Healthcare Science
Audiology is the science and clinical practice concerned with hearing, balance, and the disorders that affect these systems. It is a discipline that sits firmly within healthcare science, drawing on anatomy, physiology, physics, and psychology to understand how the auditory system works and what happens when it does not. Hearing loss is one of the most common disabilities in the world, and audiologists play a vital role in diagnosing conditions, fitting and managing hearing devices, and supporting people of all ages to communicate more effectively and live fuller lives.
It is a profession that combines rigorous scientific understanding with genuine patient-centred care.
At the University of Manchester, this three-year full-time degree is designed to prepare you for registration as a healthcare scientist in audiology. You will study the anatomy and physiology of the ear and auditory pathways, the physics of sound and acoustics, diagnostic testing techniques, and the clinical management of a wide range of hearing and balance disorders. The programme is built around the integration of scientific knowledge with clinical practice, meaning you will develop both the theoretical foundations of the discipline and the practical skills needed to work with real patients.
The typical entry tariff of 152 points reflects the academic demands of a programme that leads to a regulated healthcare profession.
Graduates of this programme are well positioned to register with the relevant professional bodies and work as audiologists within the NHS or in private practice. Clinical roles include diagnostic audiology, hearing aid fitting and rehabilitation, paediatric audiology, tinnitus management, and balance assessment. Many audiologists develop specialisms as their careers progress, and some move into research, management, or education within the healthcare science sector.
Postgraduate study is also available for those who want to deepen their clinical or scientific expertise, including routes into research and advanced clinical practice.