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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 older population. 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

During your first two years, you’ll join a diverse cohort of students, exploring the fundamental principles of speech and language therapy and gain hands-on practice experience through placement-based learning.

As you progress, you will move on to either the BSc (Hons) or the undergraduate Master’s pathway depending on your aspirations and performance. Both pathways develop professional skills, knowledge and attributes through a combination of university and placement-based learning. The undergraduate Master’s offer an opportunity to delve deeper into areas such as leadership, service improvement, research and public health, at a higher level.

Upon graduation, both pathways lead to eligibility for registration with the HCPC, opening doors to a fulfilling career in speech and language therapy.

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 Years One and Two you will complete lifespan placements in 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. In addition, you will have an opportunity to attend a Peer Enhanced E-Placement. A simulated clinical placement experience, undertaken with your peers and supervised by a practice educator. You will attend a block placement in the summer period between Years Three and Four that is typically completed within four weeks. 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 1ÌýÌý

Year Two

You will:

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

Modules

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

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 conditions acquired in adulthood and related to sensory, cognitive and physical impairments where communication is impacted;
• 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: Social Communication (Developmental)
• 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   Ìý

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 2024) but may differ slightly to those offered in 2025. 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, RMPS, History, Geography, Classics, Music) 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

• The cost of professional indemnity insurance is the responsibility of the student. For more information on this, visit the  page on our website.
• The additional costs associated with placement travel and accommodation are the responsibility of the student. Students who receive SAAS funding may be able to claim for some of these expenses to be reimbursed.
• Uniform, PVG and badge costs – please see page on our website.

Disability/health conditions

If you have a disability, long-term physical or mental health condition, or learning disability, it should not stand in the way of your studying at QMU. However, if you are not sure whether your disability might be a barrier in your studies or in relation to the professional standards, please contact the disability service who will be able to have a conversation with you about reasonable adjustments and supports available to you.

How to apply

Application for this course should be made through . More application information is available in the 'Start your Application' box at the top right of this page.

Terms and Conditions

• The delivery of this course is subject to the terms and conditions set out in our 2025/26 Entry Terms and Conditions (Undergraduate).
• The course information on this page is correct at the time of posting (Feb 2024) but may differ slightly for 2025 entry. Please check back here for updates.

QMU

Email Admissions. You can also email the Speech and Language Therapy Team.