Applicants who are under 23 years of age must satisfy the minimum entry requirements of the College of Medicine and Health as set out here.

Entry on the Grounds of Mature Years

Applicants who have not satisfied the minimum entry requirements may, on the recommendation of College, be considered for admission on the grounds of mature years (see under "Mature Students" in the Admission to Undergraduate Programmes section of the University Calendar).

English Language Requirements
All applicants whose first language is not English must present an English Language Certificate (IELTS, TOEFL or ETAP). The minimum English Language Requirement for this programme is IELTS 7, with no individual section lower than 6.5.

Student Declaration
All students are required to sign a Student Declaration. This Declaration clearly outlines student rights and student responsibilities as registered students of the UCC School of Clinical Therapies.

Garda Vetting
Students, or applicants in receipt of an offer, on this programme will be subject to Garda Vetting as relevant. Students will be prohibited from engaging in a relevant work placement unless the vetting process has been cleared. Click here to view UCC's Student Garda Vetting Policy.

Fitness to Practise
Commencing with the 2015/2016 intake of first year students (including repeats), this programme will be subject to the University's Fitness to Practise Policy - full details may be found here.

Attendance
Each student registered for the BSc (Hons) Speech and Language Therapy degree is expected to attend all timetabled teaching activities and clinical placement. In the case of absences through illness, a student must give notice of each absence in writing and submit a medical certificate to the School Secretary within 48 hours of return.

A student will not be permitted to enter for an examination at the conclusion of a module if attendance at that module is not considered satisfactory by the Deputy President and Registrar following a report by the Head of School. The decision of the Deputy President and Registrar is subject to the appeal of the Academic Council of the University.

Two Year Rule
Students must pass/progress within two academic years of first registration for each year of the programme. After failing a re-sit examination, students may be allowed to repeat the year (only one repeat is normally allowed for each clinical practice experience in SL2008; SL3007; SL4004). Students are permitted to repeat any academic year once only and may not repeat any more than two academic years in any one programme.

To be admitted to the First University Examination in Speech and Language Therapy, a student must have satisfactorily attended modules to the value of 60 credits as follows:

AN1061 Anatomy of Speech and Hearing (5 credits)
PL1025 Fundamentals of Physiology (5 credits)
SL1004 Communication, Learning and Behaviour across the Lifespan (5 credits)
SL1005 Preparation for Academic and Professional Learning (5 credits)
SL1006 Language Acquisition (5 credits)
SL1007 Speech, Hearing and Swallowing Sciences I (10 credits)
SL1008 Introduction to Language Studies (5 credits)
SL1009 Introduction to Communication Disorders I (10 credits)
SL1010 Introduction to Communication Disorders II (10 credits)

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

Examinations
Full details of regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2019/2020 Book, and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2019/2020.

No student may register for the Second Year programme of study until the First University Examination has been passed. To be admitted to the Second University Examination in Speech and Language Therapy, a student must have satisfactorily attended modules to the value of 60 credits as follows:

AN2061 Neuroanatomy and Embryology for Speech and Language Therapy (5 credits)
CT2001 Introduction to Research Methods (5 credits)
SL2003 Speech, Hearing and Swallowing Sciences II (5 credits)
SL2007 Language Sciences II (5 credits)
SL2008 Practice Education I (10 credits)
SL2009 Communication Disorders in Children I (15 credits)
SL2010 Communication Disorders in Children II (15 credits)

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

Examinations
Full details of regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2019/2020 Book, and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2019/2020, in advance of the relevant Examination.

Non-Clinical Exit Pathways for Students not proceeding to Third Year Speech and Language Therapy

1. The Diploma in Speech and Hearing Sciences, NFQ Level 6, is an alternative diploma pathway for students who do not satisfy the pass standard for the practice placement module SL2008. For students who do not pass SL2008 in Year 2 of the BSc (Hons) Speech and Language Therapy at either the Summer Examinations or the Autumn Supplemental Examinations or at the first attempt in a Repeat year, the student will re-register for the alternative pathway. Such students may opt to register instead for the non-clinical (does not confer eligibility to practice as a Speech and Language Therapist) Diploma in Speech and Hearing Sciences. To complete the Diploma in Speech and Hearing Sciences, a student must pass all modules (except SL2008) for the second BSc Speech and Language Therapy Examinations and achieve a pass in the independent study module SL2002 (10 credits).

