Postgraduate Course
Speech and Language Therapy (Pre-Registration) MSc
Start your career as a Speech and Language Therapist. Advance your foundations in scientific, linguistic and psychological knowledge alongside evidence-based practice.
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Our Speech and Language Therapy MSc has been designed to enable you to apply for registration with the professional health regulation bodies when you graduate. These are the UK Health and Professions Council (HCPC) and the UK Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT). With this degree you will be able to practice under the protected title of ‘Speech and Language Therapist’.
- Subject to final approval
York campus
- Duration – 2 years full time
- Start date – September 2025, September 2026
- School – School of Science, Technology and Health
Minimum entry requirements
2:1 honours degree in a related subject
Interview for all applicants
Tuition fees
UK 2025-26 £9,535 per year full time
International 2025-26 £18,400 per year full time
Discover Speech and Language Therapy
Shona Corker, Speech and Language Therapy Lecturer, introduces us to the subject.
Course overview
On this course, you will establish a significant role in the management of speech, language, communication and swallowing difficulties. Along the way, you will develop your resilience and ability to contribute to the challenges in public health. This, along with your learning, will inform your own practices in a range of health, education and other settings, within a diverse population.
You will be influenced by relevant, contemporary research in speech and language therapy. You will spend 565 hours in professional placement settings, gaining valuable work experience and developing resources that will prepare you for the challenges of working in health and social care. Here you'll discover and create innovative models of service delivery.
You'll develop skills in:
- Enquiry and critical thinking
- Problem setting and problem solving
- Research and analysis
- Evaluation and reflection
- Leadership and Coaching
- Collaboration and peer assessment
On campus, you will have access to our state of the art clinical facilities. These include 2 8 bed wards, clinical training spaces and consultation suites. Our facilities are built to professional standards, allowing you to develop your clinical skills in activities and simulations.
Course structure
Year 1
You can study this postgraduate course full time.
You will study:
- 7 compulsory modules in Year 1
You can find out which modules are available in each term in the Course Specifications.
20 credits | compulsory
On this module, you'll build foundational knowledge in different areas. These include:
- Understanding of where SLT sits within the evolving healthcare system
- Reflecting on your own values and what it means to be a professional SLT
- Prepare you for clinical practice and inter-professional working
Draw from and reflect on other modules to inform your learning. You'll be supported to develop critical understanding of, and practical skills in, undertaking research and evidence practice.
20 credits | compulsory
This is your introduction to the structures and systems of the human body that are relevant to SLT. You'll apply this knowledge to your emerging practice, developing skills in providing explanations of structure and function to others, including service users.
20 credits | compulsory
An integral part of your first year is being able to demonstrate skills in linguistics and phonetics which are essential to speech and language therapy. An awareness, understanding of, and respect for non-clinical diversity in speech, language and communication, underpins the module content and approach.
20 credits | compulsory
This module aims to provide you with an overview of typical speech, language, literacy, communication and cognition across the lifespan. The module aims to simultaneously highlight variation within what is considered typical speech, language and communication, as well as the factors that influence this.
10 credits | compulsory
On this module, you'll develop an overview of speech, language and communication disorders and dysphagia. You'll explore theoretical and clinical perspectives, alongside causes and psychosocial impact on individuals. The content area is revisited in more depth, and with close reference to practice, in year 2.
0 credits | compulsory
This module is your first opportunity to apply your developing theoretical knowledge and skills to use and practice with service users in professional settings. You will undertake a work placement in several child and adult-focused settings. Placements will offer a mix of observational and supervised ‘hands-on’ experience.
0 credits | compulsory
Here you'll further your practice through work placements with a practice educator. This experience will closely simulate qualified speech and language therapeutic practice. You'll learn through 2 block placements over the summer period; 1 with adult service users and 1 with children.
This structure offers enhanced potential for you to progress from initial observation to supervised practical activity with service users across placements. Placements will be supervised and assessed by practice educators.
Year 2
You can study this postgraduate course full time.
You will study:
- 6 compulsory modules in Year 1
You can find out which modules are available in each term in the Course Specifications.
30 credits | compulsory
This module has been designed to enhance your knowledge and understanding of research processes and methods in speech and language therapy. Particular focus will be given to applying this learning in relation to evidence-based practice.
You'll produce a presentation as part of module assessment, in order to enhance your experience of disseminating research in the field, and of interacting with feedback from an audience.
30 credits | compulsory
The Professional Project module provides an opportunity for you to undertake a piece of research relevant to the speech and language therapy profession. You'll draw from your theoretical and clinical learning across your training to this point. The research for the project may take the form of a systematic review or a secondary analysis of existing data.
You'll take a lead on your project, but will be supported through taught preparation and orientation sessions with academic staff. Your project choice will be supported, negotiated and refined with supervisors and developed from an initial proposal.
30 credits | compulsory
You'll be required to access, use and critique the speech and language therapy evidence base to inform learning on the module and linked clinical practice. This will help you to establish ways of working that are supportive of continuing professional development in qualified practice.
0 credits | compulsory
Develop your independent practice by leading, planning and delivering an intervention block. This block will be in both a child, and an adult, related context. You'll be supervised throughout the entire process.
At least one of the adult or child contexts will involve a significant degree of inter-professional working. Linked written and presentation assessments aim to highlight your integration of clinical skills and theoretical knowledge into practice.
0 credits | compulsory
Clinical Practice 4 represents the final placement of your learning experience and the culmination of this postgraduate course. Upon completion of this module, you'll be prepared for independent clinical work in line with profession-entry level.
