Course overview

This is a direct entry into the final year of our Healthcare Science (Audiology) Degree Apprenticeship BSc (Hons) programme, and is designed specifically for student apprentices who have previously completed the Foundation Degree in Hearing Aid Audiology FDSc at Aston University, 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 in your career.

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

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.

“The lecturers and teaching staff were always of utmost support. They always kept in touch with me and ensured that all their content was being adequately understood. They were really helpful with assignments, promptly looking at drafts and providing useful feedback.”

Ali Jaffer

Healthcare Science (Audiology) BSc

Clinical Audiologist at HearWell Audiology Clinic

Why Healthcare Science (Audiology) at Aston University?

Student to staff ratio

We are ranked 1st in the UK for student to staff ratio (Health Professions, Guardian University Guide, 2024)

Extensive patient contact

Benefit from extensive patient contact throughout the course through integrated placements

Excellent student experience

94% of students feel the course is intellectually stimulating and 94% feel the teaching staff are good at explaining things. (NSS 2023)

Professional experience

Aston is working in partnership with Specsavers to run patient clinics on campus - gain live patient experiences throughout your time at Aston University

Earn more

Our graduates are among the highest paid in the country, earning on average £36,100 five years after graduating (Longitudinal Education Outcomes, 2023)

Excellent prospects

Aston University was named runner-up in the University of the Year for Graduate Employment Award (Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2024)

Heard from Aston Audiology student Yousaf Amjad

Aston Audiology student Yousaf Amjad talks about the best bits about studying BSc Audiology

The Aston University 2030 strategy

What makes us Aston?

Course description

Healthcare Science (Audiology) BSc

Our Healthcare Science (Audiology) BSc degree (direct entry to final year) at Aston will equip you with the skills, insights, and confidence required to become a proficient and compassionate audiologist, capable of diagnosing and managing hearing and balance disorders, improving the quality of life for individuals with auditory challenges, and contributing to advancements in the field of audiology.

What we will provide
First-class teaching in the UK's second-largest city, delivered by a diverse array of staff who will inspire and excite you, fantastic facilities that will bring your course to life through hands-on, practical experience; years of close industry collaboration that is harnessed to provide you with learning based on real-world needs.

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

What skills we teach
As an Audiology student in our Healthcare Science (Audiology) programme, you will learn the skills to work as a competent audiologist and work in hospitals and health clinics, assessing people’s hearing and balance, and managing conditions such as hearing loss, tinnitus and balance disorders.

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 develop your problem-solving, critical thinking and reflective skills.

Career prospects
Our Audiology degree is valued by some of the best-known companies in the world. Recent graduates have successfully secured careers with employers such as Boots, Specsavers, Hearwell Audiology Clinic, Hidden Hearing, and NHS including East Kent Hospitals, University NHS Foundation Trust, Taunton and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, Wye Valley NHS Trust, and Royal Berkshire Foundation NHS Trust.

How you will learn

Our teaching style is modern and innovative, with a hands-on approach that bridges the gap between theory and practice. This enables you to apply your skills as you progress through your course, marrying your learning with practical examples, all designed to prepare you for the world of work.

What you will learn

As an audiology student at Aston University, you’ll be studying under our experienced audiology teaching and support team, who come from a variety of NHS, independent sector, and research backgrounds. You’ll encounter a wide range of teaching approaches, from lectures and seminars to group work and problem-based learning. As you’d expect from a hands-on course like ours, you’ll be spending time in our impressive facilities learning and developing your clinical skills, which you’ll then get the opportunity to put into practice when you are with patients in our supervised clinics.

During your time on the course, you will:

Learn advanced auditory intervention techniques aimed at helping children and adults.
Learn about the hearing and balance mechanisms, 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.

Facilities

Audiology students have access to a range of specialist facilities that reflect the hands-on learning within the field. In these settings, you gain practical experience alongside like-minded students, with workshops and lectures guided by industry professionals and expert technicians.

Audiology facilities

On-campus Specsavers Clinic.
A clinical skills laboratory equipped with the latest audiology equipment.
Three soundproof booths and four rooms for accurate hearing tests, more than any other educational institution in the UK.
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.

Cutting-edge audiology equipment

Otoscan 3D ear scanner to make digital impressions for custom in-the-ear pieces such as earmolds and hearing aids. We are the only HEI to have one of these in the UK.
Audiometers TO measure an individual's hearing thresholds. You will learn how to operate these machines to conduct hearing tests and assess hearing loss.
Otoacoustic Emission (OAE) Systems to measure the responses of the inner ear (cochlea) to sound.
Video Otoscopy to visualise the ear canal and eardrum, which is essential for diagnosing ear-related conditions
Tympanometers to assess the function of the middle ear, including the eardrum and the movement of the ossicles
Audiology Rehabilitation Tools such as FM systems and cochlear implant programming equipment.

Course objectives

Provides you with the opportunities to realise your academic potential through a range of learning experiences.
Encourages you, through a practical approach, to have a passion for audiology and an enthusiasm for learning.
Support you to develop communication and reflective practice skills in order to implement patient-centred care.
Develop the underpinning theoretical knowledge and the use of critical thinking, within healthcare science, to inform clinical experiences.
Promote a research culture amongst staff, students and external stakeholders to inspire and inform student learning.
Provide collaborative opportunities for interprofessional learning within healthcare and patient and public involvement.
Create learning opportunities to promote personal and professional development.

