This course is intended for graduates in speech and language therapy, clinical linguistics, psychology or a related discipline with an interest in research in speech, language, communication and swallowing disorders. 

The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) recognises the programme as a Research Master's award, making it ideal preparation for a PhD under the ESRC funded 1+3 (Master's plus PhD) degree scheme linguistics strand or for students with NIHR Pre-doctoral Clinical Academic Fellowship (PCAF) funding.

The course will cover:

• research methods in the discipline appropriate to your planned dissertation project and future doctoral research
• advanced scholarship and practice in areas within that discipline as well as an awareness of current research
• design and implementation of an original investigation including statistical and/or qualitative analyses and interpretation of findings
• development of communication skills appropriate to sharing the findings of a clinical investigation with a professional audience through a conference presentation and manuscript suitable for submission to a scientific journal

A 2:1 honours degree, or equivalent, in a relevant subject area, such as:

• linguistics
• psychology
• speech and language pathology

This course is only available to those applying for a studentship from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). The course forms part of the 1+3 (Master's plus PhD) scheme under the North East Doctoral Training Centre. To start the course your application for ESRC funding must be successful. 

We will also consider your application on an individual basis if you have lower or non-standard qualifications or relevant professional experience in speech and language therapy.