Speech and Language Therapy (Pre-registration) | MSc

Course Overview

Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) is a growing profession which offers a range of career options; from working with children, adults, people with learning disabilities, and in education and healthcare settings such as hospitals, schools, clinics, in the community, and in people's own homes.

Those who access SLT services may have speech, language, communication, or eating and swallowing needs related to childhood development, learning disabilities, or may have acquired a difficulty in relation to a condition (such as stroke, brain injury, neurological condition, hearing impairment, dementia or mental health).

This programme offers the opportunity for graduates to fast track beyond their first degree into rewarding professional careers. A range of learning opportunities are supported by academic team in the University, in partnership with Speech and Language Therapists in practice settings.

As well as self directed study and assignments, learners will access teaching within their own cohort on campus and online. Our aim is to develop confident, reflective, and resilient professionals who are able to apply their theoretical knowledge flexibly to meet the unique needs of individuals and their families or carers.

The interprofessional components of the course aim to develop skilled and compassionate practitioners who have the confidence to promote professional, social, and political change in health and social care. Collaborative working with peers from a variety of disciplines promotes teamwork, and an application of research skills in the transformation of health and social care services.

In practice settings, a series of placements in local Speech and Language Therapy services, where each learner under the supervision of a registered SLT learns to practice the clinical and professional skills. Successful completion of this programme provides eligibility to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

The programme is based upon the guidance of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, the Health and Care Professions Council Standards of Proficiency for Speech and Language Therapists.

Why Choose Lincoln

Guest lecturers with specialist skills and experience

A focus on theoretical knowledge, understanding, and practical experience

Teaching led by registered Speech and Language Therapists

Registered with Health and Care Professions Council

Complete a research project in a specialist area

How You Study

The two year programme is full time and delivered via blended learning methods including self directed learning, face-to-face teaching, practical, and simulated, as well as practice learning undertaken on placements.

Students typically spend Mondays and Tuesdays undertaking self-directed and guided study linked to current modules and placements. Teaching is then expected to take place on Wednesday, Thursday, and Fridays.

Timetables may be adjusted when you are on placement.

Modules

† Some courses may offer optional modules. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.

