MSc Speech and Language Therapy

Approved by the Health Care Professionals Council, with a purpose-built NHS and independent clinic on-site, the MSc Speech and Language Therapy is for students wishing to qualify as speech and language therapists.

This course combines theoretical knowledge with clinical practice and you will gain hands-on experience right from the start.

All candidates must have:

A good 2:1 or above (or equivalent)
direct, ongoing experience of working with clients with communication difficulties, ideally a range of client groups, both adults and children.
Good understanding of the role of a speech and language therapist and experience of speech and language therapy

See ‘Entry requirements’ tab for further details.

As a speech and language therapy student at Reading, you will benefit directly from our world-class research into subjects, such as linguistics, language development, language pathology, and bilingualism. Other areas of specialism comprise developmental and acquired speech, language and communication disorders, including fluency disorders, aphasia, dementia, autism spectrum disorders, Williams syndrome, Down syndrome, Developmental Language Disorder and dysphagia, speech sound disorder, stammering and dysphagia.

Your tutors will use a variety of teaching methods, including standard lectures, small group tutorials and seminars, observation clinics, problem based learning, online screencasts, and practical sessions.

As part of the programme, you will undertake a clinical placement and spend up to 600 hours over 2 years in different clinical settings, including schools, hospitals, community clinics, private and voluntary sector. Professional speech and language therapists will act as your practice educators.

You will have access to excellent built-in clinic facilities for observations, teaching, placement and research, as well as a speech laboratory, extensive assessment library, student common room, University library, state-of-the art lecture theatres. We are also one of the first universities to host an NHS and independent clinic in our purpose-built speech and language therapy facility on site.

This programme is recognised by The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council.

100% of graduates from Speech and Language Therapy are in work or further study within 15 months of the end of their course* *Three-year average, based on our analysis of HESA data © HESA 2022-2024, Graduate Outcomes Surveys 2019/20-2021/22; includes Postgraduate (Taught) and Postgraduate (Research) Speech and Language Therapy responders only.

For more information, please visit the School of Psychology's website.

Overview

This course combines theoretical knowledge with clinical practice and you will gain hands-on experience right from the start.

All candidates must have:

A good 2:1 or above (or equivalent)
direct, ongoing experience of working with clients with communication difficulties, ideally a range of client groups, both adults and children.
Good understanding of the role of a speech and language therapist and experience of speech and language therapy

See ‘Entry requirements’ tab for further details.

This programme is recognised by The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council.

For more information, please visit the School of Psychology's website.

Entry requirements

IELTS: 8.0 overall with no element less than 7.5

TOEFL: Minimum score of 118/120 with at least 29 in Writing, 25 in Speaking, 27 in Listening and 28 in Reading.

Entry requirements: Normally a good undergraduate honours degree (a good 2:1 or above), or equivalent from a university outside the UK, in a related field such as linguistics, psychology, medical sciences or education. Other degree subjects may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Evidence of recent study is normally required if the first degree, or a subsequent postgraduate degree, was completed more than five years ago, such as a relevant undergraduate or master's module, Access course or relevant CPD qualifications, or in some cases we may ask you to complete an assignment as part of the short-listing process.

Direct, ongoing experience of working with clients with communication difficulties (ideally a range of client groups) is essential. Experience of working with adults and children is advantageous. Candidates need to demonstrate a good understanding of the role of a speech and language therapist and have some work experience of speech and language therapy. The application process includes an interview.

Due to the popularity of our MSc Speech and Language Therapy, and the restricted numbers we are able to accept, we recommend applying as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

We must have received at least one reference before the application deadline. Please make sure you allow enough time for your referee to submit their reference before the deadline.

In order to guarantee consideration for entry in September 2025, a complete application must be received by midnight 31 January 2025.

The University of Reading has signed a joint statement with the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists that states our commitment to supporting equality, diversity and inclusion in speech and language therapy pre-registration degrees.

Structure

Modules

Compulsory modules

Clinical Practice 1

Apply your theoretical learning in a clinical environment, as you are introduced to a variety of client groups with communication problems. You’ll gain insight into the clinical role of speech and language therapists, develop your professional skills, and gain an understanding of the Health and Care Professions Council standards.

Language Acquisition and Processing

Discover the complex relationship between language and the human mind through both psychology and linguistics. As you explore theoretical approaches and study diverse populations, you’ll learn how individuals come to know their own language and what cognitive mechanisms are involved when we listen and speak.

