University College London (UCL)

Speech and Language Therapy MSc

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, small group tutorials, workshops, supervised clinical placements, practical classes and self-directed learning. Collaborative peer-working features strongly throughout.

A variety of assessment methods are used, including coursework, data analysis, clinical vivas, examinations and practice-based assessment on placement.

The programme is full-time over 25 months, with approximately seven weeks of holidays per year (two weeks at Christmas, two weeks at Easter and three weeks in the Summer). Term dates vary and the programme doesn't follow the typical UCL term patterns.

In terms one and two there are 10 weeks of teaching (including one day a week on placement). In term three there is less direct teaching as you are given some private study time to revise for exams. There are 2-3 post-exam teaching weeks in late June/early July in both years.

During terms one and two, you can expect to have teaching sessions from 9am - 5pm for 3 days per week (with 1 hour for lunch), and be on placement for another whole day in most weeks. There is one full day of private study most weeks, which you will need to prepare for your placement, coursework assignments and to carry out additional reading.

Modules

Full-time

The Speech and Language Therapy MSc is a two year programme comprising of twelve modules. You register for six modules in year 1 (totalling 165 credits) and six modules in year 2 (195 credits, including a 60 credit research project). The programme is 360 credits in total.

Professional and clinical studies work in Year One of the programme focuses on clients with developmental speech, language and communication difficulties, and practice placements are undertaken with relevant client groups.

You study the nature and management of relevant difficulties, taking account of medical, sociological and educational perspectives. There is also teaching in the complementary disciplines of phonetics and phonology, linguistic and psychological perspectives and anatomy and physiology.

A life-span perspective is taken so that, for example, adults with learning disabilities and congenital hearing loss, and the life-long consequences of persistent speech, language and communication disorders are covered. However, developmental disorders of motor speech, oro-facial abnormality and voice are covered in year two.

Particular attention has been given to the sequence and timing of teaching in the modules in year one, so that pre-requisite knowledge is introduced in the complementary modules before it is required within professional and clinical studies.

In addition, as skills and knowledge are gained, they are integrated into the study of developmental disorders of communication. Assessment of some disciplines is integrated, for example, child data presented for analysis in phonetics and linguistics assessments also forms the basis of case-based assessments relating to speech and language therapy management.

During Year One, you are also introduced to a range of research methods. You also identify the research topic project and are allocated a project supervisor. You can choose to undertake research projects on a wide range of topics relevant to the practice of speech and language therapy.

Professional and clinical studies work in Year Two of the programme focuses on clients with acquired communication and/or swallowing difficulties and disorders of the vocal tract across the lifespan, and practice placements are undertaken with relevant client groups.

You study the nature and management of relevant disorders, taking account of medical, sociological and psychological perspectives. Application of knowledge gained in the study of phonetics and linguistics to these client groups will be encouraged by analysis of speech and language data from clients with acquired disorders. There are also modules that cover the complementary disciplines of neuroscience and neurology and mental health.

You continue to develop your understanding and application of research design and statistics and complete your project work in Year Two.

Through university and practice-based teaching across the programme, you will learn about the typical development of eating, drinking and swallowing (EDS) as well as difficulties which may be experienced in these areas as a result of developmental or acquired conditions. By the end of the programme you will have demonstrated the mandatory EDS competencies stipulated by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.

Alternative Route: MSc Human Communication Science

If you are unable to continue on the MSc Speech and Language Therapy programme at the end of year one you may be eligible to transfer onto the MSc Human Communication Science route. This is a non-clinical route that gives students the opportunity to complete a masters level qualification.

You will take modules as required for the completion of a masters level qualification. This will include SLAN0002: Research Project (60 credits) and other modules as required and in discussion with the Programme Director.

Compulsory modules

• Professional Studies 1 
• Management of Communication Disorders 1: Language and Cognition (Developmental) 
• Management of Communication Disorders 2: Speech and Hearing 
• Linguistic and Psychological Perspectives 
• Research and Evidence-Based Practice 
• Professional Studies 2 
• Management of Communication Disorders 3: Language and Cognition (Acquired) 
• Management of Communication Disorders 4: Speech, Swallowing and Voice 
• Brain, Mind and Health 
• Research Methods 
• Phonetics and Phonology 
• Research Project

Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 360 credits. Upon successful completion of 360 credits, you will be awarded a in Speech and Language Therapy.

Placement
Clinical placements start in the first term and carry on throughout the programme. You will attend placements from the start of the programme working alongside qualified SLTs in a wide range of settings including hospitals, community, schools and charities. Placements may be with the NHS or independent service providers. The placements are closely linked to classroom learning.

There are usually weekly placements that students attend one day a week over terms one and two of both years (October to March). These placements allow you to see changes in clients over a period of time and to develop your skills gradually over a longer period of time, supported by your university clinical tutorials and clinical tutors.

You will also have block placements which you attend over a number of weeks. These usually take place in spring (Apr-May) and summer (July-August). The block placements are an opportunity to really focus on your clinical and professional skills development, supported by experienced SLTs and college tutors.

Placements are organised by the programme placements team and they aim to give each student a breadth of experience across different settings.

Accessibility
Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.

What this course will give you

You will benefit directly from UCL's world-leading research and teaching, supported by facilities such as the on-site national SLT library and our in-house clinic.

You will be taught by experts in the field including specialist speech and language therapists, psychologists, linguists, neurologists. Our strong partnership with SLT services across London ensures that you will attend a range of high-quality clinical placements.

This programme is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and accredited by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT).

The foundation of your career

Our strong links with employers ensure that you get up-to-date and relevant information to support you in preparing for and securing your first job. Excellent university-based learning and the wide range and number of high-quality clinical placements also puts our graduates at an advantage. As a result, many of our students are offered jobs very soon after completing the course and graduates from our programme are highly regarded by employers. In the most recent Graduate Outcomes Survey (2021/2022), 100% of our students went on into highly skilled work or further study within 15 months of completion.

Our course equips you with transferable skills relevant to employability, such as: interpersonal and communication skills, oral and written presentation skills, collaboration and teamworking, critical evaluation, integration and synthesis of information, report writing, behaviour management and change.

Employability

Most graduates from this programme work as a speech and language therapist/pathologist, providing specialist assessment, intervention and support to adults and children with a range of communication and swallowing difficulties. These can include people with autism spectrum conditions, dementia, developmental language disorder, learning disabilities or people who have had strokes or head injuries. You can work in the NHS or independently. Some of the settings where SLTs work include hospitals, specialist centres, the community, education settings (such as mainstream or special schools) or justice settings. Many SLTs take on leadership roles as they progress through their career. Our graduates are well placed to contribute to the evidence base for the profession through further research and to fast-track into specialist or leadership positions.

Networking

On the MSc Speech and Language Therapy there are opportunities for peer-to-peer networking in small group tutorials and whole group lectures and workshops. Students also take part in interprofessional sessions with trainees on other clinical programmes at UCL. Clinical placements provide a great opportunity to network with SLT clinicians and other health, education and social care professionals. In addition, students are welcome to attend Language and Cognition or other research department seminars to meet researchers and hear talks from external speakers.

Accreditation
The programme is accredited by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT). RCSLT accreditation confirms that the programme meets the RCSLT Curriculum Guidelines. All students enrol as student members of the RCSLT at the start of the programme. Graduates of this programme will meet the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Standards of Education and Training, Standards of Proficiency and will be recommended for HCPC registration as a Speech and Language Therapist.