| Code | CK705 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 Years |
| Teaching Mode | Full-time |
| Qualifications | BSc (Hons) |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 |
| Fees | See Fees and Costs for full details. |
| CAO Points | 2024: 564 |
| CAO Points Range | 2024: 564-613 |
Course Outline
The BSc Speech and Language Therapy provides the knowledge, skills and confidence for a career that will improve the lives of children and adults with communication disorders or swallowing difficulties. Over the four years of the course, you will gain specialist knowledge for a rewarding career, as well as general skills in communication, problem-solving and teamwork.
The course is broad and varied, and students study Behavioural Science, Anatomy, Physiology, Linguistics and Speech Science as well as Speech and Language Therapy theory, assessment and treatment approaches. A strong emphasis is placed on using the most recent scientific evidence to underpin your clinical practice.
Most learning within the university takes place in small-group tutorials, and much of your work is self-directed. You will have plenty of opportunities for clinical work experience (practice education) in UCC’s Brookfield Clinic and further afield in hospitals, schools, community care, and disability services.
The BSc Speech and Language Therapy course is designed to ensure graduates have the knowledge, skills and values to meet the demands and challenges of working within the healthcare profession.
Year 1 Modules
All modules 5 credits unless otherwise stated.
- AN1061 Anatomy of Speech and Hearing
- PL1025 Fundamentals of Physiology
- SL1004 Communication, Learning and Behaviour across the Lifespan
- SL1005 Preparation for Academic and Professional Learning
- SL1006 Language Acquisition
- SL1007 Speech, Hearing and Swallowing Sciences I (10 credits)
- SL1008 Introduction to Language Studies
- SL1009 Introduction to Communication Disorders I (10 credits)
- SL1010 Introduction to Communication Disorders II (10 credits)
Year 2 Modules
Neuroanatomy and Embryology for Speech and Language Therapy; Introduction to Research Methods; Speech, Hearing and Swallowing Sciences; Communication Disorders in Children; Language Sciences; Practice Education
Year 3 Modules
Applied Neurology for Speech and Language Therapy; Advanced Research Methods; Language Sciences; Speech, Hearing and Swallowing Sciences; Communication Disorders in Adults; Practice Education
Year 4 Modules
Research-Based Dissertation; Practice Education; Dysphagia; Mental Health and Communication Disorders; Advanced Research and Practice in Speech and Language Therapy
Academic Programme Catalogue
See the Academic Programme Catalogue for the complete and up-to-date content for this course. Note that the modules for all courses are subject to change from year-to-year. For complete descriptions of individual modules, see the Book of Modules.
Course Practicalities
This course is uniquely based on Problem Based Learning (PBL). You will engage with different types of learning experiences, including small-group learning, lectures, simulations, workshops, clinical placement, seminars, tutorials and study groups. Throughout the four years, you will be expected to demonstrate professional behaviours, independence and manage a busy timetable and workload.
Assessment
Written exams take place in both Semesters but not all modules have formal examinations and many modules use other types of assessment. In the Speech and Language Therapy programme you are assessed throughout the year in a variety of ways on your acquisition of knowledge, skills, and abilities. Some of the methods we use include oral presentations, video case exams, clinical portfolios, essays, multiple-choice-question exams, group projects, phonetics practicals, reflective papers, and research reports. Detailed written feedback is provided to each student on their assessment performance.
Who teaches this course?
You will be taught by a highly qualified and enthusiastic group of academic lecturers and senior therapists on the Practice Education team. The lecturers have trained and worked locally in Cork as well as nationally and internationally.
You will benefit from being taught Anatomy in UCC’s new state-of-the-art FLAME laboratory. We ask clinical experts from around Ireland to come to UCC to give Masterclasses on their areas of special expertise in speech and language therapy. The staff in the department have been recognised locally and internationally for their excellence in teaching as well as research.
Why Choose This Course
10 great reasons to study Speech and Language Therapy at UCC
- State-of-the-art building and facilities, including simulation and the new anatomy FLAME laboratory
- A strong focus on practical education, including opportunities to qualify with dysphagia competence
- Problem-based learning, helping students through small-group work, individual tutorials and continuous assessment
- Vibrant in-house Brookfield Speech and Language Therapy Clinic runs throughout the year
- Opportunities to learn alongside other health-professional students
- High level of support for student learning and development
- Unique opportunity to learn clinical skills through visual thinking strategies
- Highly qualified and friendly staff who have won prizes for their teaching and research excellence
- Study in a department that includes a nationally-funded research programme
- Opportunities for students to attend conferences and to progress to study at postgraduate level
Placement or Study Abroad Information
You will accrue a minimum of 450 hours of placement in a range of settings across the four years. These placements will be arranged for you by the department. Placements take place throughout the south of the country, therefore, students must be prepared to travel outside of Cork City and County and may need to arrange accommodation near placement sites. Both travel and accommodation for placement will involve costs to students.