10 credits | compulsory
On this module, you will synthesise all of your learning, knowledge and skills into the preparation for your first professional post. You’ll consolidate your understanding of the wider organisations that work in conjunction with Speech and Language Therapists, including the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and Health and Care Professions Council. Working with your academic tutor, you will acquire the skills and knowledge to apply for your first post and prepare for your newly qualified competency development.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching and learning
You'll learn through a mixture of in person and online study, on which you will take the lead. These will be a mix of simulated scenarios on campus and placement-based issues to solve. This approach offers full flexibility of learning experiences, underpinned by inclusivity and efforts to engage students in multiple modes.
Throughout the course, you will also have an allocated academic tutor to support your academic development. They will encourage self reflection on your practice and identify action plans for continued academic and professional development.
The University also provides a range of central guidance and learning resources through the Information and Learning Services directorate (ILS). These resources include:
- Online tutorials
- Factsheets
- Study skills workshops
- Individual appointments with specialist staff
Assessment
The assessment strategy has been designed to encourage and inspire you to develop new concepts and thoughts on contemporary speech and language therapy practice. The assessments, where possible, allow flexibility in what you choose to consider and evaluate.
The course uses a wide range of assessment techniques designed specifically to reflect what graduates will do in employment. You'll be assessed for:
- Problem solving abilities
- Clinical reasoning
- Utilising evidence to formulate treatment plans
- Public presentations
- Written reports
Practice education will be integral to you achieving your learning outcomes and an essential component of professional development.
Information and guidance regarding all assessment requirements will be available to you via the University's virtual learning environment (currently Moodle) module sites. You will be offered assignment tutorials (group and/or individual) to support the preparation for assessments.
Entry requirements
Qualifications
Minimum entry requirements
2:1 honours degree in a related subject
Interview for all applicants
Entry onto this MSc course requires a 2:1 in a related subject. Each application is reviewed on a case by case basis. Applicants will be required to attend an interview.
You will have insight into the Speech and Language Therapy profession, ideally with work shadowing experience with Speech and Language Therapists or other health or education service.
International students
If you are an international student you will need to show that your qualifications match our entry requirements.
Information about international qualifications and entry requirements can be found on our International pages.
If English is not your first language you will need to show that you have English Language competence at IELTS level 8.0 (with no skill below 7.5) or equivalent.
Additional requirements
You will need to go through an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
You must be in good health and up to date with routine immunisations.
Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL)
If you do not have traditional qualifications, you might be able to provide evidence of professional experience in the subject as an alternative way to meet the entry requirements. This is called Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL). Appropriate references and records of employment would need to be presented to support your case for admission.
Terms and conditions
Our terms and conditions, policies and procedures contain important information about studying at York St John University. You can read them on our Admissions page.
Fees and funding
UK 2025-2026 entry
The tuition fee for 2025 entry to this postgraduate course is £9,535 per year for full time study.
This cost applies to all UK, Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man students.
Funding your studies
If you live in England, you can use the same student loans system as undergraduate students to pay for this course.
When applying for funding, you will need to:
- Apply as an undergraduate student
- Find your course by searching Speech and Language Therapy (Pre-Reg) MSc, SLC code 1001124 when making your finance application
If you live in Wales or Scotland, you will need to apply for a Postgraduate Master's Loan.
When applying for this type of funding you will need to:
- Apply as a postgraduate student
- Find your course by searching Speech and Language Therapy (Pre-Reg) MSc, SLC code 1001124 when making your finance application
You can find out more about this loan and how to apply by following the link below to our funding opportunities page.
Postgraduate funding opportunities
NHS Learning Support Fund
If you apply for this course, you might be eligible for additional financial support from the NHS. Visit their website to find out more about eligibility criteria and what you can receive.
Tuition fees
UK 2025-26 £9,535 per year full time
International 2025-26 £18,400 per year full time
International 2025-2026 entry
The tuition fee for 2025 entry to this postgraduate course is £18,400 per year for full time study.
This price applies to all students living outside the UK.
Due to immigration laws, if you are an international student on a student visa, you must study full time. For more information about visa requirements and short-term study visas, please visit the International Visa and Immigration pages.
Find out more about funding your postgraduate studies.
Alumni Scholarships
If you are alumni of York St John University we have scholarships available to help you continue your studies.
Additional costs and financial support
Course-related costs
While studying for your degree, there may be additional costs related to your course. This may include purchasing personal equipment and stationery, books and optional field trips.
Accommodation and living costs
View our accommodation pages for detailed information on accommodation and living costs.
Career outcomes
Where could Speech and Language Therapy take you?
Upon successful completion of the course, you'll be able to apply to HCPC to be able to practise as a Speech and Language Therapist. You can work in a diverse range of clinical settings. These include:
- Stroke units
- Neonatal wards
- Cancer units
- Education settings
- Community clinics
- Mental health services
Stand out from the crowd with postgraduate study.
Far fewer people have postgraduate degrees than undergraduate qualifications. This gives you something extra to set yourself apart in a competitive graduate job market. Those with a postgraduate qualification will earn an average of £5,000 a year more than those with only an undergraduate degree. (Department For Education Graduate Labour Market Report 2023).
Our careers service, LaunchPad, provides career support tailored to your ambitions. Through this service you can access:
- Employer events
- LinkedIn, CV and cover letter sessions
- Workshops on application writing and interview skills
- Work experience and volunteering opportunities
- Personalised career advice.
This support does not end when you graduate. You can access our expert career advice for the rest of your life. We will help you gain the experience and confidence you need to succeed.
Course highlights
Award of MSc Speech and Language Therapy
This then allows you to register with HCPC to use the protected title of 'Speech and Language Therapist'
Clinical Simulation Wards
Our state-of-the-art facilities enable you to build your confidence in working in complex care and hospital settings, alongside a wide variety of placement experiences.
Leaders in Professional Priorities
Our course priorities align with current SLT professional priorities, which means our students graduate with knowledge and skills that are at the forefront of clinical practice.