2. The BSc (Ordinary) (Speech and Hearing Sciences), NFQ Level 7, is a non-clinical exit pathway for students who satisfy the pass and progression standards of Second Year Speech and Language Therapy, but who, following consultation with the Programme Leader, do not continue with their clinical education. Such students may register instead for the non-clinical BSc (Speech and Hearing Sciences) in their Third Year for one further year. Programme requirements are outlined below. The BSc (Ordinary) (Speech and Hearing Sciences) does not confer eligibility to practice as a Speech and Language Therapist.

3. The BSc (Hons) (Speech and Hearing Sciences), NFQ Level 8, is a non-clinical exit pathway for students who satisfy the pass and progression standards of the Second Year Speech and Language Therapy Examination, but who, following consultation with the Programme Leader, do not continue with their clinical education leading to the qualification to practice in the BSc (Hons) Speech and Language Therapy. Such students may register instead for the non-clinical BSc (Hons) (Speech and Hearing Sciences) for a further two years. Programme requirements are outlined below. The BSc (Hons) (Speech and Hearing Sciences) is a non-clinical degree and does not confer eligibility to practice as a Speech and Language Therapist.

Students who satisfy the pass standard for Year 3 - the BSc (Ordinary) (Speech and Hearing Sciences) may opt not to be conferred with the Ordinary degree and may instead transfer to the Fourth Year BSc (Hons) (Speech and Hearing Sciences) programme.

No student may register for the Third Year programme of study until the Second University Examination has been passed. To be admitted to the Third University Examination in Speech and Language Therapy, a student must have satisfactorily attended modules to the value of 60 credits as follows:

AN3061 Applied Neurology for Speech and Language Therapy (5 credits)
CT3002 Advanced Research Methods (5 credits)
SL3001 Language Sciences III (5 credits)
SL3002 Communication Disorders in Adults I (15 credits)
SL3003 Speech, Hearing and Swallowing Sciences III (5 credits)
SL3006 Communication Disorders in Adults II (15 credits)
SL3007 Practice Education II (10 credits)

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

Examinations
Full details of regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2019/2020 Book, and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2019/2020, in advance of the relevant Examination.

Non-Clinical Exit Pathway for students not completing Third Year Speech and Language Therapy
The BSc (Ordinary) (Speech and Hearing Sciences), NFQ Level 7 is a non-clinical Ordinary degree pathway for students who do not satisfy the pass standard for the placement module (SL3007) in Year 3 of the BSc (Hons) Speech and Language Therapy in the Summer Examinations and/or the Autumn Supplemental Examinations, or who do not continue with their clinical education. Such students may, following consultation with the Programme Leader, register instead for the non-clinical BSc (Speech and Hearing Sciences) ordinary degree. Programme requirements are outlined below. The BSc (Ordinary) (Speech and Hearing Sciences) does not confer eligibility to practice as a Speech and Language Therapist.

Students who pass the replacement module SL3008 (in place of SL3007), at the first or the second attempt, and have passed all other modules in Third Year Speech and Hearing Sciences may, following consultation with the Programme Leader, progress to the Fourth Year BSc (Hons) Speech and Hearing Sciences degree, NFQ Level 8. Students continue with their registration on the non-clinical pathway, taking module SL4005 (in place of SL4004) and all other fourth year modules. The BSc (Hons) Speech and Hearing Sciences does not confer eligibility to practice as a Speech and Language Therapist.

Non-Clinical Exit Pathway for Students not proceeding to Fourth Year Speech and Language Therapy
The BSc (Hons) Speech and Hearing Sciences, NFQ Level 8 is a non-clinical Honours degree pathway for students who satisfy the pass and progression standards of Third Year Speech and Language Therapy, but who, following consultation with the Programme Leader do not continue with their clinical education. Such students may register instead for the non-clinical BSc (Hons) Speech and Hearing Sciences, commencing in Fourth Year. Programme requirements are outlined below. The BSc (Hons) (Speech and Hearing Sciences) does not confer eligibility to practice as a Speech and Language Therapist.

Only students who have passed the Third University Examination in Speech and Language Therapy, and satisfied all other requirements specified for the Third Year, will be permitted to register for the Fourth Year of the programme. In order to be admitted to the BSc (Hons) Speech and Language Therapy Examination, a student must have satisfactorily attended the prescribed modules to the value of 60 credits.

SL4003 Research-Based Dissertation (20 credits)
SL4004 Practice Education III (20 credits)
SL4007 Mental Health and Communication Disorders (5 credits)
SL4008 Dysphagia (10 credits)
SL4009 Advanced Research and Practice in Speech and Language Therapy (5 credits)

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

Examinations
Full details of regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2019/2020 Book, and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2019/2020.

