Healthcare Science (Audiology) BSc

Audiology is the science of hearing and balance and their associated disorders. It’s a varied and expanding discipline, involving aspects of biological sciences, psychology, physics and electronics, speech and language development and social science.

As an audiologist, you’ll be involved in the diagnosis of and rehabilitation of patients, allowing you to develop relationships with your patients and see the benefits they get from your care.

Why choose Leeds?

• We’re the only audiology course in the UK that sits within a School of Medicine.

• Develop your communication skills with patients and carers through the School’s Patient Carer Community.

• On-campus audiology laboratories.

• Experience private sector practice placements with leading high street audiology service providers.

• Gain hands on experience in clinical placements at different hospitals supported by experienced audiologists.

• Undertake novel research with the opportunity to present at conferences and in professional journals.

• Taught by research active staff who are working at the cutting-edge of their discipline.

• Gain an international perspective on audiology through the IPAB conference.

• Become eligible to apply for registration with the HCPC, RCCP and/or AHCS after completing our course.

Our accredited course offers excellent clinical placements across our region providing you with opportunities to experience the varied work of a modern audiologist. Our combination of a strong academic grounding and hands on clinical experience means our course has a 94% satisfaction rate (Discover Uni, 2020) and an excellent employability record. In fact, 90% of our Audiology students go on to work and/or study within 15 months of the course (Discover Uni, 2020).

Visit our Audiology webpages to find out more >

Did you miss our virtual open days? Don’t worry, you can still watch our helpful course talks and student videos or find out more on accommodation, student finance, and much more. Visit our virtual open day page now to find out if Leeds is the right choice for you.

Accreditation

The course is accredited by the National School of Healthcare Science (NSHCS), approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and accredited by the Registration Council for Clinical Physiologists (RCCP). Thus, on successful completion of this course, our graduates are eligible to apply for registration as audiologists with the AHCS and the RCCP and the HCPC as a Hearing Aid Dispenser.

Year 1

In year 1 you will gain a broad understanding of the principles of neurophysiological healthcare science, with an introduction to the theory and practice of audiological assessment and rehabilitation. You’ll start to learn how to assess hearing function in the on-site clinical laboratories prior to using these skills on clinical placement. You’ll also learn about professional working and you will start to develop your independent and critical thinking skills.

Year 2

In year 2 you will learn about a range of audiological disorders, assessments and rehabilitation techniques which will prepare you for your longer clinical placement at the end of the academic year. In particular, you’ll focus on adult hearing impairment and the current technological and non-technological options to improve the quality of life for hearing impaired individuals. You’ll undertake long block clinical placement at the end of this year, where you’ll continue to develop your clinical audiology skills.

Year 3

In year 3 you will explore more deeply a wide range of both routine and advanced hearing and balance disorders and the options available to treat and manage these conditions. You’ll also conduct a research project in a specific area of audiology. You’ll continue to develop your clinical skills both in the on-site clinical laboratories and whilst on clinical placement in both semesters of this year.

Throughout the course, you’ll develop the skills necessary to become an audiologist, but you’ll also gain more general skills. These include critical thinking, problem solving, independent learning, scientific enquiry, professional working and reflective practice.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Healthcare Science (Audiology) BSc in the course catalogue

Modules

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Learning and teaching

You will be taught by staff who are experienced, innovative educators in the audiology field. Methods of teaching and training are highly participative, utilising state-of-the-art simulations, a combination of tutor-led input and support, learning through group work and discussion, and individual exercises and practice.

Facilities

The on-campus dedicated Audiology Labs provide a well equipped environment dedicated to audiological teaching and research. They comprise 3 teaching labs, all of which are equipped with cutting-edge technology used in the diagnosis and rehabilitation of hearing and balance conditions. Our sound-proofed labs house a wide range of equipment that allows the practice of audiological clinical skills and the investigation of a number of research questions. These include a ‘sleep laboratory’ used for auditory evoked potential testing, a set-up for testing people’s ability to simultaneously perform sound-localisation and postural control tasks, and equipment for making physiological, psychophysical and electroacoustic measurements.

