This course is designed for qualified speech and language therapists. It will help you extend your clinical knowledge and expertise, and develop new research skills in preparation for specialist clinical positions or further research.
This MSc is also suitable for graduates from related disciplines, such as psychology or linguistics, who are aiming to pursue research careers in the field of communication disorders.
This course is not suitable for candidates wishing to enter the speech and language therapy profession. If you wish to qualify as an SLT, please apply to our Speech & Language Therapy Programme.
The Speech, Language & Communication (Advanced Practice) MSc will help you:
As an MSc student, you will have access to specialist labs, providing:
The School of Health hosts a speech and language therapy clinic (The Roberta Williams Centre) which provides project opportunities for MSc students.
You will learn in a dynamic and supportive atmosphere, which encourages participation and the exchange of ideas. The knowledge and skills that you will develop can be applied across different language and cultural contexts, making the programme highly suitable for home, EU or overseas students.
Modules are taught by high-profile academic clinicians, internationally renowned research leaders and senior practitioners. In some modules, there are also contributions from service users.
You will learn through a blend of lectures, seminars, labs, and project work. Group sizes vary, but many elective modules involve small-group teaching. Face-to-face teaching is supplemented by Moodle, our online learning platform, which provides extensive learning resources and interactive opportunities, such as discussion fora.
Many modules entail student-led activities, such as presentations. All encourage active learning and the sharing of ideas and professional experience.
Modules are assessed through a variety of methods that may include:
You will be appraised in your ability to assess, critically interpret and apply the research literature, and in your academic writing and communication skills. Specific skills, such as statistical analysis, will be required by some module assessments.
To gain the MSc or a Postgraduate Diploma you will study two core modules, three discipline-specific modules (or related to communication or swallowing), and two elective modules which may be discipline-specific or generic.
Most modules run in the Autumn and Spring terms. A typical 15-credit module involves between 25 and 30 hours of teaching, supplemented by extensive private study (at least eight hours a week).
In order to gain the MSc you will undertake a research dissertation, in addition to the 7 taught modules. The dissertation involves up to one year of independent data collection and study, supported by a supervisor.
The research dissertation involves up to one year of independent data collection and study, supported by a supervisor.
To gain a Postgraduate Certificate in Speech Language and Communication you will need to complete three or four modules totalling 60 credits. These must include at least two discipline-specific modules in the area of Speech Language and Communication.
Full-time students complete the taught modules in one year, for example taking three or four modules per term. Part-time students complete them over two years.
Core modules
Discipline specific modules
Elective modules
Options include:
Full time students complete the taught modules in one year, for example taking three or four modules per term. Part time students complete them over two years.
This course is for qualified speech and language therapists who are aiming to enhance their careers. The MSc award will qualify you for posts in the UK and abroad which require a Masters degree, such as specialist clinical positions or research posts.
The course is ideal for other graduates seeking a research career in the field of communication disorders.
Past graduates have progressed into senior clinical roles, doctoral study and research positions.
Further entry requirements: International applicants should be aware that full registration with the RCSLT entails completion of a probationary period of clinical practice in the UK after the successful completion of the degree. It may be necessary to confirm with the professional body in your home country that this qualification is recognised and that full registration in the UK will entitle you to practice in your home country.
This course is for people with a relevant degree seeking to refocus their studies into the area of speech and language therapy. It will enable you to register with the Health and Care Professions Council and the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) to practise as a speech and language therapist in the UK.
As a speech and language therapist, you will assess, diagnose and treat children and adults with a wide range of communication difficulties. This will include developmental disorders and speech and language problems resulting from injury, stroke and disease. You will also develop strong practical skills as well as a sound understanding of the theory of speech and language therapy.
There is a major clinical studies (ie placement) element to this course and clinical work is underpinned by modules in linguistics, psychology and biological and medical sciences. Although every effort is made to arrange summer block placements to suit students’ circumstances, this is not always possible and students must be prepared to be flexible about placement location and timing. Students are responsible for any travel and/or accommodation costs incurred during placements.
Teaching will include a mix of lectures, tutorials, student-led seminars, clinical placement experience, case study analysis and individual project work. Emphasis will be placed on integrating clinical and university based learning opportunities and on independent study. Your performance will be assessed by a combination of course work including essays, reports, presentations, vivas and examinations, as well as clinical practical assessments.
Each module which you study on campus will require you to attend classes and carry out independent work. Your attendance at placement is compulsory and your attendance at QMU-based modules is expected. Classes will be spread over the whole week, except for placement days when you will be off campus. This is a full-time course, with the expectation that classes, independent study and placement together require 35 - 40 hours of dedicated time each week.
The course provides graduates, including those who complete the PgDip, with eligibility to register with the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and the Health and Care Professions Council to practice in the UK.
