Masters Degrees (Speech Difficulties)

About the course

Develop your knowledge and skills of working with clients with developmental speech and literacy difficulties. This course is designed for speech and language therapists, and other professionals with a special interest in communication difficulties. You can study part-time by distance learning or full-time.

Your career

Your masters will give you the skills and knowledge to make a difference. Feedback from our past students has confirmed that our module content is very relevant to practice in a speech and language therapy service or in schools and has enhanced job opportunities.

How we teach

We have a reputation for high quality research in the field of human communication and its disorders. That research informs our teaching. If you’re interested in a research career, we can also prepare you for a PhD.
We also run professional development courses for students already working in the field, so you can study alongside your current job. We have links with the NHS, special schools and specialist charities to ensure that what we teach you is in line with current developments in the field.

We work with other departments across the University including the School of Education, the Department of Psychology, the Department of Computer Science and the School of English Language and Linguistics.
Different ways to study

The MSc Speech Difficulties is available part-time or full-time. It consists of a mix of online learning and blocks of intensive study in Sheffield. We work with you to develop your own interests through optional modules and a choice of dissertation topics.
Criminal records disclosure.

If you would like to take part in clinical observation opportunities, you will require a UK criminal records disclosure from the UK Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). If you are unsure whether you need one, please contact us for advice.

Core modules

PGCert
Spoken and Written Language; Developing an Evidence-Based Practice; Speech Difficulties I: nature and investigation; Speech Difficulties II: intervention and management.
From 2017-18 We now also offer core modules in cleft palate speech.
PGDip
Same four modules as for the PGCert; Research Methods; Two option modules.
MSc
Same four modules as for the PGCert; Spoken and Written Language; Developmental Speech Difficulties: Nature and Investigation; Developmental Speech Difficulties: Intervention and Management; Developing an Evidence Base for Practice; Research Methods; Two optional modules; Research Dissertation.
Examples of optional modules
Developmental Language and Communication Disorders (single or double option); Special Topics in Human Communication Sciences (two option modules); Cleft Palate (single or double option); Methods in Clinical Linguistics; Acquired Language Disorders; Acquired Speech Disorders.

Part-time students study online via distance learning plus optional attendance at the study blocks. Full-time students may also attend lectures, seminars and practical workshops offered in the department.

Assessment

Each module is assessed by a written assignment. Masters students are also assessed on their research dissertation.

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The Division of Language and Communication Science in City’s School of Health has an established reputation for teaching and research excellence. Join the MSc Speech and Language Therapy course and join a profession that makes a real difference to people’s lives.

Students starting PG Dip courses in September 2017 will receive a NHS Tuition Fee Bursary to cover the full tuition fees for the duration of their course.

Who is it for?

Our graduate-entry courses allow graduates with a first degree from disciplines other than healthcare to gain a pre-registration health qualification in two years as opposed to the usual three to four - providing a fast-track route into health.

The MSc in Speech and Language Therapy is designed for students who are committed to a career in speech and language therapy. You will need to have:
-Good listening and communication skills
-Good problem-solving skills
-Good organisational skills
-An ability to learn a range of academic subjects and to apply your learning to clinical practice
-An enthusiasm for working with children and adults and as part of a team.

Objectives

The MSc Speech and Language Therapy course leads to work in a challenging and varied field - you could be working with autistic children, people who stammer or adults who have lost their speech following a stroke.

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 programme is taught by 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 and is considered as one of the leading educational environments in the world.

At City we have close links with speech and language therapy services throughout London, with many practitioners from these services acting as clinical tutors on our courses.

Placements

The MSc Speech and Language Therapy course provides many opportunities for clinical practice, including attendance at health centres, schools, departmental clinics, special educational settings and hospitals throughout the London area.

Academic facilities

Speech and language therapy students have access to specialist labs and equipment such as ultrasound and laryngographs to help them 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 students 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.

Teaching and learning

The MSc in Speech and 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. On 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.

Modules

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
-Articulatory Phonetics, Phonology and Speech Development
-Bio-medical Sciences
-Life Span Psychology and Research Methods
-Speech Disorders, Dysfluency and Augmentative and Alternative
-Dysphagia, Voice, Motor Speech Disorders, Dementia
-Language Sciences: Linguistics and Language Development
-Professional Studies A
-Evidence Based Practice and Data Analysis
-Acoustic Phonetics, Audiology and Deafness
-Acquired and Developmental Language Disorders
-Autism Spectrum Disorder, Learning Disability, Child Mental Health, Cerebral Palsy, Cleft Palate
-Professional Studies B
-Research Project

When you have successfully completed 13 modules totalling 240 credits you will qualify for an MSc Speech and Language Therapy.

Career prospects

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.

