MSc Audiology / Course details

Our MSc Audiology course is aimed at science graduates who want to develop their knowledge and understanding of audiology.

The course focuses on the theoretical, practical and clinical basis of the science of audiology, including the identification, assessment, rehabilitation and management of adults and children with audiological and vestibular dysfunction.

Our course includes an optional short clinical placement in the north-west, in an NHS audiology department or in the independent sector, to help you gain valuable practical experience while you learn. Please note, during the coronavirus pandemic, the process of clinical placement arrangements may have to be altered to align with the advice of our professional bodies.

You will learn from internationally recognised experts at the Manchester Centre for Audiology and Deafness (ManCAD) while studying on this course.

Clinical training

This is not a clinical training course and does not lead to eligibility for registration as a qualified audiologist or hearing aid dispenser practising in the UK. The MSc Audiology is an academic qualification only.

If you are not a qualified audiologist and want an academic and clinical qualification to enable you to apply for registration as a qualified audiologist or hearing aid dispenser practising in the UK, please consider the BSc Healthcare Science (Audiology) . 

Alternatively, please consider the STP programme.

For qualified clinicians, we also offer the  MSc Advanced Audiology Studies , MSc Advanced Audiology Studies (Paediatric) and a variety of CPD units .

PhD with integrated master's

If you're planning to undertake a PhD after your master's, our Integrated PhD programme will enable you to combine your postgraduate taught course with a related PhD project in biology, medicine or health.

You can also visit this page for examples of projects related to integrated master's courses.

Information for international applicants

We strongly advise international applicants to check if clinical training programmes are available to them in their home country before considering undertaking the MSc Audiology course at Manchester.

This course aims to:

• offer you a broad and thorough education in the identification, assessment, rehabilitation and management of adults and children with audiological and vestibular dysfunction, with a critical and evaluative understanding of the underlying scientific, medical, public health and disability knowledge base;
• develop your practical knowledge and skills related to core clinical procedures;
• further develop your research and critical skills by undertaking a piece of original research and presenting your findings via a research dissertation.

Inter-professional learning

You will have the opportunity to attend some professional practice lectures and workshops.

Practical experience

Gain valuable practical experience through an optional one-week clinical placement, either in an NHS audiology department in the north-west or the independent sector. Please note, during the coronavirus pandemic, the process of clinical placement arrangements may have to be altered to align with the advice of our professional bodies. These being the British Academy of Audiology (BAA), the Academy for Healthcare Science (ACHS) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Research experience

You will be required to design and complete a research project as part of the course, helping develop your research skills and giving you the opportunity to focus on a specific area of interest within audiology.

Expert teaching

This course is led by members of the Manchester Centre for Audiology and Deafness (ManCAD), an internationally recognised multi-million pound hearing research programme. Manchester's hearing health research is benefiting as part of a £59 million investment through the NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, so MSc students will benefit greatly from studying in an intensive and high-quality research environment.

Many of the staff involved with this course are actively involved in either scientific or pedagogical research. Where possible, members of staff teach course units related to their research interests, so they are able to keep their teaching informed and up to date.

A large number of the teaching staff are also clinically trained audiologists, hearing therapists or hearing scientists.

We use a range of teaching and learning methods, including lectures, small group work, student-led seminars, problem-based learning and online learning.

In addition, you will be required to undertake independent study to further develop and consolidate your learning.

To develop clinical skills, you will be required to undertake practical skills training as part of the course.

Find out more by visiting the postgraduate teaching and learning page.

We use a variety of assessments within individual course units and across the course as a whole. All assessments require students to integrate knowledge and understanding, and apply this to your own practice relevant to the outcomes of each unit.

Assessment methods include:

• essays
• examinations
• case studies
• assessed seminar presentations
• literature reviews
• reflective practice

A substantial and mandatory component of the MSc involves the design and completion of a high-quality research project. The research project component represents 33% of the MSc (ie 600 hours or four months' full-time study).

The project is completed under supervision in an area related to audiology. The research project is an opportunity for you to consolidate much of your previous learning and to pursue a specialist area of interest.

You will use high-quality laboratory equipment and facilities for the teaching of practical skills. You will have access to these facilities outside of timetabled sessions to facilitate individual practice of procedures that carry minimal risk.

You will also be able to access a range of facilities throughout the University.