Speech and Language Therapy

Program Overview

Speech and Language Therapy - BSc (Hons)

Overview

If you want a client-centred, evidence-based education in the field of speech and language therapy, our three-year BSc course is the right choice for you. Our course, which is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) uses a variety of innovative activities and placements. After successful completion of this course, you will be ready to apply to the HCPC for registration as a speech and language therapist.

What's covered in this course?

Speech and language therapists support people of all ages who have communication and/or swallowing difficulties. 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, at our recently extended £71 million campus, with state-of-the-art facilities. You will also benefit from the Virtual Case Creator (VCC), which enables us to simulate clinical scenarios in a virtual environment.

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

You will undertake two major clinical placements, during which you will be immersed in all aspects of clinical practice. Towards the end of your clinical placement in your third year, you are likely to be managing your own caseload of clients. Whilst on the course you will complete the RCSLT pre-registration EDS competencies as this is now an essential part of your training.

You will also have the option to participate in a number of extracurricular activities, including an opportunity for international exchange. Our graduates can go on to work as speech and language therapists in a wide range of settings including the NHS, schools, charities and private practices.

Accredited By

This course is accredited by:

• Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
• Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists

Why Choose Us?

• Funding - Allied health profession students in receipt of a student loan receive at least £5,000 a year in additional funding for maintenance and associated study costs.
• The course is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.
• We have been training SLTs for over 50 years! Our long–established course has a history of training speech and language therapists for over 50 years, so you are guaranteed excellent support, training and access to a wealth of knowledge from passionate, experienced staff.
• Top 5 for Speech and Language Therapy graduate prospects (Complete University Guide 2024).
• We have two specialist SLT clinics, a telehealth suite, a resource room, home environment room and simulation suites to aid your learning.

Entry Requirements

Essential requirements

• 120 UCAS Tariff points. Learn more about UCAS Tariff points.
• Applicants will also need to complete an interview for this course; see interview arrangements below.
• If your level 3 qualifications do not meet the UCAS tariff for this course, you may be offered a place on our Foundation Year instead. You do not need to submit a separate application but will automatically be considered for this if your predicted grades fall below the UCAS entry tariff.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)

Prior to enrolling on the course, successful candidates will be required to obtain a satisfactory occupational health check and an enhanced DBS check via the Faculty, as well as registration with the Independent Safeguarding Authority. Qualifications, personal statement, interview and references all form part of the selection criteria for this course.

GCSE and other level 2 requirements

In addition to the A Level, BTEC and other level 3 requirements below, applicants for this course also need GCSE English Language and GCSE Maths at grade C/4 or above. If you do not have these or are not undertaking them, we may ask you to pass BCU's GCSE equivalency tests.

A Level, BTEC and other level 3 requirements

• A Level: 120 UCAS Tariff points from three A Levels
• Pearson BTEC (Diploma / Extended Diploma/ Extended Certificate): 120 UCAS Tariff points
• T Level: Merit overall
• Access to HE Diploma: Pass with 60 credits. At least 45 credits at level 3 with 30 credits at Merit or Distinction
• OCR Cambridge Technical qualifications: 120 UCAS Tariff points
• NCFE CACHE Level 3 qualifications: 120 UCAS Tariff points
• WJEC Level 3 qualifications: 120 UCAS Tariff points
• Irish Leaving Certificate (Highers): Minimum of 120 UCAS Tariff points, achieved in five Higher level subjects
• Scottish Higher / Advanced Higher: 120 UCAS Tariff points from three Advanced Highers (CCC) or two Advanced Highers (CC) plus two Highers (CC)
• Welsh Baccalaureate: 120 UCAS Tariff points. Considered with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications
• UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma: Merit overall

Interview arrangements

Applicants are required to undertake a face-to-face engagement, normally in the form of an interview. Interviews currently take place online.

International qualifications

• International Baccalaureate Diploma: Obtain a minimum of 30 points overall
• EU / International students: Please see your country page for further details on the equivalent qualifications we accept. In addition to the academic entry requirements listed above, international and EU students will also require IELTS 7.5 overall with no less than 7.0 in each band.

Fees & How to Apply

UK students

• 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.
• Award: BSc (Hons)
• Starting: Sep 2026
• Mode: Full Time
• Duration: 3 years
• Fees: £9,535 in 2026/27

International students

Sorry, this course is not available to International students.

Course in Depth

Year One

• Foundations of Professional Practice (40 credits)
• Foundations in Phonetics and Linguistics (20 credits)
• Applied Anatomy and Physiology (20 credits)
• Psychology and the Development of Language (20 credits)
• Communication and Swallowing Impairments and their Impact (20 credits)

Year Two

• Appraising Communication and Swallowing Needs (20 credits)
• The Intermediate Professional (20 credits)
• Appraisal in Professional Clinical Practice (20 credits)
• Research and Evidence-Based Practice (20 credits)
• Analysis of Communication and Swallowing (20 credits)
• Principles of Client-Centred Management of Communication and Swallowing Needs (20 credits)

Year Three

• Management of Communication and Swallowing Needs (40 credits)
• Application of Research and Evidence-Based Practice (40 credits)
• The Entry-Level Professional (20 credits)
• Management in Professional Clinical Practice (20 credits)

Employability

Enhancing Employability Skills

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.

Placements

The programme includes two block clinical placements, during which you are immersed in all aspects of clinical practice. The first block placement is in year two and takes 8 weeks to complete; the second block placement consists of 12 weeks in year 3. Towards the end of the second block placement students are expected to be able to manage their own small caseloads. You will work with various different client groups during your placements (both adults and children), and work in different settings, e.g., community clinics, hospitals, schools.

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.

Our staff are experienced professionals in the field of speech and language therapy, with a passion for teaching and research. They are committed to providing you with the best possible education and support throughout your time on the course.