course, this will help you increase it to a BSc level; which is accredited by the National School for Healthcare Science and the Registration Council for Clinical Physiologists and approved by the Health and Care Professions Council. When you graduate, you’ll be eligible to apply to register with the Academy of Healthcare Science, Registration Council for Clinical Physiologists and the Health & Care Professions Council.

What learning facilities can I expect?

As you’ll be studying via block learning, you’ll mostly be studying remotely. However, whenever you are on site at Aston University, you will benefit from specialist facilities all of which are on campus, including:

 

• A clinical skills laboratory which is equipped with the latest audiology equipment.
• A computerised patient which helps you develop clinical skills along with simulations of clinical situations.
• Simulated patients, where you practise your clinical skills on real people and gain confidence before going out into clinics.
• Refurbished lecture theatres and seminar rooms