MSc Audiology (1 yrs)
An ideal springboard for science graduates who wish to work in the health care sector.
The MSc Audiology at the University of Southampton is widely recognised as the leading programme in the UK for the accredited training of audiological scientists and audiologists, whose primary roles are the diagnosis and rehabilitation of hearing and balance problems in children and adults. The programme benefits from substantial funding support from the NHS, and many UK students receive full funding for fees and partial or full living costs. Some places are also available for international and self-funded UK students.
The programme consists of a taught component (October) and is followed by a substantial research project leading to a dissertation.
The aims of the programme are:
- To meet your academic needs for registration as a Clinical or Health Care Scientist (for MSc) in the field of Audiology (clinical pathway only) or to enable your further professional and scientific development in Audiology and related healthcare disciplines (non-clinical pathway)
- To provide you with theoretical background for clinical work or research in Audiology and related disciplines.
- To provide you with practical training to underpin the theoretical work and ensure that you have a basic entry level of skill for in-service training
- To develop your critical faculties, team working and project management skills by undertaking extended group problem-solving activities and conducting a substantial individual original research project
- The Postgraduate Certificate is suitable for you if you wish to study within the academic discipline without full clinical training, group problem-solving activities or research project. The Diploma is suitable for you if you wish to study within the academic discipline and undertake group problem-solving activities and clinical training but do not wish to carry out a research project.
To Apply
You can do it through the University of Southampton's online postgraduate application system. For more background and detailed information, see How to Apply.
From 2012, the MSc has been restructured so as to be more flexible to the needs of postgraduates following different pathways:
- Clinical scientist training (UK/EU students only); the MSc will fit within the four-year Modernising Scientific Careers framework;
- Full time in one year (e.g. international students and self-funded students)
- Part time (up to 5 years; UK/EU students only)
- Career development, with modules being taken individually and potentially combined with module from other universities as part of an MSc (e.g. as part of the Higher Training Scheme; UK/EU students only)
Accreditation
Programme Structure
Full-time study
Full time, the MSc is a full 12-month full-time course, commencing in October. The programme is split into two components: a 'taught' component (October to June) and a research component (June to September). The 'taught' component will include clinical practicum, lectures, seminars, case presentations, tutorials, individual, taster clinics and group projects.
Taught modules are further divided into “foundation sciences” and “advanced modules”, with foundation science modules being pre-requisites for advanced modules unless you are exempted.
Part-time study
At present, we are not offering part time study for 2011 entry. We hope to offer part time study from 2012 entry, and will confirm further details when available.
Exit points
The taught component of the MSc programme is assessed independently of the research project component. Progression to the research project depends on successful completion of the taught component. The MSc award depends on passing the examinations and on successful completion of a dissertation on the project. The possible exit points are:
- PG Certificate (60 Credit Points)
- PG Diploma (120 Credit Points)
- MSc (180 Credit Points)
Career opportunities
Careers tipically lead to clinical scientists or audiologists within the NHS and private health care systems worldwide.
You can find amount more about audiology as a career within the NHS, and the Modernising Scientific Careers framework here.
Key facts
In 2005, we were awarded the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for:
"contributing fundamentally to our understanding of sound and the resulting engineering innovations have had a profound impact on our quality of life"
"improving the quality of life for the profoundly deaf"World-class research-led learning in audiology, based within a research institute. Our research was given a 5* rating (i.e. the highest one) in the 2001 assessment.
The ISVR was founded in 1963 and is world renowned for its contributions to acoustics, audiology and biomedical engineering, among other areas.
Our audiology teaching team alone includes clinical audiologists, clinical scientists, research scientists, teachers of the deaf, speech and language therapists, cochlear implant audiologists and a surgeon. Many of the teaching staff are national or international experts in their fields.
Typical entry requirements
Honours Degree
At least an upper-second class Bachelor’s honours degree, or equivalent, is required, and from an appropriate institution in a physical, biological, life or behavioural science or an engineering subject. Further, performance corresponding to at least upper-second class level in the final year dissertation or research project, where appropriate.
Applicants with a lower-second class Bachelor’s honours degree are considered only if evidence can be provided for the development of skills and capabilities beyond the degree, such as 2-years of relevant and appropriate work experience and training.
Non-academic criteria
We accept UK, EU or International Students on to the course. Applicants need to demonstrate within their personal statements that they:
- Are articulate, literate (including IT) and numerate
- Have excellent inter-personal, problem-solving and critical-thinking skills
- Are enthusiastic about healthcare, science and learning and are self-motivated and have initiative
- Have an appropriate level of understanding of the audiology profession and have visited or intend to visit an audiology or related department
Applicants will be asked to complete two short assignments in addition to the standard interview. Applicants with alternative backgrounds may be invited to interview. All applicants who are made an offer are invited to visit the department for a tour and chat with our staff and students.
Equivalent Qualifications
Alternative qualifications are considered on individual merit. For example, a portfolio of appropriate work experience underpinned by an academic achievements equivalent to the basic requirements and recent serious and appropriate study, with clear evidence of scientific aptitude. Applicants in this category are interviewed and might be required to sit the admissions assessment. We are always happy to receive applications from candidates with equivalent qualifications. If you are unsure about our entry criteria, please contact our admissions staff who would be happy to provide advice in advance of your application.
English Language requirements
If your first language is not English, we need to ensure that your listening, written and spoken English skills would enable you to enjoy the full benefit of your studies. For entry onto our programmes, you will need an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 7 or an equivalent qualification (i.e. TOEFL).
