About your hearing sciences top-up degree
Building on the success of our popular Hearing Aid Audiology programme, this course enables you to top-up your existing Foundation Degree qualification (or equivalent) to a full BSc degree in Hearing Science – ideal if you’re a practicing or aspiring Audiologist looking to enhance your skills and boost your career options. You’ll study online, giving you the flexibility to advance your career around your other commitments and attend residentials to get the most from learning in a collaborative environment.
Course highlights
- Flexible study: complete this top-up course in a single academic year
- Professional accreditation: the course is a BSHAA-approved programme
- Delivered in a blend of online learning and practical residentials
How you'll study
Online with campus residentials
Course length
Study this course over 1 year
29th March 2024
Fees: £6,500
Professional accreditation
This course is a BSHAA-approved programme
UK Quality Assured
Course overview
Our Hearing Sciences (Top-up) BSc (Hons) will broaden your knowledge of the theoretical and practical aspects of hearing science (rehabilitative and diagnostic), as well as giving you the opportunity to complete a research project in a relevant topic of your choosing.
There will be extensive practical elements during the residential days using the latest hardware from Siemens, GN Resound and Interacoustics, supported by interactive learning resources. The residential will give you the opportunity to share your learning journey and experiences with your tutors and peers and to expand your understanding and contacts in a collaborative environment. Our small, friendly, experienced and highly motivated academic team are assisted by invited external expert speakers.
Please note that this course doesn't currently provide a direct route to the Registration Council for Clinical Physiologists (RCCP). However, you can pursue an alternative pathway to registration after qualification.
If you’re a practicing Hearing Aid Audiologist with relevant professional body registration (e.g. Registered Hearing Aid Dispenser with Health and Care Professions Council) then you might also be interested in our BSc Hons Audiology (Top-up) course that does offer a direct route to the Registration Council for Clinical Physiologists (RCCP).
Modules
Due to the structure of this course, there will be instances where you will study two modules simultaneously during a trimester. You will be supported by your tutors to help manage your workload and assessment deadlines.
Please contact one of our advisers to discuss the pacing of this course and the options available to match your circumstances.
Modules
Tinnitus Assessment and Management
You'll gain an understanding of the consequences, assessment, and management of tinnitus. The module will also emphasize evidence-based practice in tinnitus management.
Managing People with Specialist Needs
You’ll develop your understanding of assessment and management of adults with complex and specialist needs, that can arise due to the complex nature of hearing disorder and/or comorbid conditions that are common in the elderly. These skills are particularly important to independent practitioners in audiology to be able to support the needs of the clinical audiology pathway in the current and future service commissioning.
Implantable Hearing Devices
Amplification devices continue to benefit people with hearing loss, although they have some limitations. In the recent years implantable devices have become the management option of choice for many people with hearing disorders. These include: cochlear implants; auditory brainstem implants; bone anchored hearing aids; and implantable middle ear devices. You'll gain an overview of these devices, in terms of its technology, candidacy, day-to-day maintenance, advantages and limitations
Hearing in Children
You’ll discuss the range of hearing disorders common in children and young adults, covering specific topics including development milestones, hearing disorders, and the assessment and management of these. You’ll also gain an understanding of the role of other stakeholders and multidisciplinary teams, and develop your knowledge of the transition of services from children to adults.
Advances in Adult Audiology
Hearing healthcare as a profession is developing rapidly with significant advancements in the diagnosis and management of people with hearing loss. You’ll gain an overview of both diagnostic and rehabilitative measures involved in managing adults with hearing loss with the aim of providing up-to-date knowledge, reinforcing the evidence-based practice.
Undergraduate Major Project
You'll create in a substantial piece of individual research and/or product development work, focused on a topic of your choice. You could choose your topic from a variety of sources including research groups, previous/current work experience, your current employer, a suggestion from your tutor or a topic you're specifically interested in. You'll identify problems and issues, conduct literature reviews, evaluate information, investigate and adopt suitable development methodologies, determine solutions, develop hardware, software and/or media artefacts as appropriate, process data, critically appraise and present your finding using a variety of media. Regular meetings with your project supervisor will ensure your project is closely monitored and steered in the right direction.
Assessment
Your progress will be monitored through regular online interaction, including discussion boards, blogs and assignments. You'll complete and submit assignments and your Undergraduate Major Project. There is also a practical exam.
How you'll study
Our Hearing Sciences (top-up) BSc (Hons) course is delivered in a blend of online learning and block residentials to provide a flexible, practical and career-enhancing learning experience.
You’ll study through Canvas, our world-class online Learning Management System (LMS), which can be accessed from your phone, PC or tablet at home or on the move. Canvas provides instant access to study materials, forums, and support from tutors and classmates, as well as enabling easy submission of your assignments.
The residentials are spread monthly during each semester, beginning with a week's induction residential in September. Further compulsory residentials take place in October (3 days), November (4 days), December (2 days), February (4 days), March (5 days) and March/April (5 days). Residential dates are provided at the earliest possible opportunity, to enable you to manage your absence with your employer.
