Overview
Why study Speech and Language Therapy at City?
This degree leads to work in a challenging and varied field - you could be working with autistic children, people who stammer or adults who have lost their speech following a stroke.
City's BSc (Hons) in Speech and Language Therapy has an excellent reputation. It is based within the largest, teaching, research and clinical department in the UK for language and communication science.
The degree is taught by expert staff who are leaders in the field of speech and language therapy. The innovative and research-informed curriculum is supported by a busy in-house speech and language therapy clinic led by specialist staff.
At City we have close links with speech and language therapy services throughout London, with many practitioners from these services acting as clinical tutors on our courses.
97% of students have indicated they are satisfied with the quality of the course (The Key Information Set).

- Undertake clinical placements in health centres, schools and hospitals in London's diverse communities - working with client groups from different ages and backgrounds
- Learn from experts in speech and language therapy and specialist areas such as phonetics, linguistics and audiology - and clinical tutors who are practising clinicians
- Gain registration with the Health and Care Professions Council and entry to a respected profession
- Enhance your career prospects enabling you to work with clients of all ages in different settings in the UK, abroad and in the independent sector
- Access to up to date equipment in our in-house speech and language therapy clinic, the Compass Centre
- Gain with tuition fees paid by the NHS - bursaries are also available.

Download tuition fees and bursary information for NHS funded courses
Entry Requirements:
Typical offers require one of the following:
- A Level: 380 UCAS tariff points, typically AAB plus C at AS level. General Studies, Key Skills and Critical Thinking are not accepted at A2. Please note all applicants must have 5 GCSEs including Mathematics and English Language at A*-C.
- IB: 35
- Access to HE Diploma in a relevant health or science field: Full award (60 credits) of which a minimum of 45 credits must be at Level 3 including 36 credits at Distinction and 9 credits at Merit; 15 credits at Level 2, must include Mathematics and English Language GCSE equivalent passed at first attempt, if not already achieved.
- BTEC: Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care or Science related subject: D*DD
- Irish Leaving Certificate: 380 UCAS points gained at Higher grades A1-A2. English Language and Maths from Ordinary Level grades A1-B3, unless part of Higher.
More...
Course Fees:
- Full-time EU: £Tuition fees are paid by the NHS for home and EU students.
- Full-time Non EU: £14,300 per year. 2012 fees, all fees to be confirmed.
Start Date:
September 2013
UCAS code:
B620
Entry Requirements
Typical offers require one of the following:
- A Level: 380 UCAS tariff points, typically AAB plus C at AS level. General Studies, Key Skills and Critical Thinking are not accepted at A2. Please note all applicants must have 5 GCSEs including Mathematics and English Language at A*-C.
- IB: 35
- Access to HE Diploma in a relevant health or science field: Full award (60 credits) of which a minimum of 45 credits must be at Level 3 including 36 credits at Distinction and 9 credits at Merit; 15 credits at Level 2, must include Mathematics and English Language GCSE equivalent passed at first attempt, if not already achieved.
- BTEC: Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care or Science related subject: D*DD
- Irish Leaving Certificate: 380 UCAS points gained at Higher grades A1-A2. English Language and Maths from Ordinary Level grades A1-B3, unless part of Higher.
Special entry requirements
Students are required to have occupational health and enhanced disclosure and barring service clearance.
All shortlisted applicants are invited to attend a post-offer day. The post-offer day allows students and their families to visit the University, meet academic and professional staff and find out more about studying at City.
Accreditation of Prior Learning process (APL)
The Accreditation of Prior Learning process (APL) allows students' previous relevant learning from similar courses to be assessed and included within their degree. The course is adapted to accommodate the differences between the two courses. All APL claims will be reviewed on an individual basis. Applicants can apply for this before they start the course.
English Requirements
If your first language is not English, we will require evidence of English language proficiency. Minimum requirements are:
- IELTS: An overall band score of 7.5 with a minimum of 7.5 in spoken and written components and a minimum of 7.0 in listening and reading components
- TOEFL: 110 internet-based total.
Visa Requirements
City University London retains Highly Trusted Status from UKBA, enabling us to sponsor international students to study in the UK.
The way that you apply may vary depending on the length of your course at City, there are different rules for:
- Students on courses of more than 6 months
- Students on courses of less than 6 months
- Students on a pre-sessional English Language course
For more information see our main Visa page.
Course Content
Year one
The first year of the course establishes the foundations of hearing, speech and language. These modules will equip you with the knowledge to understand the process of human communication in the social and clinical context.
