MSci (Hons) Speech and Language Therapy

Through this MSci (Hons) Speech and Language Therapy degree you will prepare for a career as a qualified speech and language therapist and gain valuable experience of working with patients.

As a Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) student, you will benefit directly from our world-class research into subjects, such as linguistics, language development, language pathology, and bilingualism. You will also be able to take advantage of our in-house speech and language therapy clinic, observational facilities, speech research laboratory and new sound recording room. We are one of the first departments in the UK to host NHS clinics in our purpose-built speech and language therapy facility on site.

The course has recently changed to an undergraduate entry integrated Masters from a BSc degree, and has been approved by the Health Care Professions Council. Once you graduate from the MSci Speech and Language Therapy programme, you can apply for professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council which will then allow you to work as a speech and language therapist.

The MSci has been identified by our students, local employers and other stakeholders as the best way forward to maintain quality and enjoyment of the programme and to support future employment.

This course combines theoretical knowledge with clinical practice and you will gain hands-on experience right from the start. For example, in year one, during our "Child Development Assignment", you will be assigned a baby and go to home visits in order to observe its development over approximately 18 months. This will allow you to observe how a typically developing child develops, and enable you to develop your professional skills of interacting with parents and engaging with young children.

Throughout the course you will study core modules in linguistics, psychology, medical sciences and language pathology. You will also cover therapy and management, and how to diagnose, assess and treat (or manage) communication and swallowing disorders. You will also have the opportunity to gain valuable experience of working within a large range of professional settings through a combination of weekly and block placement opportunities. The majority of our staff are practising speech and language therapists, and they will give you a direct insight into the latest developments in clinical practice.

During the final year you will be able to pursue your own interests through optional subjects such as autism spectrum disorders or specific language impairments. Additionally, you will carry out an original piece of research and write a dissertation.

The values of the course are aligned with those set out in the NHS Constitution.

The School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences is committed to providing an excellent quality service, demonstrating compassion and dignity, care and respect to our patients, students and colleagues whilst embracing equality and diversity. We achieve this by clarity of communication and reflecting courage and integrity in all areas of our work, supported by our knowledge, competence and innovation.

In the National Student Survey 2023, 90% of our students said that their knowledge and skills for the future were developed well or very well (90.48 % of respondents studying MSci Speech and Language Therapy).

Placement

You will have the opportunity to carry out both weekly and block placements through this course. These take place in a large range of clinical settings, including within NHS organisations, schools and the private and voluntary sector. Placements are organised by our in-house team and are carefully selected in order to give you variety of experiences and the opportunity to work alongside enthusiastic professionals in a well-supported environment.

You will have the opportunity to work with a wide of range of children and adults, and develop your communication, clinical and research skills within professional settings.

By the end of the degree you will have amassed around 600 hours' experience in observing and treating patients with communication and swallowing problems. This is in excess of the minimum number required by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.

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

Overview

Through this MSci (Hons) Speech and Language Therapy degree you will prepare for a career as a qualified speech and language therapist and gain valuable experience of working with patients.

The MSci has been identified by our students, local employers and other stakeholders as the best way forward to maintain quality and enjoyment of the programme and to support future employment.

The values of the course are aligned with those set out in the NHS Constitution.

Placement

You will have the opportunity to work with a wide of range of children and adults, and develop your communication, clinical and research skills within professional settings.

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

Entry requirements A Level AAB

Select Reading as your firm choice on UCAS and we'll guarantee you a place even if you don't quite meet your offer. For details, see our firm choice scheme.

Our typical offers are expressed in terms of A level, BTEC and International Baccalaureate requirements. However, we also accept many other qualifications.

Typical offer

AAB

International Baccalaureate

34 points overalls including 4 in standard level English, Maths and Science

GCSE

English, Mathematics and Science at grade B (5).

BTEC Extended Diploma

DDD

Additional Requirements

As part of the application process for this programme, you will be required to attend an interview. We are fully committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion in our admissions and interview processes. We will ask for any specific accessibility requirements you may have when you are invited for an interview, so that we can accommodate these on the day.

Candidates should demonstrate a deep understanding of speech and language therapy and be aware of the clinical populations therapists typically work with. This can be achieved through personal research or experience having worked with children or adults with or without communication disorders. Previous applicants have gained experience through voluntary or paid work, for example in local hospitals, schools, charities, elderly care homes, play schemes, etc. You can also observe speech and language therapists in clinical settings but this is not a requirement as we are aware this is often difficult to arrange.

Candidates from the UK will need a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, arranged and funded by the University. All non-UK candidates need to provide a certificate of no criminal convictions – provided by their own Country before entering the UK. Candidates also complete an occupational health questionnaire, provided and funded by the University, and complete a declaration of health. Evidence is required of up-to-date vaccinations including MMR, varicella (chicken pox), hepatitis B and tuberculosis.

English requirements

Please note that if your first language is not English you are required to have passed an IELTS test with an overall mark of at least 8.0, with not less than 7.5 on any individual component, prior to the commencement of the degree programme.

For information on other English language qualifications, please visit our international student pages.

Other information

Deferred Entry available.

Alternative entry requirements for International and EU students

For country specific entry requirements look at entry requirements by country.

International Foundation Programme

If you are an international or EU student and do not meet the requirements for direct entry to your chosen degree you can join the University of Reading’s International Foundation Programme. Successful completion of this 1 year programme guarantees you a place on your chosen undergraduate degree. English language requirements start as low as IELTS 4.5 depending on progression degree and start date.

Learn more about our International Foundation programme

Pre-sessional English language programme

If you need to improve your English language score you can take a pre-sessional English course prior to entry onto your degree.

