-The first UK professional doctorate in Hearing Therapy
-Blended learning – study predominantly undertaken on-line alongside professional practice
-Can alternatively study for an MSc/ PGDip/ PGCert as part of the same programme framework
-Combination of taught modules and supervised practice-based research makes the course highly relevant to professionals engaged in the field of rehabilitation in audiology
-Students complete an in-practice research project with support from an academic supervisor
Programme outline & modules
PGCert – all taught modules are 20 credits
-Hearing Therapy (5 days face to face delivery + online support)
-Tinnitus Management (online delivery)
-Aural Rehabilitation (online delivery)
PGDip – all taught modules are 20 credits
-Evidence Based Practice (online delivery)
-Health Behaviours (online delivery)
-Vestibular Rehabilitation (online delivery)
MSc – all taught modules are 20 credits
-Research Methods (face to face + online delivery)
-Research Project I (face to face + online delivery)
-Research Project II (face to face + online delivery)
Doctor of Hearing Therapy – all taught modules are 20 credits. Students will select one of the following two modules:
-Qualitative Research Methodology (online delivery)
-Quantitative Methods and Advanced Statistics (online delivery)
-Research project & thesis. The personal research project is the core of Doctor of Hearing Therapy programme.
All modules can also be undertaken independently as continuing professional development.
Learning, teaching & assessment
Taught modules are 20 credits each, nominally equivalent to 200 hours of student learning. Modules consist of remote access lectures with electronic formative assessments and a module coursework assignment such as reflective case records, or an essay/literature review related to the module. Module results are ratified at Examination Boards held shortly after the end of each study period.
The research project is the major component of the doctorate, supervised by members of the Applied Health Research Group (
http://www.aston.ac.uk/lhs/research/centres-facilities/applied-health-research-group/). Students will develop their research proposals based upon their own clinical interests, or may opt to select a project nominated by an Aston academic. Because this is a distance-learning programme, the research is not normally carried out on the University campus, and it is essential that the student has access to the facilities and resources needed to carry out the research, usually in the student's place of work.
The research stage requires a significant long-term commitment, as it is equivalent to around 2 years of full-time work (i.e. 4 years part-time). Candidates ultimately submit a thesis which is examined in a viva voce examination.
The Doctor of Hearing Therapy programme is aimed at practising audiologists, who will complete case records where required for taught module coursework, and will undertake a practice- based research project.
Students are on campus at the start of the programme when they have the opportunity to participate in group activities.
Applicants must hold at least an upper 2nd class Honours Degree in an audiology or related healthcare field from a UK University or the recognised equivalent from an overseas University. We will also consider applicants with relevant professional experience on a case by case basis.