On successful completion of your studies, you’ll be invited to attend a graduation ceremony on campus. If attending the ceremony in person is not possible then we’ll arrange to have your certificate sent to you.
Supported distance learning
We understand that distance learning is different to traditional campus study and if you’re new to online study you may have concerns or apprehensions about studying part of your Hearing Sciences top-up degree online, and that’s natural.
To help put your mind at ease we have a dedicated Distance Learning Support Team to help and support you throughout your time at ARU, starting with your first online induction and staying with you right through to graduation. In addition, you’ll also be supported by specialist hearing science tutors, well experienced in supporting distance learning students.
Once you start your Hearing Sciences degree, we encourage the creation of online communities and many of our learners find these connections with others invaluable, helping them to stay motivated, share concerns or make new friendships. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet your peers in person during the block residentials and further strengthen your relationships.
Contact us to talk through any questions or concerns.
Gold-standard education
We're proud to have received a Gold award for the quality of our education in a UK-wide review of university teaching standards.
Why we're rated Gold
Our course content and delivery is rated as outstanding with the review citing ‘innovative and highly effective course design and content that inspires students to actively engage and commit to their learning’.
We’re also rated outstanding in the areas of:
- student engagement in learning
- learning environment and academic support
- learning resources
- student engagement in improvement
- approaches to supporting student success
- intended educational gains
- approaches to supporting educational gains.
What is the Teaching Excellence Framework?
The Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) is a national scheme run by the Office for Students that focuses on the areas students care most about: teaching, learning, and achieving positive outcomes from their studies.
It has three outcomes: Bronze, Silver and Gold.
This rating was awarded in September 2023, and lasts for four years.
Careers
Careers Advice Service
Once you become an ARU student you will be able to access our Employability service to help you at whatever stage of your career, whether that’s landing your dream job or the next progression step.
We offer:
- careers advice, including one-to-one online and telephone appointments with our experienced advisers.
- help with your CV, job searches, applications, and interview preparation
- an online portal packed with useful careers resources
- our Employability Programme, which helps you hone the skills employers say they want in graduates
Entry requirements
This Level 6 top-up course in BSc (Hons) Hearing Science is suitable for practising Hearing Aid Audiologists with relevant professional body registration (e.g. Registered Hearing Aid Dispenser with Health and Care Professions Council). However, if you don’t have professional body registration you can still be admitted to the course with a view to developing advanced knowledge in this specialist area, although this qualification will not provide eligibility for you to register with any regulatory bodies.
The minimum requirements for admission to this top-up award are one of the following:
- Foundation Degree in Hearing Aid Audiology (or equivalent).
- Dip HE in Audiology and/or Hearing Aid Audiology.
- 240 University credits (at level 4 and 5) with core audiology subjects achieved via any other means.
You will need to provide evidence that a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance has been undertaken.
If you have lived outside of the UK for 6 months or more within the last 5 years then you will need to provide a police check from the country/countries previously resided in
If you are completing placements overseas then you will be required to obtain a police check/certificate of good conduct from the relevant country
As a distance learner, you'll also need a suitable computer with internet connection, together with sufficient IT competence to make effective use our online learning management system (LMS) with high-speed internet and email.
If you hold the relevant professional body registration you might be interested in our BSc (Hons) Audiology (Top-up) degree.
Please note that we are currently unable to offer this course to international students. This course is taught via a mix of distance learning and face-to-face residentials, which means it does not meet the requirements of either the Student Visa Route or Short Term Study Visa routes under current UK Visa and Immigration regulations.
Fees & funding
Fees
This top-up degree costs £6,500 in total.
Accredited Prior Learning may reduce the tuition fees. This will be confirmed once your application has been submitted.
Please note that accommodation and personal travel to and from the residentials is not included in the tuition fees.
Funding
Government-backed part time student loans are available to cover the cost of studying this course. These are subject to eligibility and terms and conditions.
We offer payment by instalments, so you can spread the cost of studying with us.
For military students: You can use your ELCs towards this course. Anglia Ruskin University is a recognised ELCAS provider (number 1007). Please contact your Learning Centre for details of ELC, eligibility and how to apply.
For more information on how you fund your studies please see our funding page.
What our students say
The online information, facilities and resources are modern, easy to navigate and are continually up-to-date. They positively reflect the University’s commitment to students who learn off campus.
Maggie
I would highly recommend this course to anyone who is working with hearing aids or even has an interest in hearing. You can achieve a highly sought after qualification and expand your own knowledge on the subject.
James
I found the staff immensely helpful and supportive. Each module provided an opportunity to learn something new, put it into practice, reflect on it and see the positive results.
I found ARU a welcoming and diverse community. Module tutors were always approachable and the assistance I was given during my studies was fabulous. I'm very career oriented, and was given the opportunity to get involved in research right from day one.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Next application deadline:
29th March 2024
Further reading
Find out more about this course and more on our blog