A career in speech and language therapy offers opportunities to work with clients of all ages in settings such as:
-Health centres
-Hospitals
-Schools
-Charities
-Universities
-You can also work abroad and in the private sector.

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This MSc is an accredited professional programme leading to qualification as a speech and language therapist (SLT). The programme integrates theory with work-based clinical placements with adults and children with a range of communication and swallowing difficulties. The programme has an excellent reputation, and over 90% of graduates are working in SLT-related posts within six months of qualifying.

Degree information

Students learn to apply knowedge from a range of academic subjects to speech and language therapy practice. Innovative and authentic learning methods develop necessary skills such as team-working, assessment and therapy, self-evaluation. The research-based curriculm promotes strong research skills, enabling students to evaluate and add to the evidence-base for the profession. The programme prepares students well for future leadership roles.

Students undertake modules to the value of 360 credits.

The programme comprises twelve core modules. Students register for six modules in year one (totalling 165 credits) and six modules in year two (195 credits, including a 60-credit research project). There are no optional modules for this programme.

Year One core modules
-Management of Communication Disorders 1: Language and Cognition (developmental)
-Management of Communication Disorders 2: Speech and Hearing
-Phonetics and Phonology
-Linguistic and Psychological Perspectives
-Research Methods 1

Year Two core modules
-Professional and Clinical Studies II
-Management of Communication Disorders 3: Language and Cognition (acquired)
-Management of Communication Disorders 4: Speech, Swallowing and Voice
-Brain, Mind and Health
-Research Methods II
-Research Project

Dissertation/report
All students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a dissertation of 8,000–10,000 words. Students also present their project orally to a group of peers.

Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, small group tutorials, workshops, supervised clinical placements, practical classes and self-directed learning. Collaborative peer-working features strongly throughout. A variety of assessment methods are used, including coursework, presentations, clinical vivas, written examinations and practice-based assessment on placement.

Placement
Students attend both weekly and block placements, from the start of course working alongside qualified SLTs in a wide range of settings including hospitals, community, schools and charities. Placements are organised such that each student gains a breadth of experience. Students undertake over 700 hours of supervised clinical practice over the two year course, well above RCSLT recommendations.

Careers

Most graduates work as speech and language therapists with adults and children with a range of communication and swallowing difficulties, such as people with autism spectrum disorder, specific language or learning difficulties, people who have had strokes or head injuries. They work in the NHS, for example in hospitals, community health centres, specialist centres or domicilairy services. Many graduates work in education settings, such as mainstream or specialist schools and children's centres. Emerging areas of work are youth justice and dementia services. Graduates are well placed to take up further research and to develop into specialist SLTs.

Top career destinations for this degree:
-Speech and Language Therapist, King's College Hospital (NHS)
-Speech and Language Therapist, North Middlesex University Hospital (NHS)
-Speech and Language Therapist, St George's Healthcare NHS Trust
-Speech and Language Therapist, Whittington Health NHS
-Speech and Language Therapy Assistant, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust

Employability
The programme is highly regarded by employers. As a professional training programme, this MSc develops a range of transferable skills relevant to employability, such as: interpersonal and communication skills, oral and written presentation skills, collaboration and teamworking, critical evaluation, integration and sythesis of information, report writing, behaviour management and change. Workplace learning in clinical placements enables students to apply their knowledge from a range of disciplines - including linguistics, phonetics, psychology and neurology - to assessing and managing communication difficulties in real life speech and language therapy contexts.

Why study this degree at UCL?

Students will benefit directly from UCL's world-leading research and teaching in language, mind and behaviour, supported by facilities such as cutting-edge laboratories, the on-site national SLT library and our in-house clinic.

You will be taught by experts in the field including specialist speech and language therapists, psychologists, linguists, neurologists. Our strong partnership with SLT services across London ensures the high-quality and currency of the curriculum.

This programme is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and accredited by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT). This qualification allows you to practise as a SLT in the UK.

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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, learning and assessment

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.

Teaching hours and attendance

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.

Links with industry/professional bodies

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 practise in the UK.

Modules

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).

Careers

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.

Quick Facts

- The diploma course is the only postgraduate pre-registration course of its kind in Scotland.
- This course is the only one in the UK whereby speech and language therapists and audiologists are in the same department.
- Both these awards qualify you to register to work as a speech and language therapist in the UK.

Other useful information

Entry for International students: NB 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.

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The content for this programme, which is offered by the University of Greenwich and Canterbury Christ Church University, is applied closely to the practice of speech and language therapy. The programme gives students a detailed understanding of the changes that occur and difficulties that can arise for the individual who seeks the help of a speech and language therapist.

Speech and language therapists work in hospital wards and outpatient departments, mainstream and special schools, day centres and clients' homes, and courtrooms, prisons and young offenders' institutions. Practice placements are organised to give experience of a number of these settings.