Alongside these dedicated facilities, in the newly renovated School of Medicine building is the Medical Teaching Centre and the Health Sciences Library. You'll also have access to the Clinical Practice Centre at St James's University Hospital, which allows you to gain clinical skills prior to placement and in a hospital environment.

On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

We use a range of assessment methods to assess your clinical and professional skills. These include presentations, group assessments, examinations, OSCEs (Objective Structured Clinical Examinations), along with essays, a final oral examination and clinical practice.

You’ll need to demonstrate the knowledge and application of standard concepts, information and techniques relevant to the discipline, as well as your emerging abilities, skills and competencies. You need to be able to draw on a wide variety of material and be able to evaluate and criticise received opinion.

Entry requirements

A-level: ABB including a science subject (biology, human biology, chemistry, physics, maths and psychology)

We consider all A-level subjects for the remaining grades, except general studies or critical thinking.

GCSE: 5 A*-C (new grading 4-9), including maths, English language and a science all at grade B (new grading 6)

Other course specific tests:

You will need to show evidence of study in the last 5 years.

• Access to HE Diploma

  45 credits at level 3, which must be at distinction and include 15 credits from science subjects + GCSEs, as above.

  We strongly advise you to contact the School to discuss the suitability of your chosen Access course. We consider Access Courses to be suitable for mature applicants, who have been out of full-time education and have had no previous access to higher education. We will consider applications on an individual basis.

• BTEC

  BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (QCF): distinction/distinction/distinction and must contain at least one-third science content at distinction.

  Health and Social Care qualifications have insufficient science content and will only be considered with an additional science A level – biology, human biology, chemistry, maths, physics or psychology.

  All BTEC modules must be listed on your UCAS form or else your application will be rejected.

• Cambridge Pre-U

  Three Merits (M1) in 3 Principal Subjects, one of which must be a science

• International Baccalaureate

  34 points overall, including 3 higher level subjects at minimum of grade 5, one of which must be a science subject

• Irish Highers (Leaving Certificate)

  (Leaving Certificate): AABBBB, including English, maths and 2 science subjects

• Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers

  ABB, including 1 science. We consider all subjects for the remaining grades

• Other Qualifications

  Interdisciplinary Science Foundation Programme (CFGO): Successful completion of the year with an overall score of at least 65%

  Interdisciplinary Foundation Programme (PHE): Successful completion of the year with an overall score of at least 65%

Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the School’s Undergraduate Admissions Team.

Alternative entry

We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.

Access to Leeds is an alternative admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.

Find out more about Access to Leeds and alternative admissions.

Typical Access to Leeds Offer

GCSEs

GCSE: 5 A*-C (new grading 4-9), including maths, English language and a science all at grade B (new grading 6)

A Levels

BBC and must still include a science subject to grade B.

Scottish Highers

CC at Advanced Higher level and AABBBB at Higher level. Or C at Advanced Higher level and AAA at Higher Level. For applicants without Advanced Highers, we require BBBBBB at Higher level. Each of these options requires 1 science, from Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry or Physics.

Irish Highers (leaving certificate)

Require a minimum of 6 subjects taken at Higher level (not ordinary IO) and must include English language and maths to meet University matriculation plus 2 sciences from biology, physics or chemistry, grades required are minimum BBBBBB.

Cambridge Pre-U

Three Merits (M2) in 3 Principal Subjects, one of which must be a science.

IB

33 points overall, including 2 higher level subjects at minimum of grade 5, one of which must be a science subject.

BTEC

DDM, with at least one-third science content which must be at a D.

Access to HE, Foundation year or OU module candidates are not eligible for A2L offers

122 points equivalent. For Access courses we would go down to 36 credits, the specific minimum 15 distinction credits for science units must be maintained.

International Foundation Year

International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.

English language requirements

IELTS 7.0 overall, with no less than 6.5 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

How to apply

Apply to this course through UCAS. The institution code for the University of Leeds is L23. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.