Foundations for Speech and Language Therapy/ Linguistics 1: Introduction to Linguistics/ Neurology for SLT and Audiology/ Adult Acquired Language and Cognitive Communication Disorders/ Linguistics 2: Clinical Linguistics/ Disorders of Speech and Fluency/ Manual Handling/ Dysphagia (Developmental and Acquired)/ Within-Semester Clinical Placement 1/ Professional Practice for SLT 1/ Biological and behavioural Science for SLT: Typical Processes/ Developmental Disorders of Language and Communication/ Intellectual Disability, Physical and Sensory Impairment/ Linguistics 3: Linguistic Processing and Variation/ Within-Semester Clinical Placement 2/ Motor Speech Disorder, Voice Disorder, Cleft Lip and Palate/ Clinical Contexts/ Within-Semester Clinical Placement 3/ Professional Practice 2/ Research Methods
If studying for the MSc, you will also complete a dissertation (60 credits).
Most graduates work within the NHS in community clinics, schools and hospitals. Some graduates have gained research posts and some have gone on to achieve higher degrees. Some graduate Speech and language therapists may wish to seek employment outside the UK. For further information about how and where this qualification can be used outside of the UK please contact the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.
The MSc in Speech & Language Therapy is designed for students who are committed to a rewarding career in speech and language therapy.
As a graduate with a first degree from a discipline outside healthcare, this course provides you with a fast-track route into health, enabling you to gain a pre-registration health qualification in two years as opposed to the usual three to four.
Ruth is a current Speech and Language Therapy student. Watch her video to find out more about her experiences and thoughts on life as a postgraduate student at City, University of London.
City's MSc Speech and Language Therapy has an excellent reputation and is based within the largest, teaching, research and clinical division in the UK for language and communication science.
The MSc will help you:
The MSc in Speech & Language Therapy is accredited by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), which is the UK-wide regulatory body for healthcare professions.
On successfully completing the MSc Speech and Language Therapy you are eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), and practise as a speech and language therapist in the NHS and other settings.
The MSc Speech and Language Therapy course provides you with many opportunities for clinical practice, including attendance at health centres, schools, departmental clinics, special educational settings and hospitals throughout the London area.
As an MSc student, you will have access to specialist labs and equipment, such as ultrasound and laryngographs to help you understand speech production and audiological equipment when learning about hearing and deafness.
The Roberta Williams Speech and Language Therapy Centre, opened in January 2016, is our specialist speech and language therapy clinic. The Centre contains state-of-the-art equipment to enable staff within the Division of Language and Communication Science to deliver cutting-edge research and services to patients.
Moodle is an enhanced Virtual Learning Environment which provides you with access to online course materials, resources, interactive activities, assessment and communication tools and is a key element of our blended learning approach, combining face-to-face teaching with online activity.
City's MSc Speech & Language Therapy has an excellent reputation and is based within the largest, teaching, research and clinical division in the UK for language and communication science.
You will learn with expert staff who are leaders in the field of speech and language therapy. The innovative and research-informed curriculum is supported by a busy in-house speech and language therapy clinic led by specialist staff. It is considered to be one of the leading educational environments in the world.
We also have close links with speech and language therapy services throughout London, with many practitioners from these services acting as clinical tutors on our courses.
The MSc in Speech & Language Therapy is a very intensive programme which requires full-time study by attending lectures, small-group problem-solving sessions, practical classes and tutorials. You will also have access to the most up-to-date equipment in the Speech Acoustics Laboratory and innovative online learning materials.
During your clinical placements, you will benefit from the supervision of a qualified therapist.
Modules are assessed through a diverse range of assignments and examinations. Your clinical progress will also be monitored by supervising clinicians.
During the MSc Speech and Language Therapy course you will learn about the foundations of speech and language, about how children learn to talk and about disorders that affect communication.
A number of subjects equip you for the analysis of speech, language and hearing difficulties, such as phonetics, linguistics and audiology. You will also develop research skills and the ability to apply evidence based practice. You will undertake weekly and block clinical placements in both years of the course.
Modules
When you have successfully completed 13 modules totalling 240 credits you will qualify for an MSc Speech and Language Therapy.
On successfully completing the MSc Speech & Language Therapy, you will be able to join a profession that makes a real difference to people’s lives.
On successfully completing the MSc in Speech and Language Therapy, you will be eligible to register with the Health and Care Professions Council and practise your profession within the NHS or in a range of other settings, including schools, hospitals, community clinics and charities.
A career in speech and language therapy offers opportunities to work with clients of all ages in settings such as:
Increasingly, many graduates also work in the private sector as independent speech and language therapists.
This multidisciplinary programme is aimed at professionals already working in child or adult services in health, education or social care in the UK and overseas who have an interest in developing research expertise and who have a motivation to carry out research in their workplace or a linked setting.
