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Structure and exit awards

You must complete the full MSc (360 credits) to be eligible to register with the  as a speech and language therapist.

Teaching, learning and assessment

Teaching will include a mix of lectures, tutorials, student-led seminars, practice-based learning, case study analysis and individual project work. Emphasis will be placed on integrating clinical and university-based learning opportunities and on independent study. Your performance will be assessed by a combination of assignments, examinations and practical assessments.

Placements

The RCSLT curriculum guidance requires that, on completion of the course, all students have completed the following:

• 100 sessions (50 days) of practice-based learning under the supervision of a registered SLT. 30 sessions (15 days) of which must be with paediatric client groups and 30 sessions of which must be with adult client groups.
• 50 sessions (25 days) of clinically-related activity.

Placements are organised by the Clinical Placement Team. Semester placements are typically for one or two days per week, and students will usually be placed across our local catchment area within the Health Boards of Lothian, Borders, Fife, Forth Valley and Tayside.

Summer placements take place in both years of the course, and students are typically placed across Scotland. Although every effort is made to arrange placements to suit students’ circumstances, this is not always possible, and students must be prepared to be flexible about placement location and timing. Students are responsible for any travel and accommodation costs associated with their placements.

Please note that there are additional costs associated with placements. Please see the ‘Other fees’ section under the ‘Entry requirements’ tab for more details.

Teaching hours and attendance

Each module will require you to attend classes and carry out independent work. Your attendance at placement is compulsory, and your attendance at Â鶹Íø-based modules is also expected.

Classes may be spread over the entire week, except on placement days, when you will be off campus. This is a full-time course, with the expectation that classes, independent study and placement together require 35-40 hours of dedicated time each week.

Specialist facilities

Â鶹Íø offers a specialist speech and psycholinguistic laboratory facility for use by both our BSc (Hons) Speech and Language Therapy and MSc Speech and Language Therapy (pre-registration) courses.

This includes a recording studio, workstations with specialised software and associated hardware for speech analysis and speech production. We also provide access to software for design and delivery of online perceptual experiments.

Additionally, our extensive Clinical Resource Library houses the latest editions of commonly used professional assessments and intervention packages to support students’ clinical learning. Located in the Learning Resource Centre, this recently updated resource is accessible to you.

Class sizes

We expect to have 25-35 students on the course each year.

Teaching staff

You can read more about the teaching staff on this course at the bottom of this page. Please note that teaching staff is subject to change.

The following modules are completed in varying sequence across the two years of the course:

• Professional Practice: Practice-based Learning
• Professional Practice: Competencies in Eating, Drinking and Swallowing
• Professional Practice: Clinical and Professional Capabilities
• Professional Practice: Applied Clinical Decision Making
• Professional Practice: Delivering Services that Reflect Diversity
• Professional Practice: Training and Leadership
• Foundations for SLT: Biological and Medical Sciences
• Foundations for SLT: Lifespan
• Foundations for SLT: Introduction to Linguistics
• Foundations for SLT: Speech and Language Analysis and Applications
• Speech and Language Pathology: Acquired Language and Neurogenic Communication Impairments
• Speech and Language Pathology: Developmental and Acquired Dysphagia
• Speech and Language Pathology: Speech Sound Disorders
• Speech and Language Pathology: Developmental Language Disorder
• Speech and Language Pathology: Developmental Disorders of Social Communication
• Speech and Language Pathology: Organic Speech Impairments and Voice Disorder
• Speech and Language Pathology: Physical, Sensory and Intellectual Impairment
• Research for SLT: Understanding and Appraising the Evidence for Practice
• Research for SLT: Applying Skills for Critical Enquiry

Our graduates have excellent employment prospects. Most go on to work within the NHS across a range of settings including clinics, schools, hospitals and the community although an increasing number also take up appointments in private organisations. Some graduates have taken up research posts and some have gone on to study for higher degrees.

International applicants should be aware that students may have to undertake some additional study/examinations to be eligible for registration with the professional body in their own country.

Entry requirements

An upper second-class honours degree or above (or equivalent) is required.

Evidence of experience of working with/ caring for/supporting people with communication impairments, for example through professional or voluntary work or personal experience, is essential.

Applicants should be able to evidence that they understand and are passionate about the role of the SLT through their personal statement. Further information regarding the personal statement is included in the FAQs below.

International students: You will be required to provide evidence of English language competence at no less than IELTS 8.0 with no individual element below 7.5.

If you are not a national of a UKVI-designated majority English-speaking country, an English-language test will be required. For a list of UKVI majority English speaking countries please check the .

Other requirements

A satisfactory criminal records check from the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme, an occupational health check and personal indemnity insurance (normally through membership of the professional body) are required once you are matriculated on the course.

Other costs

• The cost of professional indemnity insurance is the responsibility of the student. For more information on this, visit the PG 2026 fees page on our website.
• The additional costs associated with placement travel and accommodation are the responsibility of the student. Students who receive SAAS funding may be able to claim for some of these expenses to be reimbursed.
• Uniform, PVG and badge costs – please see PG 2026 fees page on our website.
• Professional Indemnity Insurance is available as part of the free student membership of the RCSLT.

Disability/health conditions

If you have a disability, long-term physical or mental health condition, or learning disability, it should not stand in the way of your studying at Â鶹Íø. However, if you are not sure whether your disability might be a barrier in your studies or in relation to the professional standards, please contact the disability service who will be able to have a conversation with you about reasonable adjustments and supports available to you.

Applying for this course

For more information on applying, or to apply for this course, please follow the links in the 'Start your application' box at the top right of this page.

Application deadline

The course will remain open until capacity has been reached, and we would expect to close to new applications in January/February, but this could vary year on year. We strongly suggest you apply as early as possible. This webpage will be updated with notice once we are due to close the application window and we will not accept late applications. 