The programme aims to develop speech and language therapists who are autonomous, accountable practitioners, competent and confident to contribute their evidence-based profession-specific skills and knowledge in the delivery of health, education and social care for users of speech and language therapy services and their families.

The programme is structured to maximise opportunities for learning how to work in an interprofessional and multi-agency context and within a changing workforce. A wide range of assessments are used including written assessments, presentations and assessment of placement education.

Please note that there are no tuition fees payable as places are commissioned by the NHS. Eligible students can apply for a means tested bursary for the duration of the programme. For more information please see http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk

The aims of the programme are:

- To acquire and satisfactorily demonstrate the necessary knowledge, skills and competencies to meet the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Standards of Proficiency for Speech and Language Therapists, QAA benchmarks statements and to practise autonomously, interprofessionally, safely, competently and within the scope of practice, Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT)

- To develop a range of clinical skills and the confidence to employ them in practice contexts appropriately

- To develop and comprehensively demonstrate critical understanding of a range of communication and other disorders relevant to Speech and Language Therapy (SLT), and the holistic and interprofessional management of these.

Visit the website http://www2.gre.ac.uk/study/courses/pg/hsc/slt

Health and Social Care

With over 20 years’ experience as a trusted provider of health and social care training and education, we are committed to providing our students with the knowledge and skills to become valued members of the community and to the continuing professional development of qualified professionals.

We are at the forefront of research and innovation in the field of health and social care and our teaching staff have both practical know-how and academic expertise.

What you'll study

Full time
- Year 1:
Students are required to study the following compulsory courses.

Orientation to Speech & Language Therapy (20 credits)
Biological Sciences for Speech & Language Therapy (20 credits)
Developmental Communication Disorders (20 credits)

- Year 2:
Students are required to study the following compulsory courses.

Biological Sciences for Speech & Language Therapy (20 credits)
Developmental Communication Disorders (20 credits)
Acquired Communication Disorders (20 credits)
Professional Development Module (20 credits)
Psychological Science and Human Development (20 credits)

Fees and finance

Your time at university should be enjoyable and rewarding, and it is important that it is not spoilt by unnecessary financial worries. We recommend that you spend time planning your finances, both before coming to university and while you are here. We can offer advice on living costs and budgeting, as well as on awards, allowances and loans.

Find out more about our fees and the support available to you at our:
- Postgraduate finance pages (http://www.gre.ac.uk/finance/pg)
- International students' finance pages (http://www.gre.ac.uk/finance/international)

Assessment

Students are assessed through case studies, essays, situational analysis, oral presentation, unseen papers, a portfolio and reflection.

Professional recognition

Graduates from this programme are eligible to register with the Health and Care Professions Council and become members of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.

Career options

Graduates can pursue careers as speech and language therapists.

Find out about the teaching and learning outcomes here - http://www2.gre.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/643842/Post-Graduate-Diploma-in-Speech-and-Language-Therapy.pdf

Find out how to apply here - http://www2.gre.ac.uk/study/apply

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This MSc is a joint programme of City, University of London and UCL Institute of Education (IOE). It brings together speech and language therapists, teachers and other graduate school-based practitioners for collaborative study.

Degree information

Taught modules address current research and debates on educational contexts and children's language; social, emotional and behavioural development; and needs. They also enhance students' understanding of research methods and skills in critical analysis, preparing them to undertake a research project in their chosen area.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

The programme consists of four core modules (90 credits), either one IOE or two City electives (30 credits in total) and a dissertation (60 credits).

Core modules - there are four taught core modules - two at the IOE and two at City University, and the MSc Speech, Language and Communication Needs in Schools: Advanced Practice dissertation. For the dissertation module students can choose to be supervised at either institution.
-Concepts and Contexts of Special and Inclusive Education
-Foundations of Research Methods and Applied Data Analysis (City University)
-Language, Learning and Development (City University)
-Social, Emotional and Behavioural Development

Optional modules - students choose either one IOE optional module or two City optional modules to the total value of 30 credits.
-Autism: Research and Practice
-Child and Adolescent Mental Health: Early Identification and Assessment
-Cognitive Communication Impairments
-Developmental Language Impairments
-Inclusive Pedagogy
-Literacy Development
-Literacy Practice in Writing and Comprehension
-Promoting Child and Adolescent Psychological Development
-Psychology for Special Needs
-Reading and Spelling Difficulties
-Understanding Specific Learning Difficulties (Dyslexia)

Dissertation/research project
All students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a dissertation of 12,000 words.

Teaching and learning
Modules are taught in different ways: a conventional lecture-based approach predominates, supplemented by a variety of activities, for example, group/pair discussions, case study analysis, role play, the use of simulations. Assessment is by written assignments and a dissertation. Some assignments may require data analysis, or written work and a presentation.

