Undergraduate programmes
BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science (Audiology)
The doors are now open to the new BSc programme called "BSc Healthcare Science (Audiology)" (aka BSc Audiology).
This is consistent with the government's Modernising Scientific Careers framework. We are seizing the opportunity to be among the first to offer this new programme, which has now been accredited by the government.
Updated: 4th October 2011
Applying through UCAS
All applications for our new programme can be made through UCAS.
Our new programme in a nutshell
- Fits within the national pre-registration training framework of Modernising Scientific Careers
- Three years (standard tuition fees apply)
- Seven-months of clinical placement (unpaid) guaranteed and organised by us
- Greater focus on clinical and professional skills required for a career in healthcare science, and audiology specifically
- Graduates will be able to work immediately as audiologists in the NHS or independent sector and to register as audiologists
- Dynamic, research-led learning, integrated clinical training and friendly and supportive environment: no change there!
- The aspiration and determintion to provide the best undergraduate training in audiology in the UK: no change there either!
What are the aims of the programme and who is it for?
The primary purpose of the BSc Health care Science (Audiology) programme is to provide you with the training you need to become an Audiologist, and forms the bulk of what you will need to register as an Audiologist. (I.e. pre-registration training.)
Our programme is also underpinned by a strong foundation in the fundamental sciences of audiology and a rigorous scientific approach generally. You will therefore develop your capacity for independent learning, critical thinking, and reflective and evidence-based practice, as well as problem solving and teamwork. These skills and experiences help prepare you for a successful and productive career in audiology, and other scientific areas, as well as helping to prepare for the challenges of working life.
The course is aimed at those who haven’t yet studied at degree level. We accept a variety of students, from those who have just completed their A-Levels, BTEC’s or International Baccalaureates to mature students who are considering a career change.
How many places are there on the programme?
With the new programme, we will be accepting approximately 30 students per year.
We typically received approximately 120 applications each year for the 30 places.
How long is the programme and what does it involve?
The programme is a three-year full time course:
- Year 1 (October to June): based at university
- Year 2 (October to May): based at university
- First clinical placement: vacation of Year 2 (June, July, August)
- Year 3 (October to February): based at university followed by a second clinical placement (February to June).
- Graduation in the July of Year 3
We currently do not offer part-time or distance learning options.
Learning activities during years 1, 2 and 3 include clinical practicals, lectures, laboratories, seminars, discovery-based learning, case presentations, problem-based learning, tutorials, individual and group projects, as well as independent study sessions.
What will I learn?
In Year 1, you will get a grounding in healthcare science generally. You will learn about sensory and brain biology, waves (sound), the technology involved in diagnostic tests, perception, disease and health psychology. You will also learn about specific techniques for evaluating hearing (and other senses) and brain processing, and how we help people improve the quality of their lives (e.g. hearing technology, rehabilitation). You will start to develop your practical skills in conducting various clinical techniques, your detective skills for figuring out the cause of the symptoms and your communication skills, for example working with a hearing-impaired person to work out a rehabilitation plan.
In Year 2, you will focus more on specific aspects of audiology, including more complex aspects of hearing and balance testing and rehab, state-of-the-art digital technology and broader elements of patient care. You will also learn about research, public health issues and how healthcare is delivered in the NHS and beyond.
During the summer of Year 2 and the second semester of Year 3, you will apply the skills and knowledge you have gained in a clinical placement. You'll be working in an audiology service and contributing to the service.
In Semester 1 of Year 3, you will choose areas for in-depth study, such as the management of tinnitus, dizziness or paediatrics. You will also conduct an individual research project, supervised by one of our researchers.
Approximately one-third of your time in years 1 and 2 will consist of clinical practicum in our in-house skills laboratory and audiology clinic. Here, you learn clinical skills – and practice them on each other! You will also take part in a number of week-long placements in local NHS clinics; the bulk of your clinical experience comes from the clinical placement in years 2 (summer) and 3 (semester 2).
What does the programme give me and what can I do next?
The programme gives you a BSc (Hons) science degree and a clinical qualification that enables you register as an audiologist and to work as in the NHS or the independent sector. The robust scientific training we provide means you have a variety of options open within and beyond audiology. Previous graduates have also gone on to the MSc Audiology, become University lecturers, to study towards PhDs at Southampton, Oxford and Cambridge, to take the fast-track medicine programme and to other health care programmes and careers.
Who teaches on the programme?
We have been teaching audiology at university level since 1972. Although few of us have survived since then (!), most of our young and dynamic staff have studied at ISVR at some point in their careers.
Our dedicated team of audiology lecturers are experienced in teaching and research, with many having worked within the NHS. We also have ENT Surgeons, Teachers of the Deaf, Audiologists and Speech and Language Therapists who lecture on the course.
Where is the programme held?
During years 1, 2 and Semester 1 of Year 3, most learning activities are based on Highfield Campus at the University. You will get to broaden your horizons visiting a wide range of NHS departments on short placements within audiology and beyond.
Years 2 (summer) and 3 (Semester 2) consists of seven-months of clinical placement in our placement centres that are spread as far and wide as Dublin, Jersey, Southend, Milton Keynes and Brighton.
What are the financial arrangements?
Standard tuition fees apply to the three standard academic years of the programme. The clinical placements in Year 2 and 3 are unpaid although there are no additional tuition fees for the portion of the placement that happen in the summer months of Year 2. The placements are also guaranteed and arranged by us.
You will be able to apply for a long-course student loan (means tested) from the Student Loans Company. Other potential sources of financial support include:
- Bursaries for low-income families and local students
- Government grants and hardship funds. Note that around half of all new students are likely to be eligible for a full or partial grant, so it's worth applying for.
What are the entry requirements?
2012 entry - we ask for ABB at A-level, including one science A Level (biology, physics, maths, chemistry). Please check our programme lising in the online prospectus for a summary of our entry requirements.
2013 entry - our entry requirements will be changing to AAB at A-level, including one science A Level (more flexible).
Please check our selection process for full details of entry requirements. The various stages of application assess the following areas:
- Your eligibility to undertake a clinical placement within an NHS setting
(ie. UK/EU, Channel Islands and Isle of Man students only) - Your academic and personal details
- Your status on an Enhanced-Disclosure Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check and occupational health check. Please find our full CRB policy on the right menu.
You must apply through UCAS. See our FAQs page for more information, including information for folk with non-standard academic backgrounds.
If you would like to discuss your application in more depth, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Alternative programmes
If you already have a science degree, you might be eligible for the MSc Audiology.
Student profile
"I enjoyed studying psychology and biology at A Level, and audiology is a fantastic way of combining the two subjects in a specialised health care profession. Studying at Southampton is great, and everyone here is so friendly. The facilities are amazing!"
Claire, BSc Student
| Key Facts | |
|---|---|
Who is it for? |
The BSc (Hons) Audiology programme is the new pre-registration entry route for those who have not studied at university before |
Duration |
Three-years full time, including seven months guaranteed clinical placement organised by us |
Outcome |
BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science (Audiology) which enables you to work as an Audiologist |
| Finance | Standard tuition fees apply; the placement is unpaid; students can apply for a long-course Student Loans, government grants and bursaries. |
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