Medicine 1

Develop a practical understanding of the human anatomy to further your knowledge of disorders seen by speech language therapists. As you explore the work of the paediatrician, the orthodontist and audiology services, you will gain an increased understanding of their relevance to speech and language therapy.

Medicine 2

Advance your understanding of brain structure and its function, as you learn about different neurological conditions and their treatment. Gain extensive knowledge of the structure and function of the ear, nose, sinuses, larynx and pharynx, and how disorders are treated by ENT and speech language and therapists.

Speech Language and Communication 1 M

Discover the range of clinical populations encountered by speech and language therapists across the lifespan. You’ll learn the key management approaches used when engaging with these client groups.

Foundations of Linguistics, Phonetics and Phonology

Explore the key concepts of linguistics, phonetics and phonology. You’ll learn how to describe, analyse and interpret both typical and clinical speech and language data.

Clinical Phonetics and Phonology

Learn how to apply the concepts of phonetics and phonology to clinical data, and how to analyse data using perceptual and instrumental approaches. You’ll explore the issues involved in data collection and representation, while developing practical skills in the transcription of clinical data.

Psychology for Speech and Language Therapy

Discover how psychological concepts are used in speech and language therapy. You’ll explore the key theories of developmental psychology, cognitive and neuropsychology, clinical psychology, and health and social psychology.

Clinical Practice 2

Develop your professional and clinical skills by assessing, diagnosing and managing communication and swallowing disorders in children and adults. This module will prepare you for graduate-level entry to the speech and language therapy profession within health and education contexts.

Speech Language and Communication 2 M (Paediatric)

Enhance your ability to make evidence-based clinical decisions in the assessment, diagnosis, management and support of speech, language and communication needs of children. As you develop your skillset, you will work with children impacted by communication difficulties such as language disorders, autism and learning disabilities alongside disorders of fluency across the lifespan.

Speech Language and Communication 3 M (Adults)

Develop knowledge of the evidence base required to assess, diagnose and manage speech, language and cognitive disorders in adults. Study a range of disorders, including dementias, aphasias, communication disorders, and motor speech disorders. You’ll draw extensively on related disciplines such as linguistics, psychology, neurology and medicine.

Research and Dissertation

Develop your critical evaluation skills and an understanding of current research issues through the design, planning and implementation of an independent research project. Focussing on speech and language therapy or a related discipline, you’ll gain knowledge of research methodology, design and statistical analysis, with the support of an assigned supervisor.

Speech Language and Communication 4 M (Across the Lifespan)

These are the modules that we currently offer for 2024/25 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Fees

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,250

New international students: £30,950

Fees information

The fees listed are for full-time study, unless otherwise stated. Fee information will be confirmed in offer letters sent out to successful applicants. You can find further information, including information for part-time study, through our dedicated fees and funding page.

EU student fees

With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government's guidance for EU students.

Additional Costs

Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.

Financial support for your studies

Training grant

The Department of Health and Social Care offers new and continuing students on Speech and Language Therapy programmes access to the Learning Support Fund, administered by the NHS Business Services Authority. This Fund includes a non-means tested Training Grant, currently (2024) set at £5,000 for each academic year for all eligible students, plus additional funds for eligible students who have parental responsibility and/or qualify for additional funds for Travel and Dual Accommodation Expenses. This fund applies even if you have already taken out loans for a previous undergraduate degree. The application process is administered by the NHS and you will be able to apply from 1 July. To apply, please visit the NHS website.

You will need to ensure you check the Learning Support Fund site regularly to keep up to date with what is being offered.

The Maintenance loan

Eligibility for the Maintenance loan is a means tested loan.

Students on the MSc Speech and Language Therapy programme may also be eligible for the Long Courses Loan, as the course is longer than 30 weeks.

This will be assessed by Student Finance England when the student applies for their main student finance.

See the Funding Clinic website for further information when applying as a mature student.

Applying for loans from Student Finance England

You can also apply for funding support through the repayable government loan scheme for master's programmes. Please visit the government website for more information.

Careers

Our MSc in Speech and Language Therapy allows graduates to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council and work as a speech and language therapist in a range of settings, such as the NHS, education, and the private or voluntary sector.

Speech and language therapists work with adults and children with a range of communication and swallowing difficulties, including children with speech and language disorders, children with a cleft palate, clients with voice disorders, clients who have had strokes or head injuries, or those who stammer.

Some therapists work in hospitals, some work in community health centres, some work in schools or specialist centres. Some speech and language therapists may decide to move into research.

MSc Speech and Language Therapy

Fees information

EU student fees

Additional Costs

Financial support for your studies

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