msc speech and language therapy personal statement

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• Speech and language therapy
• Become a speech and language therapist

University degrees

Applying for a speech and language therapy degree.

Ready to apply for a speech and language therapy degree? Read our tips on writing a personal statement and preparing for an interview.

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Applying and covid-19, reading list, other resources, writing your personal statement, preparing for an interview, diversity and inclusion.

Getting some relevant work experience can make a big difference to your chances of being accepted on a speech and language therapy degree course.

However, during the coronavirus pandemic, access to work experience for prospective students has been in short supply.

Universities that provide speech and language therapy courses understand this situation, so don’t worry if you haven’t been able to secure work experience due to the pandemic.

Your chances of being accepted on a speech and language therapy course will not be affected.

These books will give you an understanding of some of the conditions and disabilities a speech and language therapist might help to support.

You can use some of the insights from these books to support your university application.

• The Diving Bell and the Butterfly by Jean-Dominique Bauby – A memoir where the writer describes his life before and after suffering a stroke that left him with locked-in syndrome.
• The Spectrum Girl’s Survival Guide: How to Grow Up Awesome and Autistic by Siena Castellon – Advice and tips to help autistic girls live their best lives.
• A Stitch of Time: The Year a Brain Injury Changed My Language and Life by Lauren Marks – One woman’s journey to regaining her language and identity after a brain aneurysm affects her ability to communicate.
• Adventures in the Mainstream: Coming of Age with Down Syndrome by Greg Palmer – A father chronicles two of the most important years in the life of his son, who has Down syndrome.
• The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat by Oliver Sacks – The famous neurologist Dr Oliver Sacks recounts the stories of patients struggling to adapt to their neurological disorders.
• My Stroke of Insight by Jill Bolte Taylor – A doctor’s first-hand account of a stroke and the process of recovery.
• The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon – A murder mystery in which the protagonist is 15 years old with Asperger’s Syndrome.
• Let me finish: A rare insight into living with a lifelong stammer by Paul O’Meara – A memoir about navigating the world as someone who stammers.

When writing a personal statement or preparing for an interview to study speech and language therapy, you can draw on the following resources to develop your understanding of the profession and what it means to be a speech and language therapist.

RCSLT resources

• RCSLT careers guide booklet (PDF)
• RCSLT podcasts
• Easy evidence-based practice webinar
• Public health and communication needs webinar
• Putting children, young people and their parents at the centre of decision making webinar
• Videos about speech and language therapy

External resources

The following service user organisations, charities and support groups offer valuable resources and insights for prospective SLTs:

• The Communications Trust
• Speech and Language UK
• British Stammering Association
• Stroke Association
• LGBT Foundation: how to be an ally to trans people
• Down’s Syndrome Association
• National Autistic Society

When writing your personal statement or preparing for an interview at university to study speech and language therapy, you will need to demonstrate your interest and understanding of the profession.

Tips from university speech and language therapy university admission tutors and what they look for when reviewing applications:

• Evidence of wide and diverse reading to support the applicant’s understanding of their choice, which goes beyond more that ‘what an SLT does’.
• An explanation of why the applicant wants to train as a speech and language therapist and what makes them suitable for this degree and career.
• An application specifically tailored to a speech and language therapy course.
• Evidence that the applicant has undertaken research into the speech and language therapy profession and what they learned as a result.
• Skills from all parts of life that the applicant can bring to the profession.
• An understanding of what might be important from a service user’s perspective.
• An understanding of how the applicant’s personal values align with those of the NHS constitution.

Already been offered an interview? Congratulations!

Here are some of our tips to help you feel confident on the day:

• We want applicants to feel they can bring their authentic selves to interview and to the world of speech and language therapy.
• It’s also important to show how your values line up with those in the NHS or in other places SLTs work, such as schools or in independent practice.
• Do you need adjustments to help you access an interview? Ask the university when you apply.
• Cost of travel limiting your options? Don’t be afraid to ask if a virtual interview is possible. If not, ask about the policy for covering travel expenses.

Helpful resources

• UCAS – undergraduate interview invitations

The RCSLT wants to encourage more students from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds to become speech and language therapists. A diverse profession makes for a stronger profession. A diverse workforce helps us to reflect the communities we serve.

The RCSLT has compiled this anti-racist reading and resources list to support learning on the subject .

Read our joint statement with universities that provide speech and language therapy degrees on how we are supporting equality, diversity and inclusion for student SLTs.

Related content

Find out where you can study

Why choose speech and language therapy?

What makes the profession special

What is speech and language therapy

Learn what SLTs do and where they work

Is something wrong with this page? Submit feedback

Speech and Language Therapy Personal Statement Examples

• 1 Personal Statement Example Links
• 2 Career Opportunities
• 3 UK Admission Requirements
• 4.1 Apprenticeship
• 5 Similar Courses in UK
• 6 UK Curriculum
• 7 Alumni Network

Personal Statement Example Links

• Personal Statement Example 1
• Personal Statement Example 2
• Personal Statement Example 3
• Personal Statement Example 4
• Personal Statement Example 5
• Personal Statement Example 6 (for reference)

Ever been captivated by the intricacies of human communication? Inspired by the idea of helping individuals overcome speech and language difficulties?

If so, a career as a Speech and Language Therapist could be your ideal journey. This rewarding field equips you with the knowledge and skills to diagnose, treat and support individuals with a range of communication disorders.

It also offers a fulfilling and rewarding opportunity for university applicants who are passionate about making a difference in people’s lives.

As an SLT, you will work with individuals of all ages, addressing a diverse range of communication and swallowing disorders resulting from various causes, such as developmental delays, learning disabilities, neurological conditions, or physical impairments.

SLTs are in high demand across various settings, including hospitals, schools, community health centres, and private practices.

To become a qualified SLT, you will need to complete an accredited undergraduate or postgraduate degree in Speech and Language Therapy, followed by registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

This profession not only requires excellent communication and interpersonal skills but also a strong foundation in linguistics, psychology, and anatomy.

As an SLT, you will have the unique opportunity to empower individuals, improve their quality of life, and create lasting, positive change.

👍 When writing a personal statement : Highlight your passion for the course, demonstrating your understanding of it. Use relevant personal experiences, coursework, or work history to showcase how these have fostered your interest and readiness for the course.

Career Opportunities

A Speech and Language Therapy degree provides graduates with a range of career opportunities in a variety of industries and sectors. With a Speech and Language Therapy degree, graduates can pursue careers as Speech and Language Therapists, Audiologists, Clinical Educators, Rehabilitation Specialists, and Research Scientists.

Speech and Language Therapists work with individuals who have communication and swallowing difficulties, including those with autism, cerebral palsy, and learning disabilities. They assess and diagnose communication disorders, develop treatment plans, and provide therapeutic intervention. Speech and Language Therapists also work with families, teachers, and other professionals to ensure the best possible outcomes for their clients.

Audiologists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of hearing and balance disorders. They use a variety of tests and techniques to assess hearing and balance, and they provide hearing aid fittings, hearing aid repairs, and counseling services. Audiologists also work with physicians, educators, and other professionals to ensure the best possible outcomes for their patients.

To transfer across to audiology, you’ll need to complete the NHS Practitioner Training Programme in healthcare science (audiology). This is a 3-year training scheme and includes a mix of on the job training and study.

To work as an audiologist in the private sector, you’ll need to do an audiology degree approved by the Health and Care Professions Council .

Clinical Educators provide education and training to healthcare professionals , students, and patients. They develop and deliver educational programs, evaluate the effectiveness of educational programs, and provide consultation services. Clinical Educators also work with healthcare professionals to ensure that their patients receive the best possible care.

Rehabilitation Specialists provide rehabilitation services to individuals with physical, cognitive, and emotional disabilities. They assess and diagnose disabilities, develop treatment plans, and provide therapeutic intervention.

UK Admission Requirements

In order to be accepted into a university course in Speech and Language Therapy in the UK, applicants must have a minimum of five GCSEs at grade C or above, including English, Maths, and a Science subject. Additionally, applicants must have either an A Level in a relevant subject, such as Psychology, or a Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care.

You’ll need a degree in speech and language therapy that’s approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT).

If you’ve got a relevant degree, you could do a 2-year fast-track postgraduate course in speech and language therapy.

The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) has useful resources to help you prepare for a career in speech and language therapy.

You may be able to get additional student financial support through the NHS Learning Support Fund.

Entry requirements

You’ll usually need:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
• a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

UK Earnings Potential For SLTs

The average salary for a speech and language therapist in the UK is £37,570 per year. This figure is based on data from the Office for National Statistics. The salary range for speech and language therapists is typically between £27,000 and £47,000.

The job market for speech and language therapists is growing, with an estimated 6% increase in job openings over the next 5 years. This growth is driven by an aging population and an increased demand for speech and language therapy services. Additionally, the UK government has made a commitment to expanding the number of speech and language therapists in the NHS, which will create more job opportunities.

Apprenticeship

You may be able to do a speech and language therapist degree apprenticeship.

The apprenticeship will take around 4 years to complete.

If you already have a relevant degree it may be shorter and you may be able to gain a masters qualification as part of the apprenticeship.

If you are already working as a speech and language therapy assistant you may be able to apply to do the degree apprenticeship with your current employer. You would need to meet all their entry requirements for the apprenticeship.

The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) has more information on this apprenticeship.

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship

Similar Courses in UK

Other university courses related to Speech and Language Therapy include:

1. Audiology: Audiology is the study of hearing and balance disorders, and involves the diagnosis, management, and treatment of hearing and balance disorders. The key difference between Audiology and Speech and Language Therapy is that Audiology focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of hearing and balance disorders, while Speech and Language Therapy focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of communication and swallowing disorders.

2. Speech and Language Science: Speech and Language Science is the study of the structure and function of human communication. It covers topics such as language development, language processing, and speech production. The key difference between Speech and Language Science and Speech and Language Therapy is that Speech and Language Science is more focused on the theoretical aspects of communication, while Speech and Language Therapy is more focused on the practical aspects of communication.

UK Curriculum

The Speech and Language Therapy course at UK universities typically covers a range of topics, including anatomy and physiology of the speech and language systems, communication and language development, language disorders, speech and language assessment, and intervention strategies.

The course also covers a range of modules, such as clinical linguistics, clinical phonetics, language and communication development, and speech and language therapy. These modules provide students with an in-depth understanding of how language and communication work in the human body.

In addition to the theoretical aspects of the course, students also gain hands-on experience through practical work. This includes supervised clinical placements in which students observe and participate in the assessment and treatment of individuals with communication and language disorders. This provides students with an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills they have acquired during the course to real-life situations.

In addition to the clinical placements, students may also be required to complete research projects or write a dissertation. These projects allow students to explore a particular area of speech and language therapy in depth and to develop their analytical and research skills.

Overall, the Speech and Language Therapy course provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the theory and practice of speech and language therapy. Through the combination of theoretical modules, hands-on experience, and research projects, students gain the knowledge and skills necessary to become successful speech and language therapists.

Alumni Network

Notable alumni from the Speech and Language Therapy course include Dr. Rosemary Sage , who is a professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of South Florida. Dr. Sage has made significant contributions to the field of speech and language therapy, including her research into the use of technology to improve communication in children with autism. She has also been involved in the development of innovative clinical practices and has published numerous articles and books on the subject.

In addition to Dr. Sage, other notable alumni include Dr. John Costello , who is the Director of the Speech and Language Therapy Program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Dr. Susan Wortman-Jutt, who is a professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Both of these individuals have made important contributions to the field of speech and language therapy, including their research into the use of technology to improve communication in children with autism.

The university offers a number of alumni events and networking opportunities for students and alumni of the Speech and Language Therapy course. These include an annual alumni reunion, which provides an opportunity for alumni to connect with each other and learn about the latest developments in the field. In addition, the university also hosts an annual alumni networking event, which allows alumni to network with each other and learn about potential job opportunities.

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Unique Personal Statements for Speech and Language Therapy

Table of Contents

Speech and language therapy courses help prospective healthcare professionals improve their interpersonal and communication abilities and learn therapeutic skills. A personal statement speech and language therapy is your chance to impress employers with your talents, experience, and goals.

This article discusses how to write a fascinating SLT personal statement and gives samples of good, thought-provoking ones.

What to Include in a Personal Statement for SLT

If you want to study SLT in college, you’ll need to show that you’re committed to the field in your statement. Here are some points to prioritize while writing your statement;

Proven reading depth in relevant fields supports the applicant’s claim that they know more than “what an SLT does.”

• Justify your interest in and suitability for the profession.
• Mention past work experiences.
• Demonstrate your knowledge on SLT.
• Explain your range of transferable skills.

Great Examples of Personal Statement Speech and Language Therapy

These INK examples show the variety of the information that can be included in a personal statement. It should be easy to get started writing your statement as soon as you are finished reading the examples.

