The MSc in Advanced Audiology is a part-time programme which runs over two academic years from the date of first registration.

Whilst the MSc in Advanced Audiology programme is targeted at professionals who would be qualified to register as clinical audiologists, other professionals related to the field of audiology such as speech and language therapists, ENT surgeons in training, ENT nurses, teachers of the Deaf, can also enter the programme. However, priority will be given to clinically qualified audiologists. Please note, this programme does not qualify or license graduates to practice clinical audiology.

Applicants must satisfy the following:

(a) Candidates will be judged on previous practice experience, academic qualifications and a personal statement.

(b) Candidates accepted on the course will normally be expected to either:

(i) hold an undergraduate degree (minimum Second Class Honours Grade 1) in audiology (or related field, e.g. speech and language therapy, medicine, nursing, education of the deaf); or

(ii) hold a postgraduate degree in audiology (or related field, e.g. speech and language therapy, medicine, nursing, education of the deaf).

Applicants with Second Class Honours Grade 2 will also be considered on a case-by-case basis.

(c) Candidates must be eligible for registration as a clinical audiologist, or eligible for registration in a profession related to the field of audiology such as speech and language therapy, medicine, nursing or education of the deaf.

(d) Candidates whose first language is not English must have a minimum of IELTS 6.5 with scores in no individual sections less than 6.0.

(e) In exceptional circumstances, candidates without an honours degree may be recommended for entry to the programme after a review of their qualifications and experience by the programme lead. These candidates may be required to attend an interview and their admission will be subject to the approval of the College of Medicine and Health Executive Committee.

Students will take modules to the value of 90 credits as outlined below.

Upon satisfactory completion of 60 credits, to include at least two audiology-specific modules and the successful completion of the research methodology module, students will complete a minor research dissertation on an approved topic in audiology, to the value of 30 credits. All students will be allocated a research supervisor for their Audiology research dissertation. The dissertation involves independent study under research supervision and there are three months in which to complete this module following registration. The dissertation must be handed in on the last working day at the end of the three month period in Year 2 of the programme for consideration at the Autumn Examination Board.

Core Modules

Students take 15 credits as follows:
*CT6000 Research Methodology (15 credits)

*Students who can evidence a first-class honours pass in the research dissertation component of an undergraduate honours degree may apply for exemption from this module (CT6000) and should contact the programme leader in the first instance. Students who obtain such an exemption from the department must complete another available module in lieu of the Research Methodology module in order to complete 90 credits for the MSc (Advanced Audiology).

Optional Modules

In addition to the core module, students choose three other modules to the value of 45 credits from the following:
AU6001 Advanced Paediatric Audiology (15 credits)
AU6002 Clinical Otology and Neurotology (15 credits)
AU6003 Aural Rehabilitation in Children and Adults (15 credits)
AU6004 Balance Disorders (15 credits)
AU6005 Audiological Concepts for Healthcare Practitioners (15 credits)**
AU6007 Independent Study in Audiology (15 credits)
CT6001 Implementing Evidence in Healthcare Practice (15 credits)

** Audiologists may not register for AU6005, as it is designed to give a general overview of audiology for non-audiologists.

In addition all students must take:
AU6016 Audiology Research Dissertation (30 credits)
Note: CT6000 (Research Methodology) must be completed prior to beginning the dissertation.

Structure of modules offered per year:
CT6000, CT6001, AU6007 and AU6016 will be offered every year and AU6001, AU6002, AU6003, AU6004 and AU6005 will be offered in alternate years. The following table illustrates when each module will be offered in alternate years:

	Semester 1 (Sept-Dec)	Semester 2 (Jan-Apr)	Semester 3 (May-August)
Years A	CT6001 AU6002 AU6005 AU6007	CT6000 AU6003 AU6007 AU6016	AU6007 AU6016
Years B	CT6001 AU6001 AU6007	CT6000 AU6004 AU6007 AU6016	AU6007 AU6016

Cycles of the Programme
2011/2012; 2013/2014; 2015/2016, etc. = Years A
2012/2013; 2014/2015; 2016/2017, etc. = Years B

Module Semester Information may be found Module Descriptions may be found here.

Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2015 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules 2016/2017.

Exit award: Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Audiology (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
Students who successfully complete and pass taught modules to the value of 60 credits may opt not to complete the dissertation and exit the programme and be conferred with a Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Audiology. A student who subsequently applies to undertake the Master’s programme must do so within 5 years of successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma Examination.

Exit award: Postgraduate Certificate in Advanced Audiology (NFQ Level 9, Minor Award)
Students who successfully complete and pass taught modules to the value of 30 credits (excluding AU6005, AU6007, CT6000, CT6001, AU6016) may opt to exit the programme and be conferred with a Postgraduate Certificate in Advanced Audiology. A student who subsequently applies to undertake either the Postgraduate Diploma or Master’s programme must do so within 5 years of successful completion of the Postgraduate Certificate Examination.

Recognition of Prior Learning
In accordance with UCC's Policy for Recognition of Prior Learning, students who have completed relevant modules of equal credit value in the College of Medicine and Health at UCC at NFQ Level 9, may apply for exemptions for modules taken within the last five years. A student who has successfully completed a CPD module, the Postgraduate Certificate or a Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Audiology examination will be eligible for exemptions for the modules already taken, if completed within the last five years.

Programme Learning Outcomes for MSc in Advanced Audiology (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the relationship between audiology theory and practice;
• Discuss and debate contemporary areas of audiology practice at an advanced level;
• Critically appraise the evidence base for a range of audiology assessments, interventions and managements that promote evidence based care;
• Reflect critically on and challenge their own practice and the practice of others;
• Demonstrate the skills of systematically exploring literature, policy and research effectively using a range of information sources, including information technology;
• Reflect critically on practice decisions and identify areas for change;
• Apply research methodology by conducting research in an approved area of audiology, under appropriate supervision.
  

Programme Learning Outcomes for Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Audiology (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the relationship between audiology theory and practice;
• Discuss and debate contemporary areas of audiology practice at an advanced level;
• Critically appraise the evidence base for a range of audiology assessments, interventions and managements that promote evidence based care;
• Reflect critically on and challenge their own practice and the practice of others;
• Reflect critically on practice decisions and identify areas for change.

Programme Learning Outcomes for Postgraduate Certificate in Advanced Audiology (NFQ Level 9, Minor Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the relationship between audiology theory and practice within a prescribed area of practice;
• Discuss and debate contemporary areas of audiology practice at an advanced level within a prescribed area of knowledge;
• Reflect critically on practice decisions and identify areas for change.

Clinical Disclaimer
Please note that the MSc, Postgraduate Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate in Advanced Audiology, do not qualify or licence graduates to practice clinical audiology. This programme is a post-registration degree and is intended for the enhancement of the academic and clinical knowledge of already-qualified practitioners. Accordingly, the final transcripts of results for any of the programmes will indicate that: “This programme of studies does not confer licence to practice clinical audiology”.