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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 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.
You will learn to apply knowledge from a range of academic subjects to speech and language therapy (SLT) practice. Innovative and authentic learning methods help you develop skills such as team-working, assessment and therapy, self-evaluation. The curriculum promotes strong research skills, enabling you to evaluate and add to the evidence-base for the SLT profession. The programme prepares you well for future leadership roles.
Students undertake modules to the value of 360 credits.
The programme comprises 12 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).
Year one core modules
Year two core modules
There are no optional modules on this programme.
Dissertation/report
All students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a dissertation of 8,000 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 the programme 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.
Further information on modules and degree structure is available on the department website: Speech and Language Sciences MSc
The UK/EU fee for this programme is currently under review pending an announcement from the UK Government.
More information on studying allied health professions in England is on the official Council of Deans of Health website.
For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.
Most graduates from this programme work as speech and language therapists, providing specialist assessment, intervention and support to adults and children with a range of communication and swallowing difficulties, for example people with autism spectrum disorder, developmental language or learning difficulties, neurological conditions, dementia. They work in the NHS, in hospitals, specialist centres, in the community and in education settings, in mainstream or special schools and children's centres. Our graduates are well placed to take up further research and to fast-track into highly specialist speech and language therapist roles.
Recent career destinations for this degree
Employability
The programme is highly regarded by employers, with over 90% of graduates employed in speech and language therapy roles within six months of qualifying. Workplace learning in numerous clinical placements enables you to apply your knowledge from a range of disciplines to assessing and managing communication difficulties in real-life speech and language therapy contexts. This MSc also 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 synthesis of information, report writing, research skills.
Careers data is taken from the ‘Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education’ survey undertaken by HESA looking at the destinations of UK and EU students in the 2013–2015 graduating cohorts six months after graduation.
You will benefit directly from UCL's world-leading research and teaching, supported by facilities such as 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 that you will attend a range of high-quality clinical placements.
This programme is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and accredited by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT). UCL will pay for your student membership of RCSLT. This qualification allows you to practise as an SLT in the UK.
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.
Speech pathology is the clinical science concerned with the assessment, treatment and management of communication and swallowing disorders in infants, children and adults.
Speech pathologists work with people of all ages who are experiencing communication and/or swallowing disorders as a result of illness, injury or disability. Speech pathologists may work in a range of education and health sectors including playgroups, kindergartens, schools, universities, nursing homes, hospitals and community health centres. They may work in the public sector or build their own speech pathology practice in the private sector. Speech pathologists may work as a sole therapist or as part of a larger interdisciplinary team (physiotherapists, occupational therapists, doctors, audiologists and psychologists). They may work directly with the client and their family, providing individual guidance and goals, or they may devise and implement group therapy sessions.
This profession may be of interest to those with a scientific or linguistics background who are interested in working with people.
The Master of Speech Pathology course is designed to provide comprehensive training in all aspects of speech pathology and to produce graduates who are ready to enter the profession. The first year of the course provides the scientific background in anatomy and physiology, articulatory and acoustic phonetics, linguistics, speech and language disorders, clinical practice and processes. The second year builds on the specialised knowledge acquired in first year, develops clinical skills and introduces students to research methods in the field. The course consists of formal lectures, seminars, practical work and student presentations along with a substantial clinical component. Students will be scheduled for approximately 400 hours of supervised clinical work at various health-care and educational facilities in metropolitan and rural areas in Victoria. The clinical work will occur throughout the semesters alongside the lectures as well as block placements during the semester breaks. Please see the Course and Subject Handbook for more information about the subjects and the time commitment.
The Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology offers a Master of Speech Pathology degree, which is a two year full-time course. Completion of this degree qualifies you to work as a speech pathologist.
The Master of Speech Pathology degree allows students to gain both theoretical and clinical skills in the areas of communication and swallowing disorders, with a focus on these disorders across the lifespan. Students who show an aptitude for research may be considered for PhD studies in the department.
The course is the graduate level entry professional degree for speech pathologists with exposure to Australia’s best academic and clinical teaching across paediatric, adolescent and adult populations.
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.
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.
Optional modules
Students choose either one IOE optional module or two City optional modules to the total value of 30 credits.
Dissertation/research project
All students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a dissertation of 12,000 words.
