Program Overview

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Speech and Language Therapists support people of all ages who have communication and/or swallowing difficulties. We are one of only three universities offering this new apprenticeship in Speech and Language Therapy, which will prepare you to achieve excellence and professional autonomy in clinical practice.

How to apply

You apply for a degree apprenticeship in the same way you apply for a normal job. You’ll need to submit an application to the recruiting employer.

Employers advertise degree apprenticeships throughout the year and there is no application cycle like there is with university applications. The vacancy will state when the application deadline is, and when the apprenticeship is due to start.

You cannot apply directly to the University for a degree apprenticeship. To apply for an apprenticeship, you first need to find one that you are interested in applying for.

The

NHS Jobs website

is where the vacancies are advertised. It only shows live jobs (so it won’t tell you previous vacancies, nor what’s coming up), so you will need to check it regularly to see new vacancies as the employers advertise them.

Apply through the employer

This course is

not open

to International students.

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What's covered in this course?

This course prepares you to apply to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) to work as a Speech and Language Therapist on graduation.

Over the four years of the course, you’ll learn about anatomy, psychology, linguistics and phonetics, and issues around both communication and swallowing difficulties.

You will apply theory to practice and learn about assessing client's speech, language, communication and swallowing needs. As you get further into your studies, you'll learn about managing your client's speech, language, communication and swallowing needs.

Approximately 20% of the course will delivered by Birmingham City University, through a combination of face-to-face (on campus) and on-line teaching. Some teaching will be delivered via day release and some in blocks of teaching. 20% of your time is allocated for independent study time and placement, and 60% is carried out at your employer undertaking work-based learning.

Placements are an important part of the apprenticeship, and will take place in a number of settings covering paediatric and adult care. These are separate to the work-based practice element of the course, and may comprise of face-to-face and telehealth experiences.

More information on placement requirements are outlined on the

Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists website

.

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What do apprenticeships offer?

Work based learning – the opportunity to build on existing knowledge and skills

A wide range of placement opportunities to broaden your understanding of healthcare provision across the lifespan

Highly experienced tutors who are all professionally qualified to support you at university

Work based clinical educators to support you in practice

A wide range of support services available to you at university to support your learning journey

We have been training Speech and Language Therapists for over 50 years, so you are guaranteed excellent support, training and access to a wealth of knowledge

Learn from passionate and experienced staff – the course team offers a wealth of experience and knowledge for you to learn from – plus they are actively involved in campaigns and lobbying to make a difference

Our City South Campus features two specialist SLT clinics with cutting-edge technology, a resource room, home environment room and simulation suites to aid your learning.

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Applications

Application for the apprenticeship is through the employer organisation. Your application will be assessed by both your employer and the academic team at Birmingham City University.

To secure a place on the apprenticeship, you will also need to pass an interview with representatives from both your employer and Birmingham City University.

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Entry requirements

Three GCSEs at grade C/4 or above, including Mathematics and English language. Level 2 equivalent qualifications (e.g. Functional Skills) are accepted.

Level 2 qualifications must have been achieved at the point of enrolment.

Plus one of the following:

112 UCAS points (Grades BBC) from 3 A levels or an equivalent L3 qualification examples include:

BTEC National/Extended Diploma DDM

Access to HE Diploma (Health or Science related pathway) - Pass with 60 credits overall; 45 credits at level 3 with 12 at Distinction and 24 at Merit. If applying with an Access course you only need GCSE mathematics and English language at grade C/4 or above. You are not required to hold three GCSEs in total.

This is not an exhaustive list of qualifications so please contact your employer for further clarification.

Applicants who do not meet typical Level 3 qualifications who have relevant and sufficient experience* can still apply by successfully completing a portfolio of evidence set by our university admissions team. (The same GCSE qualifications are still required.)

*

Speech and Language Therapy Assistant, Teaching Assistant, Senior Health Care Support Worker

IELTS

Applicants who have not received their secondary school education in English will require an overall IELTS score of 7.5, with no subtest below 7.

To register with the Health and Care Professions Council, applicants for whom English is not a first language will require an overall IELTS score of 8, with no subtest below 7.5.

If English is studied at GCSE Level but as a second language, IELTs must be completed to qualify for UK L2 requirement

Places are subject to:

Occupational Heath Clearance

Advanced Disclosure and Barring Service report

Successful interview

Proof of qualifications

Pre-employment checks

Successful formal application to university through APTEM system and eligibility checks e.g. qualification checks

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How will I study?

As an apprentice on this course you will be released by your employer to study part-time at university while having exposure to a range of practice placement settings. In university, you will experience a mixture of face-to-face and virtual teaching, self-directed study and practice-based clinical placements. On the job, you will engage with practice partners and service users to learn the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to care for a wide range of patients.

Apprentices are required to complete an End Point Assessment (EPA) on completion of the programme. The EPA is independently assessed outside of the university.

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Studying with us during the Covid-19 pandemic

The University has put in place

measures in response to Covid-19

to allow us to safely deliver our courses. Should the impact of the pandemic continue in future years, any additional or alternative arrangements put in place by the University will be in accordance with the latest government public health advice, health and safety legislation, and the terms and conditions of the

student contract

.