Year two
In your second year, you will explore the nature of speech, communication and swallowing in children and adults. In addition, you will attend weekly clinical placements in a variety of settings.
Year three
In the third year, the course examines the nature of cognition, language and communication disabilities in children and adults. You will continue to attend weekly clinical placements.
Year four
In the fourth year the focus is on research and professional development, with an emphasis on preparation for entry to the profession. You will conduct a small-scale piece of research and complete a block clinical placement in the spring term.
Course Structure
Year one
- Hearing and speech sciences 1: phonetics
- Language sciences 1: linguistics
- Bio-medical sciences 1: anatomy and physiology
- Lifespan studies
- Social context
- Professional studies
Year two
- Hearing and speech sciences 2: further phonetics
- Language sciences 2: speech and language development
- Bio-medical sciences 2: neurology and disorders of the ear, nose and throat
- Developmental psychology
- Speech, communication and swallowing disabilities
- Professional studies
Year three
- Research and evidence-based practice
- Language sciences 3: language processing, brain and behavior
- Language, cognition and communication disabilities
- Professional studies
Year four
- Research and evidence-based practice
- Professional studies
Read the full programme specification.
Teaching and Assessment
The degree is taught by expert staff who are leaders in the field of speech and language therapy and specialist areas such as phonetics, linguistics and audiology - and clinical tutors who are practising clinicians. Many of our academic staff have written core textbooks used on the course.
For example:
- Chiat, S. (2000) Understanding Children with Language Problems. Cambridge: CUP
A typical week consists of three days at City, one day in clinic and one day of private study. Academic subjects are taught through lectures supported by video presentations, small-group problem-solving sessions, practical classes and tutorials. You will also have access to the most up-to-date equipment in the Speech Acoustics Laboratory and City's in-house speech and language therapy clinic and the Compass Centre.
Your progress will be monitored during the year through assessed coursework and reports on your clinical work. At the end of the year, there are written and practical examinations that contribute to the final degree mark.
Moodle 2
Students will have the opportunity to use an enhanced Virtual Learning Environment, Moodle 2, launching in September 2013. Moodle provides students with web access to online course materials, resources, interactive activities, assessment and communication tools and is a key element of our blended learning approach; combining face to face teaching with online activity.
The new Moodle 2 environment brings with it new and improved features offering greater flexibility, navigation and functionality.
Read the full programme specification.
Fees
- Full-time EU: £Tuition fees are paid by the NHS for home and EU students.
- Full-time Non EU: £14,300 per year. 2012 fees, all fees to be confirmed.
Tuition fees are paid by the NHS for home and EU students.
Download tuition fees and bursary information for NHS funded courses
Funding
For up-to-date information about tuition fees, living costs and financial support, visit Undergraduate Fees and Finance or Postgraduate Fees and Finance.
Scholarships
New for 2013 entrants: Up to £500 cash each year for at least three years for students on this course. Read more here to see if you might qualify.
Bursaries
You may also be eligible to apply for a means-tested bursary. Please visit the NHS Bursaries page of our website, or the NHS Student Bursaries website for details.Placements
Clinical placements are essential for developing the professional and interpersonal skills necessary for you to practice as a speech and language therapist. Through clinical placements in health centres, schools and hospitals, you will be able to observe a range of communication disabilities and apply your theoretical understanding to clinical practice.
The clinical placements sit within the professional studies modules in each year. In the first year students are placed within community settings such as nurseries. In the subsequent years students undertake weekly and block placements in different settings. Students are supported by clinical tutors and supervisors whilst on placement.
The University also offers some international exchange opportunities, for example, previous students have travelled to Cambodia and Australia.
Career Prospects
On graduation you can register with the Health Professions Council, and practise as a speech and language therapist in the NHS and other settings.
A career in speech and language therapy offers opportunities to work with clients of all ages in settings such as health centres, hospitals, schools, charities and universities. You can also work abroad and in the private sector.
Find out how studying at City University London helps you to improve your job prospects.
Find out more about City University London
Speech and Language Therapy
UCAS code: B620
You can apply via the central UCAS applications system that supports all undergraduate applications within the UK for both home and overseas students.
It is recommended that you submit your application as early as possible.
How do we make our decision?
In reaching our selection decisions we will take into account your:
- Exam performance (actual or predicted)
- Personal Statement and reasons for choice of course / career
- Evidence of intellectual ability
- Tutor references
- Relevant work experience
For more information contact us on:
- Tel: +44 (0)20 7040 5000
- health@city.ac.uk
