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Speech and Language Therapy MSc

London, Bloomsbury

UK students International students

Study mode

Full-time

UK tuition fees (2026/27)

£9,790

Overseas tuition fees (2026/27)

£42,700

Duration

25 months

Programme starts

September 2026

Applications accepted

All applicants: 02 Sep – 03 Nov 2025

Applications closed

Find similar courses still open

Entry requirements

A minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Final year students on course for an upper second-class Bachelor's degree can also apply.
Before you submit your application, please download and fill out the following document and attach to your application as a supporting document. This will help us assess your relevant work experience. Summary of Work Experience Form

The English language level for this course is: Special
Please refer to the following page for the specific English language requirements for this programme: English requirements

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

You will learn to apply knowledge from a range of academic subjects to speech and language therapy (SLT) practice. Innovative and authentic learning methods help you develop skills such as team-working, assessment and therapy, and self-evaluation. You will learn to work with people who have communication difficulties and/or eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties.

The curriculum promotes strong research skills, enabling you to evaluate and add to the evidence-base for the SLT profession. The programme prepares you well for future leadership roles.

Who this course is for

The programme is suitable for applicants with a strong academic background who are committed to a career as a speech and language therapist.

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

You will benefit directly from UCL's world-leading research and teaching, supported by facilities such as the on-site national SLT library and our in-house clinic.

You will be taught by experts in the field including specialist speech and language therapists, psychologists, linguists and neurologists. Our strong partnership with SLT services across London ensures that you will attend a range of high-quality clinical placements.

This programme is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and accredited by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT).

Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

Most graduates from this programme work as a speech and language therapist/pathologist, providing specialist assessment, intervention and support to adults and children with a range of difficulties with communication and/or eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties. These can include people with autism spectrum conditions, dementia, developmental language disorder, learning disabilities or people who have had strokes or head injuries. You can work in the NHS or independently. Some of the settings where SLTs work include hospitals, specialist centres, the community, education settings (such as mainstream or special schools) or justice settings. Many SLTs take on leadership roles as they progress through their career. Our graduates are well placed to contribute to the evidence base for the profession through further research and to fast-track into specialist or leadership positions. Our strong links with employers ensure that you get up-to-date and relevant information to support you in preparing for and securing your first job. Excellent university-based learning and the wide range and number of high-quality clinical placements also puts our graduates at an advantage. As a result, many of our students are offered jobs very soon after completing the course and graduates from our programme are highly regarded by employers. In the most recent Graduate Outcomes Survey (2022–2023), 97% of our students went on into highly skilled work or further study within 15 months of completion.

Employability

Our course equips you with transferable skills relevant to employability, such as: interpersonal and communication skills, oral and written presentation skills, collaboration and teamworking, critical evaluation, integration and synthesis of information, report writing, behaviour management and change.

Networking

On the MSc Speech and Language Therapy there are opportunities for peer-to-peer networking in small group tutorials and whole group lectures and workshops. Students also take part in interprofessional sessions with trainees on other clinical programmes at UCL. Clinical placements provide a great opportunity to network with SLT clinicians and other health, education and social care professionals. In addition, students are welcome to attend Language and Cognition or other research department seminars to meet researchers and hear talks from external speakers.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT). RCSLT accreditation confirms that the programme meets the RCSLT Curriculum Guidelines. All students enrol as student members of the RCSLT at the start of the programme. Graduates of this programme will meet the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Standards of Education and Training, Standards of Proficiency. This includes meeting the compulsory pre-registration competencies in eating, drinking and swallowing set by the RCSLT. On successful completion of the programme students will be recommended for HCPC registration as a Speech and Language Therapist.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, small group tutorials, group work on case studies, supervised clinical placements, practical classes and self-directed learning. Collaborative peer-working features strongly throughout.

A variety of assessment methods are used, including in-class quizzes, coursework, data analysis, clinical vivas, examinations, presentations and practice-based assessment on placement.

The programme is full-time over two years, with approximately seven weeks of holidays per year (two weeks at Christmas, two weeks at Easter and three weeks in the Summer). Term dates vary and the programme doesn't follow the typical UCL term patterns.