Students will gain knowledge and skills in applied research related to the client groups with whom they work. Key topic areas include qualitative and quantitative methods related to communication disorders research, and planning, implementing and managing research. Students undertaking the MRes will conduct a supervised research project in their area of professional interest.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.
Both the MRes and the PG Cert include three compulsory (core) modules (45 credits) and one optional module (15 credits). The MRes also includes a research project (120 credits).
On the Postgraduate Certificate students take four modules (60 credits). This can be full-time over 15 weeks or flexible study over a period of up to two years.
Core modules
Optional module
Dissertation/report
MRes students undertake a research project in the area of human communication disorders, which culminates in a dissertation of 8,000-10,000 words, a research impact plan and poster presentation.
Teaching and learning
The programme takes a strong experiential learning approach through the demonstration, exploration and application of new skills. The programme also utilises significant online learning resources which allow learning outside normal classroom hours. These are combined with lectures, and small-group working. Assessment is through written reports, presentations, and the research dissertation.
Further information on modules and degree structure is available on the department website: Applied Research in Human Communication Disorders MRes
Now, more than ever before, continuing professional development (CPD) is linked to career progression. Gaining a PG Cert or an MRes in Applied Research in Human Communication Disorders will undoubtedly enhance your career opportunities within child and adult support services, and could act as a springboard to further research including study at doctoral level. In the long term, skills gained on this programme will place you in an exceptionally strong position to engage with research including contributing directly to research evidence.
Employability
Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD) is of major importance for professionals working with vulnerable populations, and this programme is likely to enhance employability. For example, on completion you will be able to demonstrate a breadth of knowledge and a range of skills that relate directly to your professional career, including how to source appropriate literature, evaluate research conducted by others, select and conduct appropriate research designs, analyse data, and write a research report.
The Division of Psychology & Language Sciences undertakes world-leading research and teaching. Our work attracts staff and students from around the world. Together they create a vibrant and interactive environment, taking advantage of first-class resources.
Academic staff in the division have a wide range of expertise in research methods and the management of people with communication disorders. Areas of expertise inlude:
The Research Excellence Framework, or REF, is the system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions. The 2014 REF was carried out by the UK's higher education funding bodies, and the results used to allocate research funding from 2015/16.
The following REF score was awarded to the department: Division of Psychology & Language Sciences
83% rated 4* (‘world-leading’) or 3* (‘internationally excellent’)
Learn more about the scope of UCL's research, and browse case studies, on our Research Impact website.
Modules include:
Our MSc Speech and Language Therapy programme is recognised by The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and approved by the Health and Care Professions Council. Speech and language therapists work with adults and children with a range of communication and swallowing difficulties.
This course is suitable for school-based professionals who provide support for children with speech, language and communication needs.
It is designed for students looking to gain high level knowledge and analytical skills, share their professional experience and perspectives and access current research in their field.
Students will be aiming to raise their profile as a specialist and leader in speech, language and communication needs in the school setting.
The MSc in Speech, Language and Communication Needs in Schools is jointly run by City, University of London and UCL Institute of Education. It brings together speech and language therapists, teachers and other graduate school-based practitioners for collaborative study. The programme is designed to enable students to:
Modules are facilitated by experienced clinicians, teachers and leading researchers, using a variety of direct and interactive methods. Some modules take place in large groups supplemented by small group discussion or laboratory sessions that provide hands-on experience of statistical analyses. Specialist modules take place in small groups combining lecturing with student-led discussion and workshop activities often drawing on participants' professional experiences. Moodle, the virtual learning environment at both institutions, provides an online platform for sharing module information and interactive learning. These methods support and are supported by self-directed study.
Modules are assessed through a diverse range of assignments that may include essays, literature reviews, oral presentations, poster presentations, case studies, and data analyses. Assessments require critical evaluation of the research on key issues; selective application of theory and research to a particular setting, group or individual in the student's experience; understanding of research methods; and skills in statistical analysis.
The taught programme comprises:
Teaching takes place in three 10-week terms: autumn, spring and summer. Students will normally take one module per term part-time or two modules per term full-time.
Each module runs over 3-5 whole days, 10 evenings or 10 half days. In addition, students will be expected to spend approximately half a day a week reading around the taught sessions, preparing for discussion, or completing short exercises.
Students have up to one year to complete the research dissertation.
Core modules
Elective modules
Elective modules are chosen from many available at both institutions and timing depends on module choice. Popular electives include:
At UCL IOE:
At City, University of London:
This MSc qualification raises graduates’ profile as a specialist and leader in speech, language and communication needs in the school setting. It is an advantage for teachers and clinicians seeking higher grade specialist and managerial posts.
Graduates are also eligible to apply for a research degree (MPhil/PhD) and some research posts.
Please note that this MSc does not lead to professional qualification as a speech and language therapist or teacher.
