Masters Degrees (Speech Therapy)

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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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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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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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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*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 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 new programme is an NHS funded training programme and reflects the values of the NHS constitution. The programme will offer 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 (HCPC) and the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.
Speech and Language Therapists are concerned with the management of disorders of language, speech, fluency, voice, communication and swallowing in children and adults. This programme will focus in particular on creating research-active graduates who will contribute to evidence-based practice within the profession.
Applicants must have Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society
The recruitment process for this programme includes assessing applicants by interview for the core values of the NHS Constitution.

Further information

To complete the application process, you need to be able to reflect on the work of a speech and language therapist and have knowledge of communication difficulties. This information can be gained from observation of a speech and language therapy session (live or video) or from personal experience.
Considerable weight is given to relevant work or voluntary experience with one or more potential client groups.
You will also be expected to be able to express yourself competently in spoken and written English, have strong interpersonal skills, and be at least 18 years of age at the time of commencement of the course.
Evidence of recent successful academic study (within the last 5 years), to A-Level standard or above

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Introduction

The MLitt English Language and Linguistics offers students the opportunity to study the intricate workings of language and explore its central role in society.
We investigate how language works, how people use it, what people use it for, where it came from and how it changes. The range of research expertise represented by the three dedicated members of staff teaching on the course are reflected in a comprehensive suite of modules that include cognitive, sociolinguistic, historical, evolutionary, and discourse analytical topics.

Key information

- Degree type: MLitt, Postgraduate Certificate
- Study methods: Part-time, Full-time
- Duration: Full-time: MLitt-12 months, PG Diploma-9 months, PG Certificate-3 months Part-time: MLitt-27 months, PG Diploma-21 months, PG Certificate-9 months
- Start date: September
- Course Director: Dr Bethan Benwell | Dr Andrew Smith

Course objectives

Students will be expected to graduate with a knowledge of contemporary linguistic theories, including both generative and cognitive approaches to linguistic description, and the contexts in which these theories arose.
They will also acquire knowledge and understanding in specialist selected areas of study (e.g. Old and Middle English, historical, social and regional varieties of English, language and cognition, discourse analysis and evolutionary linguistics), including critical understanding of research in these areas.
They will be able to apply a variety of descriptive linguistic tools to language data and linguistic theories to selected specialist areas of study within English Language and Linguistics, according to their areas of interest.
They will learn to plan and manage a Research Project under supervision, undertaking independent research, including keeping track of relevant developments in the chosen field(s) and being able to set them in an appropriate context; they will be able to structure and communicate ideas effectively; gather, evaluate and organise information from multiple sources; and engage with other researchers by writing, debating, and delivering oral and written presentations.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS: 6.0 with 5.5 minimum in each skill
- Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): Grade C
- Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE): Grade C
- Pearson Test of English (Academic): 54 with 51 in each component
- IBT TOEFL: 80 with no subtest less than 17

For more information go to English language requirements https://www.stir.ac.uk/study-in-the-uk/entry-requirements/english/

If you don’t meet the required score you may be able to register for one of our pre-sessional English courses. To register you must hold a conditional offer for your course and have an IELTS score 0.5 or 1.0 below the required standard. View the range of pre-sessional courses http://www.intohigher.com/uk/en-gb/our-centres/into-university-of-stirling/studying/our-courses/course-list/pre-sessional-english.aspx .

Career opportunities

Postgraduate degrees in English Language and Linguistics are much sought-after by students across the world, providing a grounding in theories and methods essential for a range of research and teaching careers in disciplines including English Studies, Education, English as a Foreign Language and English for Specific Purposes.
Students with postgraduate degrees in English Language and Linguistics are prized for their excellent communication and problem-solving skills, and their ability to analyse and synthesise information rapidly and accurately. They are generally very adaptable and go on to a wide range of careers in all sectors of the economy, such as: private and public sector management and research, marketing and advertising, government administration, journalism, banking and finance, speech therapy.
Former graduates from the MLitt have gone on to, for instance, Linguistics Research (in the Healthcare sector) and further study in Speech Therapy (for which a Master's in Linguistics was a prerequisite).
In a recent report, graduates of English were as likely (if not more) to be in professional or managerial jobs three to three and a half years after graduation than graduates in other subjects (including science and social science subjects). Almost fifty percent of English graduates pursue further education within three years of graduating from their undergraduate degree, often as a route to a professional career, such as teaching or law.

Employability

Your MLitt in English Language and Linguistics will provide you with important transferable skills which you will be able to make use of throughout your career. Our course will help you develop your oral and written communication skills so that you can engage in confident and informed debate with a range of audiences. You will be able to design, plan and manage your own independent research projects; you will develop your skills in collecting, analysing and interpreting information, and will be able to structure, contextualise and communicate your ideas and findings effectively.
You will play an active part in our regular Language Research Group meetings, which discuss articles on important and controversial linguistic topics. You will have the opportunity to introduce articles of your choice to the group and will develop important skills in leading and managing open-ended discussions.

