Speech and language therapists work alongside children and adults who have difficulties with speech, language, communication, feeding and/or swallowing. Through holistic assessment and management, speech and language therapists collaborate with the individual, their family and/or their carer to provide person-centred care that encompasses health, wellbeing, participation and quality of life.

• The course has been co-developed by practising speech and language therapists with extensive clinical experience.
• Service users and carers, who are part of the University’s Public Partnership Group, have contributed and will continue to be involved in developing your clinical and professional capabilities through planning and assisting with teaching and simulation sessions.
• Each module is based on a lifespan approach that integrates theory with practical skills in a balanced mix across both paediatrics and adults.
• Placements will incorporate all age groups in a variety of contexts and environments including education, hospitals and clinics, as well as in the University's Telehealth programme.
• The course emphasises life-long transferable skills for graduates to implement in a variety of related career pathways such as clinical, research, leadership and education.

Speech and language therapists work with neonates, babies, infants, children, young people, the elderly and those who may require palliative care and/or are approaching the end of life. Difficulties in speech, language, communication, feeding and/or swallowing may arise as a result of a congenital condition (cerebral palsy, Down's syndrome, cleft lip and palate), neurodevelopmental disorder (developmental language disorder, autism spectrum disorder, learning disability), acquired condition (stroke, traumatic brain injury), progressive neurological condition (dementia, motor neurone disease), respiratory condition, head and neck cancer and/or mental health condition. Speech and language therapists may also acquire specialist skills in tracheostomy and laryngectomy care or investigations including a videofluoroscopy (a moving x-ray of the swallow) or fibreoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (a flexible camera to observe the throat area).

The course is accredited by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) and regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Through three overarching themes of clinical and professional skills, underpinning knowledge and underpinning clinical knowledge you’ll have the opportunity to develop interdisciplinary knowledge and the core capabilities to undertake holistic assessment and management of individuals across the lifespan with a range of speech and language therapy related difficulties.

The course content will reflect and represent contemporary issues including mental capacity, ethical dilemmas in feeding, palliative and end of life care and telehealth. Your teaching and learning will have a strong collaborative and interdisciplinary focus. Speech and language therapists work interprofessionally, therefore you’ll study with students from other healthcare professions including physiotherapists, occupational therapists, operating department practitioners, podiatrists, nurses and midwives.

The Government has announced that students studying this course will be eligible to receive a non-repayable grant of at least £5,000 each year. Further information is available on the NHS Learning Support Fund website..

Placements

Practice education is an important and compulsory part of the course. You’ll be required by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) to successfully complete assessed clinical and professional practice through single day and block weekly placements throughout the three years in a range of health, social and third sector care settings, typically within the West Yorkshire region. Please note that you may be required to travel for/during your placements, with associated costs.

You might incur additional costs associated with practice-based learning such as travel and accommodation. To support these costs, you may be eligible to access the NHS Learning Support Fund. In addition you may claim reimbursement of some of your expenses for travel to practice placement, where costs are in excess of your usual daily travel to and from University. Where it is not possible or practical for you to travel to your practice placement from your normal University address, you may be able to claim the costs of taking temporary accommodation.

You’ll be provided with placement opportunities working with both paediatric and adult services across a variety of service user groups. You’ll have opportunities to participate in simulated practice, enabling you to develop your skills in a safe and controlled environment, which will also contribute to the total number of practice education sessions required. You’ll also have the opportunity to participate in our Telehealth and Teletherapy Practice. For more information visit our placements page.

Your Career

Upon successful graduation and subject to course approval, you’ll be eligible for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and for membership with the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT).

You could work within the NHS, education settings, independent practice, charities and medico-legal firms, including overseas/international locations. Alternatively, you could decide to specialise in a particular area and/or undertake a qualification in advanced clinical practice. You may also have the opportunity to undertake research or work in leadership, management and higher education settings.