Speech and Language Therapy

Speech and language therapy is the health profession concerned with the assessment and treatment of communication and swallowing disorders across the lifespan. It addresses an extraordinarily broad range of conditions, from childhood speech and language delay and developmental language disorder to the effects of stroke, head injury, and progressive neurological conditions on adult communication, as well as the complex swallowing difficulties, known as dysphagia, that can result from many of these conditions. Speech and language therapists work in healthcare settings, schools, community services, and specialist centres, and their work can profoundly change the quality of life of the people they support.

At Newcastle University, this three-year, full-time BSc is a pre-registration programme that equips you with the knowledge, skills, and professional values needed to practise as a speech and language therapist across the full age range. You will study linguistics, phonetics, anatomy and physiology, psychology, and the clinical sciences that underpin the assessment and treatment of the full range of communication and swallowing conditions. Clinical placements are central to the training, giving you direct experience working with clients in real healthcare and educational settings under the supervision of registered practitioners.

The programme leads to eligibility for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council upon successful completion. The typical entry tariff of 152 points reflects the competitive nature of entry to a clinical training programme at a leading research university.

Speech and language therapy graduates work in the NHS, local authorities, charities, special schools, and private practice, supporting children and adults with a wide range of communication needs. Career progression can lead to specialist and advanced practitioner roles in areas such as paediatric language disorder, acquired neurological communication disorder, voice, or dysphagia. Many graduates also go on to postgraduate study or research, contributing to the evidence base that shapes clinical practice in the profession.