Careers

This MSc qualification raises graduates' profiles as specialists and leaders 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 ro apply for a research degree (MPhil/PhD) and some research posts.

Please note: this MSc does not lead to professional qualification as a speech and language therapist or teacher.

Employability
Depending on their prior experience, graduates of this programme might expect:
-Entry into employment relevant to SCLN.
-Promotion, e.g. to a management position for students with several years' prior experience.
-Progression to higher degrees, e.g. MPhil/PhD for students with a consistently high academic profile.
-To deliver training to other practitioners at their host institution.
-Publication in professional journals in the fields of language and communication for exceptional students.

Why study this degree at UCL?

The MSc Speech, Language and Communication Needs in Schools: Advanced Practice will enhance your knowledge and provide you with a detailed understanding of children's speech, language and communication needs (SCLN). It will broaden your awareness of how children develop speech, language, literacy and numeracy.

This programme provides a springboard for fresh stimulation and reflection on support for children with speech, language and communication needs in a community of fellow students, practitioners and research experts.

There are opportunities within all modules to share theory and professional practice across the disciplinary boudaries of health and education. Participants explore the needs of children with speech, language and communication difficulties from a range of perspectives. The programme seeks to promote effective collaboration between educational practitioners and speech and language therapists.

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About the course

This course is for teachers, speech and language therapists, and other professionals working with children with special educational needs. You’ll develop your understanding of speech, language and communication and build on your existing skills. The course is delivered online, by distance learning, so you can gain a specialist qualification without having to leave your current job.

Your career

Your masters will give you the skills and knowledge to make a difference. Our MMedSci course provides the necessary training to meet the requirements of the UK Health and Care Professions Council which is the accreditation body for UK speech and language therapy. Our other courses provide professional development training. They can also lead to careers in university teaching and research.

How we teach

We have a reputation for high quality research in the field of human communication and its disorders. That research informs our teaching. We offer professional training for students who are considering speech and language therapy as a career. If you’re interested in a research career, we can prepare you for a PhD.

We also run professional development courses for students already working in the field, so you can study alongside your current job. We have links with the NHS, special schools and specialist charities to ensure that what we teach you is in line with current developments in the field.

We work with other departments across the University including the School of Education, the Department of Psychology, the Department of Computer Science and the School of English Language and Linguistics.

Core modules

PGCert, PGDip and MSc

Children’s Learning; Language and Communication; Spoken and Written Language; Developing an Evidence Base for Practice.

PGDip and MSc

Research Methods A; Research Methods B (optional for PGDip).

Examples of optional modules for PGDip and MSc levels only:

Case Study; Speech Difficulties 1: nature and investigation; Speech Difficulties 2: intervention and management; Research Methods B; Literacy 1: assessments and constructs; Literacy 2: difficulties and intervention; Developmental Disorders.

For Developmental Disorders, you can choose up to two specialist topics for further study, such as: Autism Spectrum Disorders; Specific Language Impairment; Language and Behaviour; Language and Environment; Learning Difficulties; Hearing Impairment; Auditory Processing Difficulties; Alternative and Augmentative Communication; Dysfluency; Dyslexia; Multilingual Contexts; Early Years; Adolescence.

MSc students also complete a dissertation.

Teaching

We provide material online for weekly study across the full calendar year. There are two or three (optional) study weekends per year in Sheffield. Essential reading material is available electronically. Online activities support your study and build links with tutors and other students.

Assessment

Modules are normally assessed by written assignments. MSc students are also assessed on their research dissertation.

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Are you a graduate who likes working with people? Would you like to become a registered Speech and Language Therapist within two years? If you are keen to become an allied health professional and want to shape the future of speech and language therapy, read on to find out how we can help you achieve those objectives.

Speech and language therapists work with people of all ages who experience communication and swallowing difficulties, enabling them to maximise their independence in their social, academic and working lives. Successful completion of our course leads to eligibility to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a speech and language therapist; a pre-registration course is essential to begin a career in this area of therapy.

This is a two-year fast-track programme for graduates with a related degree (psychology; language and linguistics; social science; biological sciences; medical sciences or equivalent). It is a client-focused programme which uses problem-based learning methods to integrate theory and clinical practice. You will undertake day visits and blocks of practice education with speech and language therapists in the workplace.

Our course is continuously developed to reflect contemporary health and social care practice, and clients and voluntary groups, other allied health professionals and speech and language therapy clinicians and service managers continue to be involved, in order to ensure that changes in speech and language therapy practice are incorporated.

You will share some learning experiences with Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Adult Nursing and Mental Health Nursing students on similar two-year accelerated pre-registration programmes. The learning experience at this level includes interprofessional collaboration; studying alongside other health professionals means that you also have the opportunity to gain expert knowledge from them.

Placement Opportunities

In order to prepare you for the workplace, opportunities are provided in practice placements, where you work with speech and language therapists and their teams in a wide variety of settings.

