Course overview

This four-year Master of Speech and Language Science MSc Honours degree focuses on developing your leadership and research skills. This will enable you to consider the role of the speech and language therapist, including as a future leader of the profession.

You will gain a thorough understanding of all areas necessary to undertake speech and language therapy practice, through case-based teaching – where you'll discuss real-life scenarios – and high levels of clinical work.

You will study core modules in speech and language pathology. These include causes, diagnosis, assessment and treatment of a range of speech, language, communication and swallowing disorders in adults and children.

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Quality and ranking

• 7th in the UK – The Complete University Guide 2020 (Aural and Oral Sciences category)
• 1st in the UK with 100% overall student satisfaction score – National Student Survey 2019 (Subject: Aural and Oral Sciences)

Teaching excellence

TEF Gold

A ringing endorsement of Newcastle University’s long tradition of excellence in teaching.

Professional accreditation

Our BSc Speech and Language Therapy and Master's in Speech and Language Sciences degrees are monitored and approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and accredited by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT).

Successful completion of this degree provides eligibility to apply for registration with the HCPC as a speech and language therapist and to apply for membership of the RCSLT.

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body.

Modules and learning

Modules

The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you'll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage. 

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Optional module availability
Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

We lay the foundation for later work with topics including anatomy and physiology of speech and language, linguistics and phonetics, developmental psychology, child language and development, clinical education and research methods.

You will be introduced to case-based problem-solving and case management. You will observe speech and language therapists at work, and complete a child study, working with a child and their family to observe and analyse typical development.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Anatomy & Physiology for Speech and Language	20
Research Methods in Practice I	10
Brain and Behaviour Across the Lifespan I: Developmental and Social Psychology	40
Linguistics and Phonetics I	20
Introduction to Speech and Language Pathology	20
Clinical and Professional Education I	10

You will continue to study linguistics, phonetics and psychology, and learn to apply problem-based learning to cases of developmental and acquired communication disorder. You will start to take responsibility for the assessment and treatment of clients in our on-campus clinics under the supervision of expert staff.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Research Methods in Practice II	10
Clinical and Professional Education II	20
Linguistics and Phonetics II	40
Brain and Behaviour across the Lifespan II: Neuropsychology	10
Speech and Language Pathology II: Developmental and acquired disorders of speech, language and communication	40

You will undertake clinical placements with different client groups in a range of speech and language therapy services, including: hospitals; nurseries; schools; rehabilitation settings; and charities.

You will continue to develop your knowledge and understanding related to specific client groups such as clients with autism. You will apply knowledge to the understanding of communication and swallowing disorders.

There is also an increasing consideration of the professional context in which speech and language therapists work.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits

You will continue to build on your knowledge and understanding of the professional context and relevant legislation. There is an in-depth consideration of the role of the speech and language therapist, not only as a clinician, but also as advocates for and future leaders of the profession.

You will carry out further placements within the local community, complete a project related to service delivery and conduct an independent research project.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits

Teaching and assessment

Teaching methods

We use innovative teaching methods and models in our academic and clinical teaching. Case-based teaching and problem-based learning accompanies lectures and seminars. You will also benefit from the experience and expertise of our visiting lecturers who are experts in their field.

Our teaching methods develop deep learning, critical thinking, reflection skills and creativity. This enables you to deal with the diverse nature of Speech and Language Therapy practice.

Assessment methods

You'll be assessed through a combination of:

• 

  Assignments – written or fieldwork

• 

  Dissertation or research project

• 

  Essays

• 

  Examinations – practical or online

• 

  Presentations

• 

  Projects

• 

  Reflective report/journal

• 

  Reports

• 

  Seminar tasks/exercises

Skills and experience

Practical skills

You will have access to state-of-the-art facilities, including our language analysis lab for the transcription and analysis of recorded samples of language.

You'll also have access to our on-campus clinics, the Children's Speech and Language Clinic, and the Tavistock Aphasia Centre. You will benefit from observing qualified therapists at work, and begin your clinical work experience treating both adults and children with communication difficulties.

