Training, development and registration (audiology)
Your training will depend on the level at which you enter audiology as a career.
Training and development
Your training and education will depend on the level at which you are working.
- Once in post as a newborn hearing screener, you’ll work towards relevant healthcare science vocational qualifications while you’re working. These are underpinned by an awards and qualifications framework.
- To enter via the NHS Practitioner Training Programme (PTP) you’ll need to take a full-time (usually 3-year) accredited integrated BSc degree in Healthcare Science (Audiology) at university. At least 50 weeks of workplace-based training in the NHS is included in these programmes. For the most up-to-date list of accredited BSc Healthcare Science (Audiology) degrees, please use our course finder. Applications for full-time courses are made through UCAS.
- If you’re a graduate, entering the NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP) you’ll be employed in a fixed-term, salaried training post and will study towards a Master's degree qualification in clinical science (neurosensory sciences). There is an annual application cycle for the STP.
- If you’re entering Higher Specialist Scientist Training (HSST) you’ll study towards doctoral-level qualifications.
Programmes are often supported by the development of workplace-based assessment tools, assessment of equivalent learning and the development of academic careers.
It can be advantageous to have gained some experience of working in a relevant environment before applying for a place on a course or job vacancy. In broad terms, experience of working directly with the public can be advantageous to most roles related to audiology.
CPD, ASP and registration
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Continuing professional development
No matter what level you are working at, as part of your development you will be expected to do continuing professional development (CPD) to show that you are keeping yourself up to date with the policies and procedures in your area of work.
Accredited Scientific Practice- development opportunities for healthcare science staff
Accredited Scientific Practice (ASP) provides an additional route for your ongoing professional and scientific development as part of the healthcare science (HCS) workforce. ASP allows employers to develop bespoke, responsive, short course programmes to meet training needs within the HCS workforce. ASP programmes provide you with a quality assured, rigorously assessed qualification which can lead to voluntary professional registration with the Academy for Healthcare Sciences (AHCS).
An ASP programme involves work based learning with academic study of modules from the National School of Healthcare Science (NSHCS) portfolio programmes. Access to an e-portfolio is provided to record learning in the workplace while associated academic study is completed independently through an accredited university provider. In some cases, completion of academic study may also lead to an award of a postgraduate qualification from the university provider.
As a healthcare science practitioner in audiology, you can join the voluntary register maintained by the Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS).
To work as a clinical scientist, you must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council. You must also hold an Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS) Certificate of Attainment granted upon completion of the MSC Scientist Training Programme or AHCS Certificate of Equivalence.
Please check individual job vacancy details for information when applying.