I am an experienced Speech and language therapist passionate about helping others communicate effectively. My expertise lies in supporting children, adolescents, and adults to overcome speech impediments that impact their everyday lives. I have seen firsthand the transformative power of therapy on many occasions. I have seen individuals gain confidence and make strides toward independence.

Throughout my career, I have strived to remain abreast of current best practices, attending courses to stay apprised of advances in the field. Additionally, I regularly conduct assessments, develop treatment plans, and provide direct therapy sessions tailored to each individual’s needs. Through innovative techniques and creative strategies, I’ve achieved positive outcomes for patients who had previously felt hopeless.

I understand that communication is not just about words; it involves body language and non-verbal cues. Thus, I always strive to create a safe environment where clients can feel comfortable expressing themselves without judgment. This approach has allowed me to help many people discover their voice—and use it boldly!

I am excited by the prospect of using my skills and enthusiasm to support even more individuals as a Speech and Language Therapist.

As a Speech and Language Therapist with over two decades of experience, I have witnessed the transformative power of communication in my clients’ lives. From helping children develop language skills to supporting survivors, SLT has afforded me meaningful opportunities to change people’s lives positively.

My commitment to excellence is rooted in the belief that empathy is our most powerful tool as therapists. I understand the unique needs and experiences of every individual. This motivates me to strive for innovation in developing custom-tailored programs tailored for each client’s specific goals.

I am passionate about using creative approaches such as board games and stories to engage clients and provide them with an enjoyable learning environment.

It is rewarding to observe firsthand how even minor improvements can bring great joy and confidence to a person’s life. Having dedicated so many years to this profession, I look forward to continuing to serve my community by delivering high-quality care and compassionate support.

Final Words

A personal statement for speech and language therapy introduces you to the school and what you have to offer as a candidate .

So, it’s essential to know how much information to include and how to capture the attention and win over the admission officers.

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

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• MSc Speech and Language Therapy (Pre-registration)

Speech and Language Therapy (Pre-registration)

If a child can’t form words, how can they communicate? How does a client eat when her ability to swallow was damaged by a stroke? If a teenager suffers a traumatic brain injury, can he learn to speak or read again?

Course overview

Our MSc Speech and Language Therapy (Pre-Registration) course is an accelerated, two-year postgraduate course aimed at graduates who wish to prepare to practise as a registered speech and language therapist. Our course content reflects the values of the NHS constitution and combines theory and practical sessions over 45 weeks per year. 

On the course, you’ll study topics including early language delay, traumatic brain injury, and difficulties swallowing (dysphagia). You’ll also explore areas such as autism and fluency, phonological delay and disorder, and neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease. We aim to prepare you to work across a variety of settings with both children and adults. 

To fund your postgraduate pre-registration MSc Speech and Langua...

What you need to know

• When does the course start? September 2024

Full-time: 2 years 

• Where will I study this course? Manchester

Features and benefits

Course information.

On our MSc Speech and Language Therapy course, you’ll explore some of the issues you might face working as a modern speech and language therapist. We aim to prepare you to work across a range of settings and treat patients across their lifespan. 

You'll explore issues faced in a paediatric setting, such as working with children with developmental language disorder or who are unable to produce speech sounds. You’ll also look at issues in adults, including communication and swallowing impairments in a range of conditions such as strokes and, Parkinson’s disease. 

As well as teaching from our academic team, you may have guest lectures with practitioners. Previous speakers include specialist speech and language therapists and psychologists. 

In your first year, we usually focus on teaching you the theory to develop your knowledge of speech and language. You’ll learn through a variety of methods, including case-based learning. This allows you to practice assessing scenarios and applying the theory you have learned to cases you may come across on your placement. 

You’ll learn how to use intervention materials, assessments, and specialist computer programmes. We have a team of technicians to help you master specialist equipment and you’ll use these skills on your clinical placements. 

Your second year of our course tends to focus on placements and your dissertation, as well as continuing your theoretical education. You’ll typically spend at least 525 hours on placements and practice-based learning during the two years of this course, working in settings including hospitals, schools and clinics across the North West. 

Past dissertation topics have included research projects investigating midwives’ experiences of multi-disciplinary working with speech and language therapists, investigating staff experiences of managing children’s swallowing difficulties in a school setting and, investigating support workers’ understanding of supporting speech, language and communication. 

Outside of studying, you can join our Speech Society, which is mainly run by the speech and language therapy students on our undergraduate degree. They organise a series of talks, workshops and events to help promote speech and language therapy and develop your knowledge outside of the classroom. 

You may also have the opportunity to apply to work on research projects with our academic team. Students recently helped to collect and input data as part of a speech therapy trial within primary schools, with Dr Julie Lachkovic . 

Accreditations, Awards and Endorsements

Endorsement.

Health and Care Professions Council

accreditation

Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists

Over the first year of your course, you'll cover the following units.

Some units may span your second year of study too.

Applied Psychology

Through this unit, we'll provide you with an introduction to developmental, cognitive and social psychology relevant for Speech and Language Therapy practice. You'll learn about child development, memory, perception, personality, health psychology and community psychology.

Clinical Theory 1 (Developmental Speech, Language and Communication Disorders)

In this unit you'll explore the role of the Speech and Language Therapist in the remediation of developmental Speech Language and Communication difficulties. A clinical placement involving working with children forms part of the required learning experience for this unit. This will enable you to clinically apply the learning you've carried out in the directed and student-centred learning associated with this unit, giving you practical experience of working with a range of paediatric clients.

Clinical Theory 2 (Acquired Speech, Language, Communication and Swallowing Disorders)

In this unit you'll focus on the most common acquired impairments of speech, language, communication and swallowing. Using cases, you'll examine the clinical, psychological and biological aspects of a range of acquired conditions. A clinical placement involving working with adults forms part of the required learning experience for this unit. This will enable you to clinically apply the learning you have carried out in the directed and student-centred learning associated with this unit, giving you practical experience of working with a range of adult clients.

Phonetics and Phonology

We've designed this unit to introduce key theoretical concepts and practical skills in phonetics and phonology for speech and language therapy students, and provide you with an opportunity to use your skills, apply your knowledge, and critically evaluate data.

Indicative content will include:

• Articulatory, acoustic and instrumental analysis of speech sounds
• The structure of the segmental and suprasegmental system in English
• Phonological analysis of disordered and non-disordered speech
• Auditory analysis of speech, including clinical data, and its transcription at both phonemic and phonetic levels. 

Linguistics and Language Acquisition

In this unit you'll learn to recognise and analyse the structures and uses of (impaired) language and how language is acquired over the lifespan.

Theoretical content will include:

• Analysing (developmental/typical/disordered) grammar, semantics and pragmatics, and interpreting these analyses in relation to general linguistic frameworks/theories.
• Psycholinguistics, including neurolinguistics, and its use in interpreting communicative practices relevant to SLT.
• Sociolinguistics, including multilingualism and discourse analysis, and its use in interpreting communicative practices relevant to SLT.

Professional Competency in Speech and Language Therapy

In this unit, you'll develop your professional and clinical skills such as reflective practice, professional communication and knowledge of the regulatory, governance, ethical and legal frameworks within speech and language therapy. You will also apply your theoretical knowledge and develop clinical autonomy in clinical scenarios.

Study and assessment breakdown

10 credits equates to 100 hours of study, which is a combination of lectures, seminars and practical sessions, and independent study. A masters qualification typically comprises of 180 credits, a PGDip 120 credits, a PGCert 60 credits and an MFA 300 credits. The exact composition of your study time and assessments for the course will vary according to your option choices and style of learning, but it could be:

• Full-time 25% lectures, seminars or similar; 25% placement; 50% independent study
• Full-time 55% coursework; 30% practical; 15% examination

Additional information about this course

Health checks - You will be required to complete an Occupational Health Assessment to ensure that your health does not constitute a barrier to the achievement of the programme learning outcomes or eligibility to apply for registration with the professional body. This will require the completion of a health questionnaire before or during the first few weeks of your course, followed by an occupational health screening appointment which will include the consideration of appropriate immunisations. Travel costs to appointments (which will be within the Greater Manchester area) will not be covered by the University.  

Professional Suitability - Students on programmes leading to professional qualifications are required to adhere to professional standards and codes of practice during their studies. Failure to do so may lead to exclusion from the programme on the grounds of professional unsuitability. Students will be briefed about the requirements at the start of their studies. 

Course-specific regulations - Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Bodies require students to achieve results that demonstrate their ability to practise safely. There are therefore some exceptions to the standard University Assessment Regulations for those students, for example limitations on resits and on compensation of failed marks. 

Placement options

You’ll typically spend at least 525 hours on placements during the two years of this course, working in settings including hospitals, schools and clinics across the North West. (The RCSLT require that you complete at least 525 hours). 

When you’re on a placement, you’ll collect data to complete assignments, such as an essay or case study. We work closely with our placement partners to make sure that they’re aware of the tasks you’ll need to complete. 

Your first placement, in the first term, is usually a five-day education placement in an early years setting. In the second term, you’ll begin the first of your clinical practice placements – you’ll typically spend 18 days in a paediatric setting. 

During your second year, you’ll have two placements; one in the first term and one in the second term.  You’ll work with adults for one placement in settings such as care homes and hospitals (in the neurology unit, for example) or in their homes. For the other placement you’ll work in a paediatric setting. Each of these placements  will be at least 28 days.  

During your second year of study, you'll complete the units you started in the first year. This includes the following core units:

Clinical Theory 3 (lifelong and Complex Speech, Language, Communication and Swallowing Disabilities)

This unit enables you to gain a deeper understanding of conditions that have lifelong impact on communication, and eating, drinking and swallowing. Communication difficulties that arise alongside psychosocial difficulties and sensory disabilities such as hearing impairment will also be considered. You'll then explore the integration of perspectives from biological sciences such as audiology, and psychological theory and the application of this information, including its relevance to the practice of speech and language therapy. This unit includes a paediatric placement in term 2 of this second year.

Research Methods and Dissertation

We've designed this unit to develop knowledge and understanding of the research process by completing a dissertation.

The key theme is the completion of a research-based dissertation. This will include the development of a research question, appropriate design and method (including completing appropriate ethics approval processes), data collection procedures, data analysis and evaluation. This unit runs across Year 1 and Year 2.

Whether you've already made your decision about what you want to study, or you're just considering whether postgraduate study is right for you, there are lots of ways you can meet us and find out more about postgraduate student life at Manchester Met.

• a virtual experience campus tour
• chats with current students

Taught by Experts

Your studies are supported by a department of committed and enthusiastic teachers and researchers, experts in their chosen field.

We often link up with external professionals too, helping to enhance your learning and build valuable connections to the working world.

Entry Requirements

Applicants must have a minimum 2:1 UK undergraduate Honours degree (or international equivalent) and either have studied successfully to A-level standard or above in the last 5 years or obtained recent and significant relevant work experience (for example, working as a speech and language therapy assistant). Applicants require GCSE Mathematics or equivalent at grade C or above.

The 'personal statement' section of the application form is for you to provide additional information to support your application. Personal statement guidance can be found via the link in the 'How to apply for this course' section.    From the personal statement we are looking for information in the areas listed below. If any of these areas are not addressed in the personal statement, this may significantly disadvantage your application. You’re therefore strongly advised to include information from all the areas. Your personal statement is limited to 700 words.   The threshold score above which students are shortlisted for interview may vary from year to year.

• Reasons for choosing speech and language therapy
• Work experience
• Personal attributes, skills and values

Additional requirements:  A satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate as a criminal record check is required for all students. This will be completed through the University prior to enrolment.    Satisfactory occupational health clearance is also required to participate in this course.    Overseas applicants will require IELTS with an overall score of 8.0 with no less than 7.5 in any category, or an equivalent accepted English qualification. Accepted English qualifications can be viewed here . 

Fees and Funding

Uk and channel island students.

Full-time fee: £9,250 per year. Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of your course providing you complete it in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).

EU and Non-EU International Students

Full-time fee: £20,500 per year. Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of your course providing you complete it in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).

Additional Information

A masters qualification typically comprises 180 credits, a PGDip 120 credits, a PGCert 60 credits, and an MFA 300 credits. Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of study provided the course is completed in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).

Additional Costs

Specialist costs.

Optional estimate : £15 to £50 for replacement or non-standard uniforms. Optional equipment £650.

