20 audiology students in limbo after course scrapped

More than 20 students training to be audiologists are in academic limbo after Athlone Institute of Technology cancelled the course a year into their studies.

The four-year programme began last autumn, but the college has blamed the absence of accreditation from a British professional body on its decision to discontinue the BSc in Audiology. While registration with a professional or regulatory organisation does not appear to be necessary for work as an audiologist here, questions remain about how the course was allowed to proceed without certainty over clinical placements or job prospects for students.

Marina Forbes applied for the course after it was offered last year, coming straight from doing her Leaving Certificate.