BSc (Hons) Speech and Language Therapy

What you will study

The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists outline five core capabilities of the SLT profession. They provide a focus for learning activities, the development of curricula and shared resources and delivery of the outcomes inherent in the vision for the workforce.

1. Communication
2. Partnerships
3. Leadership and Lifelong learning
4. Research and Evidence based practice
5. Professional autonomy and accountability

These will be embedded throughout the course to shape teaching and learning of the graduate.

Shared modules will have key themes such as leadership and research, motivational interviewing, professional practice and anatomy and physiology.

This is a three-year, full-time course that requires attendance at lectures, seminars, and workshops as well as engagement in asynchronous content. There is at least one clinical placement each year of study, which requires full attendance.

Welsh-speaking students have the opportunity to complete up to 40 credits each academic year through Welsh, as well as carrying out clinical placements through the medium of Welsh.

Year 1 (Level 4)

In year one, you will study a range of subjects that are core to Speech and Language Therapy.

You will gain a foundation of phonetics, linguistics, research methods, theories of development, and psychology. You will also start to explore how communication skills, and eating, drinking, and swallowing skills develop across the lifespan. This includes typical language delays, cerebral palsy, and autism. You will start developing your reflection and professional skills through your experience on a pre-clinical placement in your first semester.

This is an opportunity to become familiar with communication across the lifespan and you will carry out observations and develop your interaction skills in an early years and a care home setting. In your second semester, you will embark on your first clinical placement, applying the knowledge and skills you have acquired in your first year to authentic clinical experiences.  

Year 2 (Level 5)

In the second year of the course, you will build on the knowledge and skills you gained in year one.

Your anatomy, physiology, and psychology teaching will be applied to clinical contexts, and you will further develop your skills in phonetic transcription. You will build on your understanding of eating drinking and swallowing from Year 1 by starting to consider developmental and acquired disorders. You will have the chance to apply these skills in your clinical placement in semester 1. You will learn about the core capabilities of the profession such as communication, partnership, and evidence-based practise.

You will explore clinical presentations of language and cognition difficulties, as well as a module dedicated to sound, hearing and audiology.  You will have a further clinical placement in semester 2, where you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in a local Speech and Language Therapy team, as well as experiencing on campus simulation days to practise your clinical and professional skills.

Year 3 (Level 6):

In your final year of study, you will carry out your own research project in which you will collect and analyse unique data.

In the Speech and Language Therapy Specialisms module, you will study specialised areas of the profession, including palliative care, psychiatry, and youth justice.  You will carry out two further clinical placements, consolidating your professional skills and applying your clinical knowledge and skills to paediatric and adult caseloads. You will learn about the evolving profession through considering your role in health promotion, applications of social and cultural factors to practise, and the neurodiversity movement.  

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the programme that will take the form of either core or option modules. Modules are designated as core or option in accordance with professional body requirements and internal academic framework review, so may be subject to change.

Entry requirements & applying

120 UCAS tariff points at GCE A Level or equivalent in relevant subject areas such as science, the arts and languages.

A minimum of 5 GCSEs (or equivalent), to include English/Welsh language, Maths and Science at grade C or above. 

In addition to the academic requirements, all applicants whose first language is not English or Welsh must demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to Level 8 of the International English Language Testing System, with no element below 7.5

Wrexham University takes into account a variety of qualifications and experience when considering applications to our programmes. If you are unsure if the qualifications you currently hold will be accepted for entry, or if you're not sure you'll achieve the required UCAS Tariff points, please contact us at enquiries@wrexham.ac.uk for further advice and guidance.

Teaching & Assessment

You will be assessed by a variety of methods including:

• Practice Assessment and clinical portfolio
• Written assignments
• Presentations
• Examinations

Teaching and learning

Wrexham University is committed to supporting our students to maximise their academic potential.

We offer workshops and support sessions in areas such as academic writing, effective note-making and preparing for assignments. Students can book appointments with academic skills tutors dedicated to helping deal with the practicalities of university work. Our Student Support section has more information on the help available.

In terms of particular needs, the University’s Inclusion Services can provide appropriate guidance and support should any students require reasonable adjustments to be made because of a recognised prevailing disability, medical condition, or specific learning difference.

Career prospects

Our Careers and employability service is there to help you make decisions and plan the next steps towards a bright future. From finding work or further study to working out your interests, skills and aspirations, they can provide you with the expert information, advice and guidance you need.

The degree confers eligibility for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council to practice as a speech and language therapist in the UK, and graduates are eligible for certification by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists upon successful completion of their Newly Qualified Practitioner year.

Commissioned students are required to work in Wales for two years after graduation. Find out more about the HEIW NHS Bursary.

Fees & funding

You do not have to pay your tuition fees upfront.

The fees you pay and the support available will depend on a number of different factors. Full information can be found on our fees & finance pages. You will also find information about what your fees include in the fee FAQs.

All fees are subject to any changes in government policy, view our undergraduate fees.

Programme specification

You can see the full programme specification here.

Accommodation

If you’re looking for a place to stay while you study then take a look at our Accommodation to get more information on your options, including our on-campus halls of residence Wrexham Village.