Skills and Careers Information
If you are a person who likes to help others, and you are interested in a career in understanding how difficulties with speech, language and swallowing impact on people’s lives, then the course in Speech and Language Therapy will interest you.
The Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences will educate you into a health profession in which you will use linguistic, social, behavioural, medical and other scientific knowledge to provide assessment and treatment for both children and adults who have developmental or acquired disorders of speech, language and swallowing.
While an interest in science and language is important for this career, the ability to interact socially with all age groups (including very young people and older adults), and the ability to empathise with people, are also essential qualities of speech and language therapists.
The course in SLT was established as part of a national response to a shortage of SLTs in Ireland. It aims to educate students to provide the highest level of service to individuals with communication and swallowing disorders, as part of a healthcare team.
The course involves extensive and varied work experiences (practice education) in Years 2, 3 and 4. This work experience involves taking on clients, under supervision, both inside and outside of Cork city.
As successful communication abilities are so vital to normal human development and social interaction, interventions by SLTs can have profound and far-reaching effects on quality of life and well-being.
Requirements
Leaving Certificate Entry Requirements
At least six subjects must be presented. Minimum grade H4 in two subjects and minimum grade O6/H7 in four other subjects. English and Irish are requirements for all programmes unless the applicant is exempt from Irish.
The following are considered Lab Science subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Physics with Chemistry and Agricultural Science.
Applicants will need to meet the following minimum entry requirements:
| English | Irish | Maths | Other Language | Lab Science | Additional Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| O6/H7 | O6/H7 | O6/H7 | O6/H7 | H4 | H4 in a language other than English |
EU/EFTA/UK Qualifications
EU/EFTA/UK applicants presenting an equivalent school-leaving qualification should review the EU/EFTA/UK Applicants page for information on equivalent grades and how to prove their level of English.
Mature Students
To compete through the mature entry route, applicants must be 23 years of age on or before 1 January of the application year and apply online via the CAO by 1 February. The application should include a statement of interest. Applicants may also be called for interview.
Applicants must have a H4 in a Lab Science subject and a language (other than English) in the Leaving Certificate (or equivalent). (HC2 if presenting a pre-2017 Leaving Certificate).
Further information on applying as a mature student is available on the Mature Applicants and Mature Student Entry support pages.
Fitness to Practise
This programme is subject to UCC's Fitness to Practise Policy.
Student Garda Vetting
All students on this programme will come into contact with the public and assume positions of trust through educational and training opportunities. To ensure the protection of the public, and to justify public trust and confidence, UCC is committed to ensuring that only suitable candidates are allowed to undertake this programme.
Vetting is carried out by the Admissions Office in UCC under the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012 to 2016 (the Acts) once a student has accepted their place on the programme. This involves a police check to establish whether the individual being vetted has had criminal convictions in the past or whether any criminal proceedings are pending. The Garda Siochána provide this information for students who have resided in Ireland for a period of six months or more (including permanent residence).
All students who have resided outside Ireland for a period of six months or more must furnish a Police Clearance Certificate from their country or countries of residence. This certificate should state that the student has had no convictions recorded against them while residing there.
Further information can be found on our Student Garda Vetting page.
Non-EU Applicants
Non-EU applicants are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to the Irish Leaving Certificate. In addition, where such applicants are non-native speakers of the English language they must satisfy the university of their competency in the English language.
To verify if you meet the minimum academic and language requirements visit our qualification comparison page and refer to our International Office page for more information.
Fees and Costs
- Whether you are an EU or Non-EU student will affect the course fees applicable to you. See more information on EU Fees, Non-EU Fees, or Free Fees Status.
- The State will pay the tuition fees for EU students who are eligible under the Free Fees Scheme. The annual student contribution and capitation fees are payable by the student.
- See the Fee Schedule to find out the course fee.
- Check out scholarships that may be available to you.
- Explore our Nurturing Bright Futures free online course (Module 5) to learn about managing your money as a student and budgeting for university life.
How To Apply
Irish and European (EU/EFTA/UK) Applicants
Apply via the CAO. See the CAO Handbook for useful information on applying through the CAO.
Mature Applicants
Apply via the CAO by 1 February. To apply for a place as a mature student, you must be 23 years of age on or before 1 January of the year of entry.
Non-EU Applicants
If you are from outside the EU/EFTA/UK, apply online via the UCC Apply portal. See our International Office page for more information.