- Skills you can develop through this course
An MLitt in English Language and Linguistics is acknowledged by potential employers as providing important skills, such as motivation, intelligence and the ability to meet deadlines. Although English is not a specifically vocational degree it offers a number of important transferable skills, such as the ability to write clearly, effectively, accurately and persuasively.
Seminar discussion and oral presentations (required by many of our modules) help to develop your spoken communication skills. The critical and reflexive study of a variety of texts (literary and non-literary) teaches you how to analyse and interpret complex information and to apply abstract concepts and theories. Our criteria for assessment also require students to be able to synthesise conclusions, to assimilate existing research and to construct and defend an argument clearly and cogently.
Throughout their degrees, our students are also trained to use library and bibliographic resources effectively and appropriately, to reference accurately, and to present their work professionally. All of these skills are essential to many kinds of work, which is why so many employers recognise the value of a MLitt in English Language and Linguistics.

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Advanced knowledge of phonetics and syntax coupled with practical application and exploration of English in context – e.g. speech therapy, English in education, discourse analysis – forms the core of our MA course.

Why Study English Language and Linguistics with us?

Taught at our Parkgate Road Campus in Chester, our cutting-edge MA course is delivered by a dynamic team of linguists, each with their own research specialisms. Our range of expertise includes corpus linguistics (computer-assisted discourse analysis), acoustic phonetics (useful for speech therapy), cognitive stylistics (how our minds process fictional and non-fictional texts) and critical discourse analysis (e.g. ideology in the media). Students can also explore conflicts and controversies in the discipline and contribute to our online blog.

Our dedicated English Language research space will allow you to undertake data-based projects using some of the latest specialist software (e.g. for acoustic phonetics and corpus linguistic analysis).

What will I learn?

Integral to the course is the advanced study of phonetics/phonology and morphology/syntax at the micro-level, combined with application of knowledge about structures of English in discourse (corpus linguistics, critical discourse analysis, cognitive stylistics) and research methods. These core areas of study are supplemented with options which may include the role of English in education (e.g. phonics and grammar in the classroom), language and identity, language change and speech disorders.

How will I be taught?

In most modules you will attend a lecture and discuss ideas in smaller seminars and workshops.
Full-time MA contact hours are approximately four hours per week with 20 hours per week of additional independent study, during term time. Further contact hours with lecturers are in the form of dissertation supervision and personal tutorials.

How will I be assessed?

Assessments are tailored for each module and include exercises in grammar and phonetics/phonology, discourse analysis essays, seminar papers (including presentations), discursive essays, extended data collection and analysis projects, lesson plan and commentary, portfolio, and an extended thesis (dissertation). A successful dissertation is also an essential requirement. There are no exams.

Postgraduate Visit Opportunities

If you are interested in this courses we have a number of opportunities to visit us and our campuses. To find out more about these options and to book a visit, please go to: https://www1.chester.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/postgraduate-visit-opportunities

Request a Prospectus

If you would like to know more about the University please request a prospectus at: http://prospectus.chester.ac.uk/form.php

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The MSc Play Therapy is a new collaboration between With Kids (a Scottish charity) and the MSc Art Psychotherapy (International) at Queen Margaret University.

The key purpose of the profession of play therapy is defined by British Association of Play Therapists (BAPT): "Play therapy is the dynamic process between child and play therapist in which the child explores at his or her own pace and with his or her own agenda those issues, past and current, conscious and unconscious, that are affecting the child’'s life in the present. The child'’s inner resources are enabled by the therapeutic alliance to bring about growth and change. Play therapy is child-centred, in which play is the primary medium and speech is the secondary medium."

The MSc Play Therapy aims to educate the next generation of play therapists to enable them to work safely and therapeutically with complex children and families.

Graduates will understand and work with the value of each individual child, the fundamental inter-relatedness of the child'’s physical, emotional and social needs and the power of love and care to transform life chances.

Applicants should possess qualities that enable them to undertake study in an appropriate manner and at the appropriate academic level. Thus the students recruited to this course will be committed, diligent, enthusiastic and possess the skills, curiosity and drive to enhance their knowledge base.

Teaching, learning and assessment

The teaching and learning approaches used encourage you to be an independent, participative learner. These approaches will engage you in lectures, problem-based learning, workshops, small group discussion, seminars, observation and skills practice. The course team aims to enable students to learn from and with others through supportive peer-assessment and feedback, guided by the tutor. There are three play therapy practice placement modules where you will work directly with children and families of increasing complexity. Two modules include clinical observation of a child/children from infanthood to adolescence. Assessment methods include case study analysis, collaborative presentation, observation analysis and play therapy practice placement portfolio.