This workplace learning provides essential practical experience of working with service users with communication and swallowing problems, and teams around the clients.

Professional accreditation

We are committed to embedding the NHS Constitution Values (which are strongly reflected in our University values) into everything we do. They define the behaviours and expectations of all our staff and students, underpinning the work we do in the university, clinical arena and other workplaces.

We understand that not all of our students and staff are employed within the NHS, but these values uphold the underlying principles of excellent care as a standard and as such we expect that anyone who has any aspect of their work which ultimately cares for others, will aspire to uphold these values.

For us, involving not only our students but service users, experts by experience, carers and NHS/non NHS professionals in the creation and delivery of all programmes is vital.

Specialist facilities

The School of Health and Human Sciences is located at two sites; in the Kimmy Eldridge building at our Colchester campus and in the Gateway Building at our Southend campus.

Within our School of Health and Human Sciences, we have a range of specialist clinical laboratories and IT facilities to assist you with the effective learning and acquisition of new skills; for students of our MSc Speech and Language Therapy, we have two specialist labs with equipment for researching speech including aided simulations and speech recognition.

We offer excellent physical and online resources in terms of libraries, computer labs, datasets, archives and other research materials. You can take advantage of our links with the Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER), which conducts large-scale survey projects, many for government, EU and other public agencies, and has its own library.

The UK Data Archive is also based at our Colchester Campus and stores national research data.

Your future

We currently have graduates working in both clinical and management positions in local trusts, hospitals and care organisations, as well as in local and county councils.

Although the majority of speech and language therapists are employed by the NHS they are increasingly being employed in a wide variety of contexts including education and health and social care.

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*SUBJECT TO VALIDATION*

This MSc aims to develop speech and language therapists who are autonomous, accountable practitioners, competent and confident contributing their evidence­based profession­specific skills and knowledge in the delivery of health, education and social care for users of speech and language therapy services and their families. The course is structured to maximise opportunities for learning how to work in an interprofessional and multi­agency context and within a changing workforce.

It is a full­time course delivered jointly between Canterbury Christ Church University and the University of Greenwich.

Successful completion provides graduates with an MSc in Speech and Language Therapy and eligibility to apply for registration with the Health & Care Professions Council as a speech and language therapist. This qualification also provides the opportunity to apply to become a member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) with newly qualified practitioner status.

Visit the website: https://www.canterbury.ac.uk/study-here/courses/postgraduate/speech-and-language-therapy.aspx

Course detail

The course comprises seven academic modules, with placement education and clinical and professional skills development integrated throughout the two years. The academic modules are (subject to validation):

• Orientation to Speech and Language Therapy
• Developmental Communication Disorders
• Holistic Practice in SLT 1
• Research Approaches and Methods
• Acquired Communication Disorders
• Holistic Practice in SLT 2
• Professional Development

You will also complete a research dissertation.

A wide range of learning and teaching approaches are used to assist you in understanding the principles, frameworks and processes fundamental to speech and language therapy practice.

Education on placement is fundamental to the course and provides you with the opportunity to gain a wide range of clinical experience in order to fulfil the necessary requirements. Placement Educators work closely with University staff to ensure that academic and clinical aspects of the course are integrated.

Suitability

The programme is for graduates from any discipline who are interested in a career in speech and language therapy, where they can use their interpersonal and therapeutic skills to benefit clients with communication and/ or swallowing difficulties.

Format

The learning and teaching throughout the programme is varied and accommodates many different learning styles. You will learn in interactive lectures, small groups, and by using e-teaching materials. The programme has a strong personal tutoring system, in which you are encouraged to be self-reflective and self-aware.

Each academic module comprises 40-60 hours of face-to-face teaching and 160 hours of self-directed learning.

The teaching team comprises senior and principal lecturers, all with their own research interests. Service users and practising clinicians also contribute to the teaching on the programme.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a variety of case studies, presentations, assessment of placement education tools and a research dissertation.

What can I do next?

Speech and language therapists work in hospital wards and outpatient departments, mainstream and special schools, day centres and in clients' homes, and in an increasingly diverse range of other settings.

Placement education is organised to help you gain experience in a range of different locations throughout the South East.

How to apply

For information on how to apply, please follow this link: https://www.canterbury.ac.uk/study-here/how-to-apply/how-to-apply.aspx

Funding

-Masters Loans-

From 2016/17 government loans of up to £10,000 are available for postgraduate Masters study. The loans will be paid directly to students by the Student Loans Company and will be subject to both personal and course eligibility criteria.

