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Health Therapies at UEA
Find out more about studying Health Therapies at UEA, and browse our other courses.
Find out moreBSc (Hons) Speech and Language Therapy
Key Details
- Award
- Degree of Bachelor of Science
- UCAS Course Code
- B620
- Typical Offer
- ABB
- Contextual Offer
- BBC
- Course Length
- 3 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2027
Other Start Dates
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95%
Of graduates go on to work and/or study within 15 months after the course
Graduate Outcomes Survey 2022-23Course Overview
Why BSc Speech & Language Therapy at UEA?
Join our friendly and established three-year full-time programme to arm you with the theory, methods and skills to embark on a career as a speech and language therapist. You'll be introduced to a diverse range of speech, language, communication and swallowing needs across the lifespan, in a supportive close-knit multiprofessional environment that focuses on building your transferable skills.
Why choose UEA?
- Project-sustained curriculum: Our unique innovative design supports your knowledge and skill development through ten career-beneficial practical projects on our highly integrated and contextualised modules
- Supportive placement structure: Build your confidence in service user interaction from your very first term with our established Conversation Partners programme
- Specialist staff and resources: Learn from our broad and passionate range of experienced clinicians and subject-area specialists in areas such as phonetics, linguistics, psychology and anatomy, with regular support from local leading clinicians and service users. Make use of our Clinical Skills Area resources to support your study
What is BSc Speech & Language Therapy?
Our Speech and Language Therapy programme trains you to support individuals and their families living with a wide range of communication and/or swallowing needs, working with people of any age and from any background.
Your course will interweave the disciplines of linguistics, phonetics, psychology, and biology in a wide-ranging exploration of speech and language therapy research and practice, including your completion of pre-registration eating, drinking and swallowing competencies.
In studying BSc Speech and Language Therapy at UEA, you'll be supported to integrate your learning as you go. As you explore aspects of Speech and Language Therapy theory as well as the contributory disciplines, you'll begin to consider their relevance to clinical practice through a series of client-group-orientated modules.
Your practice education journey begins with confidence-building experiences focusing on core supported communication and reflection skills in year one. This is followed by two block placements with practice partners across the region in year 2 and an extended placement in year three.
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Accreditations
This course is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and successful completion of the course satisfies the academic requirements for professional registration, which in turn allows use of the protected titles of ‘Speech and Language Therapist’ and ‘Speech Therapist’. Our refreshed curriculum is currently undergoing reaccreditation by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT).
Careers
Career Pathways
With a BSc in Speech & Language Therapy, you could launch a career in a range of settings:
- NHS and community services
Supporting individuals to regain independence following illness, injury, or life changes, or supporting children’s development of communication skills - Education sector
Supporting young people and their educators in school and nursery settings - Justice sector
For example, supporting individuals in offenders’ institutions or through advocacy services - Independent and voluntary sectors
- Working in private practice and/or charitable organisations in a range of different settings
- Higher Education and Research
Teaching and research roles which support this growing field and profession
Career Support
Employability is embedded throughout the course and is at the heart of our Project-Sustained Learning curriculum. You'll develop professional skills through placements, collaborative learning and practical experiences. You'll be supported by academic advisors and placement educators, with opportunities to optimise your employability threaded throughout the programme and to support your confidence with entering professional practice.
Also, UEA Career Central will support you both during your time at UEA and after graduation.
After the Course
Graduates from this programme are widely employed across the NHS and in education and independent sectors throughout the UK and beyond. Some graduates have progressed to careers in higher education in teaching and/or research, including some staff on our programme!
The transferable skills you develop on this course will also equip you well for further training in health or education (e.g. PGCE) and for roles further afield which involve communication skills, problem-solving and disability awareness.
Study and Modules
Structure
In your first year, you'll be introduced to the core concepts relating to speech and language therapy in the areas of linguistics, phonetics, psychology and biology, as well as speech and language therapy theory and practice, and consider how communication and swallowing evolve, with a particular focus on children’s speech and language development. Through client group study, you'll gain an understanding of basic approaches to intervention appropriate for stuttering and cluttering and vocal tract differences such as voice disorders. On top of this, you'll be introduced to what it means to be an evidence-based healthcare professional, with some teaching shared with Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy students.