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.
Further information on modules and degree structure is available on the department website: Speech, Language and Communication Needs in Schools: Advanced Practice MSc
For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.
This 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 to 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:
The MSc in Speech, Language and Communication Needs in Schools: Advanced Practice will enhance the depth and breadth of your understanding of children's speech, language and communication needs (SCLN) and how children's language needs intersect with different facets of their education, relating to policy, school systems and practice and co-occuring problems these children may experience.
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.
The MSc (Pre-registration) Speech and Language Therapy offers Psychology graduates the opportunity to prepare for practice as a speech and language therapist and to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council and the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists. Studying on this programme will build on your core knowledge of Psychology to combine theory with practice, using recognised techniques, skills and methods to assess, analyse and treat your clients.
This programme reflects the values of the NHS constitution and prepares students to practice as speech and language therapists, a profession concerned with the management of disorders of language, speech, fluency, voice, communication and swallowing in children and adults.
Graduates from this course are eligible for professional registration with both the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and the Health and Care Professions Council. There are increasing opportunities for speech and language therapists to work towards higher degrees in their fields of clinical specialism and research.
The recruitment process for this course includes assessing applicants by interview for the core values of the NHS constitution.
You will be based in the award-winning £139m Brooks building, specially created for the Health and Education faculties, providing you with access to state-of-the-art clinical equipment and facilities..
Our dedicated placements team are responsible for negotiating and managing current and new placement partnerships, ensuring that as student speech and language therapists, you will have access to relevant, motivating and professional placements to enhance your skills and learning.
-Accelerated master's programme for Psychology graduates wishing to gain certification to work as speech and language therapists
-Mix of university based and practice placement learning
-Opportunity to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions council upon successful completion of the course
Commissioned by Health Education England, this programme will run over two years with 45 weeks of study per year as required by the professional body, the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.
There will be a mix of university-based and placement-based learning throughout the programme, drawing upon students' previous undergraduate Psychology studies to develop confident and knowledgable practitioners over an accelerated period of professional study.
Students will take a range of units across two years of study. Some units are taken in year 1 and others in year 2 as indicated below, but in addition the following units will be taken across both years of study:
-Professional Competency in Speech and Language Therapy
-Research Methods and Dissertation
This interdisciplinary MRes is aimed at applicants whose interest in language spans more than one discipline. Building on a first degree in linguistics, speech sciences, psychology, cognitive science, or a cognate discipline, students plan their own programme of study, selecting from a range of modules in several different UCL departments.
Students are introduced to academic and key skills essential for all fields of research in speech, language and cognition, gain research training with relevant supervisors from the UCL Centre for Human Communication, and are able to assess and critically appraise theoretical and applied research relevant to speech, language and cognition.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.
The programme consists of two core modules (30 credits), four options (30 credits), a research project (105 credits) and plan (15 credits).
Core modules
Optional modules
In the Theoretical Frameworks module students choose and follow teaching from a total of four modules across the Division of Psychology and complete two cross-disciplinary projects examining aspects from two modules each term. These modules are chosen from at least two of the following fields of study:
There is no set list for these modules and students will choose modules which complement their intended research in consultation with the Programme Director.
Dissertation/report
All students undertake an independent research project on an aspect of speech, language and cognition which culminates in a research plan of 3,000–6,000 words and a dissertation of 10,000 words.
Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of small group teaching, seminars, student-led research tutorials, self-study materials, supervised laboratory placement, lectures and computer-based practical classes. It is largely assessed by coursework, with only the statistics component being assessed by exam. The research project is assessed by dissertation.
Further information on modules and degree structure is available on the department website: Speech, Language and Cognition MRes
A small number of ESRC studentships may be available each year. These are generally based on a combined application for PhD and taught postgraduate study over four years. Students interested in these studentships should contact the research department where they are interested in PhD study.
For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.
A large proportion of our students go on to study for a PhD and pursue a career in academia. The MRes is excellent preparation for a PhD degree and we have been very successful at getting candidates on to funded programmes. A number of graduates have returned to clinical practice as specialised speech and language therapists, or have gone on to work as researchers. Others go on to work in other fields ranging from business to education. The skills that the MRes develops – independent research, presentation skills, and statistics – are very highly sought after outside academia.
