What sort of student will do well on this course?

Someone who is both scientifically minded and linguistically minded should do well on the academic side of things in this BSc. However, to be a good clinician, one needs strong social skills, a sense of caring for others and a willingness to help. In many ways this course bridges the areas of science and art and people who see this as a worthwhile thing to do, should enjoy studying speech and language therapy.

If you are a student that is only comfortable with learning things by rote (off by heart), then this is probably going to be a difficult course for you. We expect students to contribute in lectures and tutorials. However, that does not mean that you have to be extroverted; a willingness to think and to share information and ideas should be sufficient. As you will be dealing with the public, you will be expected to develop in your confidence; while not becoming over-confident or gushy. There is room in the profession of speech and language therapy for all types of personalities.

Unfortunately, not many men do this course, although it is an ideal course for males who are both scientifically and artistically inclined; and who have an interest in service professions.

If you are a person who likes to help others, and you are interested in a career understanding how difficulties with speech, language and swallowing impact on people’s lives, then the programme in Speech and Language Therapy will interest you. The Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences educates students into a health profession in which they 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 empathize 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. To this end, the programme involves extensive and varied work experiences (practice education) in the second, third and fourth years. 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.