Modules

Modules and learning outcomes

Modules

Modules

In the audiology direct entry to final year, you will study the following core module:

Module Title	Credits
Dissertation - This module aims to allow students to apply research methods skills within the context of a final-year dissertation. This will demonstrate the following skills: critical writing, thinking appraisal skills, literature searching, and information synthesis.	30
Paediatric Audiology Foundations - This module aims to provide students with a theoretical background in the assessment and rehabilitation of balance conditions. Students will work through various resources including case-based discussions and clinical guidelines.	15
Vestibular Foundations - This module aims to provide students with a theoretical background in the assessment and rehabilitation of balance conditions. Students will work through various resources including case-based discussions and clinical guidelines.	30
Advanced Audiology Investigation and Rehabilitation - In this module, we learn about different auditory implants or medical devices that are designed to restore hearing in children and adults with complex and higher degrees of hearing impairment. The module also covers the guidelines that determine the suitability of these devices in different patient populations.	15
Total	90

These two 15-credit modules will be completed alongside core modules to complete the required 120 credits by students who have applied to the Direct Access to
Final Year Course Only

Module Title	Credits
Advanced Clinical Skills	15
Research Methods - In research methods we will explore the difference between evidence and material, what is contained in a published article, and how to critically appraise the information we’re presented with	15
Total	30

On successful completion, you will be able to:

Apply shared decision-making within patient-centred care.
Reflect on communication, professionalism and multi-disciplinary working
in healthcare for patient care.
Relate theoretical concepts into clinical practice as relevant to specialist
populations in audiology.
Problem solve using critical thinking and clinical reasoning.
Apply research skills when conducting individual projects and interpreting research from the evidence base.

Entry requirements

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:

Aston University Graduates from the Foundation Degree in Hearing Aid Audiology

Applicants will need to meet the following academic requirements:

Must achieve Distinction in Foundation Degree Audiology, you will be required to provide your transcript as part of your application. If you have passed your Aston Foundation degree achieving a specific grade upon completion not meeting our entry requirements, then grades will be determined by our admissions team upon review of your current CV, references and full application.
If the Aston University Foundation Degree in Hearing Aid Audiology is older than 5 years, then you will need to partake in verification of experience and qualification interview.
Must pass the workplace clinical audit. This will be arranged with you by a member of the Audiology teaching staff via email.
Demonstrate competence in performing the Scope of Practice in the FD role- HCPC or AHCS registration to be supplied by the candidate.
Students must attend specialist simulated sessions at Aston University and it can help support their learning if they are able to find further access to specialist areas through the service.

External Foundation Degree in Hearing Aid Audiology Graduates

Applicants will need to meet the following academic requirements:

GCSE Maths and English at grade C/4 of Functional Skills in Literacy and Numeracy with a pass
Apprentices must attend specialist simulated sessions at Aston University and it can help support their learning if they are able to find further access to specialist areas through the service.
Must have passed the Foundation Degree in Hearing Aid Audiology with a Distinction or if you have passed your external foundation degree achieving a specific grade upon completion not meeting our entry requirements, then grades will be determined by our admissions team upon review of the programme specification, current CV, references and full application.
If your Foundation Degree is over five years old, you will need to partake in a verification of experience and qualification interview.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and Fitness to Practise (FTP)

Due to the nature of this course and in line with national requirements, you will be required to complete a series of checks and screenings. These requirements are checked at the point of enrolment

DBS and fitness to practice regulations

Other

Direct final year entry - Foundation Degree Progression (FDHA Progression)

For those who have studied the Foundation Degree in Hearing Aid Audiology at Aston, or a similar foundation programme at a recognised UK institution, please visit our final year entry course page for full entry requirement details.

Age of qualifications

Applicants must normally have achieved their eligible academic qualifications for entry onto this course within five years. Applicants presenting qualifications older than five years will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Academic Admissions Lead.

External Foundation Programmes

We consider external foundation programmes for entry into our year 1 programmes on a case-by-case basis. We require applicants to have met the following criteria prior to application:

Five GCSEs in total which must include grade B/5 Mathematics, C/4 English Language and the rest at grade C/4.
ABB in any subjects or BBB where one subject must be from Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics.

In order to be considered you will need to submit a UCAS application as we do not accept direct applications. A typical offer is 60% overall and 120 credits with no fails at another recognised university, however, this may be higher.

Course fees

You will not have to pay tuition fees as a degree apprentice as the costs are met by the UK government and your employer*. In addition to your fees being paid, you will also earn a salary while you study, so there is no need to apply for Student Finance.

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.

Career prospects

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

Be part of our community

Once you have joined us at Aston University, you’ll always be part of our community, even beyond graduation.

Alumni services

Frequently asked questions

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.

How is a degree apprenticeship degree different?

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) during the year, plus assessments and/or exams. It is a great opportunity for you to meet face-to-face with your peers and our academics.

What are the career prospects like for graduates?

There are great opportunities for graduates in audiology, across business, the NHS and manufacturing. It also provides great opportunities for graduates to undertake further research.

How is off-campus teaching delivered?

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.

What facilities will I have access to when I am on campus?

This course is delivered in block learning sessions, during which you will benefit from our specialist on campus facilities, including:

• A clinical skills laboratory which is equipped with the latest audiology equipment.
• 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.

Contact us

If you have any questions, please email apprenticeships@aston.ac.uk. Be sure to include your name, your employer, and the programme you are enquiring about.