All of the books required for the course are available from the library. The University also has PC labs and a laptop loan service. However, you may choose to buy some of the core textbooks for the course and/or a laptop. You may also need to print your assignments and other documents. Campus printing costs start from 5p per page. Estimated costs are £300 for a laptop and up to £100 each year for books and printing.     Uniforms: Full uniform is provided free of charge when the course commences. If you wish to replace any item of uniform or secure additional items of uniform throughout the course (eg because it has been damaged or no longer fits) then you must order and pay for this directly with the supplier. There are certain exceptions to this, for example if you become pregnant. These are detailed in the faculty uniform policy. You can choose to purchase non-standard items such as fleeces directly from the supplier. 

placement Costs

Compulsory estimate : 2 to 12 a day whilst on placement (costs will vary considerably)

You will need to budget for travel costs to your placement which could be up to 100 kilometres from the University. Travelling time one-way should not exceed 2.5 hours, and it is rare for it to be up to the maximum limit. Travel costs to placement will vary considerably depending on where you live, the location of your placement and how you choose to travel. Information on public transport costs within Greater Manchester can be found at www.tfgm.com .     All NHS Trusts charge for car parking.

professional Costs

Compulsory estimate : DBS £0 to £135 depending on your status. Please go to our DBS webpage for more details: http://www.mmu.ac.uk/dbs/ HCPC registration fees are currently 90 for two years

Optional estimate : £36 for membership of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists

DBS Checks: Before starting on your course, you must undergo a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check (Enhanced Disclosure). At the time of going to press, you do not have to pay for your first DBS check. If you cannot attend a DBS session at the University before the start of the course, you can use the UK Post Office Document Certification Service, which costs approximately £10. If you are not a UK citizen, or if you have lived in one country outside the UK for six or more months in the last five years, you must, where this is possible, obtain a police clearance certificate from the country in which you resided, in addition to the Disclosure and Barring Service check.

You must supply a certified translation if the certificate does not automatically include this. Costs vary and can include fingerprint and translation fees where required. Returning students, who have already had a DBS certificate from Manchester Met and who need a second DBS certificate, for example, due to a suspension of study, are required to pay the DBS fee. Please go to our DBS webpage for more details and for current DBS fees: http://www.mmu.ac.uk/dbs/ 

other Costs

Optional estimate : £7

You may wish to join the Manchester Met Speech, Language and Communication student society which costs approximately £7 annually.

Career Prospects

When you graduate, you’ll have the skills to work in clinical practice as a speech and language therapist with children and adults.

You can apply to the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) for registration to practise as a speech and language therapist. You can also apply for membership of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT), the professional body for speech and language therapy in the UK.

PLACEMENTS AT MANCHESTER MET No matter how high our academic ambitions, our focus is always practical. So we offer more than an exciting student experience. With the skills you'll develop, the knowledge you'll learn and experience you'll gain, you can prepare for a rewarding career after you graduate.  Find out more about our clinical placements

Want to know more

Register your interest, got a question.

Applications to this course for September 2024 should be submitted via UCAS .

You should submit your application prior to the standard undergraduate admissions deadline of 31 January 2024*. Applications received after this date may still be considered but will be classed as a late application.

*This is because the pre-registration programmes will be using the undergraduate UCAS admissions service. Please double check your application before submitting to ensure that you have applied to the correct postgraduate course.

Get advice and support on making a successful application.

You can review our current Terms and Conditions before you make your application. If you are successful with your application, we will send you up to date information alongside your offer letter.

Manchester is your city, be part of it

Your new home, your new city, why university, related courses, speech and language therapy.

Programme Review Our programmes undergo an annual review and major review (normally at 6 year intervals) to ensure an up-to-date curriculum supported by the latest online learning technology. For further information on when we may make changes to our programmes, please see the changes section of our Terms and Conditions .

Important Notice This online prospectus provides an overview of our programmes of study and the University. We regularly update our online prospectus so that our published course information is accurate. Please check back to the online prospectus before making an application to us to access the most up to date information for your chosen course of study.

Confirmation of Regulator The Manchester Metropolitan University is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS). The OfS is the independent regulator of higher education in England. More information on the role of the OfS and its regulatory framework can be found at officeforstudents.org.uk .

All higher education providers registered with the OfS must have a student protection plan in place. The student protection plan sets out what students can expect to happen should a course, campus, or institution close. Access our current Student Protection Plan .

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A Guide to Postgraduate Speech and Language Therapy

27 th September 2019

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Speech and Language therapy is a rewarding and fulfilling career and popular at both undergraduate and postgraduate level, therefore the application process can be competitive. As with similar health pathways, tuition in most cases is paid for by the NHS and there are a set number of places at each institution. If you did not study a pre-registration course accredited by the HCPC (Health Care and Professionals Council) then you need to do a pre-registration, accelerated course in Speech and Language Therapy to practice as a Speech therapist.

What do speech therapists do?

Speech and language therapists (SLT) assess and treat speech, language and communication problems in people of all ages to help them better communicate. They'll also work with people who have eating and swallowing problems.

They work with people of all ages, who may have other health problems that affect their speech, or may be recovering from an accident or stroke.

Career Progression

When qualified and registered with the HCPC, the first year of work is normally spent under supervision, in order to become a full member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists. This is usually a post in the NHS, which often involves working from health centres, hospital clinics and special schools. Many qualified Speech and Language therapists decide to specialise in a particular patient group or disorder, but others move around. Senior positions are in clinical specialisms, management, research and teaching..

Self-employment is an increasingly growing career path; the Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice (ASLTIP)  provides support for therapists in this area.

Speech and language therapy jobs in the NHS are normally covered by the  Agenda for Change Pay Rates , but individual NHS trusts have their own terms and conditions. Speech and language therapists usually have a starting salary of £21,176 (Band 5), rising to £27,625. Other employers, like charities and local education authorities, offer similar pay. Specialist speech and language therapists (Band 6) earn £25,528 - £34,189. Advanced speech and language therapists (Band 7) can earn £30,460 - £40,157. Full-time NHS speech and language therapists work 37.5 hours a week. Hours are typically 9am to 5pm with the possibility of some extra hours as and when required.

>See all speech and language therapy courses

Interview with Jane Stokes, programme leader on the Speech and Language therapy pre-registration course run jointly by the University of Greenwich and Canterbury Christ Church.

The application process for our programme is competitive - we routinely get 200 applications for 28 places, so a ratio of about 7 to 1. This is similar to the ratio nationally which is about 8 to 1.

How can applicants improve their chances of getting a place on the course?

To improve their chances of being accepted, applicants should obtain as much information about speech and language therapy by shadowing therapists working, by gaining experience in health, education or social care settings generally, by attending open days at the university, or by finding out about the profession through reading.

On this programme, the typical student has already worked either paid or in a voluntary capacity in a health, education or social care setting. They have had some personal or professional experience of people with communication difficulties and have a commitment to developing their skills in interacting and communicating with people who have difficulties. The typical student has a first degree in a related subject - linguistics, psychology, biological sciences, or Early Years, although we do accept students who have other degrees as long as they have relevant experience.

What are the main strengths of the course?

The main strength of the course is that it has a strong practice focus, and is founded on the principle that it provides the workforce with effective, autonomous and safe practitioners. We encourage personal development as a feature of the programme and introduce the students to people with communication disorders early on in the programme so that they can understand the impact of communication difficulty on daily life. There is also a strong emphasis on self directed learning. The student group is diverse and we welcome the contributions that experienced people bring to their studies.

The course is intensive, as it covers in two years, what an undergraduate will cover in four years. We ask students to consider the course as full time, not to expect to be able to do much paid work during the two years, and therefore the best way to prepare for the course is to ensure that they have thought through the financial implications. There are no fees to pay and students can apply for a means tested bursary.

>See further details on the Greenwich and Canterbury course

Interview with Paul Turner, Senior Lecturer in Audiology and Programme Manager in the Division of Language and Communication Science at City University , London.

Ratio of applicants to places?

8 or 9 applicants per place

What can people do to improve their chance of being accepted?

Undertake some relevant work experience and reflect on what they have learned in their application to demonstrate their understanding of the types of communication difficulties people can experience and what SLTs can do about them.

What does the application process consist of?

Paper applications are scored and moderated using a detailed scoring system. We will assess applications on the basis of previous academic record (i), two references (ii), a written personal statement (iii) and a written second statement answering our additional questions (see our site  for further details).

What’s the main strength of the city course?

City is a leading provider of speech and language therapy courses in the UK with an excellent reputation.  We train more SLTs every year than any other UK university and our courses have a focus on developing clinical skills. Our graduates have achieved distinction in all areas of the profession, including as clinical experts, senior managers of services and internationally recognised research leaders.

How intense is the course? How can students prepare for this?

Generally students have four full days per week (three at University and one on placement). Students can prepare by studying our pre-course reading list and getting sufficient suitable experience so that they are sure that Speech and Language Therapy is the right career choice for them.

What is the typical pathway of a graduate?

Following successful completion of the course they register with the Health and Care Professions Council and move to a Band 5 Therapy job for a probationary year under the supervision of a senior therapist. Career progression can be in clinical specialisation, management, research or education.

Has the profession changed in recent years?

 If yes, how have courses and students adapted? There is increasing pressure on clinicians to demonstrate evidence-based practice. There has also been growing recognition that the patient’s/ user’s perspective on health services is paramount.  Both are priorities for the course. Our expert academics are leaders in the field of speech and language therapy and renowned worldwide for their teaching and research and we employ SLT users and carers as part of the teaching for professional studies.

>Search all Speech Therapy courses

- It’s important to be sure it is for you and prove you have shown an interest through work experience.

- Competition is tough, so you may need to spend more time volunteering or working in related sectors to stand a chance at gaining entry, you might have to apply more than once and perhaps to a centre located in a different part of the country.

MSc Courses

For registered therapists wishing to further their knowledge or pursue an area of expertise there are also MSc and PhD courses available at UK universities, covering various areas, some examples include: Speech Technology Research, Speech Difficulties and Cleft Palate Research. 

We spoke to Professor Shula Chiat , from City University about the MSc Advanced Practice in Health and Social Care (Speech, Language and Communication)

Roughly one applicant per place, but not all applicants are suitable, so our applicants do not exceed our places.

This programme is not competitive. We don’t reach our target numbers because the field of speech and language therapy is small, and not that many clinicians want to undertake postgraduate study; the number of non-clinical applicants (also eligible to take the course) is very small. Hence applicants who meet our entry criteria will be accepted. Applicants who do not meet our entry criteria may succeed if they undertake further preparation. For example, overseas applicants who do not meet the English language requirement need to take a further course in English; applicants who have a clinical qualification but do not show sufficient understanding of the programme and readiness for research-oriented studies might increase their chances of acceptance if they take a course preparing students for postgraduate study.

Completion of the application form, including personal statement; two references; and an interview conducted by Programme Director. The decision to offer a place can often be determined from the application. The interview serves as a further check that applicants have a good understanding of the programme they are applying for, and gives them an opportunity to discuss what they want from the programme, indicate their main interests and likely module choices, and ask further questions about the programme. For applicants whose first language is not English, it provides further evidence of English language skills to supplement their score on the English language test.

What’s the main strength of the City course?

The main strength is that it supports students to develop their knowledge, critical thinking, and analytical and research skills in their particular areas of interest. More specifically, it gives students the opportunity to:

- Learn about the latest theoretical and clinical developments in key areas of speech and language therapy through lectures, seminars and student-led workshops

- Collaborate with staff who are internationally recognised researchers in their field

- Gain a better understanding of speech, language and communication problems from the client's perspective

- Conduct a research project under expert supervision, building on the knowledge and skills gained.

This course is not very intense, with teaching supplemented by many hours of self-study. Full-time students attend taught courses on average two days a week through the Autumn and Spring terms. Each term is eleven weeks, with a break for reading week in the middle.  During the term they are expected to read extensively, prepare for group discussions and workshops in their modules, and they may have assignments in some. The main assignment for each module comes at the end of the term and can be completed in the vacation. Students have up to one year after completing the taught programme to complete the research dissertation required for the MSc qualification.

Most students are already clinically qualified, and the MSc will help them obtain higher grade and specialist posts. It also prepares them for undertaking research, and a small proportion of graduates go on to undertake MPhil/PhD studies and/or take up lecturing posts.

  Has the profession c hanged in recent years? If yes, how have courses and students adapted?

There is increasing pressure on clinicians to demonstrate evidence-based practice. There has also been growing recognition that the patient’s/ user’s perspective on health services is paramount.  Both are priorities for the course. Clinical and research methods modules  give students access to current evidence in specific clinical areas and disorders and develop their skills in evaluating and collecting evidence.  The programme offers one module (‘Identity, inclusion and living with disability’) that focuses on users’ perspectives and includes presentations by users; the importance of users’ experience is a strand in all other clinical modules.

A further change in the profession has been the result of cut-backs in NHS funding for continuing professional development, including payment of MSc fees and time off to undertake an MSc. This has reduced the number of UK clinicians on the course. At the same time, the number of non-UK students has grown, with students who have completed a BSc degree in their home country wishing to obtain a Masters-level qualification.

Useful Links

-  HCPC (Health Care and Professions council)

-  Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists

-  NHS (funding)

-   S tamma

-  ICAN (Charity supporting speech, language and communication development in children)

>Search all Speech Therapy Courses

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Speech and Language Therapy

Explore this course:.