Find out the English language requirements for our courses and our pre-sessional English programme

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 Studies 1

Gain the vital skills needed to exercise clinical competence and to better understand the professional standards and conducts of speech and language therapy. You’ll be introduced to the processes of assessment management, treatment and service delivery across the lifespan.

Introduction to Linguistics

Discover the theoretical concepts of language and the acquisition of monolingual and bilingual populations. You’ll explore morphology and syntax, semantics, pragmatics and socio-linguistics, as you learn how social, cultural and individual factors impact language.

Medicine 1

Discover the neuroanatomical and physiological underpinnings of human anatomy and how they relate to speech and language. You’ll also focus on the relevance of audiology, orthodontics and paediatric medicine.

Phonetics and Phonology 1

Discover the concepts of phonetics and phonology and learn how they differ as you focus on the phonological development in children. You’ll learn how to carry out acoustic analysis of speech while developing your perception and transcription skills using the International Phonetic Alphabet.

Psychology for Speech and Language Therapy

Explore the aspects of psychology that are fundamental to speech and language therapy practice across the lifespan. You’ll examine key theories and concepts such as cognitive, clinical, health, social and forensic psychology and learn how they interact with speech and language therapy.

Speech Language and Communication 1

Discover a range of clinical populations and the vital management approaches associated with these client groups. You’ll focus on communication and swallowing disorders across the lifespan, as well as the treatment models available to them.

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.

Compulsory modules

Clinical Studies 2

Develop your clinical competence in the assessment and management of paediatric clients with speech, language, communication and eating/swallowing disorders. You’ll develop the skills of reflective practice, clinical reasoning and decision making to understand the communication profile of the typical elderly population.

Linguistics 2

Deepen your understanding of the main properties of grammar, language use and language processing in children and adults in typical and atypical populations. You’ll explore monolingual and bilingual client groups from a theoretical and practical perspective, and learn how to analyse child date using LARSP (Language Assessment Remediation and Screening Procedure).

Phonetics and Phonology 2

Learn how to apply phonetics and phonology to clinical data and collect and analyse data using perceptual and instrumental approaches. You’ll discover the issues typically associated with data collection and representation in the study of speech development and gain practical skills for the transcription of clinical data.

Speech Language and Communication 2 (Paediatric)

Develop the skillset needed to make evidence-based clinical decisions in the assessment, diagnosis, management and support of speech, language and communication needs in children. You’ll explore disorders of eating, drinking and swallowing in children impacted by language disorders, autism and complex needs.

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.

Compulsory modules

Clinical Studies 3

Demonstrate your competency to assess, diagnose and treat speech, language communication, and eating, drinking and swallowing conditions in adults, using your clinical skills and evidence-based practice in a safe, holistic and culturally appropriate manner.

Medicine 2

Develop your understanding of brain structure and function and examine those with relevance to conditions seen by speech language therapists. You’ll examine neurological treatments for a range of conditions, gaining in-depth knowledge of the structure and function of the ear, nose, sinuses, larynx and pharynx.

Research Methods

Gain insight into the key concepts and practices in research applicable to speech and language therapy. Learn how to plan and design quantitative/qualitative studies, as well as how to correctly collect and analyse data while adhering to the ethical requirements in the industry.

Speech Language and Communication 3 (Adult)

Develop an understanding of the evidence base needed to assess, diagnose and manage disorders of speech, language and cognitive disorders in adults. You’ll study disorders including dementias, aphasias, cognitive-linguistics communication disorders and motor speech disorders while drawing knowledge from the disciplines of linguistics, psychology, neurology and medicine.

Speech Language and Communication 4

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.

Compulsory modules

Dissertation

Develop the high-level skills required for critical evaluation and understanding of the current research issues and methodologies associated with speech and language therapy. Apply your knowledge of research methods, design and statistical analysis through an independent research project in a chosen area of speech and language therapy or a related discipline.

Clinical Studies 4

Independently manage clients with speech, language, communication and swallowing disorders across the lifespan. Demonstrate the clinical competencies required for entry to the profession and show your ability to clinically reason, critically evaluate and flexibly practice.

Optional modules

Language and Communication in Genetic Conditions
Multilingualism and Impairment across the Lifespan
Neuroscience of Language
Disorders of Eating, Drinking and Swallowing
Culturally Sustaining and Decolonisation Practices

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.

Fees

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

New international students: £29,950

*UK/Republic of Ireland fee changes

UK/Republic of Ireland undergraduate tuition fees are regulated by the UK government. These fees are subject to parliamentary approval and any decision on raising the tuition fees cap for new UK students would require the formal approval of both Houses of Parliament before it becomes law.

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

You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.

Available funding can be found on the Funding Clinic’s website.

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 (2024) 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.

Careers

As a graduate of this course you can apply to work as a speech and language therapist. The integrated master’s element of the course develops further your analytical and critical thinking skills preparing you for your career path and provides a unique degree once you graduate. Most of our graduates choose this career path and go on to work within the NHS, education or the independent sector.

In hospitals, Speech and Language Therapists provide services to clients on an in-patient and out-patient basis, with an increasing focus on outreach and intermediate care. They also work in a range of other sites in the community such as health centres, day nurseries, schools and colleges, training centers, and care homes. Some speech and language therapists are employed directly in education, the voluntary sector or work in private practice. Alternatively you may decide to move into research or postgraduate study

MSci (Hons) Speech and Language Therapy

Placement

*UK/Republic of Ireland fee changes

EU student fees

Additional costs

Financial support for your studies

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