The School of Medicine does not normally participate in the UCAS Extra scheme for entry onto the Healthcare Sciences (Audiology) BSc degree course. You must tell us in your UCAS application if you want to defer entry and if you have any prior criminal convictions.

Read our frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the application process

Please see the latest School of Medicine Admissions Appeals and Complaints Procedure.

Selection

We shortlist applicants against agreed criteria, using the information you submit on your UCAS form only. You must meet the academic entry requirement for the programme, at application or within the academic cycle. Your academic background and personal statement help us to assess your interest in the academic subject and are an important part of the process. The reference you provide on the UCAS form must also support your application.

Interviews

Shortlisted applicants are normally invited for multiple mini interviews at the School of Medicine. This allows us to further assess your aptitude for, and interest in, the course. It’s also an opportunity for you to visit the audiology facilities, find out more about the course and meet staff, students, patients and carers.

If shortlisted, you'll receive a written invitation from the School to attend a selection event on a specific time and date. If this date is unsuitable, contact the School and where possible we'll offer an alternative date. If you don't notify us and don't attend a selection event, your application will be rejected.

Admissions policy

School of Medicine undergraduate admissions policy 2021

Fees

UK: To be confirmed

International: To be confirmed

UK undergraduate tuition fees for 2021 entry 
For UK full-time students starting in 2021, the fee for 2021/22 will be £9,250.

The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation, and as permitted by law. Fees for UK undergraduate students are decided by the UK government and may vary if policy changes.

EU students starting in 2021/22 
EU students starting their course in the 2021/22 academic year or later will now be classed as international students and so will need to pay the international student tuition fee.

UK undergraduate tuition fees for 2022 entry
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students starting in 2022/23 have not yet been confirmed by the UK government. In other years, the government has confirmed fee levels in the summer. When the fee is confirmed we will publish an update on all course pages.

Tuition fees for new international students for 2022 entry
Tuition fees for international students are published on each individual course page. These are usually published a year in advance, so 2022 course fees should be available from September 2021.

Read more about paying fees and charges.

Brexit 
Visit our Brexit page for the latest information on the effect of the UK's exit from the EU on current students and applicants to the University.

Additional cost information

<p>UK/EU fee paying students:</p><p>A contribution towards travel costs you may incur in attending your clinical placements is currently available to students. A contribution towards accommodation costs is also provided, where travel to and from placement on a daily basis is not possible. Provision of this financial support is assessed on an individual basis, depending on placement location and circumstances.</p><p>International fee paying students:</p><p>The current tuition and combined placement fees for Undergraduate international students are listed above and are subject to annual revision. The course length is 3 years. Students will have to pay for Occupational Health clearance and immunisations (cost will vary dependent on individual needs of student and course requirements as well as any additional Occupational Health appointments and treatment needed during the programme).</p><p>Other additional costs associated with the programme, which require consideration include visas, travel to and from placement sites and possibly additional accommodation at placement sites, if necessary. Applicants for all Undergraduate programmes at the School of Medicine require a Criminal Record check, which will be undertaken as part of the visa application.</p>

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs

Financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.

Career opportunities in audiology are excellent both within the UK and around the world. Approximately one person in ten is affected by a hearing impairment, so demand for hearing assessment and rehabilitation services is very high. This demand is expected to increase as the population ages.

In the UK the NHS employs the majority of audiologists, in a range of settings and a variety of roles. Settings include hospital Ear, Nose and Throat departments, self-contained audiology centres and educational establishments. A number of audiologists also work as independent practitioners in private practice.

Audiologists select the assessment methods and rehabilitation techniques most appropriate to patients and their needs, within the setting and available resources.

In addition to assessment and treatment, audiologist roles can also include consultant, counsellor, advisor, educator, facilitator, researcher and therapist.

Careers support

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.

Clinical placements

We have excellent and well-established work placements, where you'll gain clinical training in established NHS audiology departments, primarily within the Yorkshire and Humber region. Find out more about our clinical placements.