School of Allied Health Professions, Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health

Course description

This course qualifies you to practise as a speech and language therapist. When you graduate, you’ll be able to work in a range of settings including schools, hospitals, care homes, nurseries, clinics and clients’ homes. 

You will study a wide variety of difficulties that adults and children can have with communicating and/or eating, drinking and swallowing. Topics range from anatomy and physiology, and their relationship with speech and language pathology, to the psychological and sociological factors that can affect communication.

The course also gives you practical knowledge of how to assess communication or eating, drinking and swallowing difficulty, identify suitable interventions and manage an individual's case. You will learn how to base clinical decisions on the latest research and work with carers, teachers and family members to support the people you are working with. You will also complete  pre-registration eating, drinking and swallowing competencies .

This training will be put into practice and developed through a series of clinical placements, both within the University of Sheffield’s in-house speech and language therapy clinic and in a variety of health and education settings. The course is led by a supportive team of clinical and research specialists, including speech and language therapists, psychologists, audiologists, linguists, information technologists, and medical practitioners.

Accreditation

This course is approved by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and the Health and Care Professions Council.

An open day gives you the best opportunity to hear first-hand from our current students and staff about our courses.

Find out what makes us special at our next online open day on  Wednesday 17 April 2024 .

You may also be able to pre-book a department visit as part of a campus tour. Open days and campus tours

2 years full-time (five days a week)

3 years part-time (three days a week)

Study days for part-time students vary by semester and the standard pattern is given below. There may be circumstances during the course where study days are different from this, but we will inform you in good time and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption.

• First year, semester one: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 
• First year, semester two: Monday, Tuesday and Friday 
• Second year, semester one: Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 
• Second year, semester two: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 
• Third year, semester one: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 
• Third year, semester two: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday

You will learn through lectures, workshops, tutorials, supervised clinical placements and self-directed learning. We use a case-based and inquiry-based approach, as well as small-group teaching, to give you an interactive learning experience.

Placements start in semester one and carry on throughout the programme. During semesters one and two, placements run alongside teaching, so that you can link the topics you are studying to clinical practice. You will then spend part of the summer each year on clinical placements.

Full-time students also spend four weeks (20 days) on clinical placement over the summer at the end of level one and five weeks (25 days) in the summer of level two.

Part-time students also spend 20 days on clinical placement over the summer at the end of level one, then 15 days in the summer of level two and 15 days in the summer of level three.

Usually, summer placements also take place over three days a week, on the same days of the week as semester two of that year – so you would complete 20 days on placement in the summer of level one over seven weeks, for example. However, these dates can be more flexible over the summer, if a different schedule would be more suitable and this can be arranged with your placement provider.

You will be assessed through exams, coursework, evaluation of your clinical practice and, in your final year, a dissertation.

Your career

Graduates from this course are able to register with the Health and Care Professions Council and practise as speech and language therapists.

Speech and language therapists are in high demand, and there are plenty of opportunities to specialise in areas such as mental health, stammering, hearing impairment, learning difficulties, eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties, or neurological impairments.

Many of our graduates have gone on to successful careers within NHS trusts, schools, charities, private practices or the justice system. Others choose to go on to further postgraduate study and a career in research.

Student profiles

Charlie Gascoyne, Speech and Language Therapy

“The most rewarding thing for me studying at Sheffield was the support of the university and how enjoyable it was working alongside a diverse group of people, who were all excellent at helping each other and sharing ideas to benefit the whole cohort” explains Charlie.

I’ve begun my SLT journey working in acute stroke wards, but as for the future? Watch this space!

Abigail was drawn to a career as a Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) after realising what a difference they make to people’s lives. She explains what she enjoyed most about our in-house placements, and how she landed a graduate job in her second year hospital rotation!

Entry requirements

Minimum 2:1 undergraduate honours degree.

We may consider your application if you have a 2:2 undergraduate honours degree and your practical experience is particularly strong.

DBS disclosure and health screening

You must produce an enhanced DBS disclosure and complete a health screening before starting the course.

In your personal statement (no more than two pages) you must:

• outline your reasons for applying to train as a speech and language therapist
• demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the speech and language therapy profession
• discuss how your academic/professional/personal background has prepared you for this postgraduate course. We welcome applicants who have backgrounds in unrelated fields as long as they can demonstrate their interest for, and knowledge about, speech and language therapy
• clearly describe and reflect on relevant experiences and research you have undertaken to prepare yourself for this programme
• provide evidence that your personal values and behaviours align with the NHS constitution

The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists provides useful resources to help support your university application for a speech and language therapy degree .

Applications will be reviewed and shortlisted for interview.

Part-time study is only available for those who do not require a visa to study in the UK. 

Due to the large number of applications we receive, we are unable to provide individual and specific feedback to applicants who are not shortlisted for interview or who do not receive an offer for a place on the course. 

All new students must obtain occupational health clearance, which may require an individual assessment. This is to ensure that you meet the fitness to practice standards detailed on the  Higher Education Occupational Practitioners (HEOPS) guidance .

We offer support to students with additional needs, for example, through the  Disability and Dyslexia Support Service  or  Student Support Services . You can find out more about the  network of support services  we provide. A very small number of conditions might, on health and safety grounds, affect your registration with the appropriate regulatory body and your ability to practise in certain clinical situations.

If you're offered a place, you'll need to comply with the Department of Health and Social Care mandatory immunisation requirements.

If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the department .

Fees and funding

Fees for 2 years, full-time route.

You'll receive an occupational health screening, immunisations and a DBS check on our professional programmes. These will be covered by your tuition fee. We recommend that you subscribe to the DBS update service within 30 days of your disclosure being issued (which you would need to pay for). You would need to pay for any additional DBS checks that may be required if you do not subscribe to the DBS update service.

Clinical placements are a compulsory element of the degree, which means that there will be an additional expense for travel and accommodation (where applicable).

If you are a UK student you will be able to apply for reimbursement for excess travel expenses and dual accommodation costs for placements from the NHS Learning Support Fund . In order to claim, the total cost of your daily return travel from your normal accommodation to your practice placement site must exceed the cost of your usual daily return travel to university.

If you travel to placement in your own motor vehicle, it is your responsibility to ensure that you have adequate insurance cover for all risks associated with its use (i.e. this includes obtaining business use on your insurance policy). This cannot be reimbursed.

For EU and international students the additional placement costs will be self-funded.

Eligible  English domiciled students  on pre-registration postgraduate healthcare courses can apply for funding from Student Finance England using the undergraduate funding process. You can access this support even if you have received loans to study an undergraduate or postgraduate course before. More information can be found on the government and NHS websites:

• Gov.uk - Student finance for undergraduates - Eligibility
• NHS - Financial support at university

Further information about the undergraduate funding available can be found on our government loans and support  web pages.

If you live in one of the  devolved nations , you may be able to access support from your funding provider. Awards and eligibility criteria vary.

• Wales -  Student Finance Wales
• Northern Ireland -  Student Finance Northern Ireland
• Scotland -  Student Awards Agency Scotland

As a postgraduate student, you cannot apply for undergraduate scholarships.

NHS Learning Support Fund

Eligible students may also be able to apply to the  NHS Learning Support Fund (LSF) .

Applications for 2024 entry have now closed. Applications for 2025 entry will open in September 2024.

More information

School of Allied Health Professions, Nursing and Midwifery

[email protected] +44 114 222 2405

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MSc Speech and Language Therapy

(pre-registration).

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Entry requirements

Fees and funding.

• What's next?

We recommend that you apply as soon as you are able to as courses may occasionally close early. This webpage will be updated with any changes to application deadlines. You should also take into account any deadlines for funding applications, such as scholarships.

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; this is essential to register and work as a speech and language therapist.

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 a wide range of teaching methods, including enquiry-based learning to integrate theory and clinical practice. You will undertake practice education placements with speech and language therapists and members of the multi professional teams in which we work.

Our course is continuously developed to reflect contemporary health, education and social care practice. A wide range of stakeholders continue to be involved, in order to ensure that changes in speech and language therapy practice are incorporated in the programme.

The School hosts a range of pre-registration courses including nursing, mental health nursing, occupational therapy, doctor of clinical psychology, oral health and social work; providing opportunities to interact with a wide range of aspiring health and social care professionals.

If you are already a registered speech and language therapist, please see Continuing Professional Development on our Health and Social Care web pages.

The cost of required uniform will be fully covered by the school.

Pre-registration Eating, Drinking and Swallowing (EDS) Competencies

• talking to the client and carers about the results of an assessment and future management

Placement information

Placements are an integral part of this course and are sourced for you from across a variety of settings (e.g.NHS organisations, independent/private SLT services, charities, and Schools) and client groups (e.g. paediatrics, adults, etc). Your placements will vary in length and are linked to the objectives of the modules you are studying. You will have a minimum of 150 clinical experience sessions (approximately 75 days). Placements will have different structures which include face-to-face, virtual, via telehealth. If you have significant experience in a particular field, we may not return you to that setting so you have the opportunity to advance your skillset.

Speech and Language Therapy placements tend to fall Monday-Friday and within office hours (e.g between 8am -6pm). To provide the best opportunities, we use a wide network of placements across the Eastern region, which means you will likely have to travel approximately 90 minutes from campus. We allocate students on placements throughout the entire East of England region (e.g. Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, Suffolk) and surrounding areas. Subject to eligibility, you may be able to claim the NHS Learning Support Fund which provides reimbursement of excess travel (i.e. above your regular commute to campus, and inclusive of costs such as hire cars, etc) or accommodation costs incurred due to undertaking practical training on clinical placement. When you start your course, the SLT Placements Team will collect information about your previous work experience, whether you can drive, and other circumstances in order to aid placing you.

DBS and Occupational Health Checks

This course requires a satisfactory Occupational Health Check and enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check (including child and adult barred list check) - both of these are organised by the University. Please contact our DBS team or Occupational Health team if you have any questions in relation to these checks.

You will also be required to register for the DBS Update Service (information relating to this service can be found here ). You will need to register for this within 30 days of your DBS certificate being issues. The Update Service costs £13 per year, which the University will reimburse. You will need to keep the subscription to this Service active for the duration of your course. If you do not register for the Update Service within 30 days, or your registration lapses, and you later attend placement where this is a requirement, you will have to pay for a new DBS check, which will enable you to sign up to the Update Service. Please contact our DBS team if you have any questions relating to this.

A satisfactory Overseas Criminal Record Check/Local Police Certificate is also required, in addition to a DBS Check, where you have lived outside of the UK in the last 5 years for 6 months or more. Further information about how to obtain an Overseas Criminal Record check can be found on the Gov.uk website .

We continue to recommend Covid and flu vaccination to all of our students. This is to protect both yourself and the vulnerable people that you may meet throughout your placement.

Professional accreditation

Approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) for the purpose of providing eligibility to apply for registration with the HCPC as a speech and language therapist.

Recognised by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) for the purpose of applying for newly qualified practitioner membership.

• Work with partnership organisations to share and develop the evidence base, knowledge and skills.
• We have a Communications Lab which is exclusively for our Speech and Language Therapy students
• Provide a wide range of high quality practice placements leading to excellent employment opportunities.

Placement year

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.

We are committed to embedding the values of the NHS Constitution into everything we do. They define the behaviours and expectations of our staff and students, underpinning the work we do. Our students and graduates work in a wide variety of locations where these values help shape the underlying principles of excellent care.

Specialist facilities

The School of Health and Social Care is located at two sites; in the Kimmy Eldridge building at our Colchester campus and in the Gateway Building at our Southend campus. This course is based at our Colchester Campus only.

We have purpose-built Simulation Wards and Communication Skills Labs at our Colchester Campus to meet the needs of a growing and lively School. View our image gallery and find out more about our Speech and Language Therapy facilities .

Your future

We currently have graduates working in clinical, management and education positions in local Trusts, Hospitals, Schools, care organisations, and Higher Education Intuitions.

Speech and language therapists are employed in a wide variety of contexts including the NHS, education and health and social care.

Find out more about careers in speech and language therapy from the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists .

UK entry requirements

Our applicants should have:

You must also have a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check (including child and adult barred list check) and a Occupational Health Check - both of these are organised by the University.

For this course, you will be required to register for the DBS Update Service (information relating to this service can be found here). You will need to register for this within 30 days of your DBS certificate being issued. The Update Service costs £13 per year, which the University will reimburse. You will need to keep the subscription to this Service active for the duration of your course.

If you do not register for the Update Service within 30 days, or your registration lapses, and you later attend a placement where this is a requirement, you will have to pay for a new DBS check, which will enable you to sign up to the Update Service. Please contact [email protected] if you have any questions relating to this.”

International and Self-funding Students

Applications will be considered from full fee-paying international applicants for 2023 entry. For details on fees please review our fees pages .

