Program Overview

MSc Speech and Language Therapy (Pre-registration)

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

Course Overview

On the course, students will study topics including developmental language disorder, stroke, and difficulties with eating, drinking, or swallowing (dysphagia). They will also explore areas such as autism and stammering, mental health, speech sound disorders, augmentative and alternative communication, and neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease. The program aims to prepare students to work across a variety of settings with both children and adults.

Features and Benefits

• Placement opportunities: Students will spend at least 525 hours on clinical placements to develop their clinical practice and have exposure to different settings.
• Specialist facilities: Students will have access to the on-campus ICON Centre, which features a wide range of specialist speech and language therapy equipment and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).
• Expertise: The dedicated technicians help students learn how to use high-tech equipment and provide workshops and training on specialist facilities.
• Accredited course: When students graduate, they are eligible to apply for professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), which means they can practice as a speech and language therapist, and to apply for membership of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT).
• Learn from experts: Students will learn from experienced and professionally registered speech and language therapists.

Year 1

In the first year, students will cover the following units:

• Intro to Clinical Theory and Skills across the Lifespan: This module explores typical speech, language, cognitive, and communication development, alongside the psychological and social factors that affect individual communication across the lifespan.
• Phonetics and Phonology: This module introduces key theoretical concepts and practice skills in phonetics and phonology.
• Linguistics and Language Acquisition: Students will learn how language is typically acquired over the lifespan and analyze the structures and uses of language.
• Non-clinical Practice Placement 1 (Education- 5 days): This is a compulsory placement in an early year's educational setting.
• Non-clinical Practice Placement 2 (Older Adults - 4 days): This is a simulated placement, making use of resources based within the faculty.
• Practice Placement 1 (4 weeks): This clinical placement involves working with adults or children as part of the required learning experience.
• Eating, Drinking and Swallowing: This module provides a deeper understanding of the development of eating, drinking, and swallowing knowledge and skills throughout the lifespan.
• Applied Clinical Theory and Skills across the Lifespan 1: This module concentrates on the medical basis, clinical assessment, and management of developmental, acquired speech, language, and communication conditions.

Year 2

In the second year, students will complete the following core units:

• Practice Placement 3 (5 weeks): This clinical placement involves working with adults or children as part of the required learning experience.
• Applied Clinical Theory and Skills across the Lifespan 2: This module focuses on developmental and acquired impairments of speech, language, and communication.
• Professional Competency and Employability in Speech and Language Therapy: This module builds on theoretical knowledge and its practical application to clinical practice while on placement.
• Research Methods and Dissertation: Students will develop their knowledge and understanding of the research process by completing a research-related assignment.
• Practice Placement 4 (6 weeks): This clinical placement involves working with adults or children as part of the required learning experience.

Study and Assessment

• Year 1: 45% lectures, seminars, or similar; 30% placement; 25% independent study.
• Year 2: 35% lectures, seminars, or similar; 30% placement; 35% independent study.

Assessment

• Year 1: 70% coursework; 0% practical; 30% examination.
• Year 2: 100% coursework; 0% practical; 0% examination.

Entry Requirements

Applicants will have a minimum 2:1 UK undergraduate degree, or equivalent, and evidence of academic or professionally related study in the five years prior to application. Applicants must meet requirements for NHS values-based assessment at interview, have an Occupational Health Assessment, and a satisfactory enhanced DBS report. Applicants whose first language is not English must be able to communicate in English to the standard equivalent to level 8 of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), with no element below 7.5.

Fees and Funding

• Tuition fees:
  • UK and Channel Island students: Full-time fee: £9,535 for the 2025/26 academic year.
  • EU and non-EU international students: Full-time fee: £22,000 per year.
• Additional costs:
  • Specialist costs: Optional estimate: £15 to £50 for replacement or non-standard uniforms. Optional equipment: £650.
  • Placement costs: Compulsory estimate: £4-£15 per day whilst on placement.
  • Professional costs: Compulsory estimate: DBS £0 to £135 depending on status. HCPC registration fees are currently £90 for two years.

Careers Support and Prospects

When students graduate, they will have the skills to work in clinical practice as a speech and language therapist with children and adults. They can apply to the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) for registration to practice as a speech and language therapist. They 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.