Please note that this is a two-year full-time, campus-based course. It is not possible to undertake it on a part-time or distance-learning basis.

If you have any queries about the course, do contact SLT Admissions or contact Admissions (Â鶹Íø's general admissions team).

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More information on our forthcoming open events

• The delivery of this course is subject to the terms and conditions set out in our 2027/28 Entry - Terms and Conditions (Postgraduate).
• The information on this page is correct at the time of posting (October 2026) but is subject to change. In the event that modules change, Â鶹Íø will seek to use reasonable endeavours to ensure that there is no detrimental impact on students. Please keep an eye on this page for updates.

The application process

Do I need a specific subject in my undergraduate degree?

No. We do not specify what previous degree or field of study for entry onto our MSc.  All that is required is a minimum upper second-class honours degree (2:1) or equivalent. 

I have not completed my undergraduate degree yet, can I still apply?

If you are in the final year of your undergraduate degree you can apply.  If you are successful in the selection process a conditional offer can be made subject to meeting our minimum entry requirements.

I was awarded a 2:2 in my undergraduate degree – will my application be considered?

Unfortunately, we are unable to consider an application from you if you do not meet our minimum entry requirement. However, if you have subsequently undertaken Masters study and hold either a PGDip (120 credits) or MSc (180 credits) then your application may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

What and how much experience do I need?

You must have experience in supporting/working with/caring for people with communication impairments.  This does not need to be with a Speech and Language Therapist - few offer shadowing experiences as they are busy providing placement for students on SLT programmes - but could be either personal experience, voluntary or paid work directly with a person/people with significant communication difficulties.  We don't specify the type or length of experience that you should have as it is not so much about how much experience as your learning from it.

I am struggling to obtain experience, can you help?

Lots of charities look for volunteers to befriend and support people with communication impairments - the local council websites are often a good starting point for finding out more about some of these.

What are the IELTS requirements for applicants whose first language is not English?

We require proof of English language proficiency for all students who do not come from a majority English speaking country unless all their secondary education and their degree was taught and assessed in English. Otherwise, you will be required to provide evidence of English language competence at no less than IELTS 8.0 with no individual element below 7.5.

I have missed the IELTS requirement, can I still apply?

We are able to accept applications for those who do not have the IELTS we require, but any offer would be subject to further IELTS testing to ensure that an overall score of 8.0 and no element less that 7.5 is reached prior to an offer being made unconditional. 

When is the closing date for applications?

We do not set a closing date from the outset - instead we close when we have reached capacity.  We hold a short waiting list to allow for those who may decline their place or withdraw their application at a later date.  We therefore encourage you to make your application as early as possible. The course webpage will be updated with notice when applications are due to close.

What are you looking for in a personal statement?

In the personal statement we are looking for you to demonstrate excellent communication skills and a knowledge and passion for the profession.  You must have experience in supporting/working with/caring for people with communication impairments and we are specifically interested in your ability to reflect on your experiences and on your understanding of the impact that a communication impairment may have had on someone's abilities to engage in the activities of daily living.

Is there a word count for my personal statement?

Your personal statement should not be more that 2 sides of A4 with standard margins and spacing.

 
The structure and delivery of the course

What does a typical week look like? 

Timetabled on-campus hours vary by semester, but in Trimester 1 of Year 1 you can expect to be on campus 3-4 days per week for varying amounts of time, as well as online for 1 day per week completing a simulated placement and clinically related activities.  In the remaining trimesters, you will typically be on campus for classes across 3 days, on placement for 1 day, and have 1 day clear of timetabled activities.

Will I be able to undertake paid employment alongside my studies?

Many students undertake part-time paid employment alongside their studies to help support themselves financially.  However, the programme is a full-time accelerated professional programme which means you can anticipate around 40 hours of study per week in trimester time.  

What do classes ‘look’ like?

Classes are typically around two hours in duration and combine lecturer-led teaching with group work, discussions and practical workshops. You will have opportunities to apply your learning, work with other students, and develop the knowledge and skills needed for professional practice.

How are placements structured?

In Trimester 1 of Year 1, you will undertake a Peer Enhanced e-Placement (PEEP), which provides an innovative, simulated service delivery, clinical skills development, and professional identity. PEEP offers simulated experiences working with both children and adults.
Following PEEP, you’ll have a range of practice-based learning placements: in Year 1, this includes spring and summer placements; in Year 2, placements are undertaken in the autumn, spring and summer trimesters. 
Placements that are in Trimesters 1 and 2 (autumn and spring) are typically 1-day a week for 10 weeks.  Summer placements generally take the form of a 15-day block placement. 

Where will my placements be?

Placements take place across Scotland.  The placements within taught Trimester time are within 1-2 hours travelling distance of the university.  Summer placements can take place anywhere in Scotland and may require students to travel and/or source accommodation. Students should be aware that we cannot source placements in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Eire because services there already have a commitment to provide placements for local SLT programmes, so students cannot typically expect to be placed in parts of the British Isles beyond Scotland

Will my caring commitments be accommodated by the placement team?

If you have caring commitments for young children, older children with additional support needs, or dependent adults then our default is to endeavour to place you in your local Board area.  If we can’t place you in your local Board area, we will place you in the nearest Board possible.  
For summer placements we prioritise local placements for students with the caring responsibilities noted previously.  However, if you live in one of the more remote Board areas and do not have access to your own transport then it may be more difficult to place you there, as often rural placements require a car driver.

Can I arrange my own placement closer to home?

No. All students have to meet the requirements of RCSLT, our professional body, regarding the mix of placement experiences that they have over the course of the programme. Placements are coordinated by our dedicated placement team, who ensure that these requirements are met. You should not contact clinicians or services directly to arrange placements.