As an international applicant you will be expected to meet the same minimum entry criteria as all other applicants, including evidence of a satisfactory work health check and enhanced criminal clearance prior to the start of the course – please contact us for further information [email protected] . If you aim to work as a speech and language therapist in a country outside of the UK, you will need to check with the relevant regulatory body of that country to confirm suitability.

NHS Constitution and Values

As part of the selection process, students will be expected to demonstrate good knowledge and a clear understanding of the scope of work that a speech and language therapist is required to undertake as well as the significance of the NHS Constitution and its core values (you can find further information on these on the Health Education East of England website and the Gov.UK webpages .

Interviews will be via Zoom, details of which will be provided in advance.

Continuing Professional Development

If you are already a registered speech and language therapist, please see Continuing Professional Development on our Health and Human Sciences web pages.

International & EU entry requirements

We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries. Get in touch with any questions you may have about the qualifications we accept. Remember to tell us about the qualifications you have already completed or are currently taking.

Sorry, the entry requirements for the country that you have selected are not available here. Please select your country page where you'll find this information.

English language requirements

Additional notes.

The University uses academic selection criteria to determine an applicant’s ability to successfully complete a course at the University of Essex. Where appropriate, we may ask for specific information relating to previous modules studied or work experience.

Course structure

Postgraduate study is the chance to take your education to the next level. These carefully selected modules will give you the chance to explore, question, and create powerful ideas. Picked to give you an extensive and in-depth education, they'll equip you with the specialist knowledge, vital transferrable skills, and the confidence to make a genuine difference to the world around you.

Attendance at the university is full time, along with your clinical placements.

We're reactive, we're pioneering, we never stand still, so modules might change from year to year in response to new developments and innovation. Those listed below show how a typical course might look, but more detail on course structure, including details of all optional modules, is available on our Programme Specification .

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We'll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website and in line with your contract with us. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, we'll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.

Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose.

Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.

The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.

Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits.

In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available.

Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code . For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:

COMPONENT 01: CORE

You will have the opportunity to build on your existing knowledge of research by exploring a variety of methodologies. This will prepare you for your second year of study when you will conduct your own original research project in an area of interest that is relevant to health care practice.

View Using Evidence in Health Care Practice on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 02: CORE

Paediatric speech and language therapy focuses on treating children that are experiencing communication and/or feeding problems. This module will develop your understanding of language processes from a linguistic perspective. You will look at the structure and function of normal speech and language; language development and breakdown; and the rationale for clinical analysis and planned intervention studies. You will also be introduced to current research in the field.

View Speech and Language Therapy - Paediatrics 1 on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 03: CORE

Building on your knowledge gained from earlier modules, you will further develop your understanding of the structure of language and look at the basic principles of speech and language pathology in children. Key topics include phonological and language impairments; evidence based practice; multidisciplinary working; and assessment tools and techniques. You will also be introduced to a range of skills and concepts fundamental to the practice of speech and language therapy.

View Speech and Language Therapy - Paediatrics 2 on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 04: CORE

The aim of this module is to advance your experience and understanding of aspects of speech and language pathology in children. You will be introduced to more specialist areas of study and a number of discreet pathological conditions, their aetiology and presenting characteristics. Language impairment in children will be analysed more deeply and issues related to intervention planning, techniques and appropriateness for treatment will be considered.

View Speech and Language Therapy - Paediatrics 3 on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 05: CORE

This final module of Year 1 builds upon and extends the knowledge and skills you have acquired in earlier modules, to develop your experience and understanding of specialist areas of paediatric speech and language therapy. You will explore fundamental concepts such as special needs, cleft lip and palate, hearing impairment and mental health at an advanced level, and have the opportunity to develop your clinical skills through a 5 week clinical paediatric placement.

View Speech and Language Therapy - Paediatrics 4 on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 06: CORE

This module introduces learners to the concept of learning together to promote collaboration in healthcare. Learners are encouraged to work together in interprofessional teams to learn about other professions, enhance interprofessional communication and promote interprofessional team working. The emphasis is on person centred care, the team around the service user and the potential to enhance outcomes through collaborative working. Learners are encouraged to critically consider current policy drivers, research evidence and reflections on personal observations of healthcare to understand barriers and opportunities for team working. The module seeks to begin to develop reflective team workers who understand the value of collaborative working and seek to incorporate this in their further professional development.

View Interprofessional Collaboration and Development on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 07: CORE

What is speech and language therapy? The focus of this module is on broadening your core knowledge and deepening your understanding of the nature and practice of speech and language therapy. You will study five topic areas to ensure you meet the required level of learning to proceed with further study.

View Speech and Language Therapy Foundation Studies 1 on our Module Directory

The aim of this module is to further advance your research and problem solving skills enabling you to carry out your own research in your future practice. This will involve the critical appraisal of research from a variety of sources to inform your own practice.

View Research Activity on our Module Directory

The focus of this module is on the introduction of the core adult pathology of dysphagia, voice disorders and head and neck cancer. You will study the anatomy, physiology and neurology of the aero digestive tract and develop your understanding of the typical disease process and the impact that problems in this area can have on a patient’s quality of life.

View Speech and Language Therapy - Adults 1 on our Module Directory

What impact does progressive neurological disease have on speech and communication? You consider the answer to this question by examining the effect of conditions such as motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and tumour on adult patients. You will also study the impact of these conditions on a patient’s family and your role in assessing and managing ways to enhance their quality of life.

View Speech and Language Therapy - Adults 2 on our Module Directory

When the area of the brain responsible for language is damaged, for example as a result of a stroke, it can lead to a language disorder known as aphasia. This module looks more deeply at the condition, and the ways in which rehabilitation can be used to enable communication, reduce impact, and enhance quality of life.

View Speech and Language Therapy - Adults 3 on our Module Directory

This module looks at a wide range of communication disorders in adults including learning difficulties, autism, dementia and traumatic brain injury and the methods of reducing their impact through rehabilitation and enabling strategies. You will also consider disorders of fluency and enhance your clinical reasoning skills by examining wider management strategies and potential service improvements.

View Speech and Language Therapy - Adults 4 on our Module Directory

This module looks at the ways in which disease and disability can lead to speech, language and communication problems in adults. You will deepen your knowledge and understanding of the pathology of neurological and oncological diseases, paving the way for further study of the disease process in relation to stroke, progressive neurological disease and cancer in later modules.

View Foundation Studies 2 - Pathology for Speech and Language Therapy on our Module Directory

Teaching takes place on campus. Please be aware you will be required to be on campus for between 4-5 days per week in the Autumn and Spring term. In the Summer term, you may have more self-directed study so you may not be required to be on campus so frequently. When you are on placement, you will be expected to commit to 5 days per week..

You are assessed through a range of techniques including, course work, examination, portfolio, vivas, presentations and essays and research dissertation. All clinical placements are assessed and must be passed in order to pass modules.

Home/UK fee

£9,250 per year

For more information about fees and funding for our pre-registration postgraduate courses, please visit our department pages .

International fee

£22,400 per year

Fees will increase for each academic year of study.

Masters fees and funding information

Research (e.g. PhD) fees and funding information

What's next

We hold Open Days for all our applicants throughout the year. Our Colchester Campus events are a great way to find out more about studying at Essex, and give you the chance to:

• tour our campus and accommodation
• find out answers to your questions about our courses, student finance, graduate employability, student support and more
• meet our students and staff

If the dates of our organised events aren’t suitable for you, feel free to get in touch by emailing [email protected] and we’ll arrange an individual campus tour for you.

You can apply for this postgraduate course online . Before you apply, please check our information about necessary documents that we'll ask you to provide as part of your application.

We aim to respond to applications within two weeks. If we are able to offer you a place, you will be contacted via email.

For information on our deadline to apply for this course, please see our ‘ how to apply ' information.

Visit Colchester Campus

Set within 200 acres of  award-winning  parkland - Wivenhoe Park  and located two miles from the  historic city centre of Colchester – England's oldest recorded development. Our Colchester Campus is also easily reached from London and Stansted Airport in under one hour.

Virtual tours

If you live too far away to come to Essex (or have a busy lifestyle), no problem. Our 360 degree virtual tour allows you to explore the Colchester Campus from the comfort of your home. Check out our accommodation options, facilities and social spaces.

At Essex we pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive student community. We offer a wide range of support to individuals and groups of student members who may have specific requirements, interests or responsibilities.

The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its programme specification is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to courses, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include, but are not limited to: strikes, other industrial action, staff illness, severe weather, fire, civil commotion, riot, invasion, terrorist attack or threat of terrorist attack (whether declared or not), natural disaster, restrictions imposed by government or public authorities, epidemic or pandemic disease, failure of public utilities or transport systems or the withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to courses may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications . The University would inform and engage with you if your course was to be discontinued, and would provide you with options, where appropriate, in line with our Compensation and Refund Policy.

The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.

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Postgraduate MSc

Speech and Language Therapy (Pre-Registration)

Course Overview

Institution code

Main location

Fast-track to a rewarding career as a speech and language therapist with this pre-registration course and help those with communication or eating and drinking difficulties to enjoy a better quality of life.

Suitable if you have a relevant degree such as psychology, linguistics or English Language, this course will empower you to diagnose speech and language problems in babies, children and adults, and design and deliver life-changing treatment plans for those with cleft palate, stammering, hearing impairments, voice disorders and other conditions.

You will learn through a combination of seminars, lectures and practice-based learning, amassing more than 500 hours of professional experience on placements in various clinical or community settings.

Your masters programme will offer a more critical application of your learning than at undergraduate level, and the chance to engage in an extended project that you could showcase as part of your professional portfolio.

Upon graduation, you will be eligible to apply for HCPC registration as a speech and language therapist. You will have the expertise to work in a multidisciplinary team and provide the best possible care for your clients.

Occupational Health clearance and compliance with standard NHS immunisations requirements is mandatory and essential for placement attendance. Please click “find out more” in the fees and funding section further down this page for full details of any extra costs relating to your course.

Your studies will draw on academic expertise from a wide range of intertwined disciplines, including linguistics, phonetics, psychology and medical sciences.

You will learn how to build successful therapeutic relationships with your clients, giving them the confidence and empowerment to support their own treatment plans.

We have excellent links with placement providers such as NHS England, and Leeds Teaching Hospitals, one of the biggest Trusts in the UK. Diverse placement settings throughout the Yorkshire and Humber region will enrich and inform your learning experience.

Your teaching team are all practising experts in applied speech and language therapy. Many of them have significant clinical experience and have professional links with the Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists, NHS trusts and related private-sector organisations.

You will have access to a specialist interpersonal skills suite and a speech and language therapy resource room, which contains a range of therapeutic and assessment materials to support your learning.

Why study Speech and Language Therapy at Leeds Beckett University...

• Professionally accredited course
• Access to specialist facilities
• Gain a professional qualification as an SLT (Speech and Language Therapist)
• Close links with NHS England and Leeds Teaching Hospitals
• Placement opportunities throughout the course

MSc Speech and Language Therapy | Course insights Course director Lorette Porter and students talk about studying the course at Leeds Beckett University.

Everything you need to know

Entry requirements.

Applicants with a 2:1 in another subject may be considered if they have relevant professional experience in health, education, social care or language teaching, this may include working as a speech and language therapy assistant, a care and support worker, as a teaching assistant, teaching English as a foreign language or extensive voluntary work with a communication impairment charity.

Applicants are required to demonstrate specific skills and qualities in their personal statement and complete a set task providing a response to an example scenario.

• Research into the SLT profession and a career in SLT
• Your experience relating to relevant client groups and examples of working in related settings
• How you have gained insight into the Leeds Beckett University course (e.g. open days)
• Your personal qualities which you feel are related to SLT, including what motivates you to choose SLT as a career
• Evidence of interpersonal and teamwork skills

You should also include a response to the following scenario in your supporting statement, this should be completed in no more than 350 words and your answer should focus on exploring the reasons rather than suggesting solutions: You are working as a speech and language therapist. You are expecting to see a child and his mum for their first appointment. They do not turn up. What possible reasons might there be for this?

Students will be recruited on the basis that their values align with those of the NHS Constitution, as well as having the right skills and aptitude, in accordance with Value Based Recruitment, (Health Education England, Value Based Recruitment Framework, 2016) click here You will be selected based on how you demonstrate the values which promote quality care and a positive patient, staff and student experience.

All applications should be supported by two references; a template can be accessed at this link , references should be accompanied by a covering letter on headed paper or emailed directly from the referee. It is the applicant's responsibility to request references from their referees.

All applicants should satisfy our English Language requirements . Please note the IELTS requirement for this course are IELTS 7.5 with no skill below 7.0. Further details about acceptable equivalent qualifications can be found on our International Student information pages .

