Language Pathology MSc

Newcastle University

Our Language Pathology MSc is designed for those wanting to develop a career as a Speech and Language Therapist in the National Health Service or other settings. This practical course is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council and accredited by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.

Year one In year one you'll cover the following modules that underpin the discipline:

• psychology

• linguistics

• practical anatomy

• physiology

You'll also begin to work on speech and language therapy (SLT) cases. These will give you your first experiences of working clinically under guided supervision.

Year two In year two, more complex problems are set in speech and language pathology. This year is more specialised. You'll study topics including: dysphagia, ageing, dementia, mental health and psychiatry. There will be a focus on:

• motor

• fluency

• voice

• head and neck

• cognitive impairment

Clinically-based research project You'll carry out and write up a clinically-based research project (an extended case report). The report will be based on a therapy programme that you will deliver and evaluate to one client. You will be supported by a practice educator (clinical supervisor) and academic supervisor.

Teaching is delivered through case-based problem solving. This means you'll participate in guided self-directed learning and collaborate with your peers in group work.

You need to be able to identify with NHS values as stated in the NHS constitution.

Delivery: The programme is taught at Newcastle city campus and in a variety of internal and external clinical placements. The course runs from 9am to 5pm during weekdays from September to July in both years.

Clinical days may extend beyond a typical working day to allow for travel. This is an intense programme with approximately 25-30 contact hours per week. There is also the possibility of additional contact hours during clinical placements. You will undertake clinical placements in the summer months in both years.

You will complete compulsory modules which are supported by clinical placements from early on in both years.

Assessment is through:

• course work

• written examination

• in-course assessments of the clinical practicum

• viva presentations

• class tests

An important element of year two is the extended case report. You'll:

• manage a clinical case

• provide intensive treatment

• evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment

• write up your findings in dissertation format

Placements: You'll have the opportunity to complete clinical placements in our campus-based clinics and in a range of external settings where speech and language therapists work. These could include schools and NHS settings, eg community clinics and hospitals.

In year one, you will complete:

• one placement in the Tavistock Aphasia Centre

• one placement in the Children’s Speech and Language Clinic

• an external six week block placement

In year two, you will complete a placement where you work with an individual client for the extended case report and a final block placement.

Accreditation: The course is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and accredited by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists. On successful completion of the programme you can apply to register with the HCPC and RCSLT as a speech and language therapist.

Facilities: We have two clinics on campus:

• Tavistock Aphasia Centre (North East)

• The Children's Speech and Language Therapy Clinic