Master of Speech and Language Therapy (MSLT)/BSc (Hons) Speech and Language Therapy

Our ability to communicate with others is a vital part of who we are as individuals, and how we fit in with society. Speech and language therapists play a vital role in assessing and treating people who have communication and swallowing difficulties, developmental and acquired. Clients can be of all ages, from newborn to the elderly. If you are passionate about applying scientific principles to support communication and want to make a difference to others lives, we can help you forge a fascinating career.

On this course you will:

• develop a strong theoretical understanding of speech and language therapy (SLT) through modules in linguistics, psychology, biological and medical sciences, and research methods; and
• carry out regular clinical placements that will build your practical skills. You will be placed in various settings including hospitals, schools and clinics to ensure you gain a range of experience.

Structure

This four-year undergraduate Master of Speech and Language Therapy (MSLT)/BSc (Hons) Speech and Language Therapy course will equip you with the expertise and practical skills that you need to work as a registered speech and language therapist. You will thrive in our supportive environment, and benefit from placements each year along with practical experience in our specialist clinical facilities on campus.

Find out about the benefits of studying an undergraduate master’s.

Teaching, learning and assessment

You will be taught in lectures, seminars, practical workshops and laboratories. Outside these timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning through self-study. You will be assessed by a range of assessments throughout the course.

Placements

Practice placements are invaluable in consolidating theoretical study into practical expertise by working directly with patients and qualified staff. You will attend placements across Scotland in a variety of settings including hospitals, schools and clinics to ensure you gain a range of experience at various locations. QMU manages the sourcing and allocation of placements for each student.

Typically, in Year One and Two you will complete lifespan placements in an early years and primary setting and a community placement in the voluntary/third sector. You will complete practice placements in Years Two, Three and Four. You will attend a block placement in the summer period between Years Three and Four that is typically completed within a four-week period somewhere in Scotland. Summer placements take place across Scotland and the majority of students are required to travel outside the local area, unless they have exceptional circumstances such as caring responsibilities. It is, therefore likely that students will have to arrange alternative accommodation for the three-week duration of their placement.

Teaching staff, class sizes and timetables

You can read more about the teaching staff on this course at the bottom of this page. Please note that teaching staff is subject to change.

For more information, please also visit ‘How we teach and how you’ll learn’.

Year One

You will:

• gain a grounding in development across the lifespan in the areas of physical sciences, linguistics and psychology;
• focus on academic writing and how to access appropriate information; and
• develop foundational professional and clinical skills.

Modules

• Foundations for SLT: Foundations of Linguistics
• Foundations for SLT: Biological and Medical Sciences 1
• Professional Practice: Clinical and Professional Capabilities
• Foundations for SLT: Language Structure, Processing and Variation
• Foundation for SLT: Lifespan
• Professional Practice: Lifespan Placement
• Research for SLT: Cognitive Sciences and Research Methods 1  

Year Two

You will:

• focus predominantly on childhood and developmental speech, language and swallowing disorders; 
• you will continue to build your knowledge in physical sciences, linguistics, psychology and research methods with increased application to clinical areas; and 
• you will develop your clinical skills through weekly clinical placements in Semester One. 

Modules

• Foundation for SLT: Biological and Medical Sciences 2 
• Speech and Language Pathology: Developmental Language Disorder
• Foundations for SLT: Advanced Phonetic Analysis  
• Professional Practice: Practice-Based Learning 2 
• Speech and Language Pathology: Specific Speech Disorders 
• Speech and Language Pathology: Developmental and Acquired Dysphagia 
• Research for SLT: Cognitive Sciences and Research Methods 2   

Year Three

You will:

• develop research and critical thinking skills;
• enhance your clinical decision-making skills (assessment/goal setting/management planning/outcome evaluation) through case studies and in-class discussions;
• focus on disorders of communication acquired in adulthood and related to sensory, cognitive and physical impairments;
• explore different areas of practice through clinical masterclasses; and
• continue to link theory to practice as you attend clinical placements during the semesters and a block placement during the summer.

Modules

• Speech and Language Pathology: Developmental Disorders of Social Communication 
• Professional Practice: Delivering Services to Reflect Diversity  
• Speech and Language Pathology: Organic Speech Impairments and Voice Disorders  
• Speech and Language Pathology: Acquired Language and Neurogenic Communication Impairments  
• Professional Practice: Practice-Based Learning 3    
• Research for SLT: Investigative Methods    

Year Four

You will:

• enhance, consolidate and reflect on your learning to date;
• continue to develop your skills in research, professional development, and current and advanced clinical skills enabling a smooth transition to working life;
• explore leadership skills and gain an understanding of key skills for collaboration and training;
• complete your academic learning by undertaking a focused research dissertation; and
• prepare for clinical practice as you develop your skills through attending clinical placements during the semesters.