Business skills

Your practical, workplace skills will be developed through clinical experiences which are embedded throughout your degree programme. You'll have extensive experience in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of patients with communication and swallowing difficulties. 

You will carry out a clinical-based project about an aspect of service delivery during your fourth year, which gives you further exposure to clinical work. 

Research skills

You will consolidate your knowledge of research methods and skills, applying them as you complete your dissertation project.

Opportunities

You will undertake a variety of work placements throughout your degree. 

The clinical placement opportunities embedded throughout your degree will provide you with the clinical experience you need to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council.

This experience will include:

• video and live observations of a range of clients with communication difficulties
• child study – working with a child and their family to observe and analyse typical development
• clinical placements in our in-house campus clinics: The Children’s Speech and Language Clinic, and The Tavistock Aphasia Centre (12 weeks, 1 day per week)
• an external placement in a local setting such as hospitals, clinics and schools (8 weeks, 5 days per week)
• further placements, including a clinical project (12 weeks, 1 day per week and 6 weeks, 5 days per week)

Facilities and environment

Facilities

As a speech and language sciences student, you'll be based at the School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences at our city-centre campus.

You will benefit from excellent facilities, including newly refurbished in-house clinics. These are equipped with observational facilities and the latest recording technology to maximise your learning.

Facilities include:

• The Children's Speech and Language Clinic, dedicated to working with children
• The Tavistock Aphasia Centre, dedicated to working with adults with acquired communication difficulties 

You will also have access to: 

• a language analysis lab for transcription and analysis of recorded samples of language
• our resource centre

Support

You'll have the support of an academic member of staff as a personal tutor throughout your degree to help with academic and personal issues.

Peer mentors will help you in your first year. They are fellow students who can help you settle in and answer any questions you have when starting university.

Your future

Our Master of Speech and Languages Sciences degree provides a direct pathway to a career as a qualified speech and language therapist. The successful completion of this degree provides eligibility to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a speech and language therapist and to apply for membership of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT). 

Most speech and language therapist graduates become employed by the NHS to work in hospitals, clinics, paediatric assessment centres, adult rehabilitation centres or in the community.

Speech and language therapists usually work as part of a multidisciplinary team, alongside other health professionals such as doctors, nurses, psychologists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists.

Once you qualify, you can specialise in a particular area of speech and language therapy.

If you wish to work with language-disordered children in a classroom setting, you may want to take a one-year teaching qualification (PGCE) after your degree.

A number of our graduates have also gone on to take up research posts.

Make a difference

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Careers support

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Tuition fees and scholarships

Tuition fees for 2020 entry (per year)

UK Students

£9250

International Students

£19800

The maximum fee that we are permitted to charge for UK students is set by the UK government.

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

Read more about fees and funding

You will be charged tuition fees for each year of your degree programme (unless you are on a shorter exchange programme).

The tuition fee amount you will pay may increase slightly year on year as a result of inflation.

Read more about fees and funding

Year abroad and additional costs

For programmes where you can spend a year on a work placement or studying abroad, you will receive a significant fee reduction for that year. 

Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.

Find out more about:

• different tuition fees
• additional costs

Scholarships

Find out more about:

• scholarships for UK, EU and international students
• scholarships for students applying to study at our London campus
• Student Loans and Government financial support for UK and EU students

How to apply

Apply through UCAS

To apply for undergraduate study at Newcastle University, you must use the online application system managed by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). All UK schools and colleges, and a small number of EU and international establishments, are registered with UCAS. You will need:

• the UCAS name and institution codes for Newcastle University (NEWC/N21)
• the UCAS code for the course you want to apply for
• the UCAS 'buzzword' for your school or college

If you are applying independently, or are applying from a school or college which is not registered to manage applications, you will still use the Apply system. You will not need a buzzword.

Apply through UCAS

Apply through an agent

International students often apply to us through an agent. Have a look at our recommended agents and get in touch with them.

Visit our International pages