You'll also undertake two pre-clinical placements which will explore the subjects of acquired communication difficulties and working with children and spend up to a week exploring clinical settings. These placements will enable you to develop and hone your communication and reflection skills.
Compulsory Modules
Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Structure
In your second year, you'll explore further aspects of paediatric speech and language therapy, such as developmental speech and language disorders, and the speech, language and swallowing needs that can arise through acute-onset neurological conditions such as stroke. You'll develop your research skills, learning to interpret and appraise data and how it informs intervention. You'll address more of the core clinical skills and undertake two separate placement blocks. The year finishes with a return to campus for a short learning block to support the bridge into year three.
Compulsory Modules
Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Structure
Your third-year study will focus on the communication and swallowing aspects relevant to working with intellectual and neurodevelopmental disabilities and progressive neurological conditions. You'll increasingly focus on clinical decision making and planning interventions for clients. You'll also complete a structured literature review on a question of your choosing. You'll undertake further clinical skill sessions and professional development, and an extended clinical block placement.
Compulsory Modules
Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning, and Assessment
Teaching and Learning
You'll learn through a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops, and directed and independent study, while the programme’s project-sustained learning (PSL) curriculum will involve both extended group and independent study as you create resources to support placement and your future careers.
This is a full-time programme with commitment required for up to five days a week, though days with timetabled teaching vary from two to five across the course. Several terms also have independent study weeks, coinciding where possible with the Norfolk school half terms. The majority of our teaching takes place in person, with selected elements of the programme taught through directed study and a small portion through online classes.
Directed and independent study is supported by access to the university’s extensive library facilities, as well as our SLT Clinical Skills Area with its wide range of clinical speech and language therapy assessments and other resources including specialist phonetic software.
Throughout the first year, placements enable you to develop your core communication skills. This gives you confidence in adapting your communication and supporting others regardless of their age, communication difficulty or setting. First year placements involve experience with a Conversation Partner (an adult with communication difficulties usually following stroke or head injury), a week orientating to clinical speech and language therapy environments, and three weeks with children in education settings.
The year two projects and content build on your skills and knowledge from year one and you'll be supported to become increasingly independent with your clinical reasoning.
The third year sees further clinical modules in the first term, building and extending your knowledge base, and the development of your literature review. The spring term is dedicated to the extended clinical placement, before submitted the literature review in the summer term.
The clinical block placements involve a five-day-week commitment and are hosted by practice partners mainly across the east of England including NHS trusts, private clinics, schools and our in-house Hub. These will give you the opportunity to integrate theory and practice under the supervision of a qualified Speech & Language Therapist and with support from university staff.
Assessment
Our assessments ensure you can evidence your learning while also providing opportunities to develop wider clinically-relevant skills such as presenting, sharing clinical reasoning and thinking critically.
Your preparation for summative assessments will be supported by a range of formative tasks, which include the ten group projects forming the spine of the curriculum.
A variety of summative assessment formats are introduced across the first year and continue across all years to assess your knowledge as appropriate to the content and the field, such as case-based assignments, classroom or practical tests and presentations.
You complete your third year with an extended piece of writing on a topic relevant to clinical practice or its contributory disciplines.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
We welcome and value a wide range of qualifications, and we recognise that some students might take a mixture of different qualifications. We have listed typical examples that we accept for entry.
You should hold or be working towards the specified English and Mathematics requirements, GCSE requirements and one of the examples of typical entry qualifications listed below. If your qualifications aren’t listed, or if you are taking a combination of qualifications that isn’t specified, please contact Admissions.
- English and Mathematics
All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics at minimum grade 4 or grade C.
We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies page.
- Additional GCSE Requirements
We also require 5 GCSEs at a minimum grade 4 or grade C, including Mathematics, English Language, and at least one Science subject.
If you hold or are working towards Mathematics and English Language GCSEs but do not hold 5 GCSEs/a science GCSE, please contact Admissions.