Modules

• Speech and Language Pathology: Physical, Sensory and Intellectual Impairment  
• Professional Practice: Training and Leadership
• Professional Practice: Practice-Based Learning 4
• Research for SLT: Research Project
• Professional Practice: Applied Clinical Decision Making

NB The modules listed here are correct at time of posting (Feb 2023) but may differ slightly to those offered in 2024. Please check back here for any updates.

Career prospects are generally excellent. Many of our graduates work within the NHS in community clinics, hospitals and schools across the UK. Some graduates have travelled to work abroad, chosen to study further or taken up research posts.

Entry requirements

Scottish Higher: Standard - AABBB, Minimum - ABBBB

A Level: AAB

Irish Leaving Certificate: H1 H2 H2 H2 H3

International Baccalaureate: 32 points

International: IELTS of 8.0 with no element lower than 7.5. Applications from international students are welcomed. The required standard of spoken and written English (specified by RCSLT) for those whose first language is not English is an IELTS (British Council English Language Testing Service) score of 8 with no individual element score of less than 7.5. This reflects the level of English required for professional practice as an SLT. 

Required subjects: The following subjects are preferred at Higher/A Level or equivalent: English, Languages, Psychology and Sciences. Subjects involving analytical skills (eg Modern Studies) may be accepted as an alternative to science, where a good level of science is demonstrated at Nat 5/ GCSE level.

In addition English and Maths at Nat 5/GCSE (B) (equivalent to O3 or H4 in the Irish Leaving Certificate) is required. Biology at this level is desirable.

Am I a Widening Access student?: We apply the minimum entry criteria to applicants who meet one or more contextual factor. To see if this would apply to you, please refer to the access and application page.

Mature/Access: Many mature students enter the course with non-standard qualifications, including previous degrees and from Access Courses (Access to Health Care). Applicants with Access qualifications must demonstrate a strong academic profile. 

We welcome applications from mature students with other relevant qualifications and/or experience. All mature students are asked to show evidence of recent study. See Related Access Course.

Direct Entry: Not available. Relevant HN qualifications may be considered for entry to Year One.

Other requirements

• Applicants are encouraged to acquire a good understanding of the nature of Speech and Language Therapy practice, and, if possible, should gain some experience of interacting or working with people with communication difficulties. It should be noted that in most parts of the UK it is not possible to arrange direct observation or work-shadowing within Speech and Language Therapy clinics; however, many areas arrange introductory sessions for potential students. In addition, many charities working with and for people with communication needs welcome volunteers who are willing to support people with communication difficulties.
• A satisfactory criminal records check from the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme, an occupational health check and personal indemnity insurance (normally through membership of the professional body) are required.
• All applicants are expected to be free of any health problems which could affect their ability to practice safely and effectively. All first year students are required to undergo health clearance checks and up-to-date information will be provided as part of the entry/induction process.
• All prospective students who are offered a place should be aware that acceptance onto the course cannot be taken as a guarantee that the applicant satisfies the requirements for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council as a Speech and Language Therapist.

Other costs

• All students are responsible for their own expenses incurred on clinical placement such as pre-placement checks, travel costs and accommodation (summer). Students from Scotland may be eligible for funding from SAAS depending on their circumstances and may be able to claim for some of these expenses to be reimbursed. Students are advised to check with the relevant student funding agencies if there is a way of reclaiming the travel and accommodation expenses incurred on placement.
• The cost of the PVG check (£18 or £59 depending on the level of clearance required*) and the professional indemnity insurance are the responsibility of the student. Currently the cost of the health check is funded by the Scottish Government for Scottish students only and other students are responsible for this cost. This is however subject to change should the Scottish Government change their funding policy.
  Students may have additional costs for vaccines and blood tests (up to approximately £90, normally), depending on their medical history.
• Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and international students will also be liable for additional fees to cover the cost of health clearance, badges and uniforms. The current cost is around £95. SAAS funded home (Scottish) students do not pay for their uniforms.

*Please note that this cost is subject to change.

Terms and Conditions

The delivery of this course is subject to the terms and conditions set out in our 2024/25 Entry Terms and Conditions (Undergraduate).

QMU

You can find out more about this course by viewing the Master of Speech and Language Therapy course presentation