Selection process:
Intake: 30 students per year
All individuals are selected and treated on their relative merits and abilities in line with the University’s Equal Opportunities Policy. Disabled applicants will be treated according to the same procedures as any other applicant with the added involvement of the Disability Office to assess their needs. The programme may require adaptation for students with disabilities (e.g. hearing impairment, visual impairment, mobility difficulties, dyslexia), particularly the practical laboratory sessions, and we will attempt to accommodate students wherever possible.
Visit our International Office website or the NARIC website for further information on qualifications.
Typical course content
The programme consists of taught modules and a research project. Taught modules are further divided into “foundation sciences” and “advanced modules”, with foundation science modules being pre-requisites for advanced modules unless you are exempted through accredited prior learning.
Foundation science modules are delivered in parallel during semester 1 (October to January), whereas advanced modules are delivered separately in short concentrated blocks. Advanced modules may be taken individually by external students not registered for an award for continuing professional development or by other students within the University of Southampton subject to resources being available.
Year 1
The first 8 months are normally spent mainly on the taught component, with lectures divided into two 12-week periods (Semesters 1 and 2), and with exams at the end of each semester. The modules are listed below. The final 4 months are spent full-time on a research project, for which some preparation is done in Semester 2. You are encouraged to commence project work before the Semester 2 exams to allow yourself maximum time, especially where practical work is involved.
Semester One
For all students, the following four “foundation sciences” modules must be completed during semester 1:
- Physiology and psychology of hearing (7.5 ECTS)
- Pathology and the vestibular system (7.5 ECTS)
- Clinical assessment in audiology (7.5 ECTS)
- Principles of auditory rehabilitation (7.5 ECTS)
Semester Two
During semester 2, additional 7.5 ECTS “advanced” modules comprise the remainder of the MSc programme. You must complete at least four, with 'Applied research methods' as mandatory:
- Applied research methods (7.5 ECTS)
- Diagnostic audiology (7.5 ECTS)
- Paediatric audiology (7.5 ECTS)
- Tinnitus and its management (7.5 ECTS)
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if s/he takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information can be found in the programme handbook (or other appropriate guide).
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this programme you will be able to demonstrate:
- A systematic understanding of the physical, physiological and psychophysical bases of hearing and vestibular sciences applicable to audiology and related health care sciences.
- A basic understanding of general principles of health care sciences, especially in the broad area of clinically applied physiology.
- Understanding of the main assessment procedures used with adults and children in audiology, their scientific justification and the corresponding evidence base
- Basic understanding of acoustics and instrumentation relevant to audiology and related health care disciplines.
- Appreciation of the difficulties experienced by people with problems of hearing or balance, their consequences for everyday living
- Detailed understanding of the main methods for rehabilitation of adults and children with problems of hearing or balance including their underlying principles and the evidence base to support efficacy of interventions and therapies.
- Awareness of common methods of medical and surgical treatment of disorders of hearing and balance, and their effectiveness.
- Basic understanding of research methods applicable to audiology including statistical design and analysis of experiments involving human subjects.
- Understanding of the need for a structured scientific approach to patient examination, assessment and management; how this may require modification to match individual patients.
Teaching and Learning Methods
The programme is split into two components: a 'taught' component (October to June) and a research component (June to September). The 'taught' component will include clinical practicum, lectures, seminars, case presentations, tutorials, individual, taster clinics and group projects.
Taught Modules
The different subject matter of the modules lends itself to different teaching and learning techniques but these include lectures, tutorials, individual and group planning exercises and practical exercises. You are encouraged throughout to contribute your own professional experiences and thoughts to the learning of the whole class through a free exchange of ideas. One-to-one tutorials are arranged to compensate for individual learning differences, when required.
Many modules include assessed coursework assignments which require you to carry out a substantial study of selected topics, either as individuals or in groups, leading to considerable depth of understanding and specialist knowledge. Assessment is designed to show that you can rationally use taught material and have a fundamental understanding of the subject matter. Feedback on progress is given to students on all submitted work.
Research Component
Candidates wishing to obtain an MSc carry out a research project finishing with a dissertation. Research projects may concern any of the areas covered by the programme. The research project is intended to bring together the full range of skills in the programme and to provide you with an opportunity to build on all of the learning outcomes described above, while demonstrating in-depth knowledge and understanding of one or more of the areas covered by the programme. It involves information gathering and handling, critical analysis and evaluation, and presentation skills. The key requirement, however, is that the project must contain your own ideas and proposals: it should not simply be a technical design carried out to existing standards, but a problem with an element of novelty requiring the application of new information and concepts.
During the 2nd semester you will commence your research project which comprises 60 credits of your degree. You will continue to work on your project throughout the summer once the taught component has finished in June. You will have access to our in-house clinic and specialised library, as well as having one-to-one project supervision with your tutor. At the end of September, you will submit a thesis.
Assessment Methods
Testing of the knowledge base is through a combination of unseen written examinations and assessed coursework in the form of problem solving exercises, laboratory reports, design exercises, essays, and individual and group projects.
Analysis and problem solving skills are assessed through unseen written examinations and problem based exercises. Experimental, research and design skills are assessed through laboratory reports, coursework exercises, project reports and oral presentations.
The tutorial system
Every student is assigned a personal tutor when they start their university degree. Your personal tutor will meet you when you enrol, and you will see him/her several times during your studies for academic as well as pastoral support. S/He is accessible throughout your time in Southampton.
Administration
We have our own team of administrators who act as a point of contact for day-to-day advice and information for undergraduate students. They are also responsible for collecting assignments and issuing the documents and forms which are required during your period of study.
