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MSc Speech and Language Therapy
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Year of entry
2023/24 -
Course duration
Full Time: 24 months
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Year of entry
2023/24 -
Course duration
Full Time: 24 months
Applications for this programme are now closed
This programme is currently closed to new applications for September 2023 entry. Applications will open again in summer 2023 for those wishing to apply for September 2024 entry.
Accredited by the Health Care Professionals Council, with a purpose-built NHS and independent clinic on-site, the MSc Speech and Language Therapy is for students wishing to qualify as speech and language therapists.
This course combines theoretical knowledge with clinical practice and you will gain hands-on experience right from the start.
All candidates must have:
- A good 2:1 or above (or equivalent) - please note that all candidates must have been awarded their undergraduate degree before applying
- direct, ongoing experience of working with clients with communication difficulties, ideally a range of client groups, both adults and children.
- Good understanding of the role of a speech and language therapist and experience of speech and language therapy
See ‘Entry requirements’ tab for further details.
As a speech and language therapy student at Reading, you will benefit directly from our world-class research into subjects, such as linguistics, language development, language pathology, and bilingualism. Other areas of specialism comprise developmental and acquired speech, language and communication disorders, including fluency disorders, aphasia, dementia, autism spectrum disorders, Williams syndrome, Down syndrome, Developmental Language Disorder and dysphagia, speech sound disorder, stammering and dysphagia.
Your tutors will use a variety of teaching methods, including standard lectures, small group tutorials and seminars, observation clinics, problem based learning, online screencasts, and practical sessions.
As part of the programme, you will undertake a clinical placement and spend approximately 600 hours over 2 years in different clinical settings, including schools, hospitals, community clinics, private and voluntary sector. Professional speech and language therapists will act as your practice educators.
You will have access to excellent built-in clinic facilities for observations, teaching, placement and research, as well as a speech laboratory, extensive assessment library, student common room, University library, state-of-the art lecture theatres. We are also one of the first universities to host an NHS and independent clinic in our purpose-built speech and language therapy facility on site.
This programme is recognised by The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and is accredited by the Health and Care Professions Council.
For more information, please visit the School of Psychology's website.
Overview
Accredited by the Health Care Professionals Council, with a purpose-built NHS and independent clinic on-site, the MSc Speech and Language Therapy is for students wishing to qualify as speech and language therapists.
This course combines theoretical knowledge with clinical practice and you will gain hands-on experience right from the start.
All candidates must have:
- A good 2:1 or above (or equivalent) - please note that all candidates must have been awarded their undergraduate degree before applying
- direct, ongoing experience of working with clients with communication difficulties, ideally a range of client groups, both adults and children.
- Good understanding of the role of a speech and language therapist and experience of speech and language therapy
See ‘Entry requirements’ tab for further details.
As a speech and language therapy student at Reading, you will benefit directly from our world-class research into subjects, such as linguistics, language development, language pathology, and bilingualism. Other areas of specialism comprise developmental and acquired speech, language and communication disorders, including fluency disorders, aphasia, dementia, autism spectrum disorders, Williams syndrome, Down syndrome, Developmental Language Disorder and dysphagia, speech sound disorder, stammering and dysphagia.
Your tutors will use a variety of teaching methods, including standard lectures, small group tutorials and seminars, observation clinics, problem based learning, online screencasts, and practical sessions.
As part of the programme, you will undertake a clinical placement and spend approximately 600 hours over 2 years in different clinical settings, including schools, hospitals, community clinics, private and voluntary sector. Professional speech and language therapists will act as your practice educators.
You will have access to excellent built-in clinic facilities for observations, teaching, placement and research, as well as a speech laboratory, extensive assessment library, student common room, University library, state-of-the art lecture theatres. We are also one of the first universities to host an NHS and independent clinic in our purpose-built speech and language therapy facility on site.
This programme is recognised by The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and is accredited by the Health and Care Professions Council.
For more information, please visit the School of Psychology's website.