While as a postgraduate student you will predominantly be working independently, there is a strong structure for academic support. Normally, there are fewer than 20 students in the class ensuring that individuals receive excellent support and benefit from interaction with other students.

Teaching hours and attendance

The course runs over three years part-time. Students attend the learning centre at With Kids in the east end of Glasgow one day a week over the first two years. Students will also undertake play therapy practice placement, observations and attend clinical supervision individually or in small groups. Students are expected to attend their own personal therapy for the duration of the course. 100% attendance is expected at all elements of the MSc Play Therapy.

Modules

Clinical Skils, Process and Practice 1,2 & 3 (10 credits each)/ Developmental, Clinical and Play Therapy Theory 1 & 2 (30 credits each)/ Research Methods (30 credits)/ Research Methods (30 credits)/ Clinical Project (60 credits).

The modules listed here are correct at the time of posting (July 16), but are subject to change. In the event that modules have to change, QMU will seek to use reasonable endeavours to ensure that there is no detrimental impact to students.

Careers

Play Therapists practice in many environments, including: NHS, social services, primary, secondary, further and special education, charities, private practice, etc.

They also work with people of all ages (not just children) living with a wide range of emotional or physical conditions. While in 2015 the overall majority of play therapists in the UK work in health and the voluntary sector, there is a sizeable number of them working in schools and nurseries. For further information http://www.bapt.info.

Other entry requirements information

Accreditation of prior learning: The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) encompasses the process whereby one can identify, explore and claim credit for previous certificated and/ or experiential learning. Applicants however will not be able to receive accreditation in lieu of any part of the practice placements throughout the course.

International: Where your honours degree has not been studied in English, you will be required to take an IELTS test receiving an overall score of 7.0 and no individual component score below 6.0.

Quick facts

- Rooted in the psychotherapeutic tradition of the Notre Dame Clinic which dates back to the 1930s.
- The only Play Therapy training validated by a Scottish university in collaboration with a Scottish charity.

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About the course:
-Accredited by the Health and Care Professions Council and recognised by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
-Develop your communication, clinical and research skills within professional settings
-Focus on clinically related topics
-Apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council to work as a speech and language therapist upon graduation

WHAT WILL YOU STUDY?

Modules include:
-Advanced Professional Development
-Communication impairment 1, 2, 3
-Clinical phonetics & phonology
-Clinical Practice 1, 2
-Disorders of fluency
-Foundations of grammar
-Medicine 1, 2
-Multilingualism and Impairment Across the Lifespan
-Oropharangeal Dysphagia
-Personality and social psychology
-Phonetics and Phonology
-Research and Dissertation
-Typical and Atypical Development 1, 2

EMPLOYABILITY

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.

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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. 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

Spoken and Written Language; Developing an Evidence-Based Practice; Speech Difficulties I: nature and investigation; Speech Difficulties II: intervention and management.

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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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 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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As a postgraduate researcher in Speech and Language Sciences you will carry out a major research project working with supervisors who are experts in your field.

We offer expert supervision in the following research areas:
-Links between the production and perception of speech
-Monolingual/bilingual speech and language development in children for a range of language(s), particularly Arabic
-Early years policy with a focus on language and communication
-Relation of socio-economic factors to language development
-Assessment, diagnosis and intervention for speech, language and communication impairment, including: primary speech and language impairment in children (including specific language impairment); verb and sentence processing deficits in people with aphasia; memory disorders following stroke; effectiveness of interventions for speech and language impairments; the psycholinguistics of word production; computational modelling of word retrieval

Our website provides further information on research areas. Our supervisors' current research interests, projects and publications are available from our staff profiles. The majority of our staff have hands-on professional experience in speech and language therapy, teaching, or English language teaching prior to entering academia.

We advise that you contact Carolyn Letts, Director of Postgraduate Research, or a member of our staff as a potential supervisor before applying. You will be asked to submit a short research proposal (1000 words max).

Delivery

Your attendance at Newcastle is flexible, depending on your field work or if you are away collecting data. You will have regular meetings with your supervisory team, supported by email and Skype.

You can choose to enter the annual competition for ESRC funded studentships through the ESRC Northern Ireland/North East (NINE) Doctoral Training Partnership. You should contact us well in advance of the February deadline if you are planning to apply.

You will be based in the School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences, which is very diverse with a high number of international students. You will have opportunities to attend seminars across the disciplines of speech and language sciences, education and applied linguistics and to engage with staff and fellow-students from all over the world. Many of our students already have well-developed professional careers and are inspired to explore research questions arising from their experience.

If you are based in the UK and wish to maintain your professional employment, part time study is a flexible option.

Our links with research centres and institutes provide opportunities for collaboration and cross-disciplinary seminars and interest groups. Our most important connections are with:
-Institute for Health and Society
-Centre for Research in Linguistics and Language Studies
-Centre for Research in Learning and Teaching

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