Why Study/Key Benefits

• The Master of Audiology (MAud) is a professional postgraduate programme designed specifically to train clinical audiologists.
• It combines academic coursework, supervised clinical practice and audiological research rather than being a purely classroom-based master's.
• Students develop knowledge across the audiology scope of practice, including acoustics, psychoacoustics, neuroscience, diagnostic assessment and audiological rehabilitation.
• Clinical experience involves both adult and paediatric clients in different clinical environments.
• UC has eight on-site speech and hearing clinics and four research laboratories equipped for audiology and hearing research.
• The programme is endorsed by the New Zealand Audiological Society (NZAS), and UC states that graduates can work in countries including the UK, Ireland, Australia and Canada.
• The programme is particularly attractive to students interested in the combination of healthcare, science, technology and direct client interaction.
• Students from diverse undergraduate backgrounds can be considered; prior Speech and Language Therapy training is not required

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

Year 1 consists of 120 points:

• HEAR651 – Foundation Topics in Audiology – 15 points
• HEAR652 – Diagnostic Audiological Evaluation – 15 points
• HEAR653 – Audiological Rehabilitation and Research – 15 points
• HEAR654 – Clinical Practicum I – 30 points
• HEAR655 – Advanced Topics in Audiology – 15 points
• HEAR656 – Advanced Diagnostic Audiological Evaluation – 15 points
• HEAR657 – Advanced Audiological Rehabilitation and Research – 15 points

Year 2 consists of 120 points:

• HEAR658 – Clinical Practicum II – 30 points
• HEAR690 – Audiology Thesis – 90 points

The current 2026 course schedule confirms the above courses and their campus/clinical delivery arrangements.

Major academic themes include:

• Audiological assessment
• Diagnostic hearing evaluation
• Acoustics
• Psychoacoustics
• Neuroscience
• Audiological rehabilitation
• Hearing and balance disorders
• Adult audiology
• Paediatric audiology
• Clinical decision-making
• Audiological research
• Professional clinical practice
• Independent thesis research

Clinical Training

Clinical education is a central component of the qualification.

Students undertake:

• Clinical Practicum I in Year 1
• Clinical Practicum II in Year 2
• Supervised clinical work with adult and paediatric clients
• Clinical experience in different healthcare and community settings

Research and Thesis

The second year includes:

• HEAR690 Audiology Thesis – 90 points

Disciplines/Specialisations

The Master of Audiology does not list formal majors or named specialisations.

Instead, students receive broad professional preparation across audiology, including:

• Diagnostic audiology
• Audiological rehabilitation
• Adult hearing
• Paediatric hearing
• Acoustics and psychoacoustics
• Neuroscience
• Clinical practice
• Audiological research

Programme Highlights

Key highlights include:

• 240-point professional master's degree
• Two-year full-time structure
• Professional clinical audiology training
• Supervised clinical placements
• Adult and paediatric client experience
• 90-point research thesis
• On-campus specialist facilities
• Eight on-site speech and hearing clinics
• Four research laboratories
• Small and selective intake
• New Zealand Audiological Society endorsement
• International recognition and portability of the qualification
• No requirement for previous Speech and Language Therapy training
• Opportunities to progress into doctoral research after completing the master's

Career Outcomes

Graduates are prepared to work as professional audiologists, subject to any registration or professional requirements applicable in the country where they practise.

Potential employment settings include:

• Public hospitals
• Private hospitals and healthcare organisations
• Private audiology clinics
• Schools
• Community health services
• Hearing and rehabilitation services
• Audiology research laboratories
• Hearing technology organisations
• Research and development
• Private practice

Latest Updates/Special Requirements

Current information relevant to 2026/2027 applicants includes:

• The programme remains a February-start programme.
• Applications for Year 1 must reach the School of Psychology, Speech and Hearing by 1 October.
• Entry is limited and competitive.
• Applicants complete a separate School application in addition to the normal UC application.
• Interviews form part of the selection process.
• Two referees are requested.
• Clinical courses may have vaccination requirements.
• The programme remains NZAS endorsed.
• Current 2026 course information confirms that the core Audiology courses are delivered on campus, with clinical practicum courses organised separately from the standard semester schedule.

International Student Visa Requirements

For an international student studying the Master of Audiology in New Zealand, the relevant visa is generally the New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa.

Current Immigration New Zealand requirements include:

• An offer of place from an approved education provider
• Evidence of sufficient funds for tuition
• Evidence of sufficient funds for living costs or an acceptable sponsor
• Acceptable medical/health and character requirements
• Acceptable insurance
• Evidence of genuine study intentions
• Evidence of onward travel or sufficient funds to purchase onward travel
• Compliance with the conditions of the student visa