- Contextual Offers
UEA are committed to ensuring that Higher Education is accessible to all, regardless of their background or experiences. One of the ways we do this is through our contextual admissions schemes(opens in a new window).
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
A levels
ABB.
Contextual offer: BBC.
BTEC
Level 3 Extended Diploma: DDM in Health, Care, Science, Applied Psychology or Children's Play, Learning and Development.
Contextual offer: DMM in Health, Care, Science, or Applied Psychology or Children's Play, Learning and Development.
See BTEC / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 section below for further information on accepted subjects.
Access to HE Diploma
Pass Access to HE Diploma with Distinction in 30 credits at Level 3 and Merit in 15 credits at Level 3, in a Health, Care, Science or Psychology subject.
Contextual offer: Pass the Access to HE Diploma with Merit in 30 credits at Level 3 and Pass in 15 credits at Level 3 in Health, Care, Science or Psychology subject.
T levels
Obtain an overall Merit. Acceptable subjects: Any.
- Further Examples of Typical Entry Requirements
- Non-Academic Entry Requirements
Offers will be made to applicants after completion of successful interviews and will be subject to a satisfactory occupational health check, including evidence of appropriate immunisations. Failure to meet the placement vaccination policy may prevent you from joining the course or may lead to your withdrawal from the course in the future. Offers are also subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)(opens in a new window) check. Future employment may be subject to these conditions. Where applicable, an Overseas Police Check may be required. We will let you know what you need to do (and when) to meet these conditions if you are successful in gaining an offer.
If you have previously studied at degree level in a health-related subject , we will consider the relevance, level, recentness, and outcome of that study alongside evidence of your academic potential to succeed on the course. Applicants with incomplete or unsuccessful prior study may be required to provide additional information.
- Interviews
The strongest applicants will be invited to interview. Please note that meeting (or being predicted to meet) the minimum academic entry requirements will not guarantee that you will be selected for interview.
Interview invitations will be sent by email. Please keep a close eye on all emails from UEA after you submit your UCAS application. For more information on the application process and what to expect at each step, take a look at our handy Applying to HSC infographic(opens in a new window), which explains the application journey from start to finish.
- Placements
Placement allocation primarily takes place across a variety of settings, which may include hospitals, community services, general practice, social services, and voluntary or private organisations. These placements are predominantly located throughout the counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, and Cambridgeshire.
As this course includes patient facing placements in health or social care settings, and these are a mandatory component of the course, you will need to comply with the placement vaccination policy. Failure to meet the placement vaccination policy may prevent you from joining the course or may lead to your withdrawal from the course in the future. Future employment may also be subject to this condition.
- Deferred Entry
We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
- Progression
Once enrolled onto a course at UEA, your progression and continuation (which may include eligibility for study abroad, overseas experience, placement or year in industry opportunities) is contingent on meeting the assessment requirements which are relevant to the course on which you are enrolled.
- Recent Study
We would prefer you to be able to demonstrate evidence of recent academic study within 5 years of the start of the course. If your last qualification will have been completed more than 5 years ago by the time the course starts, please contact Admissions.
- Age on Entry
Applicants for this course need to be aged 18 or over by the 31 August 2027. This is owing to the integrated nature of placements within the first year of the course and safeguarding implications. In view of this, applicants who will not be 18 years old or over by this date, should consider applying for deferred entry.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
We welcome and value a wide range of qualifications, and we recognise that some students might take a mixture of different qualifications. We have listed typical examples that we accept for entry.
You should hold or be working towards the specified English and Mathematics requirements, GCSE requirements and one of the examples of typical entry qualifications listed below. If your qualifications aren’t listed, or if you are taking a combination of qualifications that isn’t specified, please contact Admissions.
- English and Mathematics
All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics at minimum grade 4 or grade C.
We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies page.
- Additional GCSE Requirements
We also require 5 GCSEs at a minimum grade 4 or grade C, including Mathematics, English Language, and at least one Science subject.
If you hold or are working towards Mathematics and English Language GCSEs but do not hold 5 GCSEs/a science GCSE, please contact Admissions.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
A levels
ABB.
International Baccalaureate
32 points overall.
