Program Overview

Bachelor of Speech and Language Pathology with Honours

The Bachelor of Speech and Language Pathology with Honours (BSLP(Hons)) is a four-year undergraduate degree that provides students with the knowledge and skills to assist individuals with communication and swallowing disorders.

Introduction

Over the four years of the BSLP(Hons) degree, students gain the knowledge and skills to assist a wide variety of people with communication and swallowing disorders. The University of Canterbury students are able to utilise excellent on-site resources including clinics and research facilities.

What Will My Study Involve?

• The BSLP(Hons) is a highly regarded, professional degree accredited by Te Kāhui Kaiwhakatikatika Reo Kōrero o Aotearoa | New Zealand Speech-language Therapists' Association (NZSTA).
• Students have the opportunity to work with people of all ages at clinics on campus, nationally, and overseas.
• Fieldwork accounts for up to 50% of coursework, depending on the year of study.

Entry Requirements

Admission to the University of Canterbury with University Entrance (or equivalent) is required to enrol. One or more courses in this degree may also require vaccinations. International students with English as a second language must provide evidence of IELTS (Academic) 7.0, with no score lower than 6.5, before admission to the First Professional Year.

Recommended Background

The Intermediate Year (first year) is open to anyone; however, a background in science from secondary school is recommended.

Entry into the Professional Years

The first year is followed by the Professional Years. Entry into the Professional Years is limited and is based on completion of the Intermediate Year, academic merit, an application form, a statement of interest, two letters of recommendation, and performance in an interview with a programme representative or representatives. Relevant work or volunteer experience may also be considered.

Degree Structure

The Bachelor of Speech and Language Pathology with Honours requires a total of 480 points:

• At least 405 points of compulsory and fieldwork courses
• 15 points from a prescribed list of courses
• 75 points of courses in Science or from other degrees. The degree takes 4 years of full-time study or can be studied part-time for up to 8 years.

The Intermediate Year

The first year, known as the Intermediate Year, includes a minimum of 120 points (or eight 15-point courses). The Intermediate courses may be taken in one full-time year of study or accumulated over more than one year.

Limited Entry into Second Year

Entry to the second year of the Bachelor of Speech and Language Pathology with Honours is limited to those who have successfully completed their Intermediate Year with good grades and completed an application process. Relevant work or volunteer experience with people who have communication disorders may also be considered when selection decisions are made.

The Professional Years

• First Professional Year courses focus on speech and language development and disorders, evidence-based practice, and audiology. Students gain practical experience working with a range of clients (which represents up to 25% of the year's work).
• In the Second Professional Year, students continue studying different types of communication disorders, work with practising therapists, and complete coursework in education and medical settings. 30% of the coursework includes clinical practice.
• In the Third Professional Year, more time is spent on research and taking responsibility for the assessment of clients and the planning, management, and evaluation of therapy programmes. 50% of the coursework includes clinical practice.

Subjects and Courses

The compulsory courses in the first year (Intermediate Year) cover introductory anatomy, physiology, and statistics. The advancing years (Professional Years) involve advanced assessment, planning, and evaluation of therapy programmes for a variety of communication disorders, put into practice through clinical fieldwork working with a range of clients.

Compulsory Courses

Year 1

• STAT101 Statistics 1
• One course chosen from specified options
• Six other 100-level courses from any degree at UC, with recommended courses including:
  • EDUC102 Child and Adolescent Development
  • SPSC113 Introduction to Communication Disorders
  • SPSC114 The Art and Science of Human Communication
  • LING101 How Language Works
  • PSYC105 Introductory Psychology – Brain, Behaviour and Cognition
  • PSYC106 Introductory Psychology – Social, Personality and Developmental

Year 2

In the First Professional Year, students take courses in speech and language development and disorders, evidence-based practice, clinical linguistics, and audiology, with 25% of coursework including clinical practice.

Year 3

In the Second Professional Year, students continue studying different types of communication disorders, work with practising therapists, and complete coursework in education and medical settings, with 30% of coursework including clinical practice.

Year 4

In the Third Professional Year, more time is spent on research and taking responsibility for the assessment of clients and the planning, management, and evaluation of therapy programmes, with 50% of coursework including clinical practice.

Fees

Domestic

• First Year (Intermediate Year): 2025 tuition fee estimate $7,803 per 120 points, 2026 tuition fee estimate $8,271 per 120 points
• Second-Fourth Years (Professional Years): 2025 tuition fee estimate $8,796 per 120 points, 2026 tuition fee estimate $9,324 per 120 points

International

• First Year (Intermediate Year): 2025 tuition fee estimate $40,700 per 120 points, 2026 tuition fee estimate $42,290 per 120 points, 2027 tuition fee estimate $44,150 per 120 points
• Second-Fourth Years (Professional Years): 2025 tuition fee estimate $45,200 per 120 points, 2026 tuition fee estimate $46,960 per 120 points, 2027 tuition fee estimate $49,025 per 120 points

Further Study

Postgraduate communications disorders study options include:

• Master of Audiology
• Master of Science in Speech and Language Sciences
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Speech and Language Sciences Other students with any undergraduate degree can choose to study the Master of Speech and Language Pathology to become qualified as a speech-language pathologist/therapist.

Careers

Graduates work with children with autism or language delays, help stroke patients relearn speech and swallowing, develop new communication devices and tests, build their own private practices, and more. The University of Canterbury has a speech and language pathology clinic on campus and the opportunity to go on placement to speech-language therapy clinics at hospitals, schools, and other facilities nationwide and overseas. Students learn skills to help with client assessment and the planning, management, and evaluation of therapy programmes.