This course is for people with a relevant degree to refocus their studies into the area of speech and language therapy. It will enable you to register with the Health Profession Council to practice as an speech and language therapist in the UK.
As a speech and language therapist, you will diagnose and treat children and adults with a wide range of communication difficulties. This will include developmental disorders and speech and language problems resulting from injury, stroke and disease. You will also develop strong practical skills as well as a sound understanding of the theory of speech and language therapy.
There is a major clinical studies (ie placement) element to this course and clinical work is underpinned by modules in linguistics, psychology and biological and medical sciences. Although every effort is made to arrange summer block placements to suit students circumstances, this is not always possible and students must be prepared to be flexible about placement location and timing. Students are responsible for any travel and/ or accommodation costs incurred during placements.
EXIT AWARDS:
MSc (120 credits plus a Research Dissertation), PgDip (120 credits) PgCert ( 60 credits)
Delivery:
At QMU and on placement
Single Modules: Register as an associate student to study single modules in areas of interest
Duration:
Full-time: 2 years (to attain PgDip) with an additional 8 months (parttime) or 4 months (full-time) to attain
the MSc
Start date:
August
Application deadline:
14 December 2012
Teaching, learning and assessment:
Teaching will include a mix of lectures, tutorials, student-led seminars, clinical placement experience, case study analysis and individual project work. Emphasis
will be placed on integrating clinical and university based learning opportunities and on independent study.Your performance will be assessed by a combination of course work including essays, reports, presentations and examinations as well as clinical practical assessments.
Teaching hours and attendance:
Each module which you study on campus will require you to attend classes and carry out independent work. Your attendance at QMU will depend on which module you are studying.
Links with industry/professional bodies:
The course provides graduates with eligibility to register with the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and the Health and Care Professions Council.
Upper second class degree/masters level degree in relevant subject (biology, psychology or linguistics)is required. Experience of working with people with speech or communication impairments, for example through professional or voluntary work or shadowing a speech and language therapist, is desirable.
International:
Where your Honours degree has not been studied in English, you will be required to provide evidence of English language competence at no less than IELTS 7.5 with no individual element below 7.0. N.B: International applicants should be aware that full registration entails completion of a probationary period of clinical practice in the UK after the successful completion of the degree. It may be necessary to confirm with the professional body in your home country that this qualification is recognised and full registration in the UK will entitle you to practice in your home country.
Criminal records check:
A satisfactory criminal records check will be required.
Home - full-time:
£8240 per year excludes dissertation
Home - full-time, dissertation:
£850
International - full-time:
£15600 per year excludes dissertation
International - full-time dissertation:
£2690
Funding Information for International Students:
Visit the
International section of the website.
Course Fees:
Visit the
Fees section of the website. -
Graduates of the University who hold a verified QMU undergraduate or postgraduate award and who are admitted to a postgraduate award of QMU will be eligible for a 10% discount on the published fees.
Sources of Funding:
Visit the
Funding section of the website.
Linguistics 1: Biological and Behavioural Science
for SLT1(30 credits)/ Research Methods for SLT
and Audiology (15 credits)/ Professional Practice
for SLT1 (including summer block placement) (15
credits)/ Linguistics 2: Biological and Behavioural
Science for SLT2 (15 credits)/ Speech and
Language Pathology Therapy 1 (30 credits)/ Within
Semester Clinical Placement 1 (15 credits)/
Linguistics 3 (15 credits)/ Professional Practice for
SLT 2 (including summer block placement) (15
credits)/ Within Semester Clinical Placement 2
(15 credits)/ Within Semester Clinical Placement
3 (15 credits)/ Speech and Language Pathology
and Therapy 2 (30 credits) /Speech and Language
Pathology and Therapy 3 (30 credits)/Linguistics 4
(15 credits) /Dissertation (60 credits) (MSc only)
Most graduates work within the NHS in community clinics, schools and hospitals. Several graduates have gained research posts and some have gone on to achieve
higher degrees. Some graduate SLTs may wish to seek employment outside the UK. For further information about how and where this qualification can be used
outside of the UK please contact the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.
Case study:
Dermot Fitzsimons, MSc/PgDip Speech and Language Therapy
When I left school, I went to the University of Strathclyde to study Psychology. In my first year, I studied Russian, along with a few other subjects, and I had a real affinity for it so decided to continue it into a joint Honours degree in Russian and Psychology. After completing that, I stayed on to do an MRes, in a paid postgraduate/teaching role, where I taught Russian language to undergraduate students. After completing the MRes, I began working at the BBC writing subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing. I did this for 8 years until I was accepted to start the MSc/PgDip course.
Having had a deep personal and academic interest in language and linguistics previously, my move to the BBC provided access to people with disabilities and it made me want to pursue both elements more deeply than that job would allow. I have experience of social care and volunteering with the Children's Panel and also at the Speech and Language Therapy department of Erskine Care Home near Glasgow all of these experiences led me to want to try something brand new and challenging but also to use the skills I'd developed in a productive way. This led me to investigate speech and language therapy courses around the country and QMU's two-year MSc/PgDip was ideal, as I didn't want to go back to undergraduate level to study.
I have completed Year One and just about to embark on Year Two. So far, the course has been intensive, varied, rigorous and very enjoyable. It's hard work, but that's to be expected. The staff are always happy to support you in any aspect of the course youre not sure about or need further work on, are very flexible in terms of the method of teaching they provide, theyve offered revision classes and are quick to respond when theres an issue you need to discuss. I'd say so far the best things have been the placements, both clinical and non-clinical. Being able to start applying and amassing more knowledge and experience out in the community almost immediately is daunting at first but the therapists I've met so far have been completely supportive and sympathetic to someone coming in to a new field. You learn so much on placement - it's a really valuable and necessary aspect of the course. I would definitely recommend this course to someone who is looking for a career change and I can't wait to begin my career as a speech and language therapist.