For more information available here: https://www.canterbury.ac.uk/study-here/funding-your-degree/funding-your-postgraduate-degree.aspx

-2017/18 Entry Financial Support-

Information on alternative funding sources is available here: https://www.canterbury.ac.uk/study-here/funding-your-degree/2017-18-entry-financial-support.aspx

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This course is designed for experienced teachers and graduate teaching assistants working with children and young people with literacy difficulties and is organised by Oxford Brookes in partnership with Oxfordshire Local Authority.

The course meets the criteria for the taught elements of Associate Membership to the British Dyslexia Association (AMBDA). To apply for full AMBDA status you will need to do an additional observed and mentored practice with a qualified AMBDA practitioner. This can be organised through the course.

Associate Membership of the British Dyslexia Association (AMBDA)

See the website http://www.brookes.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/pgcert-education-working-with-children-with-literacy-difficulties/

Why choose this course?

- This course has been specifically designed for those wishing to lead on work with children with literacy difficulties in primary and secondary schools and makes up the university component of Associate Membership of the British Dyslexia Association (AMBDA).

- The course is taught in collaboration with the Oxfordshire Local Authority and reflects a long standing and ongoing partnership with the authority and local practitioners.

- You will be able to network with other practitioners and and to have access to information about local jobs specialising in work with children with literacy difficulties.

- The School of Education at Oxford Brookes combines high quality teaching and significant research and consultancy activity.

- The school is a focal point for lively, informed debate on education through close partnership with local schools and colleges and our open seminar and lecture programmes.

Teaching and learning

The course takes place through lectures, seminars and workshops to support both the theoretical and practical elements of the course. This includes workshops that support the practical projects required in modules 2 and 3. For each module, the course contact time is typically:
- one whole day and five evenings (approx. 24 hours contact time)
- two online discussions (approx. six hours of contact time).

Approach to assessment

Each module is assessed by an essay / report of approximately 4,000 words. Assignments are based on work in your own professional context eg case studies of the assessment and intervention of two children. Assignment schedules are timed to meet the needs of busy practitioners.

How this course helps you develop

The course will develop your knowledge of working with children with literacy difficulties. As well as the input from course tutors the course is designed to enable you to network with other colleagues who have a wide range of experience of children with literacy difficulties and of managing literacy difficulties in schools.

Careers

The course is organised by Oxford Brookes in partnership with Oxfordshire Local Authority and meets the criteria for the taught elements of Associate Membership to the British Dyslexia Association (AMBDA). The PGCert enables teachers to assess people for exam concessions and the AMBDA qualification is the leading quality standard for specialist work in the field.

Free language courses for students - the Open Module

Free language courses are available to full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students on many of our courses, and can be taken as a credit on some courses.

Please note that the free language courses are not available if you are:
- studying at a Brookes partner college
- studying on any of our teacher education courses or postgraduate education courses.

Research highlights

Sustained excellence in research and publication has ensured that a significant proportion of staff from the school were entered for the governments Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014 exercise in the Education Unit of Assessment (UoA 25). Almost 90% of our research outputs were deemed to be of international merit, with around a half judged as either ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ in terms of originality, rigour and significance. Contributions to the REF return were spread across all five of our research groups.

In relation to literacy difficulties, Georgina Glenny is currently running a project investigating the use of text-to-speech software to support reluctant writers in local primary and secondary schools. Students on the literacy difficulties course this year have been involved in helping with this study.

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A flexible, professionally orientated programme for speech and language therapists and other graduates seeking new knowledge and expertise about communication disorders and swallowing.

Who is it for?

The course is for qualified speech and language therapists seeking to gain specialist knowledge and high level research skills in their field. It is also suitable for other graduates with a background and special interest in children and adults with speech, language, communication and associated difficulties, including Deafness.

Objectives

The MSc programme is designed to:
-Stimulate you to think in new ways about disorders of language, communication and swallowing.
-Introduce you to new theoretical ideas and new approaches to clinical practice.
-Strengthen your knowledge of the evidence base for clinical work.
-Enhance your skills in critically appraising research evidence.
-Provide you with the skills and knowledge that you need to begin independent research.
-Students are taught 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.

Academic facilities

Students on the MSc course have access to specialist labs, e.g. providing speech and hearing instrumentation, computing resources and the excellent Institution library facilities, including our subject specific librarian. The School of Health hosts a speech and language therapy clinic (The Roberta Williams Centre) which provides project opportunities for MSc students.

Teaching and learning

Most teaching and learning takes place in small groups, combining direct input from experts with student-led discussion and workshop activities. Large-group teaching in research methods is combined with small-group laboratory sessions. Our virtual learning environment, Moodle, provides a platform for sharing module information and interactive learning. These methods support and are supported by self-directed study.

Assignments include essays, portfolios, literature reviews, poster presentations, oral presentations, and data analyses. Some focus entirely on critical evaluation of research; others require you to apply a selected body of research to a given case, client group, or clinical setting.

Modules

To gain the MSc or a PG Dip 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 8 hours a week).

