Healthcare Science Practitioner: Audiology Degree Apprenticeship

Healthcare scientists in audiology work in hospitals and health clinics, assessing and managing conditions such as hearing loss, tinnitus and balance disorders.  They deal with people from all walks of life and all ages, from new-born babies to elderly people, so enjoying interaction with people and having excellent communication skills are essential for the role.

Audiology Degree apprentices at Aston University range from new employees who have no previous experience in healthcare, to existing staff who are looking to develop their career and register as a healthcare scientist in the field of audiology. You’ll get to study and learn as you work in this exciting field of healthcare.

By successfully completing this apprenticeship, you will be awarded a BSc (Hons) in Healthcare Science (Audiology). You will also achieve an apprenticeship certificate that is graded at pass, merit or distinction. Once you have graduated, you will be able to register as a Healthcare Scientist in the field of Audiology.
 

What accreditations does the Audiology Degree Apprenticeship course at Aston have?

The course is accredited by the National School of Healthcare Science, allowing students who successfully complete the course to register and work as healthcare scientists in Audiology.

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

By studying at Aston, you gain a qualification alongside your full-time job by combining online learning with leading expertise, facilities, and technology.

On this five-year course you will study healthcare science, audiology, clinical practice and research methods while putting your knowledge and skills into practice on a daily basis.

You will:

• Learn all about how the structure and function of the ear is affected by different problems.
• Learn about the eyes and the nervous system and how people can be protected from disease.
• Learn how to test patients hearing by looking at their brain waves.
• Learn how to select, fit and verify hearing aid systems, as well as evaluate and modify how well they are performing.
• Learn how hearing loss in children affects their physical and mental development.

Year 1

• The structure and function of the eyes and nervous system.
• The structure and function of the body and how disease affects it.
• The structure and function of the ear, and how this can be affected by different ear problems.
• Introduction to working in a clinical setting, including hearing tests.

Year 2

• The distribution of health disorders in the general population, public health medicine, protecting people from and screening for disease.
• The theory and technology used in measuring sensory functions.

Year 3

• Methods of hearing assessment.
• Measurement of sensory functions.
• Developing audiology skills in a clinical setting, including hearing aid fitting.

Year 4

• How people speak, and how they hear sound and speech.
• Methods of managing hearing loss.
• Physical and mental development in children.
• Methods of carrying out research, including data analysis and reporting.

Year 5

• Sensory signal processing in the brain and how this can be affected by different health conditions.
• Testing and treating children’s hearing and balance disorders.
• Work-based project designed to use the research skills learned in Year 4.
• Using patient-centred skills, to test and treat people in the audiology workplace.

You will need to apply for a degree apprenticeship role or already be employed in a job within an audiology department that can provide the clinical experience required for this post. Please see the about section for more information.

Entry requirements are set by the hiring business and not Aston University so they vary between organisations. Apprentices are selected based on their applications, an interview and an assessment process which is tailored to your apprenticeship position.

Entry requirements include:

• Three A Levels are required and must include one science subject from Biology, Chemistry or Physics (Biology preferred). A typical minimum offer would be ABB at A Level.
• At least Grade 4 or C GCSE Maths and English Language or English Literature.

You will also need to meet the government's eligibility criteria:

• Have been a UK/EU/EAA resident for the past three years or more prior to starting the course
• Have left full-time education when the apprenticeship you are applying for is due to start
• Be aged at least 16 years old to meet government funding criteria.

Please note:

• Your employer may have additional requirements.

DBS and fitness to practice

As this course includes clinical placements where students interact with members of the public we are required to ensure that students have completed the following checks:

Disclosure & Barring Service Enhanced Check

These should be completed by your employing NHS trust. Documentary evidence of this will be requested during the application process. 

You can find out further information about the DBS check including guidance on the application process here.

Occupational Health Check

You will be required to undertake a confidential online Health Check prior to the start of the academic term and further occasional health assessments may also be required. Once completed, the Audiology Department receives a report detailing whether or not there are any health concerns that need to be addressed before starting your placements.

The cost of the initial health check is covered by the University.

Learning and teaching

Apprenticeships are structured differently to a traditional degree, you'll spend the majority of your time working full time in your clinical job but will be released for study time to complete your academic learning.

You will study through a combination of online learning resources and sessions on campus where you will learn through tutorials, lectures and practical sessions. You will attend campus for several blocks of study (usually two to three days at a time) in each year, plus assessments and/or exams. It is a great opportunity for you to meet face-to-face with your peers and our academics.

Your off-campus distance learning teaching will be delivered via our virtual learning environment, Blackboard. You will access theoretical learning materials for general study, revision and assessment. This platform allows you to access a comprehensive range of study materials, recorded lectures, online tutorials, scientific journals, e-journals, databases and much more.

Assessment

We use a wide variety of assessment types, including essays, practical assessments, portfolios of written work, exams, and online tests. Clinical assessments are carried out in our fully-equipped audiology clinical skills laboratories at Aston, or in the workplace.

Throughout each stage of the programme we will use various mechanisms to monitor successful development of your clinical and academic skills. We will regularly discuss your progress with yourself and your employer. This is essential in order for you to meet the apprenticeship funding rules and be eligible to undertake your end-point assessment at the end of the programme.