About this course
Develop the specialist knowledge to boost your career with our 1 year MSc Audiology degree. Audiology taster clinics help you learn about patient care and our in-house auditory implant service offers a chance to explore cochlear implantation. Your learning is informed by our Institute of Sound and Vibration Research (ISVR). The ISVR developed childhood hearing screening adopted by the NHS and recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Gain scientific training in audiology whether you're new to the field, or are a qualified health professional interested in taking your career further.
A number of the MSc modules are approved as part of the higher training scheme of the British Academy of Audiology. Visit the BAA Higher Training scheme modules for more information.
Course lead
Dr Steven Bell is Associate Professor in Audiology. His work focuses on measuring the brain’s response to sound. Dr Bell manages the Hearing and Balance Centre Clinic and is a council member of the International Evoked Response Audiometry Study Group. He's also a member of the British Society of Audiology Special Interest Group in Electrophysiology. Visit Dr Bell's profile page to learn more about his work.
Related pathways
If you'd prefer to carry out a clinical placement you can apply for our 2 or 3 year clinical placement degrees:
- MSc Audiology with Clinical Placement (2 years)
- MSc Audiology with part-time Clinical Placement (3 years)
- PG Dip Audiology with Clinical Placement (2 years) - identical to the 2 year master's but you don't need to carry out the year 1 research project
Your modules and fees may vary if you choose a different study option.
“Southampton provided a high quality educational environment. I always enjoyed the workshop sessions putting theory into practice. The professors are all expert in their field while also being very approachable, supportive and patient.”
Course location
This course is based at Highfield.
Awarding body
This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.
Download the programme specification
The programme specification sets out the learning outcomes of this course and details how the course is taught and assessed.
Entry requirements
A UK bachelor’s degree with upper second-class honours (2:1) in a related discipline such as a physical, biological, life or behavioural science, or an engineering subject.
Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.
In your personal statement, you must show that you have:
- excellent interpersonal, problem-solving and critical-thinking skills
- an interest in healthcare, science and learning
- motivation and initiative
- an understanding of the audiology profession
- visited, or intend to visit, an audiology or related department
English language requirements
If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need an overall score of 6.5 and the following scores for reading, writing, listening and speaking:
IELTS score requirements
- reading
- 6.5
- writing
- 6.5
- speaking
- 6.0
- listening
- 6.0
We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.
Recognition of professional experience
If you don't have the exact entry requirements, but you have significant work experience in this sector we’ll assess your:
- relevant professional experience
- subject knowledge
- aptitude for learning
- evidence of your scientific aptitude
Your application will be considered on individual merit and you may be asked to attend an interview.
Got a question?
Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
Course structure
The first year of the MSc Audiology, and the MSc Audiology with Clinical Placement degrees are identical. Your audiology training is divided into 2 semesters, with the last 4 months dedicated to your research project, at the end of which you will submit a thesis.
For your research project you’ll bring together all the skills you’ve learnt on the course, and show in-depth knowledge of one or more of the subject areas studied. You should also exceed the existing standard of technical design and address a novel problem that requires the application of new research.
Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.
Modules
For entry in Academic Year 2021-22
Year 1 modules
You must study the following modules:
Learning and assessment
Learning
You will participate in:
- taster clinics
- research skill development
- investigation of healthcare innovations in the field
You’ll learn about key aspects of the discipline in lectures and tutorials. Including the structure and function of the human auditory system and the methods used for qualitative and quantitative research in health and social care.
A module of weekly Academic Support runs across both Semester 1 and 2 and is available to all international MSc and study abroad students. This module aims to help the transition to living and studying in the UK. In friendly and interactive sessions we explore cultural and language differences and challenges.
Find out more information by visiting English language support services web page.
Assessment
We’ll assess you through a combination of:
- unseen written examinations
- assignments
- presentations
- essays
- practical exams
- individual and group projects
Dissertation
You’ll need to write a dissertation on your chosen topic.