Entry requirements
IELTS: 8.0 overall with no element less than 7.5
TOEFL: Minimum score of 118/120
Entry requirements: Normally a good undergraduate honours degree (a good 2:1 or above), or equivalent from a university outside the UK, in a related field such as linguistics, psychology, medical sciences or education. Other degree subjects may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Evidence of recent study is normally required if the first degree, or a subsequent postgraduate degree, was completed more than five years ago, such as a relevant undergraduate or master's module, Access course or relevant CPD qualifications, or in some cases we may ask you to complete an assignment as part of the short-listing process.
You must have completed your undergraduate degree and it must have been awarded by the application deadline. Direct, ongoing experience of working with clients with communication difficulties (ideally a range of client groups) is essential. Experience of working with adults and children is advantageous. Candidates need to demonstrate a good understanding of the role of a speech and language therapist and have some work experience of speech and language therapy. The application process includes an interview.
Due to the popularity of our MSc Speech and Language Therapy, and the restricted numbers we are able to accept, we recommend applying as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
We must have received at least one reference before the application deadline. Please make sure you allow enough time for your referee to submit their reference before the deadline.
In order to guarantee consideration for entry in September 2023, a complete application must be received by midnight 31 December 2022. Late applications, received up until midnight 28 February 2023, may be considered if spaces still remain on the 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.
Structure
Compulsory modules include:
| Code | Module | Convenor |
|---|---|---|
| PLMAPD | Advanced Professional Development | MRS Afshan O'Sullivan |
| PLMCI1R | Communication Impairment I | DR Fatemeh Mollaei |
| PLMCI2R | Communication Impairment 2 | DR Tom Loucas |
| PLMCI3R | Communication Impairment 3 | DR Arpita Bose |
| PLMCLA | Child Language Acquisition | DR George Pontikas |
| PLMCP1 | Clinical Practice 1 | MRS Helen Marlow |
| PLMCP2 | Clinical Practice 2 | MS Carol Fairfield |
| PLMCPH | Clinical Phonetics and Phonology | DR Mirjana Sokolovic-Perovic |
| PLMDALSLT | Development Across the Lifespan for Speech and Language Therapy | DR Emma Pagnamenta |
| PLMFG | Foundations of Grammar | PROF Vesna Stojanovik |
| PLMLPSLT | Language Processing for Speech and Language Therapy | DR George Pontikas |
| PLMM1 | Medicine 1 | DR Fatemeh Mollaei |
| PLMM2 | Medicine 2 | DR Vishnu Kaleeckal Krishnankutty Nair |
| PLMPPR | Introduction to Phonetics and Phonology | DR Mirjana Sokolovic-Perovic |
| PLMRD | Research and Dissertation | DR Christos Pliatsikas |
| PLMSIDSLT | Social psychology and individual differences for speech and language therapy | DR Emma Pagnamenta |
These are the modules that we currently offer. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Fees
New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,250
New international students: £25,800
Tuition fee information
The fees listed are for full-time study, unless otherwise stated. Fee information will be confirmed in offer letters sent out to successful applicants. You can find further information, including information for part-time study, through our dedicated fees and funding page.
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
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 (2021) 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.
The Maintenance loan
Eligibility for the Maintenance loan is a means tested loan.
Students on the MSc Speech and Language Therapy programme may also be eligible for the Long Courses Loan, as the course is longer than 30 weeks.
This will be assessed by Student Finance England when the student applies for their main student finance.
See the Funding Clinic website for further information when applying as a mature student.
Applying for loans from Student Finance England
You can apply now for the 2020/21 academic year. You don’t need a confirmed place to apply.
Applications should ideally be submitted by 31 May 2020. However, you can still apply for funding up to nine months after the first day of the academic year for your course.
Careers
Our MSc in Speech and Language Therapy allows graduates to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council and work as a speech and language therapist in a range of settings, such as the NHS, education, and the private or voluntary sector.
Speech and language therapists work with adults and children with a range of communication and swallowing difficulties, including children with speech and language disorders, children with a cleft palate, clients with voice disorders, clients who have had strokes or head injuries, or those who stammer.
Some therapists work in hospitals, some work in community health centres, some work in schools or specialist centres. Some speech and language therapists may decide to move into research.