Satisfactory enhanced criminal history checks will be required by all applicants prior to acceptance on the course, (processed through the University only). The University is unable to accept DBS checks obtained through another institution (this includes those registered with the DBS Update Service); the checks undertaken by the University are appropriate to the course of study and relevant regulated activity placements. For important information on the UK Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check requirements please refer to the Guidance on DBS and Additional Checks .

Self Declaration Check

Overseas Police Checks/Letter of Good Conduct

Teaching & Learning

Independent study is a crucial part of learning at university and you will be required to undertake many hours of self-directed research and reading, and preparation and writing of assessments. Your course is delivered through a number of modules, which will help you to plan your time and establish a study routine. Outside of your lectures, workshops and tutorials, a range of support is available to assist with your independent study. Our subject-specific librarians will be on hand to direct you to the specialist learning and study-skill resources. You’ll also be assigned an academic advisor to give you tailored feedback and support.

Our silver status in the latest Teaching Excellence Framework, reflects our commitment to deliver high-quality teaching, learning and outcomes for our students.

What you'll learn

Fees & funding hellooo.

The tuition fee for the year for students entering in 2024/25 is £9250. The amount you will pay may increase each year to take into account the effects of inflation.

International 2024

The tuition fee for the year for students entering in 2024/25 is £20700. The amount you will pay is fixed at this level for each year of your course.

Fees & Funding

For students entering in 2024

Additional course costs

Tuition fees.

Your tuition fees cover the cost of registration, tuition, academic supervision, assessments and examinations.

The following are also included in the cost of your course:

• 24/7 Library and student IT support
• Free wifi via eduroam
• Skills workshops and resources
• Library membership, giving access to more than 500,000 printed, multimedia and digital resources
• Access to software, including five free copies of Microsoft Office 365 to install on your PC,laptop and MAC, and access to free high-end software via the Leeds Beckett remote app
• Loan of high-end media equipment to support your studies

Access to course resources, equipment and facilities, including:

• SLT resources room will give you reference access to a well-stocked library of assessments and therapy resources

In many cases, costs associated with your course will be included in your course fee. However, in some cases there are ‘essential’ additional costs (those that you will be required to meet in addition to your course fee), and/or ‘optional’ additional costs (costs that are not required, but that you might choose to pay). We have included those essential or optional additional costs that relate to your course, below.

Essential Costs

• Placement locations and experiences will vary throughout your course. If you are an international student you will be responsible for any additional travel or dual accommodation costs. Speech and Language Therapy placements are predominantly in a variety of NHS Trusts and Schools across Yorkshire and the Humber. Placements in Private Independent and Voluntary Organisations may also be selected. Details of this NHS Learning Support Funding and eligibility can be found on the NHSBA Learning Support Funding web pages
• Occupational health (OH) check: the cost of these checks is currently covered by your course fees. Appointments cancelled with less than three working days’ notice and appointments not attended will attract a fee of £25. If you fail to attend more than one appointment, you'll be referred to the course director. Non-compliance with this process will be managed through application of the University's 'Fitness to Practice' Policy and Procedures

Optional Costs

• Student membership of the Royal College of Speech & Language Therapy (RCSLT) (currently free of charge but this may be subject to change)
• Travel, accommodation and sustenance associated with your dissertation, research projects or data collection (the cost will vary depending on your topic and individual project and you could choose to undertake a project that does not have any associated costs or conduct it in a cost-effective manner)
• Educational visits; the details and location will vary but the costs you will need to pay could include travel, accommodation and subsistence

Other study-related expenses to consider:  materials that you will need to complete your course such as books (whilst the library provides access to readings recommended for your modules, you may wish to purchase your own copies of some books); you can also make suggestions for books to be added to Library stock; placement costs (these may include travel expenses and living costs); student visas (international students only); printing, photocopying and stationery (you may need to pay for multiple copies of your dissertation or final project to be printed and bound); events associated with your course such as field trips; study abroad opportunities (travel costs and accommodation, visas and immunisations). Other costs could include academic conferences (travel costs) and professional-body membership (where applicable). The costs you will need to cover for graduation will include gown hire and guest tickets, and optional extras such as professional photography.

As well as your mobile phone, you will also need access to a desktop computer and/or laptop to complete assignments and access university online services such as MyBeckett, your virtual learning environment. You can book and borrow AV equipment through the media equipment service accessed online via the student hub and located in the library at each campus. Equipment includes: 360 Cameras, iPads, GoPros, MacBooks, portable data projectors, portable projection screens, flipchart stands, remote presenters, digital cameras and camcorders, SLR cameras, speakers, microphones, headphones, headsets, tripods, digital audio recorders and PC/laptops (a laptop loans service is provided on campus in the library on both campuses). Student laptops are also available from the laptop lockers located in the libraries.

This list is not exhaustive, costs are approximate and will vary depending on the choices you make during your course. Any rental, travel or living costs are also in addition to your course fees. If you choose to study via distance learning, you may not be able to access all of the facilities listed if you are not able to visit us on campus.

MSc Speech and Language Therapy | Student insight Hear from David about studying to become a speech and language therapist.

We are passionate about the speech and language profession. Our expert team are all qualified speech and language therapists with established clinical and research profiles. You will be meeting and working with people with communication difficulties from the very early stages of your course and have opportunities to get involved in awareness-raising, campaigning and volunteering throughout your time with us." Ben Bolton-Grant, Course Director

Facilities | Portland and Calverley buildings

Over the road from the Rose Bowl you’ll find specialist health facilities designed to bring your learning to life. Our £1m clinical skills suite is packed with modern equipment that gives you hands-on practical experience, and our biomedical and environmental laboratories provide state-of-the-art scientific equipment.

Facilities | Clinical Skills Suite practice room

Our dedicated practice rooms provide hands on learning in electrotherapy, massage, heat therapy and cardio vascular and respiratory testing.

Facilities | Clinical Skills Suite community living area

Our purpose-built community living area features a kitchen, living space, bathroom, bed and a wide range of adapted equipment to enable users to simulate real life scenarios and gain hands on experience.

Facilities | Communications Suite cognition and perception suite

Housed in our clinical skills suite, this dedicated area is used to conduct surveys with participants and carry out research.

Facilities | Communications Suite control room

Housed in our clinical skills suite, this facility allows the conditions in the simulation room to be controlled, enabling many real-life clinical situations to be recreated.

Facilities | Communications Suite interview and control room

Housed in our clinical skills suite, the interview rooms are used to undertake observational studies of interviewing and interaction techniques. The rooms are equipped with two-way mirrors, DVD and audio links between the rooms.

Facilities | Sheila Silver library

Leslie Silver is home to three lecture theatres and eight high-spec computer training rooms. It's also where you'll find our Sheila Silver Library, providing students and staff an effective and inspiring learning environment, as well as a range of support and resources to support your studies.

Facilities | City campus gym

Our Woodhouse Gym is located directly above The Hive within the Students' Union. The gym offers a range of cardio equipment, free weights, machines and squat racks.

Moving on up

Leeds Beckett climbs 40 places in the Complete University Guide 2024

Your future in our hands

Slt clinic | develop your experience .

Our Speech and Language Therapy Clinic will enable you develop your clinical skills, ready for the workplace. 

Ben Bolton-Grant

Ben is the Course Director for MSc Speech and Language Therapy. He is a qualified Speech and Language Therapist with extensive clinical experience working with children with a range of Speech, Language and Communication Difficulties, but has a particular specialism in working with people who stammer.

• 0113 8126241
• [email protected]

Career Prospects

• Speech and language therapist (requires HCPC registration)
• Speech and language therapy assistant

Support for your studies

Postgraduate funding options

Beckett careers team.

Our careers service is not just there for undergraduates, we support our postgraduate taught and research students too.

Your postgraduate degree will boost your CV and help you stand out from the crowd. Whether you're just starting out on your chosen career path, changing careers or moving to the next level, we can provide you with expert advice and resources to help you take the next steps to achieving your goals.

Your Beckett experience

MSc Speech and Language Therapy | Student insight Student Preett talks about her experience of studying at Leeds Beckett University.

Blog | School of Humanities and Social Sciences

Experience leeds beckett.

Our state-of-the-art facilities and learning environments give you everything you need to succeed – whether that’s completing your current studies or joining our cutting-edge research teams.

At Leeds Beckett our student support teams will work together to give you the help you need, whenever you need it.

Student Support

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Speech and Language Therapy - MSc

Currently viewing course to start in 2024/25 Entry .

Speech and language therapists play a unique role in supporting individuals who have communication and swallowing difficulties to achieve and live life to their full potential. Our MSc in Speech and Language Therapy will provide you with the necessary knowledge, skills and experience required to make a positive difference to people’s lives....

• Level Postgraduate Taught
• Study mode Full Time
• Location City South
• Start date January 2025
• Fees View course fees
• School School of Health Sciences
• Faculty Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences

This course is:

The students are here running our conversation group. So that's a group for people with Aphasia who have a communication difficulty, and so they're providing opportunities for our clients to have good quality conversations with people who know what it's like when you have difficulties with communication. We put on activities based around a topic each week, so that might be quizzes or exploring music, exploring drawing, and it's all designed to facilitate conversation and encourage interaction between our members. Aphasia presents differently in every one, so we might work with people who have word finding difficulties, specific difficulties with their speech and speech sounds. So really, we work across the board with a different number of needs and we have the resources and facilities to help support them with that. It's not an area that lots of people are aware is part of speech and language therapy, and it's useful to actually have the experience of how we can support clients who have Aphasia to actually be able to implement the supportive techniques and therapies that we discuss in lectures. I'm currently on placement at the Trans Voice Clinic as well. We work with clients who are wanting to feminise their voice, so they have different goals for their therapy. The really wonderful thing with working with trans clients is these are people who genuinely want to have a change in their voice and their communication confidence, and we allow them to have that space to get those skills. It is one of my favourite days on placement. As a therapist it is really rewarding to know that you are helping them in a journey that is so massive and personal for them. So if someone is in the middle of transitioning and they've got a very deep voice, they'll be perceived as male, which can really affect their self-esteem.

Whereas if we help them with that voice, we can help raise the pitch and the resonance to make it more feminine, and then that will help their self-esteem. There are lots of files on my computer with directions and exercises and goals that, to me, without sounding corny, spell a little bit of hope. I hope it's not just finding your voice, it's finding your identity. And that's what these sessions help me do. My placement is giving me loads of confidence, this year I am a lot more hands on than I was last year. This year, everything's just kind of clicked into place. Placements are a big part of why I chose to study at BCU. Not a lot of universities offer this opportunity and I think it's really important in order to help develop our practice and develop on them skills that you can't necessarily build just with lectures. One of our members used the phrase small victories every day, which I really liked, referring to using the strategies from our clinic and I think that sums it up nicely. Sometimes I never remembered, now the brain saying, Hi, Wow, I remember this. So there's better, better now really better.

Speech and language therapists play a unique role in supporting individuals who have communication and swallowing difficulties to achieve and live life to their full potential. Our MSc in Speech and Language Therapy will provide you with the necessary knowledge, skills and experience required to make a positive difference to people’s lives. Inter-professional learning opportunities are embedded throughout your studies, enabling you to develop essential core skills which will support you to succeed within a dynamic professional landscape.

What's covered in this course?

Speech and language therapists support people of all ages who have communication and/or swallowing difficulties. Delivered at the West Midlands’ only training site for speech and language therapists - and the largest provider of qualified staff to the NHS and social care professions - this course is designed to prepare you to achieve excellence and professional autonomy in clinical practice.

You will learn through a variety of formats, including workshops, interactive lectures, and simulation sessions, which are run in state-of-the-art facilities on our Edgbaston campus. We are currently the only UK SLT course to offer extensive simulation opportunities and expertise.

Throughout the course, you will develop your understanding of research and evidence-based practice, so that you will be able to understand current debates in the field and contribute to the future development of the speech and language therapy profession.

You will undertake a number of clinical placements, during which you will be immersed in all aspects of clinical practice. Towards the end of your final clinical placement, you are likely to be managing your own caseload of clients, and you will have the option to participate in a number of extracurricular activities, including an opportunity for international exchange. Our graduates work as speech and language therapists in a wide range of settings in the NHS, but also in schools, for charities and in private practice.

Accredited By

This course is accredited by:

Why Choose Us?