During Term 1 and Term 2, typical contact hours for teaching sessions equate to around 21 hours per week (9am - 5pm for 3 days per week with 1 hour for lunch), and be on placement for another whole day (9am-5pm) in most weeks. There is one full day (7 hours) of private study most weeks, which you will need to prepare for your placement, coursework assignments and to carry out additional reading.

In Term 1 and Term 2 there are between 10 - 14weeks of teaching (including one day a week on placement). In Term 3 there is less direct teaching to give you more time for independent study (25-30 hours per week), to revise for exams. There are 2-3 post-exam teaching weeks in late June/early July in both years.

Modules

The Speech and Language Therapy MSc is a two year programme comprising of twelve modules. You register for six modules in Year 1 (totalling 165 credits) and six modules in Year 2 (195 credits, including a 60 credit research project). The programme is 360 credits in total.

Professional and clinical studies work in Year 1 of the programme focuses on clients with developmental speech, language and communication difficulties, and practice placements are undertaken with relevant client groups.

You study the nature and management of relevant difficulties, taking account of medical, sociological and educational perspectives. There is also teaching in the complementary disciplines of phonetics and phonology, linguistic and psychological perspectives and anatomy and physiology.

A life-span perspective is taken so that, for example, adults with learning disabilities and congenital hearing loss, and the life-long consequences of persistent speech, language and communication difficulties are covered. However, developmental differences of motor speech, oro-facial abnormality and voice are covered in Year 2.

Particular attention has been given to the sequence and timing of teaching in the modules in Year 1, so that pre-requisite knowledge is introduced in the complementary modules before it is required within professional and clinical studies.

In addition, as skills and knowledge are gained, they are integrated into the study of developmental disorders of communication. Assessment of some disciplines is integrated, for example, child data presented for analysis in phonetics and linguistics assessments also forms the basis of case-based assessments relating to speech and language therapy management.

During Year 1, you will start evidence-based practice, identify your preferred research project topics and are allocated a project supervisor. You can choose to undertake research projects on a wide range of topics relevant to the practice of speech and language therapy.

Professional and clinical studies work in Year 2 of the programme focuses on clients with acquired communication and/or swallowing difficulties and differences in vocal tract across the lifespan, and practice placements are undertaken with relevant client groups.

You study the nature and management of relevant disorders, taking account of medical, sociological and psychological perspectives. Application of knowledge gained in the study of phonetics and linguistics to these client groups will be encouraged by analysis of speech and language data from clients with acquired differences. There are also modules that cover the complementary disciplines of neuroscience and neurology and mental health.

You continue to develop your understanding and application of research design and research methods and complete your project work in Year 2.

Through university and practice-based teaching across the programme, you will learn about the typical development of eating, drinking and swallowing (EDS) as well as difficulties which may be experienced in these areas as a result of developmental or acquired conditions. By the end of the programme you will have demonstrated the mandatory EDS competencies stipulated by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.

Alternative Route: MSc Human Communication Science

If you are unable to continue on the MSc Speech and Language Therapy programme at the end of Year 1 you may be eligible to transfer onto the MSc Human Communication Science route. This is a non-clinical route that gives students the opportunity to complete a Master's level qualification.

You will take modules as required for the completion of a Master's level qualification. This will include SLAN0002: Research Project (60 credits) and other modules as required and in discussion with the Programme Director.

Compulsory modules

Practice-based Learning 1

Evidence, Research and Practice 2

Practice-based Learning 2

Developmental Language and Communication Difficulties

Acquired Differences in Language, Cognition and Communication

Developmental Speech and Hearing Difficulties

Eating, Drinking, Swallowing, Speech and Voice

Phonetics and Phonology

Brain, Mind and Health

Linguistic and Psychological Perspectives

Dissertation

Evidence, Research and Practice 1

Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 360 credits. Upon successful completion of 360 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Speech and Language Therapy.

Placement

Clinical placements start in Term 1 and carry on throughout the programme. You will attend placements from the start of the programme working alongside qualified SLTs in a wide range of settings including hospitals, community, schools and charities. Placements may be with the NHS or independent service providers. The placements are closely linked to classroom learning.

There are usually weekly placements that students attend one day a week over Term 1 and Term 2 of both years (October to March). These placements allow you to see changes in clients over a period of time and to develop your skills gradually over a longer period of time, supported by your university clinical tutorials and clinical tutors.