We accept many international qualifications for entry to this course. For specific details about your country, view our information for International Students(opens in a new window).
- UEA International Study Centre
If you do not meet the academic and/or English language requirements for direct entry our partner, UEA International Study Centre(opens in a new window) offers progression on to this undergraduate degree upon successful completion of a preparation programme. Depending on your interests, and your qualifications you can take a variety of routes to this degree.
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
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IELTS: 7.5 overall (minimum 7.5 in reading, speaking and listening, and 7.0 in writing)
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies(opens in a new window) for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, UEA International Study Centre offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study:
English language at UEA International Study Centre(opens in a new window)
Communication in English is a core professional skill for speech and language therapists. The required standard of proficiency in English, which you will need to be able to meet upon completion of the programme, is IELTS 8.0 overall, with no component below 7.5.
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- Non-Academic Entry Requirements
Offers will be made to applicants after completion of successful interviews and will be subject to a satisfactory occupational health check, including evidence of appropriate immunisations. Failure to meet the placement vaccination policy may prevent you from joining the course or may lead to your withdrawal from the course in the future. Offers are also subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)(opens in a new window) check. Future employment may be subject to these conditions. Where applicable, an Overseas Police Check may be required. We will let you know what you need to do (and when) to meet these conditions if you are successful in gaining an offer.
If you have previously studied at degree level in a health-related subject , we will consider the relevance, level, recentness, and outcome of that study alongside evidence of your academic potential to succeed on the course. Applicants with incomplete or unsuccessful prior study may be required to provide additional information.
- Interviews
The strongest applicants will be invited to interview. Please note that meeting (or being predicted to meet) the minimum academic entry requirements will not guarantee that you will be selected for interview.
Interview invitations will be sent by email. Please keep a close eye on all emails from UEA after you submit your UCAS application. For more information on the application process and what to expect at each step, take a look at our handy Applying to HSC infographic(opens in a new window), which explains the application journey from start to finish.
- Placements
Placement allocation primarily takes place across a variety of settings, which may include hospitals, community services, general practice, social services, and voluntary or private organisations. These placements are predominantly located throughout the counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, and Cambridgeshire.
As this course includes patient facing placements in health or social care settings, and these are a mandatory component of the course, you will need to comply with the placement vaccination policy. Failure to meet the placement vaccination policy may prevent you from joining the course or may lead to your withdrawal from the course in the future. Future employment may also be subject to this condition.
- Deferred Entry
We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
- Progression
Once enrolled onto a course at UEA, your progression and continuation (which may include eligibility for study abroad, overseas experience, placement or year in industry opportunities) is contingent on meeting the assessment requirements which are relevant to the course on which you are enrolled.
- Recent Study
We would prefer you to be able to demonstrate evidence of recent academic study within 5 years of the start of the course. If your last qualification will have been completed more than 5 years ago by the time the course starts, please contact Admissions.
- Age on Entry
Applicants for this course need to be aged 18 or over by the 31 August 2027. This is owing to the integrated nature of placements within the first year of the course and safeguarding implications. In view of this, applicants who will not be 18 years old or over by this date, should consider applying for deferred entry.
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Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2027/28 are:
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UK Students: £10,050
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International Students: £24,250
We estimate living expenses at £1,171 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here(opens in a new window).
Scholarships and Bursaries
We are committed to ensuring that costs do not act as a barrier to those aspiring to come to a world leading university and have developed a funding package to reward those with excellent qualifications and assist those from lower income backgrounds. View our range of Scholarships(opens in a new window) for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
You can find information regarding additional costs associated on our Fees and finance webpages.
How to Apply
Apply for this course through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Services (UCAS), using UCAS Hub.
UCAS Hub is a secure online application system that allows you to apply for full-time undergraduate courses at universities and colleges in the United Kingdom.
Your application does not have to be completed all at once. Register or sign in to UCAS(opens in a new window) to get started.
Once you submit your completed application, UCAS will process it and send it to your chosen universities and colleges.
The Institution code for the University of East Anglia is E14.
View our guide to applying through UCAS for useful tips, key dates and further information: