Home

Audiological Science MSc

London, Bloomsbury

The Audiological Science MSc is aimed at science graduates who want to develop their knowledge and understanding of audiology. It focuses on hearing and balance mechanisms, their structure, function, pathology and assessment. You will learn from the experts at the UCL Ear Institute, the largest multidisciplinary centre for research into hearing and deafness in Europe, and gain practical clinical and lab experience. Our programmes draw on the expertise of senior clinicians from the NHS and private sector, including the associated Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
£16,000
£8,000
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
£36,500
£18,250
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Duration
1 calendar year
2 calendar years
5 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2025
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 14 Oct 2024 – 31 Jul 2025
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

A minimum of a second-class Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 4

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree


You will learn how people develop, or are born with, hearing and/or balance difficulties; how to test for hearing and balance problems and how to rehabilitate or habilitate patients with these problems. You will learn the theory and science underpinning these practical clinical skills, including acoustics and the anatomy and physiology of the auditory and vestibular systems.

Our teaching is evidence-based and research-led. We offer research projects supervised by some of the world’s leading academics researching the ear and ear disorders.

Who this course is for

This MSc is suitable for science, engineering or psychology graduates who are new to the field of audiological science. It is also suitable for audiologists with no audiology graduate-level qualification who wish to develop their careers further, or academic researchers with a specialist interest in audiology.

This course may also be beneficial to students from outside the UK who are able to access clinical training in their home country after successful completion of this MSc at UCL.

We look for applicants who have good interpersonal and communication skills and enjoy working collaboratively with people of all ages and backgrounds.

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

  • You will benefit from the range of clinical and research expertise among our staff. The UCL Ear Institute is one of the largest and most broad-based academic units for research into hearing and deafness in the UK. Our teaching staff include some of the most influential clinicians and researchers in the field of ear disorders, and draw from their experience in hearing, tinnitus, and balance disorders.
  • We strongly believe in person-centred care and involve patients and the general public in our teaching and learning.
  • We work closely with NHS departments, private hospitals, and commercial hearing aid dispensers to provide placement and observation opportunities. We are partnered with the Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals, which houses the largest clinical audiology unit in the UK.
  • Our links with healthcare providers, industry (cochlear implant and hearing aid manufacturers) and the charitable sector, provide you with significant networking opportunities.
  • We are the only university in London where you can study a Master’s degree in Audiology. Our central location gives access to one of the world’s most vibrant, cosmopolitan, and influential cities, ranked as the best city in the world for university students (QS Best Student Cities 2023).
Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

This course will provide you with the broad theoretical knowledge to consider pursuing a career as an audiologist in the NHS or private sector, or work as a hearing aid dispenser. You will gain practical knowledge and skills related to core clinical procedures, as well as developing research and critical skills by undertaking an independent research project giving you the opportunity to focus on a specific area of interest within audiology.

Employability

As well as working as audiologists, our graduates have pursued academic or research careers, working with large hearing aid manufacturers and in other health-related roles. International students have used the knowledge and skills gained to promote and develop audiological services in their countries. Read our alumni testimonials to find out more.

Some of our graduates have successfully transferred to the MSc Audiological Science with Clinical Practice (subject to availability and a competitive interview process) and are now practising audiologists in the NHS or private sector.

UCL is one of the top four universities in Europe for graduate employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). 100% of our students are in graduate-level work or study 15 months after completion of their programme (source Graduate Outcomes Survey published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA)).

Please note that the Audiological Science MSc does not meet the requirements of the UK regulatory bodies on its own. The programme provides most of the required theoretical knowledge for clinical registration in the UK but does not provide the practical training required. Applicants wishing to practise as an audiologist or hearing aid dispenser in the UK will need to transfer to the Audiological Science with Clinical Practice MSc (two-year full time). This is subject to availability and there is a competitive interview process. Students considering the transfer should be aware that the Audiological Science MSc forms stage one of this programme and this must be completed within four years 

Networking

Throughout their time at the Ear Institute, students will have opportunities to develop new connections with staff and peers to expand their academic and professional networks through our interactive and participative programme. Students will learn from each other, from academic staff and practicing professionals, and will benefit from the Institute’s engagement with external groups including health trusts, charities, public and private sector institutions.

Students also take part in interprofessional sessions with trainees on other clinical programmes at UCL. Clinical placements provide a great opportunity to network with practising audiologists and other healthcare professionals.  

Accreditation

The Audiological Science MSc is an academic qualification. It does not enable you to apply for registration as a qualified audiologist or hearing aid dispenser practising in the UK.

It is equivalent to the first year of the Audiological Science with Clinical Practice MSc, which has professional accreditation from the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS). If you wish to practice as an audiologist or hearing aid dispenser in the UK, you should consider applying to our Audiological Science with Clinical Practice MSc.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of in person lectures & tutorials, recorded lectures and online preparation, practical demonstrations and workshops, tutorials, assignments and clinical placement observations. Practicals will consist of observations followed by supervised testing for rehabilitation and diagnostics in the Ear Institute’s specialist Skills Laboratory.

We use our virtual learning environment to provide a range of learning resources, which can include video lectures, structured learning activities (e.g. quizzes, online discussion boards, webinars) and directed reading.

Each module will be assessed using a range of different assessment methods which will typically include written coursework assignments (e.g. essays, presentations, case studies, lab reports, statistical assignments), clinical practical examinations, unseen written tests and examinations. Details of the assessments required for each module, including the weighting of each assessment components and information on which assessment components must be passed in order to pass the module, can be found in the individual module sections.

The deadlines for coursework submission and dates for examinations other assessments take place throughout the calendar year.  Full details of the dates for all assessments can be found in each module summary and also on the Moodle page for each module.

In term one there are 12 weeks of teaching and 11 weeks in term 2. During term 1, you can expect to have teaching sessions for two full days and two mornings (6 sessions in total, each session lasting 2-4 hours) each week. For most of these teaching weeks you are allocated 4 sessions each week for independent private self directed study and project preparation. During term 2, you can expect to have teaching sessions for two full days and one morning for most weeks in this term (5 sessions in total, each session lasting 2-4 hours).

You will be on placement for several days (around six) in term 2 for clinical observation of NHS Audiology departments and private clinics within the Greater London area. The placements are arranged by the clinical placements coordinator and aim to give each student a breadth of experience across different settings in both the public and private sectors.

Depending on your personal observation timetable, you are allocated between 1 and 5 sessions each week in term 2 for independent private study, preparing coursework assignments, carry out additional reading and for project preparation.

Term 3 is the main period for final examinations of term 2 modules and for submission of remaining summative coursework. There is little direct teaching in term 3 as you are allocated private study time to revise for exams.

The rest of the academic year after the final examinations is allocated to working on your independent project; primary contact will be with project supervisor (100% of each week).

Late summer assessment period for resit examination (August/Sept).

A Postgraduate Diploma, eight core modules (120 credits), full-time nine months is offered.

Modules

You will undertake eight modules and a Dissertation/ Research Project.

The eight compulsory modules are taught during the academic terms (October to December and January to March) and includes lectures, tutorials, workshops, and private study. 

You will work on the Research Project throughout the year, including supervision, data collection and independent study.

Part-time students will take at least four taught modules in year one and begin their research project. In year two they will complete the remaining taught modules and the research project.

Note some modules need to be taken in a specific order; requisites for each module are highlighted in the programme diet.

The programme may be taken up to five years on a flexible basis. Some modules need to be taken in a specific order; requisites for each module are highlighted in the programme diet.

Compulsory modules











Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Audiological Science. Upon successful completion of 120 credits, you will be awarded a PG Dip in Audiological Science.

Placement

You will be on placement for several days (around six) in term 2 for clinical observation of NHS Audiology departments and private clinics within the Greater London area. The placements are arranged by the clinical placements coordinator and aim to give each student a breadth of experience across different settings in both the public and private sectors. 

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2025/26) £16,000 £8,000
Tuition fees (2025/26) £36,500 £18,250

Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

For Full-time and Part-time offer holders a fee deposit will be charged at 10% of the first year fee.

For flexible/modular offer holders a £500 fee deposit will be charged.

There is no fee deposit required for PG Dip and PG Cert applicants.

Further information can be found in the Tuition fee deposits section on this page: Tuition fees.

This programme requires a completed DBS check for some compulsory modules. You will receive more information from UCL on how to complete the check once you have firmly accepted an unconditional offer for the programme. The DBS application cost will be covered by UCL, but offer holders will also need to have their ID checked and verified at a Post Office, for which they will incur a charge of £15, at time of writing. The offer holder is also required to arrange and pay for any overseas police check that may be necessary; costs vary by country. For more information about the DBS application process, please contact the UCL Graduate Admissions team.

If you have lived, worked, studied or travelled in any single country outside of the UK for six continuous months or more, in the last five years, you will be required to obtain a Certificate of Good Conduct/Police Check from the relevant country/countries. The cost of this check varies by country and is payable by the student. More information on how to obtain these can be found on gov.uk

Occupational health screen cost is met by UCL but the cost of necessary vaccinations is met by students (TB immunity; hepatitis B; measles, mumps, rubella; chickenpox - cost is dependent on current levels of immunity - up to £700 for all vaccinations at time of writing).

The expected total placement travel cost is approximately £100 for the few days (around six) placement observation days in term 2. Student discounts may reduce these transport costs. Check Transport for London website for up to date information.

A guide including rough estimates for these and other living expenses is included on the UCL Fees and funding pages. If you are concerned by potential additional costs for books, equipment, etc., please get in touch with the relevant departmental contact (details given on this page). 

This programme requires a completed DBS check for some compulsory modules. You will receive more information from UCL on how to complete the check once you have firmly accepted an unconditional offer for the programme. A charge for Post Office ID verification (£15.00) needed for an application to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is payable by the student. The cost of the DBS check itself is paid for by UCL.

If you have lived, worked, studied or travelled in any single country outside of the UK for six continuous months or more, in the last five years, you will be required to obtain a Certificate of Good Conduct/Police Check from the relevant country/countries. The cost of this check varies by country and is payable by the student. More information on how to obtain these can be found on gov.uk.

For more information about the DBS application process, please contact the UCL Graduate Admissions team.

UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £114.50. This price was published by TfL in 2024. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide.

Funding your studies

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Next steps

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • Why you want to study Audiological Science at graduate level?
  • Why you want to study Audiological Science at UCL?
  • What particularly attracts you to this programme?
  • How your academic and professional background meets the demands of this challenging programme?
  • Where you would like to go professionally with your degree?

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement and the interview are your opportunity to elaborate on your reasons for applying to this programme and demonstrate your commitment to the field of audiology.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2025-2026

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Ear Institute
Ear Institute

ear.education@ucl.ac.uk

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.