Academic Support
We'll assign you a personal academic tutor, and you'll have access to a senior tutor.
Careers
We offer an exciting programme of activities to help you explore your career options and develop your employability skills. The highlight of the year is a student-led audiology careers event, organised by audiology student ‘employability ambassadors’ with support from the employability lead for audiology and our dedicated careers practitioner. The event provides an opportunity to network with a wide variety of employers including NHS, private sector, charitable sector, recruitment agencies, cochlear implant and hearing aid companies.
Our audiology MSc graduates are highly desired by employers around the world. Graduates have gone on to a variety of roles, such as clinical audiologists, educators and researchers working for organisations including:
- Action for Deafness
- Advanced Bionics
- Amplifon UK
- MED-ED Medical Electrics
- NHS
They’ve also transformed audiology, by:
- starting the first audiology service in Rwanda
- developing the national Chinese hearing test
- becoming head of a University department in Jordan
- managing a hearing screening programme in the UK
Applications from Canada or the USA
If you're applying from Canada please note that it is very difficult to achieve licensing in Canada as an audiologist with our MSc Audiology (with or without Clinical Placement). Check with the relevant registration body before applying.
If you're applying from the USA note that each state of the USA has a doctoral (AuD) training programme that graduates must complete to be licensed to work as an audiologist there. Our MSc Audiology (with or without Clinical Placement) might be accepted as an entry qualifications onto that programme. Check with the licensing body or provider of the Doctoral programme within the state.
Careers services at Southampton
We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2020). Our Careers and Employability Service will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:
- work experience schemes
- CV/resume and interview skills workshops
- networking events
- careers fairs attended by top employers
- a wealth of volunteering opportunities
- study abroad and summer school opportunities
We have a thriving entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:
- our dedicated start-up incubator, Futureworlds
- a wide variety of enterprise events run throughout the year
- our partnership in the world’s number 1 business incubator, SETsquared
Fees, costs and funding
Tuition fees
Fees for a year's study:
- UK students pay £9,250.
- EU and international students pay £24,400.
What your fees pay for
Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams.
Find out how to pay your tuition fees.
Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. Explore:
10% alumni discount
If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton you get a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.
Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)
This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.
Funding your postgraduate studies
A variety of additional scholarships, grants and bursaries may be available to help you fund your master’s study, both from the University and from other organisations.
Funding for EU and international students
Find out about funding you could get as an international student.
How to apply
You can apply directly through our online form by using the apply button on this page.
Applications from Canada:
It’s difficult to achieve licensing as an audiologist in Canada with either our MSc Audiology or our MSc Audiology with Clinical Placement. Please check with the relevant registration body before making an application to us.
Applications from the USA:
In the USA each state has its own doctoral (AuD) training programme that graduates must complete to become licensed audiologists. Our MSc Audiology and our MSc Audiology with Clinical Placement may be acceptable as an entry qualification. We recommend checking with the licensing body or provider of the doctoral course within your chosen state before making an application to us.
Application deadlines
UK students
Applications must be received no later than 4 weeks before the start of the course. You must supply all supporting documentation at least 2 weeks before starting your course.
International students
We recommend you apply at least 6 weeks before the start of the course to ensure you're able to meet our requirements and apply for a visa in time.
We cannot guarantee students who do not meet these deadlines will be able to begin their course.
Application assessment fee
We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for any postgraduate taught course that starts in or after September 2021.
This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.
If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you're applying for a Master of Research (MRes) degree, you will not need to pay the fee. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.
Supporting information
When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course.
You’ll need to include information about:
- your knowledge of the subject area
- why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
- how you intend to use your qualification
You'll also need to send 2 academic references.
Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.
Learn more about how to apply with our postgraduate application guide.
What happens after you apply
You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.
We'll assess your application on the strength of your:
- academic achievements
- relevant professional experience
- personal statement
- academic references
We'll get back to you within 6 weeks with a decision about your application.
Equality and diversity
We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.
Got a question?
Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000