Language Pathology, MSc
Duration: Full-time 24 months - The closing date for applications is Monday 19 November
The aim of our two year masters degree is to develop students so that they are equipped to practice as speech and language therapists in the modernised National Health Service. The programme is accredited by the Health Professions Council and the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.
We take a student-centred approach to the development of knowledge, thinking and professional identity. A couple of recent innovations demonstrate our commitment to support each student to achieve their best possible attainment. We are piloting an individualised approach to clinical supervision in our campus clinics. This new method involves micro-analysis of video material and only focuses on positive aspects of interaction. We are finding that this is an empowering and effective way to develop student clinicians. Another example of our student-focused learning ethos is our commitment to transparent assessment procedures. We now have bespoke and specific marking criteria for most coursework. Students tell us that this helps them prepare for coursework and our analysis suggests that their attainment is higher as a result.
Our well established 
partnership with local speech and language therapy services ensures that our programme satisfies employer’s expectations as well as meeting the rigorous academic standards of a masters degree.
Learning is delivered through lectures, workshops, tutorials, clinical placements, inter-professional learning opportunities, and independent study. Core single-subject areas are anatomy, physiology, neurology, psychology, linguistics and phonetics and this learning is applied to clinical cases in our unique case-based, problem-based approach to learning about people who have communication difficulties.
Coursework and assessment
This is modular based with assessment through course work, written examinations, in-course assessment, case presentations and in-course class tests.
Year 1
- Physiological Foundations for Speech and Language
- Anatomical Foundations for Speech and Language
- Phonetics I: Speaker, Speech and Language
- Cases: Phonology, Semantics, Sentence Processing
- Clinical Practice
- Support for Clinical Practice
- Normal Language and Development
- Psychology of Language and Cognitive Processes
- The Educational Setting and Literacy
Year 2
- Professional Issues
- Clinical Neurology
- Clinical Practice
- Dysphagia
- Extended Case Report
- Clinical Linguistic Analysis
- Abnormal Psychology and Counselling
- Research Methods
- Intensives: Voice, Dysfluency, Laryngectomy
- Phonetics II: Segment, Gesture and Prosody
- Cases: Exceptional Development
- Cases: Motor-Anatomic, Pragmatics
All candidates are required, as an integral part of the degree programme, to participate in clinical practicum, some of which occurs during traditional vacations.
Selection for the programme
Preference will be given to candidates who hold at least a 2:1 (honours) degree on application, preferably in psychology, linguistics or medical studies, although other graduates may be considered. Some direct experience, whether as a volunteer or assistant, of speech and language therapy is essential. This should be sufficient for you to have a realistic idea of the profession. A small amount of speech and language therapy experience may be complemented by other related experience such as working in a nursing home or an educational setting with people with special needs.
The intake is currently 18 students per year.
Applicants will need to undergo a CRB disclosure
Further information
Our facilities
The HPC
NHS Careers
The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
For further enquiries about this programme, please contact:
Gillian Cavagan
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 222 7388
E-mail: speech@ncl.ac.uk