• Funding - Allied health profession students will receive at least £5,000 a year in additional funding for maintenance and associated study costs.  Download the funding FAQs
• We have been training SLTs for over 50 years and have a strong track-record in the field, with students on our undergraduate speech and language therapy course recently rating us 100% for overall satisfaction in the  Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey.
• Developed in partnership with local partners (including service users, local service providers and other health professionals), this course will provide you with the knowledge, skills and experience necessary to apply for registration as a speech and language therapist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
• You will have opportunities to directly interact with, and learn from, service users and carers, thereby supporting you to work collaboratively with key partners from early on in your career
• You will develop effective team working and communication skills through inter-professional learning, projects and placements enabling you to facilitate group education and to work within a multi-disciplinary team
• You will learn about business and innovation alongside clinical and health promotion topics, helping you to become an effective practitioner within the ever-changing healthcare environment
• You will study in our £71 million home for the School of Health Sciences, where you’ll have access to state-of-the-art facilities including two specialist SLT clinic rooms, a SLT resource room, mock clinical environments and online simulation learning
• This course is approved by the HCPC and the RCSLT

Student finance for healthcare courses 

Students on nursing and allied health profession courses are eligible for a non-repayable government grant . In addition, students on postgraduate pre-registration health professions courses are able to access the standard student loans available to undergraduate students.

Find out more

Similar Courses

Speech and Language Therapy - BSc (Hons) 2024/25 Entry

Speech and Language Therapy (Degree Apprenticeship) - BSc (Hons) 2024/25 Entry

Dietetics (pre-registration) - MSc 2024/25 Entry

Join us on campus where you'll be able to find out more about your course, learn about postgraduate finance and get an insight into studying at BCU. Booking for the next event isn’t open yet. Register your interest below and we’ll email you as soon as booking goes live.

Next Event: 29 June 2024

Entry Requirements

Uk students.

Applicants must normally have evidence of formal study in Higher Education within the last 5 years. However, we are sometimes able to waive this requirement if a candidate has a significant amount of professional experience in a relevant field, for example healthcare, social care, or education.

Fees & How to Apply

• International Student

Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students .

Starting: Jan 2025

• £9,250 in 2024/25
• Apply Online

International students

Sorry, this course is not available to International students.

January 2025 applications

Please note: applications for this course close on 31 May 2024 .

If you're invited to attend an interview, you will be notified of the outcome by 31 July 2024 .

From August 2020, allied health professional students will receive at least £5,000 a year in funding support.

Find out more about the funding available

Download the funding FAQs

Applying for a place on the course

In order to apply for a place on the course, you will need to complete the online application form, and as part of this provide a personal statement. Applicants who meet the entry requirements and submit a satisfactory personal statement will be invited to attend an interview and course information event, which is an opportunity for you to find out more about the course and the university.

Throughout the selection process we are looking for you to:

• Demonstrate insight into speech and language therapy as a career and as a profession
• Reflect on your previous academic study and practical experience and how this has prepared you for the course and the profession
• Be able to understand and apply the  values of the NHS Constitution  

Course in Depth

In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 180 credits):

Evidence-based professional practice 20 credits

This is one of the two inter-professional modules in the programme, delivered by registered healthcare professional tutors and other specialists from Birmingham City University. This module will emphasise the underpinning philosophies of inter professional collaboration and communication within health and social care, enabling shared learning across professional boundaries and facilitating the contextualisation of the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to deliver optimal care within a dynamic healthcare environment.

The science of speech, hearing and swallowing 20 credits

Speech and language therapists need a sound knowledge of the physiology and anatomy underlying communication and swallowing. They use this knowledge in appraising their clients' communication and swallowing needs, in managing their clients' needs, and in their evaluation and development of the evidence base. In addition, SLTs need a detailed understanding of the production, acoustics, perception, and development of speech, both in relation to people with typical speech abilities and those with developmental or acquired speech disorders.

Understanding human communication and development 20 credits

SLTs draw on linguistics and the social sciences (psychology and sociology) in appraising their clients' communication needs, and in evaluating the impact of communication and swallowing needs on clients' lives. Speech and language therapy management draws on theories from psychology and linguistics. A good understanding of the social sciences and linguistics is also essential to clinicians in the appraisal of the evidence base for the services they offer, and in their ability to develop this evidence base in the future.

Acquired speech, language and swallowing difficulties 20 credits

Appraisal is a core element of speech and language therapy practice and broadly encompasses the range of activities that a speech and language therapist might undertake when profiling a service user’s communication and swallowing skills and needs. Data gathered during the appraisal phase is used to inform decisions about intervention and management, and so it is essential that assessment processes are transparent, accurate, effective and efficient. Partnership working is key and speech and language therapists therefore need to be able to build and sustain collaborative therapeutic relationships with service users, families and carers and work with others in order to achieve meaningful outcomes for all.

Developmental speech, language and swallowing difficulties 20 credits

This module will explore the theory and practice pertaining to the appraisal of individuals presenting with developmental communication and swallowing difficulties, as required for clinical practice. You will be introduced to the concept of clinical reasoning and provided with opportunity to practise this in relation to a range of clinical scenarios. Building on theory and models introduced in UHCD and SHSS, you will critically evaluate clinical data and learn to interpret and integrate assessment findings in order to inform future actions. As with all speech and language therapy management, the importance of working in partnership with others during the appraisal process will be emphasised throughout.

Intervention, management and outcomes 20 credits

This module will explore the theory and practice pertaining to management planning with and for clients throughout the lifespan, as required for clinical practice. You will explore the value of speech and language therapy practice, critically considering the benefits of intervention at universal, targeted and specialist levels. Building on your study of psychology, sociology and health promotion in year 1, you will learn how speech and language therapists can best support service users and others to access and engage with interventions in order to ensure positive outcomes for all. You will also consider how to effectively facilitate self-management and the development and practice of others.

Consolidating professional practice 20 credits

This second inter professional module will consolidate the links between your personal and professional development, whilst encouraging and enhancing a lifelong commitment to the concept of continuous quality improvement in a dynamic and ever-changing health and social care environment.

Through a flexible provision, you are encouraged to reflect critically upon your personal experiences as well and health and social care practice, and to appraise and apply concepts from the literature on best practice to issues of relevance for your profession and the needs of the service user.

This module focuses on pursuing excellence in healthcare and encouraging the development of advancing practice-led applied knowledge and skills for students to be able to lead service development effectively and efficiently.

MSc healthcare professional project 40 credits

This double module forms the final component of your Healthcare Professional MSc. It provides you with the opportunity to complete a piece of work around a topic of interest in order to demonstrate competence in the planning, execution, analysis and evaluation of a Research Project, a Systematic Review, or an Audit or Service Evaluation linked to practice.

The focus of this module is on facilitating independent, critical study in your professional practice discipline. It will also serve those of you who wish to embark on Doctoral studies in the future. This module involves 400 hours of study.

Download course specification

Course structure.

The MSc in Speech and Language Therapy will be delivered full-time over two years, with each year comprising of 45 weeks of learning (including your clinical placements). You will supported to develop your knowledge, skills and practice through a range of methods including interactive lectures, workshops, role play, simulations and seminars. Assessment points are spread throughout the course, enabling you to demonstrate your capabilities and competence in a range of ways, including assignments, workbooks, vivas and ongoing assessment in practice.

This course has been accredited by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT)

Health and Care Professions Council

This course is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council , and will give you eligibility to apply for registration if you successfully complete the course.

Employability

Once you graduate from our course you will be eligible to apply to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) to work as a speech and language therapist. You'll have a range of career opportunities available to work as a speech and language therapist in hospitals, community health centres, mainstream and special schools, care homes, nursing and residential homes, young offenders' institutions, prisons and clients' own homes. You'll also have the option to work in independent practice once you have gained some experience, and to work abroad.

In applying for your first job you’ll be able to draw particularly on the experiences from your block clinical placements, during which students are immersed in all aspects of clinical practice.

Speech and language therapists practise in a range of settings. Placements on the MSc Speech and Language Therapy course are therefore designed to maximise your exposure to a wide range of speech and language therapy contexts and provide you with opportunities to develop your knowledge, skills and experience in the real-life setting.

In year 1, you will have opportunity to observe clinical practice in a variety of clinical settings, as well as become more comfortable working with individuals presenting with communication and swallowing needs across the lifespan.

In year 2, you will undertake a one week health promotion placement and two (eight week) block clinical placements, during which you will be immersed in all aspects of clinical practice. Towards the end of your final clinical placement, you are likely to be managing your own caseload of clients, and you will have the option to participate in a number of extracurricular activities. There will also be opportunities for international exchange. Our graduates work as speech and language therapists in a wide range of settings in the NHS, but also in schools, for charities and in private practice.

Facilities & Staff

We have invested over £400 million in our facilities, including an upgrade to our Skills and Simulation facilities at City South Campus. We boast up-to-date, innovative facilities that simulate the real situations that you may come across in the workplace. These resources are essential in offering you a hands-on introduction to health and social care practice.

These are set up to look like typical hospital wards, with four-six bays. Depending on the topic in hand, different manikins can be used as patients and relevant equipment is provided to practise clinical skills. Some of the manikins are interactive and can simulate different scenarios e.g. some allow you to cannulate, check pulses, intubate etc, and some can talk to you. One ward is often used as an adult ward, and the other as a child ward.

These rooms also allow for scenarios to be set up for other professions such as dietetics, paramedic science and social work.

The Operating Theatre and Recovery Suites

The operating theatre and recovery suite gives you the sense of what it would be like in a real surgical environment.

These spaces emulate the full surgical journey from anaesthetics, through surgery and into recovery. ODP students can practice a range of skills including gowning, hand washing, preparing instrument trays, and working with a patient. Nurses and midwives may experience a surgical placement and need to go to theatre or be part of the midwifery team involved with caesarean sections. Many other Allied Health Professionals may also see patients in recovery if necessary.

Home Environment Room

This space is used to simulate non-clinical settings, as not everything health professionals deal with is hospital based. This is used for simulations of home visits and home births. It also houses soft matting and a bubble machine that are used by the Learning Disability Nursing team.

Assisted Living Space

This space replicates a flat and is used for scenarios such as home visits. The sitting room area provides a different space to practise skills and simulations and work with service users and other students.

Assisted Kitchen

This specially designed kitchen has different areas where you can practice cooking, cleaning, boiling the kettle etc., with someone who has actual or simulated visual impairments. There are adapted devices to help, and simulation glasses for you to wear to experience visual impairments.

Physiotherapy Room

This is a space for physiotherapy students to use, with various equipment to practise client meetings.

Radiotherapy Planning Computer Suite

Our computers allow you to plan hypothetical treatments, in terms of angles and directions, ensuring that radiotherapy reaches where it is needed on a patient’s body.

Radiography Image Interpretation and Reporting Stations Computer Suite

These facilities allow you to view and analyse x-rays.

VERT - Virtual Environment for Radiotherapy Training

This room contains 3D technology to view virtual patients and look at trajectories for treatment.

Radiotherapy

This room contains the same bed/couch used when patients are given radiotherapy treatment. While students of course do not administer radiotherapy in this room, it does allow them to practise adjusting the equipment to make sure both it and a patient would be in the correct position to receive treatment.

Telehealth Room

This room allows for small group teaching in a central area (large boardroom type table) with five small telehealth booths down either side. These are to allow all our health professions students to practise delivering healthcare and advice remotely, either over the phone or on a video call. This addition to our teaching reflects moves in the sector to offer more flexible access to healthcare services, particularly as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Imaging Academy

This new facility is a larger version of our existing image interpretation computer facilities and forms part of the Midlands Imaging Academy Hub , funded by Health Education England. These expanded facilities will mean we can further develop our courses and expertise in radiography and imaging.

Speech and Language Therapy Resource Room

Our Speech and Language Therapy Team have developed a collection of tools, books and resources to help you learn and understand the implications of a speech or swallowing limitation. You can practise one to one client meetings and clinics and use the video recording equipment to review role play scenarios.

Ultrasound simulation suite

You have access to a wide range of Ultrasound simulation equipment to develop your clinical skills and aid in training. The equipment includes two ultrasound machines with a range of phantoms, scan training stations and eve body works.

Dr Wouter Jansen

Senior Lecturer and Joint Programme Lead (MSc Speech and Language Therapy)

Wouter is one of the course leads for the MSc Speech and Language Therapy and lectures on all 3 SLT programmes offered by the university. He teaches (clinical) linguistics, phonetics, and research methods and is currently the module lead for SPR7003 The Science of Speech, Swallowing and Hearing, SPR7004 Understanding Human Communication and...

Gillian Rudd

Gillian has extensive experience of supporting children and young people with a wide range of communication needs and additional expertise in supporting children and adults presenting with fluency disorders. She promotes a person-centred, solution-focused approach in both her teaching and practice. Gillian is actively engaged with local and...

Victoria Lundie

Senior Lecturer and Programme Lead for BSc (Hons) Speech and Language Therapy

Victoria has been a part of the SLT teaching team at BCU since 2012. She is joint course lead for BSc (Hons) Speech and Language Therapy and has specific responsibility for student experience as a part of this role.  She is part of the placements team working with two colleagues to ensure that students and placement educators...

Claire Hartley

Senior Lecturer

Claire Hartley is a Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) and Senior Lecturer (in acquired communication difficulties) at Birmingham City University. She is also the Programme Director for the Return to Practice in SLT Programme. Her interests include aphasia, motor speech disorders, simulated practice in SLT, and working with service users. She is a...