Recent career destinations for this degree
UCL Psychology & Language Sciences undertakes world-leading research and teaching in mind, behaviour, and language.
Our work attracts staff and students from around the world. Together they create an outstanding and vibrant environment, taking advantage of cutting-edge resources such as a behavioural neuroscience laboratory, a centre for brain imaging, and extensive laboratories for research in speech and language, perception, and cognition.
Opportunities for graduate students to work with world-renowned researchers exist in all areas of investigation, from basic processes to applied research. The division offers a supportive environment including numerous specialist seminars, workshops, and guest lectures.
Advance your clinical and research expertise
Develop your research and clinical expertise and become a specialist in your field of speech and language therapy.
Massey’s Master of Speech and Language Therapy provides qualified speech language therapists with opportunities for advanced clinical and theoretical study.
You’ll develop research skills that will prepare you to use and add to the knowledge base in speech and language therapy.
This programme will give you expertise in core areas such as evidence-based practice and research methods. You can also follow your interests in specialist areas that reflect your individual passions and/or client caseloads. Postgraduate studies at Massey will reflect your current or desired work context.
We tailor assignments and thesis topics to your interests, and pair you with an academic mentor who has expertise in your subject area. Your mentor will support and guide you through coursework and thesis completion.
Our programme is very flexible, with options for studying full-time or part-time. You can also complete the programme through distance learning.
Our students live all over New Zealand and overseas. They tell us they find their studies interesting, inspiring and relevant.
If you have a Bachelor of Speech and Language Therapy (Honours) degree or equivalent, with at least a B grade average, you are eligible to advance directly into the thesis component of the degree (Part B).
This programme provides a solid foundation for entry into a PhD in Speech and Language Therapy.
Please note that successfully completing the MSLT does not ensure employment as a speech-language therapist in New Zealand. If you completed your undergraduate qualification outside of New Zealand, then you will need to have that qualification assessed and approved by the New Zealand Speech and Language Therapists’& Association (NZSTA) before you can enter the profession in New Zealand. It is your responsibility to organise this assessment if you would like to work in New Zealand.
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.
This course leads to a professional qualification to practice as a speech and language therapist. This enables the individual to work in a diverse range of settings and roles, from schools and hospitals to higher education and research. The course is approved by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and the Health and Care Professions Council.
What will you learn?
You will investigate a range of subjects, including biomedical sciences, psychology, linguistics, communication and research methods. You will learn how to assess and manage a range of communication and swallowing disorders. Your skills will be put into practice through a series of clinical placements throughout the course.
We're one of only a few departments of our kind to run an in-house clinic. So as an MMedSci student at Sheffield, you’ll benefit from specialist facilities and training. To maximise your clinical skills, you’ll go on placements in our clinic and in settings throughout Sheffield and surrounding areas.
The course follows six main themes:
The course provides an interactive learning experience involving active participation, case-based and inquiry-based learning and small group teaching with an overall emphasis on integrating theoretical knowledge with
clinical expertise.
Some practical teaching takes place in the University’s human pathology laboratories. You will learn from a team of clinical and research specialists including speech and language therapists, psychologists, audiologists, linguists, information technologists, and medical practitioners.
Throughout the course, you will be working closely with your peers and tutors in a supportive environment.
Assessment of your knowledge and skills uses a variety of methods. These include exams, coursework and evaluation of clinical work. Your dissertation comprises a research-based systematic review of a clinically relevant topic in the second year of the programme.
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.
The MSc Public Health degree will develop your management competencies and research techniques, equipping you to develop your career as a health professional.
Whether you are a podiatrist, a speech therapist or a nurse – if you work in any kind of clinical setting you will reach a point at which you cannot progress without some kind of additional training and demonstrable management competency.
The skills you will develop on this course will put you in a good position to progress in your career and take on leadership roles. The course will focus on hot topic within health and cover core modules on epidemiology, health promotion and global health. Our health students often organise local health campaigns within the community, so there are plenty of opportunities to get involved and make a difference.
Whatever sector you are working in – the NHS, private health or social care services, community health organisations or a related commercial sector – you will benefit from studying in a superbly resourced environment which is producing research internationally recognised as being of the highest quality.
