The MSc in Audiology is a full-time programme which runs over two academic years, with three 12-week semesters from the date of first registration. This programme qualifies graduates to practise Audiology with both adults and children.

Applicants must satisfy the following:

1. Candidates will hold either an undergraduate honours degree (National Framework of Qualifications Ireland, level 8; minimum Second Class Honours, Grade 1) or a postgraduate degree, in any scientific or medical discipline, such as but not exclusively, Anatomy, Biomedical Science, Engineering, Social Sciences, Speech and Language Therapy, Medicine, Nursing and Education.
2. 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. The admission of such candidates will be subject to the approval of the College of Medicine and Health Executive Committee.
3. Applications will be reviewed on the basis of educational qualifications, relevant work experience and motivation.
4. Short-listed applicants will be invited for interview and each applicant will be scored by an interview panel on the basis of educational qualifications, relevant work experience and motivation.
5. All students accepted onto the programme will need to have evidence of appropriate vaccinations for working in hospital environments and will need to provide evidence of Garda/Police vetting. All students on this programme will require Garda Clearance in order to attend student placements. University College Cork has made arrangements with the Gardaí in relation to Garda Clearance procedures. All candidates who accept places on this programme must complete and sign Garda Clearance Forms and return them to University College Cork. Click here to view UCC's Student Garda Vetting Policy.
6. Candidates whose first language is not English must have a minimum IELTS of 7.0 with scores in no individual section less than 6.5, regardless of nationality or employment status within the EU.

Fitness to Practise
This programme will be subject to the University's Fitness to Practise Policy - full details may be found here.

All modules are compulsory. Students will take modules to the value of 60 credits per year as outlined below.
Having passed all modules in the first year to the value of 60 credits, students may proceed to the second year of the programme. On successful completion of all modules in the second year, to the value of 60 credits, students may graduate with an MSc (Audiology).

Year 1

Students take 60 credits:
AU6012 Audiological Science and Rehabilitation I (10 credits)
AU6013 Audiological Science and Rehabilitation II (10 credits)
AU6014 Information Literacy and Research Strategies (5 credits)
AU6015 Medical Sciences for Hearing and Balance I (5 credits)
AU6017 Electrophysiology, Acoustics and Amplification I (5 credits)
AU6018 Psychosocial Dimensions of Deafness (5 credits)
AU6019 Human Development, Cognition and Communication Through the Lifespan (5 credits)
AU6020 Practice Education in Audiology I (15 credits)

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

Year 2

Students take 60 credits:
AU6021 Audiological Science and Rehabilitation III (10 credits)
AU6022 Research Methods for Audiology (5 credits)
AU6023 Medical Sciences for Audiology II (5 credits)
AU6024 Electrophysiology, Acoustics and Amplification II (5 credits)
AU6025 Audiology Research Project (10 credits)
AU6026 Audiological Science and Rehabilitation IV (10 credits)
AU6028 Practice Education in Audiology II (15 credits)

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

Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2018/2019 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules 2018/2019.

Exit awards:

Postgraduate Certificate in Hearing Sciences (NFQ Level 9, Minor award)
Students who pass at least 30 credits within non-clinical modules may choose to exit the programme and be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate in Hearing Sciences (NFQ Level 9, Minor award) at the end of First Year.

Postgraduate Diploma in Hearing Sciences (NFQ Level 9, Major award)
Students who pass 60 credits within non-clinical modules may choose to exit the programme and be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Hearing Sciences (NFQ Level 9, Major award) at the end of Second Year.

MSc in Hearing Sciences (NFQ Level 9, Major award)
Students who pass 90 credits within non-clinical modules may choose to exit the programme and be awarded a MSc in Hearing Sciences (NFQ Level 9, Major award) at the end of Second Year.

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.

See also General Regulations for the Degree of Master.

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

• Apply a critical understanding of the relevant areas of physics, acoustics, psychology, communication disorders and medical sciences to the assessment, rehabilitation, management and prevention of hearing and balance disorders in both children and adults;
• Generate ethical working alliances with clients in a manner that facilitates appropriate information exchange and informed choice-making with regard to hearing and balance disorders;
• Evaluate and select the appropriate diagnostic tests for hearing and balance assessment, and demonstrate competence in designing intervention methodology related to the individual needs of the patient;
• Communicate an understanding of the organisational map of health and education in Ireland, and how does it apply to service provision and delivery for hearing and communication disorders;
• Operate supportively within a team to highlight the impact of a hearing and communication disorder on a patient's overall health and well-being and to provide leadership in the team when appropriate;
• Synthesise an understanding of the ethical and confidentiality rules governing professional practice of Audiology;
• Perform the legal and moral duties of accurately recording, organizing and storing patient information in traditional and electronic forms;
• Conceptualise an understanding of the relevance of the legal, social, economic and political contexts in which audiology services operate with particular reference to Ireland;
• Synthesise and analyse concepts related to the role of evidence-based practice in clinical audiology, as well as the rules governing clinical research related to hearing and balance problems;
• Communicate complex concepts regarding the validity of scientific evidences and the applicability of clinical research in the fields of audiology and hearing sciences, and its role in changing every day clinical practices.

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

• Apply a critical understanding of the relevant areas of physics, acoustics, psychology, communication disorders and medical sciences to the assessment, rehabilitation, management and prevention of hearing and balance disorders in adults and children;
• Demonstrate an understanding of the different pathologies affecting the hearing system and relevant diagnostic procedures in adults and children;
• Operate supportively within a team to highlight the impact of a hearing and communication disorder on a patient's overall health and well-being;
• Demonstrate and understanding of the ethical and confidentiality rules governing professional practice of Audiology;
• Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of research and its use in the field of health services and its application in the field of hearing and balance disorders;
• Synthesise and analyse concepts related to the role of evidence-based practice in clinical audiology, as well as the rules governing clinical research related to hearing and balance problems;
• Conceptualise an understanding of the relevance of the legal, social, economic and political contexts in which audiology services operate with particular reference to Ireland.

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

• Apply a critical understanding of the relevant areas of physics, acoustics, psychology, communication disorders and medical sciences to the assessment, rehabilitation, management and prevention of hearing disorders in adults;
• Demonstrate an understanding of the different pathologies affecting the hearing system and relevant diagnostic procedures in adults;
• Operate supportively within a team to highlight the impact of a hearing and communication disorder on a patient's overall health and well-being;
• Demonstrate an understanding of the ethical and confidentiality rules governing professional practice of Audiology;
• Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of research and its use in the field of health services.