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 be required to complete 3 or 4 modules totalling 60 credits. These must include at least two discipline specific modules in the area of Speech Language and Communication.

Core modules
-Introduction to research methods and applied data analysis (30 credits)
-Critical issues in advanced practice (15 credits)

Discipline Specific and Elective modules
-Acquired language impairments (15 credits)
-Case-based clinical management (15 credits)
-Cognitive communication impairments (15 credits)
-Developmental language impairment (15 credits)
-Dysphagia and disorders of eating and drinking (15 credits)
-Habilitative audiology (15 credits)
-Identity, Inclusion and Living with Disability
-Language learning and development (15 credits)
-Instrumental Techniques in Speech Sciences
-Developing Complex Interventions (15 credits)

Students can also choose modules from the School of Health Sciences' broader Continuing Personal and Professional Development (CPPD) portfolio.

Following successful completion of the taught component, students have up to one year to complete the dissertation.

Career prospects

Successful completion of the MSc fulfils the requirements for many higher-grade senior speech and language therapy posts, and for many EU and overseas clinical posts that require a masters level qualification. Students will also be eligible to apply for a research degree (MPhil/PhD) and for some research posts.

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This graduate entry master course will develop your understanding of normal communication development, developmental and acquired communication and swallowing disorders, speech pathology, clinical practice, clinical measurement and research. Your studies will be supported by extensive clinical practice.

You will be provided with the skills and knowledge to practise as a speech pathologist, which involves diagnosing, treating and providing management services to people of all ages with communication disorders, including speech, language, voice, fluency and literacy difficulties, or people who have physical problems with eating or swallowing.

The course focuses primarily on four areas

-Behavioural science: understanding human behaviour, including the complex processes involved in speaking, thinking, reasoning and interacting with others.

-Cognitive neuroscience: studying anatomy, physiology and cognitive processes involved in normal and disordered communication and swallowing.

-Rehabilitation science: understanding rehabilitation techniques and principles involved in the treatment of communication and swallowing disorders.

-Speech science: exploring areas such as speech signals, acoustic and physiological measurement, physiological and cognitive processes in speech perception and production, and computer-based speech recognition and synthesis.

Professional recognition

Graduates are eligible for membership of Speech Pathology Australia.

Career opportunities

Speech pathologist

Credit for previous study

Applications for recognition of prior learning (RPL) are assessed on an individual basis.

Other notes

Application Deadline: 31st October

You must complete a Senior First Aid Certificate as soon as possible upon entering this course.
You will be required to participate in clinical practice during vacation periods. At least one of your placements will be in a regional or rural area of Western Australia.

2016 Curtin International Scholarships: Merit Scholarship

Curtin University is an inspiring, vibrant, international organisation, committed to making tomorrow better. It is a beacon for innovation, driving advances in technology through high-impact research and offering more than 100 practical, industry-aligned courses connecting to workplaces of tomorrow.

Ranked in the top two per cent of universities worldwide in the Academic Ranking of World Universities 2015, the University is also ranked 25th in the world for universities under the age of 50 in the QS World University Rankings 2015 Curtin also received an overall five-star excellence rating in the QS stars rating.

Curtin University strives to give high achieving international students the opportunity to gain an internationally recognised education through offering the Merit Scholarship. The Merit Scholarship will give you up to 25 per cent of your first year tuition fees and if you enrol in an ELB program at Curtin English before studying at Curtin, you will also receive a 10 per cent discount on your Curtin English fees.

For full details and terms and conditions of this scholarship, please visit: curtin.edu/int-scholarships and click on Merit.

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Fostering critical reflection, specialist knowledge, and joint professional practice between school-based professionals supporting children with speech, language and communication needs.

Who is it for?

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.

Objectives

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:
-Understand and critically reflect on research and professional practice across both education and health.
-Develop high level knowledge of educational contexts and children’s language, social, emotional and behavioural development and needs.
-Enhance students’ understanding of research methods and skills.
-Complete a research project in a chosen area under expert supervision.
-Enjoy stimulation and fresh thinking in a community of fellow students, practitioners and research experts.
-Gain recognition as a specialist in the field.

Teaching and learning

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.

Assessments

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.

Modules

The taught programme comprises:
-Four core modules
-Either one elective module worth 30 credits or two elective modules each worth 15 credits
-A research dissertation.