You will also have block placements which you attend over a number of weeks. These usually take place in spring (Apr-May) and summer (July-August). The block placements are an opportunity to really focus on your clinical and professional skills development, supported by experienced SLTs and college tutors.

Placements are organised by the programme placements team and they aim to give each student a breadth of experience across different settings. Our placements are usually situated in and around the London area. Students will be required to travel to their placement, usually via public transport.

Accessibility

The department will endeavour to make reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities, including those with long-term health conditions, neurodivergence, learning differences and mental health conditions. This list is not exhaustive. If you're unsure of your eligibility for reasonable adjustments at UCL, please contact Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

Reasonable adjustments are implemented on a case-by-case basis. With the student's consent, reasonable adjustments are considered by UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services, and where required, in collaboration with the respective department.

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information about support available can be obtained from UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

For more information about the department and accessibility arrangements for your course, please contact the department.

Visit us

All open days and events

10 June 2026

South Cloister, Wilkins Building, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom - Open day

Life and Medical Sciences Postgraduate Open Evening

17:00 — 20:00

Join us on campus to discover our Master’s degrees in Brain Sciences, Life Sciences, Medical Sciences, Medical Engineering, Population Health Sciences and Medical Anthropology. This event is ideal for prospective postgraduate students interested in Brain Sciences, Life Sciences, Medical Sciences, Medical Engineering, Population Health Sciences and Medical Anthropology.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students

Fee description	Full-time
Tuition fees (2026/27)	£9,790
Tuition fees (2026/27)	£42,700

The DHSC confirmed that UK students are eligible for UG tuition fee and maintenance loans via Student Finance England, even if you've had an UG loan before. For further information, visit the Council of Deans of Health website. The UK fees are in line with the UK Government's fee cap and future years may be subject to inflationary increase.

Additional costs

There may be travel costs related to clinical placements. For home students, where these costs are above usual travel into UCL, the additional cost of travel to placement may be claimed back from the Learning Support Fund administered by NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA). You will have to submit the appropriate claim forms and claims will have to meet the NHSBSA criteria. UCL will provide a placement uniform in the form of polo shirts with the UCL logo on. Students are asked to provide black trousers or a black skirt and black shoes to wear on placement.

Students must complete a UCL Workplace Health screening before the start of the programme and be assessed as fit for study and practice, this includes completing a pre-course health questionnaire and required immunisations. There is no additional charge for the workplace health screening.

If a student has a disability, reasonable adjustments will be considered on a case by case basis before the start of the programme. Students will need to engage in direct, physical, patient contact to show they are competent in a number of skills that are essential for completion of the course.

This course requires a completed DBS check for some compulsory modules. You will receive more information from UCL on how to complete the check once you have firmly accepted an unconditional offer for the programme. A charge for Post Office ID verification (£15.00) needed for an application to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is payable by the student. The cost of the DBS check itself is paid for by UCL.

If you have lived, worked, studied or travelled in any single country outside of the UK for six continuous months or more, in the last five years, you will be required to obtain a Certificate of Good Conduct/Police Check from the relevant country/countries. The cost of this check varies by country and is payable by the student. More information on how to obtain these can be found on gov.uk.

For more information about the DBS application process, please contact the UCL Graduate Admissions team.

For in-person teaching, UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £119.90. This price was published by TfL in 2025. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide.

Funding your studies

Home students on this programme will be eligible for tuition fee and maintenance loans via Student Finance England, Student Finance Wales, Student Awards Agency for Scotland or Student Finance Northern Ireland. This applies even if they have already taken out loans for a previous undergraduate degree. They may also be eligible for an NHS Learning Support Fund AHP Training Grant.

More information on tuition fee and maintenance loans is on the Gov.uk Student Finance website.

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Next steps

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding should take note of the funding application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this course of £90 for online applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver. We will also be assessing your understanding of speech and language therapy as a profession; your experience of working with people with communication and swallowing difficulties and your commitment to speech and language therapy as a career.

Applicants are not usually accepted without an interview. Interviews will be held online in early January 2026. They will usually involve an individual interview with a member of staff and a speech and language therapist.

You can find out more about the programme and meet the programme team on our departmental webpage here.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate courses (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

This course requires two references. Further information regarding references can be found on this Selecting your references page.

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.