Applied Sciences in Speech and Language Therapy 2024-25SPL9001MLevel 72024-25This module aims to develop students' understanding of the biological, medical, psychological, and social sciences that underpin the scientific knowledge of speech and language therapy. Students will use directed and self-directed learning to complete their understanding of these foundations of clinical practice.CoreClinical and Professional Practice for Speech and language Therapists (Children) 2024-25SPL9002MLevel 72024-25This module will draw from the basic understanding of biomedical science, psychology, and social science. Students will have the opportunity to learn how to apply the analysis and transcription skills required for effective clinical practice.CoreClinical and Professional Practice for Speech and Language Therapists (Lifespan and Adults) 2024-25SPL9003MLevel 72024-25Students will be able to complete the development of their professional skills in readiness for applying to Health and Care Professions Council for registration. Focus will be centred around their clinical skills development and how speech and language therapists can support adults and young people with communication difficulties.CoreContributing to the Evidence Base 2024-25HEA9465MLevel 72024-25This module aims to develop and improve skills of independent enquiry and practice-focussed research. The module will support students to develop an understanding of a range of research approaches that can be used to address research questions allowing them to develop an evidence-based approach to their practice.CoreEating, Drinking and Swallowing 2024-25SPL9004MLevel 72024-25This module aims to provide students with the competence needed to assess and manage people with EDS and formulate a clear plan for their further development needs.CoreEssential Interprofessional Practice 2024-25HEA9432MLevel 72024-25This module has been designed to provide students with the opportunity to develop essential knowledge and understanding about the structure and function of health and social care in the UK. The module will support students in making the transition to Master's level study and assist them in the development of key skills such as critical evaluation, reflection, and using evidence to underpin practice.CoreImproving Population Health and Wellbeing 2024-25HEA9431MLevel 72024-25Population health and a population health approach aims to improve the health and wellbeing of a population, this could be at a local, regional or national level. It is about improving both mental and physical health outcomes, wellbeing and reducing health inequalities. It includes action to reduce ill health, ensure appropriate health and care services are provided and the wider determinants of health. It requires working with communities and partner agencies (Holmes, 2022). Lifestyle choices are increasing the risk of preventable diseases and affecting individual's wellbeing. People are living longer with more multiple long-term conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and asthma and the health inequality gap in increasing. Population health is one of the core strategic aims of integrated care systems (ICSs); to improve physical and mental health outcomes, promote wellbeing and reduce health inequalities across an entire population, focusing on the wider determinants of health (NHS England, 2023).CorePractical Linguistics and Phonetics 2024-25SPL9005MLevel 72024-25This module contributes to the development of clinically applied knowledge in speech and language therapy practice. It builds upon an understanding of language and psychological development across the lifespan and runs in parallel with placement one, where students will have the opportunity to practice real-time transcription skills in natural settings such as nurseries, schools, and care homes.CoreService Evaluation for Clinical Practice 2024-25HEA9433MLevel 72024-25This module provides the learner with a knowledge and skills of appropriate quality improvement tools to systematically evaluate an area of service delivery within their field of practice. The module will support students to critically examine current research and audit practices in order to systematically reviewing the literature to find alternative ways of working to improve patient outcomes. Students will be expected to prepare a business case proposal for change within their professional area.CoreSpeech and Language Therapy Placement 4 2024-25SPL9009Level 72024-25Students will work full-time in a clinical setting for a four-week period alongside newly registered speech and language therapists i.e. at band 5 or equivalent. This module aims to develop students' clinical reasoning skills, learning how to plan and evaluate safe, personalised evidence-informed practice with light supervision by the practice educator. Their practice at the end of the placement will ideally equate to what is expected of a newly registered speech and language therapist.CoreSpeech and Language Therapy Placement 1 2024-25SPL9006Level 72024-25During placement, students will be able to develop their skills in reflective practice, building on the introductions made in Clinical and Professional Practice (children) and Essential Interprofessional Practice modules.CoreSpeech and Language Therapy Placement 2 2024-25SPL9007Level 72024-25This placement module aims to develop students' professional skills in a clinical setting for the first time. Each student will be supervised by one or more practice educators.CoreSpeech and Language Therapy Placement 3 2024-25SPL9008Level 72024-25This module will provide students with opportunities to apply theoretical and simulated learning about Eating, Drinking and Swallowing module in a clinical setting and to complete competencies, signed off by practice educators. Students will be able to consider how the basics of health improvement and public health can be applied alongside clinical interventions in the practice setting (Applied Health Improvement).CoreSpeech and Language Therapy - Enrichment placement 2024-25SPL9010Level 72024-25This module will encourage students to supplement other practice education placements with the opportunity to learn about the settings and organisations that support people with communication and/or swallowing difficulties or specific settings where speech and language therapists work or to broaden their understanding of UK healthcare or education provision with an international perspective of the profession.Optional

What You Need to Know

We want you to have all the information you need to make an informed decision on where and what you want to study. In addition to the information provided on this course page, our What You Need to Know page offers explanations on key topics including programme validation/revalidation, additional costs, contact hours, and our return to face-to-face teaching.

Placements

Each student will undertake at least 525 hours practice learning, where they will be placed into local services developing their clinical and professional skills in different healthcare and education settings, working with children and adults who have speech, language, communication and eating and swallowing needs. Students will be supported by a registered Speech and Language Therapist (Practice Educator) and a tutor from the University.

Students may be required to travel to their placements. The costs attached to placements are reimbursed by the University, and uniforms are provided to all students.

Accreditations

The letters RCSLT next to four blue squares

Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists

This programme is accredited by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT). This means the planned design of the course curriculum meets the gold standard for pre-registration speech and language therapy programmes. Students will be encouraged to become an RCSLT member, which is free of charge to students and provides a wealth of resources and networks to support their development as trainee speech and language therapists.

