About Speech and Language Sciences, BSc (Hons) - at Newcastle University

Course Overview

This degree equips you with the specialist knowledge and practical skills needed to become a Speech and Language Therapist (SLT).

At a Glance

UCAS Code
B620

UCAS Institution Name and Code
NEWC, N21

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Degree Awarded
BSc Honours

Course Duration
4 Years

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Entry Requirements
A Level: AAB
IB: 35 points

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Opportunities
Professionally accredited

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Highlights of this degree

SLTs are responsible for assessing and treating people who have difficulty communicating. This might include:

• children learning to talk, read or write
• adults who have trouble expressing themselves as a result of a health issue
• people who have difficulty swallowing or using their voice

We use case-based teaching and high levels of clinical work to prepare you for your future career. This includes experience in our campus clinics and placements in the community.

The degree is professionally accredited and graduates will be qualified to practise in speech and languages therapy. This is a highly rewarding career that can significantly improve patients' quality of life.

Quality and ranking

Quality and ranking

Newcastle was the first UK university to offer a degree leading to a clinical qualification in speech and language therapy in 1959. Today, we continue to offer one of the UK's leading speech and language sciences degrees.

We are ranked in the top ten in the UK for Aural and Oral Sciences in The Complete University Guide 2017. We also rank 4th in the UK for overall student satisfaction in the 2016 National Student Survey, with a score of 93% (in the Aural and Oral Science category).

Professional accreditation

Professional accreditation

This programme is professionally accredited by the:

• Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
• Health and Care Professions Council

Graduates will be eligible to apply for professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council, and qualified to practise as a speech and language therapist.

You can also become a full member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.

What you will study

What you will study

This degree teaches you to accurately describe the symptoms of communication disorder, after which you learn to analyse patterns of disorder, make a diagnosis, and devise a treatment plan.

Stage 1 lays the foundation for more advanced study at later Stages. We introduce you to case-based problem solving and you study topics such as:

• the anatomy of speech and language
• developmental psychology

In Stage 2 you begin to take responsibility for assessment and treatment of cases in the University clinics, under the supervision of our expert staff. You continue to learn topics such as:

• linguistics
• phonetics

Stage 3 delivers more advanced modules on topics such as:

• neuropsychology
• research methods and statistics

You also undertake placements in a community clinic.

In Stage 4 you have another placement to further develop your practical skills for your career. You also conduct in-depth studies, including a dissertation on subject that interests you .

See the Course Details section for more in-depth information on the modules available at each Stage.

Clinical experience

Clinical experience

We know that practical experience is important to help prepare you for your future career, so at Newcastle you gain clinical experience throughout your degree. The amount of time you spend on clinical practice increases in each year of the course.

You will have substantial experience of clinical work with adults and children in:

• community clinics
• hospitals
• schools
• specialist units

In Stage 2, you gain individual and group therapy experience in our campus clinics.

At Stage 3 you spend half a day each week on a placement in a clinic in the community in the first semester and a six-week block placement in the second semester.

At Stage 4 you undertake a second six-week placement, as well as gaining supervised experience of evaluating a clinical service.

Facilities and support

You will be based in the School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences.

Facilities

You will have access to:

• a language analysis lab for transcription and analysis of recorded samples of language and for teaching
• an audio visual lab
• a recording studio

Our on-site clinics where you will gain practical experience include:

• the Tavistock Aphasia Centre
• The Literacy Clinic - specialising in literacy and dyslexia
• the Children's Speech and Language Clinic

Support

You will have an academic member of staff as a personal tutor throughout your degree. They can 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.

Social activities

We have a very active student society, which organises a wide range of social events. The Society also organises a range of activities to raise awareness of speech and language therapy amongst students and the general public.

Teaching and assessment

Study at the cutting edge

Research shapes the content of our undergraduate degrees and makes sure that you have the chance to cover the most up-to-date theories and discoveries. We engage in research in partnership with the NHS through the North East Speech and Language Therapy Research Collaboration (NESLTRC).

Our research covers the following areas:

• communication disorders in adults
• child language
• phonetics

Teaching methods

Small group case-based problem solving is central to clinical teaching. This is supplemented by lectures, seminars and, in Stages 2 to 4, clinical placements.

Assessment methods

You will be assessed by a combination of:

• formal examinations
• class tests
• essay assignments
• oral and written case presentations

Find out more

Teaching and assessment methods may vary from module to module. More information about each module including specific assessment methods, credits and contact hours, can be found in the Course Details section.

Visit our Teaching and Learning pages to read about the outstanding learning experience available to all students at Newcastle University.

Student profile

I particularly enjoy the focus our course has on clinical experience. There is so much variety

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Entry requirements for this course

Contact Newcastle University to find course entry requirements.

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