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
-Concepts and Contexts of Special and Inclusive Education (30 credits)
-Social, Emotional and Behavioural Development (30 credits)
-Language Learning and Development (15 credits)
-Foundations of Research Methods and Applied Data Analysis (15 credits)

Elective modules - Elective modules are chosen from many available at both institutions and timing depends on module choice. Popular electives at UCL IOE include:
-Literacy Development (30 credits)
-Developmental Language Impairment (30 credits)
-Child and Adolescent Mental Health (30 credits)
-Reading and Spelling Difficulties (30 credits)
-Understanding Specific Learning Difficulties (Dyslexia) (30 credits)
-Autism: Research and Practice (30 credits)

At City, University of London:
-Cognitive Communication Impairments (15 credits)
-Developmental Language Impairment (15 credits)
-Dysphagia and Disorders of Eating and Drinking (15 credits)
-Child and Adolescent Mental Health: Early Identification and Assessment (15 credits)
-Promoting Child and Adolescent Psychological Development (15 credits)

Career prospects

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.

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The Master of Speech Language Pathology (MSLP) prepares graduates for professional practice as speech pathologists.

Speech pathologists work with children and adults with communication difficulties, including problems with speaking, comprehension, reading, writing, voice problems and stuttering. Speech pathologists also work with children and adults who have swallowing difficulties or need alternative ways to communicate.

The curriculum for the MSLP has been designed to enable students to learn in a way that resembles the clinical practice of speech pathology. Case-based learning and clinical placements help students acquire the skills necessary to qualify and practise as speech pathologists in Australia.

The course is a graduate-entry program (students are required to have completed an undergraduate degree prior to entry), however the MSLP is designed to accommodate all suitably qualified candidates regardless of their previous discipline.

As the course leads to eligibility to practise, students will be assisted in achieving prescribed professional competencies through practical and theoretical skill acquisition and clinical fieldwork placements. Clinical placements are undertaken in both the public and private sectors. Students will have the opportunity to develop an understanding of the career path they have chosen, and its place in the contemporary health system.

The pace of work in the MSLP is commensurate with the expectations of postgraduate study, as is the level and complexity of the issues dealt with in the degree, including research project design.

To ask a question about this course, visit http://sydney.edu.au/internationaloffice/

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The Postgraduate Diploma in SEN Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD) is one of a range of special educational needs courses that are offered by the University of South Wales at postgraduate level.

This course is for you if you have at least two years experience of working with students with SpLD and are looking to gain a qualification to enable you to apply to the British Dyslexia Association (BDA) for either Approved Teacher Status (ATS or ATS HE/FE) or an Associate Membership of the BDA (AMBDA or AMBDA FE/HE).

The course may also be of interest to other approved professionals, such as speech and language or occupational therapists and educational psychologists.

The Postgraduate Diploma in SEN Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD) is recognised by the British Dyslexia Association for the award of Associate Member of the British Dyslexia Association (AMBDA). It is also recognised by the Joint Council for Qualifications as the appropriate training for completing Access Arrangements in Secondary Schools.

Those who have obtained the PG Diploma in Spld (AMBDA) are eligible to assess and diagnose dyslexia.

See the website http://courses.southwales.ac.uk/courses/1280-postgraduate-diploma-sen-specific-learning-difficulties

What you study

To gain a Postgraduate Diploma SEN in SpLD you must pass four taught modules:

• Understanding Learning Difficulties and Disabilities which is taught on the campus or can be accessed via e-learning
• Specific Learning Difficulties
• Managing and Supporting Children and Young People with Specific Learning Difficulties
• Research Methodology

Both SpLD modules focus not only upon specific difficulties in literacy and numeracy, but address the wider spectrum of potentially associated conditions eg. Dyspraxia, Attention Deficit Disorder and Asperger’s Syndrome.

The course enables participants to gain knowledge of:

• The vast range of differences within the SpLD continuum
• Current research on the identification of learners experiencing problems with literacy and numeracy
• Assessing individual learning needs, using both standardised and non-standardised methods
• Planning programmes of work for individual pupils based on initial and on-going assessment
• The effects on learning, self esteem and behaviour of SpLD
• Monitoring the progress of learners who may show uneven or intermittent standards of achievement
• A variety of strategies and resources, including ICT and technical aids, for assisting pupil organisation, drafting and presentation of work
• The monitoring, evaluation and auditing responsibilities within school or service, in respect of the quality of provision for pupils with SpLD.

Learning and teaching methods

Students undertake two modules in year one, and two modules in year two. Both SpLD modules are taught on Monday evenings for three hours on campus over a period of 12 consecutive weeks.

Assessment methods

The first module is assessed on the basis of a written assignment of 5,000 words (or equivalent).

The second module is assessed in two ways:
- For students seeking a professional award, the successful completion of 30 hours of teaching experience and assessment of relevant files (equivalent to 5,000 words)

- For other participants, one 5,000 word assignment, or the equivalent

Employment Prospects

Most students proceed to the MA dissertation, in order to achieve the award of MA SEN.

Following successful completion of the course, some students have gained posts as school and college SENCOs, specialist tutors in SPLD services, set up their own SpLD consultancies, or become LEA Advisors. Others have published books and papers on the subject and gained doctorate awards.

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