Health and Care Professions Council

This course is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Successful completion of this programme will provide graduates with the eligibility to apply to register with the Health and Care Professionals Council.

How you are assessed

A wide range of assessment methods are used through the course, which have been specifically designed to provide further learning opportunities for students, and to allow them to demonstrate skills which will be required in their career as speech and language therapists. These may include: written reports, practical skills tests, presentations, portfolio development, and case studies.

Career Development

Postgraduate study is an investment in yourself and your future. It can help you to further or completely change your career, develop your knowledge, enhance your salary, or even prepare you to start your own business. Once you have completed this course, you will be able to explore oppotunities in a wide range of settings, including healthcare and education.

Why Postgraduate Study?

How to Apply

Postgraduate Application Support

Applying for a postgraduate programme at Lincoln is easy. Find out more about the application process and what you'll need to complete on our How to Apply page. Here, you'll also be able to find out more about the entry requirements we accept and how to contact us for dedicated support during the process.

How to Apply

Entry Requirements 2024-25

Entry Requirements

Entry Requirements

Please note, this programme is not currently available to international applicants.

A 2:2 degree in a related subject such as biological or medical science, psychology, linguistics, English language, health and social care, or child development.

A first degree in any subject with experience of working in a speech and language therapy service, or in any healthcare, social care or education setting where people with speech, language, and communication difficulties are supported.

Applicants should also be able to describe their experiences of:
-working with or observing adults and/or children with speech, language and communication needs
or
-their understanding of the full range of the speech, language and communication difficulties and the ways in which these impact the lives of adults and children and their families.

Entry to the programme is subject to an interview, which is underpinned by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Professional Standards.

Other requirements include:

- Satisfactory completion of an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), including a check of all cautions and warnings as well as convictions, before their place on the course is confirmed. Note that the University will pay the costs of this check directly on your behalf.

- Be able to communicate in English to the standard equivalent to Level 8 of the International English Language Testing system, with no element below 7.5. The requirement is stricter for speech and language therapists than for all other HCPC professions, as communication in English is a core professional skills (standard 14.20, Standards of Proficiency for Speech and Language Therapists).

Applicants with disabilities:

We take seriously our obligation to make reasonable adjustments to ensure that all students with disabilities can successfully complete their studies. All applicants will be assessed on the basis of the criteria outlined here regardless of any disability. If you declare a disability we will invite you to work with us to explore how best we can support your studies.

Other information:

You must declare all spent and unspent criminal convictions including (but not limited to) cautions, reprimands, final warnings, bind over orders or similar and details of any minor offences, fixed penalty notices, penalty notices for disorder, ASBOs or VOOs.

Further information can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/disclosure-and-barring-service. If you would like further information about entry requirements, or would like to discuss whether the qualifications you are currently studying are acceptable, please contact the admissions team on 01522 886097, or email admissions@lincoln.ac.uk.

Interviews

Applicants are interviewed online in groups of up to six, where they are expected to answer questions and engage in discussions. Prior to the interview, preparatory reading will be shared for the discussion activity.

Course Fees

You will need to have funding in place for your studies before you arrive at the University. Our fees vary depending on the course, mode of study, and whether you are a UK or international student. You can view the breakdown of fees for this programme below.

Course Fees

The University offers a range of merit-based, subject-specific, and country-focused scholarships for UK and international students. To help support students from outside of the UK, we offer a number of international scholarships which range from £1,000 up to the value of 50 per cent of tuition fees. For full details and information about eligibility, visit our scholarships and bursaries pages.

Funding Your Study

Postgraduate Funding Options

Find out more about the optional available to support your postgraduate study, from Master's Loans to scholarship opportunities. You can also find out more about how to pay your fees and access support from our helpful advisors.

Explore Funding Options

Two students working on a laptop in a study space

Postgraduate Events

To get a real feel for what it is like to study at the University of Lincoln, we hold a number of dedicated postgraduate events and activities throughout the year for you to take part in.

Upcoming Postgraduate Events