Melanie Packer

Lecturer/ Placement Coordinator in Speech and Language Therapy

Melanie Packer has always demonstrated a keen interest in communication. After graduating from Goldsmiths’ College, University of London, in 1994, Melanie spent a number of year working for television companies based in Birmingham. In 2000, Melanie’s interest shifted from the media to human communication. By 2006, Melanie had retrained as a speech...

Lesley Ann Docherty

Lesley Ann qualified in 2001 from UCE and worked at Selly Oak Hospital and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital until joining the University in 2014. She worked in the Stroke Unit and supported patients in the Burns Unit and ITU. Lesley Ann currently holds an honorary contract at a local NHS hospital.

Dr Thomas Hopkins

Senior Lecturer in SLT, Research Coordinator and Deputy Chair

Tom is a psychologist who teaches the psychology strand that exists across several modules within the BSc and MSc Speech and Language Therapy degree course. This includes aspects of developmental psychology, social and cognitive psychology as well as applying psychotherapy to speech and language therapy practice. Having gained a distinction in...

Richard Armstrong

Lecturer in Speech and Language Therapy

Richard qualified as a speech and language therapist from Newcastle University. He has worked with teenagers and adults with autism, learning disabilities, and mental health difficulties in several psychiatric settings. Most recently he worked on an acute rehabilitation trauma unit with patients with acquired neurological conditions (e.g. spinal...

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UCL Psychology and Language Sciences

MSc LangSci - 10 things to include in your personal statement

We know that it isn’t always obvious what to include and what to leave out; so here are 10 things to think about when writing your personal statement.

When we look at your application for MSc Language Sciences, we use every part to help us make a decision. Your personal statement is your best opportunity to make your application unique. It's your chance to tell us who you are and why you want to study MSc Language Sciences.

It can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn't need to be, let's look at some things you can keep in mind when writing your personal statement.

The point is to provide a personal statement. So make it personal to you: write about your experience and your interests.  Let us know why you want to follow MSc Language Sciences, what motivates you, and why.

Keep it simple. We don’t need your life story, but think about how previous study and experience has brought you to this point (and to this programme)?

2. Why MSc Language Sciences?

Although your statement is about you, remember it’s also about the programme you are applying to. Show us that you know what the programme is and that you have an idea what will be involved.

Are there specific modules you’re excited about, have you seen staff or research that interests you? Tell us why .

3. What next?

What do you want to do when you graduate from MSc Language Sciences , and how is the programme going to help you get there? Do you have a specific goal in mind: PhD study; a job; professional development; or is it just for the love of the subject?

4. Go beyond your previous study.

Show us you can think critically. Instead of just listing what you’ve done or the books you’ve read; think about why that study, or how those books, relate to the programme and what you want to do.

5. Your research interests

You won’t be asked to provide a research proposal and the majority of students don’t have a specific research topic in mind before they arrive. So don't worry if you don't have this kind of clear research goal, but if you do, let us know . It’s really helpful for us, and hopefully will be for you too.

6. Be concise

We want to see that you can express yourself clearly and concisely. Stick to what’s relevant and try to resist the temptation to include everything you think of.

When you apply, you will be able to include your personal statement as an attachment (without a word limit). Keeping it to around a single page is a good guide, but don’t worry if you’re a little over or under.

7. Be specific

The personal statement in your postgraduate application is different to the one you might have written for your undergraduate degree in that you get to be specific. You only have to write about a single programme and to show how your experience has prepared you for the challenge of postgraduate study. Try to keep your statement to you and the programme, make sure it’s relevant.

Read it back to yourself. Is there anything that doesn’t add to your statement, or doesn’t relate to the programme? It’s fine to apply to several different programmes at the same time, but think about your statement if you do. If the programmes are different, shouldn’t your statement be different?

8. Don’t know where to start?

Just start writing why you are applying to study MSc Language Sciences, that’s the most important thing and should be the easiest to express.

9. Proof-read

Applying for postgraduate degrees can be stressful. It sounds obvious, but it's all too easy to just click “submit” without checking your statement.

Is there anything you meant to add? Anything you meant to take out?

If you’re applying for more than one programme make sure your statement is for the correct programme... at the correct university .

10. Relax, and remember to ask

If you’re applying for postgraduate study it’s because it’s something you want to do, so try not to let the personal statement worry you too much .  The main points to cover are who you are, and why you want to study MSc Language Sciences – those parts are easy, right?

Always remember, if you have any questions about the programme or the application process you can always contact us at [email protected] .

These are just tips to help you think about your application. Don’t worry if there is something here that you did or didn’t do, there aren’t any hard and fast rules for the personal statement.

Remember, it’s only one part of the whole application.

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We are in the process of finalising our postgraduate taught courses for 2025/26 entry. In the meantime, you can view our 2024/25 courses.

MSc Speech and Language Therapy

• Year of entry 2024/25
• Course duration Full Time: 24 months

Approved by the Health Care Professionals Council, with a purpose-built NHS and independent clinic on-site, the MSc Speech and Language Therapy is for students wishing to qualify as speech and language therapists.

This course combines theoretical knowledge with clinical practice and you will gain hands-on experience right from the start.

All candidates must have:

• A good 2:1 or above (or equivalent)
• direct, ongoing experience of working with clients with communication difficulties, ideally a range of client groups, both adults and children.
• Good understanding of the role of a speech and language therapist and experience of speech and language therapy 

See ‘Entry requirements’ tab for further details. 

As a speech and language therapy student at Reading, you will benefit directly from our world-class research into subjects, such as linguistics, language development, language pathology, and bilingualism. Other areas of specialism comprise developmental and acquired speech, language and communication disorders, including fluency disorders, aphasia, dementia, autism spectrum disorders, Williams syndrome, Down syndrome,  Developmental Language Disorder  and dysphagia, speech sound disorder, stammering and dysphagia.

Your tutors will use a variety of teaching methods, including standard lectures, small group tutorials and seminars, observation clinics, problem based learning, online screencasts, and practical sessions.

As part of the programme, you will undertake a clinical placement and spend approximately 600 hours over 2 years in different clinical settings, including schools, hospitals, community clinics, private and voluntary sector. Professional speech and language therapists will act as your practice educators.

You will have access to excellent built-in clinic facilities for observations, teaching, placement and research, as well as a speech laboratory, extensive assessment library, student common room, University library, state-of-the art lecture theatres. We are also one of the first universities to host an NHS and independent clinic in our purpose-built speech and language therapy facility on site.

This programme is recognised by The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council.

For more information, please visit the  School of Psychology's website .

Entry requirements

IELTS:  8.0 overall with no element less than 7.5

TOEFL: Minimum score of 118/120

Entry requirements:  Normally a good undergraduate honours degree (a good 2:1 or above), or equivalent from a university outside the UK, in a related field such as linguistics, psychology, medical sciences or education. Other degree subjects may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Evidence of recent study is normally required if the first degree, or a subsequent postgraduate degree, was completed more than five years ago, such as a relevant undergraduate or master's module, Access course or relevant CPD qualifications, or in some cases we may ask you to complete an assignment as part of the short-listing process. 

Direct, ongoing experience of working with clients with communication difficulties (ideally a range of client groups) is essential. Experience of working with adults and children is advantageous. Candidates need to demonstrate a good understanding of the role of a speech and language therapist and have some work experience of speech and language therapy. The application process includes an interview.

Due to the popularity of our MSc Speech and Language Therapy, and the restricted numbers we are able to accept, we recommend applying as early as possible to avoid disappointment. 

We must have received at least one reference before the application deadline. Please make sure you allow enough time for your referee to submit their reference before the deadline. 

In order to guarantee consideration for entry in September 2024, a complete application must be received by midnight 31 January 2024.

The University of Reading has signed a joint statement  with the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists that states our commitment to supporting equality, diversity and inclusion in speech and language therapy pre-registration degrees.

Compulsory modules

Clinical practice 1.

Apply your theoretical learning in a clinical environment, as you are introduced to a variety of client groups with communication problems. You’ll gain insight into the clinical role of speech and language therapists, develop your professional skills, and gain an understanding of the Health and Care Professions Council standards. 

Language Acquisition and Processing

Discover the complex relationship between language and the human mind through both psychology and linguistics. As you explore theoretical approaches and study diverse populations, you’ll learn how individuals come to know their own language and what cognitive mechanisms are involved when we listen and speak.  

Develop a practical understanding of the human anatomy to further your knowledge of disorders seen by speech language therapists. As you explore the work of the paediatrician, the orthodontist and audiology services, you will gain an increased understanding of their relevance to speech and language therapy. 

Advance your understanding of brain structure and its function, as you learn about different neurological conditions and their treatment. Gain extensive knowledge of the structure and function of the ear, nose, sinuses, larynx and pharynx, and how disorders are treated by ENT and speech language and therapists. 

Speech Language and Communication 1 M

Discover the range of clinical populations encountered by speech and language therapists across the lifespan. You’ll learn the key management approaches used when engaging with these client groups.  

Foundations of Linguistics, Phonetics and Phonology

Explore the key concepts of linguistics, phonetics and phonology. You’ll learn how to describe, analyse and interpret both typical and clinical speech and language data.  

Clinical Phonetics and Phonology 

Learn how to apply the concepts of phonetics and phonology to clinical data, and how to analyse data using perceptual and instrumental approaches. You’ll explore the issues involved in data collection and representation, while developing practical skills in the transcription of clinical data. 

Psychology for Speech and Language Therapy

Discover how psychological concepts are used in speech and language therapy. You’ll explore the key theories of developmental psychology, cognitive and neuropsychology, clinical psychology, and health and social psychology. 

Clinical Practice 2

Develop your professional and clinical skills by assessing, diagnosing and managing communication and swallowing disorders in children and adults. This module will prepare you for graduate-level entry to the speech and language therapy profession within health and education contexts. 

Speech Language and Communication 2 M (Paediatric)

Enhance your ability to make evidence-based clinical decisions in the assessment, diagnosis, management and support of speech, language and communication needs of children. As you develop your skillset, you will work with children impacted by communication difficulties such as language disorders, autism and learning disabilities alongside disorders of fluency across the lifespan. 

Speech Language and Communication 3 M (Adults)

Develop knowledge of the evidence base required to assess, diagnose and manage speech, language and cognitive disorders in adults. Study a range of disorders, including dementias, aphasias, communication disorders, and motor speech disorders. You’ll draw extensively on related disciplines such as linguistics, psychology, neurology and medicine.  

Research and Dissertation

Develop your critical evaluation skills and an understanding of current research issues through the design, planning and implementation of an independent research project. Focussing on speech and language therapy or a related discipline, you’ll gain knowledge of research methodology, design and statistical analysis, with the support of an assigned supervisor. 

Speech Language and Communication 4 M (Across the Lifespan)

These are the modules that we currently offer for 2024/25 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods. Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them. You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,250

New international students: £26,950

Fees information

The fees listed are for full-time study, unless otherwise stated. Fee information will be confirmed in offer letters sent out to successful applicants. You can find further information, including information for part-time study, through  our dedicated fees and funding page .

EU student fees

With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government's guidance for EU students .

Additional Costs

Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.

Financial support for your studies

Training grant

The Department of Health and Social Care offers new and continuing students on Speech and Language Therapy programmes access to the Learning Support Fund , administered by the NHS Business Services Authority. This Fund includes a non-means tested Training Grant, currently (2021) set at £5,000 for each academic year for all eligible students, plus additional funds for eligible students who have parental responsibility and/or qualify for additional funds for Travel and Dual Accommodation Expenses. This fund applies even if you have already taken out loans for a previous undergraduate degree. The application process is administered by the NHS and you will be able to apply from 1 July. To apply, please visit the NHS website . 

You will need to ensure you check the Learning Support Fund site regularly to keep up to date with what is being offered.

The Maintenance loan

Eligibility for the Maintenance loan is a means tested loan.

Students on the MSc Speech and Language Therapy programme may also be eligible for the  Long Courses Loan , as the course is longer than 30 weeks. 

This will be assessed by Student Finance England when the student applies for their main student finance. 

See the Funding Clinic website for further information when applying as a mature student.

Applying for loans from Student Finance England

You can also apply for funding support through the repayable government loan scheme for master's programmes. Please visit the government website for more information .

Our MSc in Speech and Language Therapy allows graduates to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council and work as a speech and language therapist in a range of settings, such as the NHS, education, and the private or voluntary sector.

Speech and language therapists work with adults and children with a range of communication and swallowing difficulties, including children with speech and language disorders, children with a cleft palate, clients with voice disorders, clients who have had strokes or head injuries, or those who stammer.

Some therapists work in hospitals, some work in community health centres, some work in schools or specialist centres. Some speech and language therapists may decide to move into research.

Ready for more?