Non-Clinical Exit Pathway for Students not Completing Fourth Year Speech and Language Therapy
The BSc (Hons) Speech and Hearing Sciences is a non-clinical Honours degree pathway for students who do not satisfy the pass standard for the placement module (SL4004) in Year 4 of the BSc (Hons) Speech and Language Therapy in the Summer Examinations and/or the Autumn Supplemental Examinations, or who, following consultation with the Programme Leader, do not continue with their clinical education. Such students may register instead for the non-clinical BSc (Hons) Speech and Hearing Sciences degree and complete Year 4 of the programme. Programme requirements are outlined below. The BSc (Hons) Speech and Hearing Sciences does not confer eligibility to practice as a Speech and Language Therapist.

Programme Learning Outcomes for BSc (Hons) Speech and Language Therapy (NFQ Level 8, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Apply knowledge of the relevant areas of physics, linguistics, psychology, anatomy, physiology and health sciences to the assessment, treatment, management and prevention of disorders of communication and swallowing;
• Elicit relevant information about a patient's communication or swallowing difficulties by means of sensitive interviewing and information gathering, and appropriate test and assessment procedures;
• Practice ethical behaviour, which reflects ancient and modern values to do good and no harm to clients; accords them maximum autonomy, privacy and dignity; respects therapist-client confidentiality; and includes performance of the legal and moral duties of accurately recording, organising and storing client information in traditional and electronic forms;
• Apply tested methods of clinical intervention and design treatment plans that take into account the particular social, cultural and personal needs of the client with a communication or swallowing disorder;
• Care for individuals with a communication or swallowing disorder in a manner which respects the organisation of health and educational services in Ireland, as these relate to the delivery of speech and language therapy services;
• Develop therapeutic relationships that promote the general health and wellbeing of clients with communication or swallowing disorders;
• Operate supportively within health and education teams to highlight the impact of a communication or swallowing disorder on a client’s overall health and well-being and to provide leadership in the team when appropriate;
• Recognise the importance of updating professional knowledge within a community of scholars of speech, language, hearing and swallowing science, and make rational and sensitive decisions based on the best available evidence;
• Apply principles from qualitative and/or quantitative research paradigms to review and conduct relevant research in the fields of communication and swallowing disorders.

Diploma in Speech and Hearing Sciences - NFQ Level 6, Minor Award

Second Year - Second University Examination in Speech and Hearing Sciences

Students take 60 credits as follows:

AN2061 Neuroanatomy and Embryology for Speech and Language Therapy (5 credits)
CT2001 Introduction to Research Methods (5 credits)
SL2002 Independent Study in Communication Disorders (10 credits)
SL2003 Speech, Hearing and Swallowing Sciences II (5 credits)
SL2007 Language Sciences II (5 credits)
SL2009 Communication Disorders in Children I (15 credits)
SL2010 Communication Disorders in Children II (15 credits)

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module descriptions may be found here.

Examinations
Full details of regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2019/2020 Book, and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2019/2020.

BSc (Ordinary) (Speech and Hearing Sciences) Pathway - NFQ Level 7, Major Award

Third Year - Third University Examination in Speech and Hearing Sciences

Students take 60 credits as follows:

AN3061 Applied Neurology for Speech and Language Therapy (5 credits)
CT3001 Advanced Research Methods (5 credits)
SL3001 Language Sciences III (5 credits)
SL3002 Communication Disorders in Adults I (15 credits)
SL3003 Speech, Hearing and Swallowing Sciences III (5 credits)
SL3006 Communication Disorders in Adults II (15 credits)
SL3008 Analytic Techniques in Communication Disorders (10 credits)

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module descriptions may be found here.

Examinations
Full details of regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2019/2020 Book, and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2019/2020.

BSc (Hons) (Speech and Hearing Sciences) - NFQ Level 8, Major Award

Third Year - Third University Examination in Speech and Hearing Sciences

Students take 60 credits as follows:

AN3061 Applied Neurology for Speech and Language Therapy (5 credits)
CT3001 Advanced Research Methods (5 credits)
SL3001 Language Sciences III (5 credits)
SL3002 Communication Disorders in Adults I (15 credits)
SL3003 Speech, Hearing and Swallowing Sciences III (5 credits)
SL3006 Communication Disorders in Adults II (15 credits)
SL3008 Analytic Techniques in Communication Disorders (10 credits)

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module descriptions may be found here.

Fourth Year - BSc (Hons) Degree Examination in Speech and Hearing Sciences

Students take 60 credits as follows:

SL4003 Research-Based Dissertation II (20 credits)
SL4005 Current Issues in Communication Disorders (20 credits)
SL4007 Mental Health and Communication Disorders (5 credits)
SL4008 Dysphagia (10 credits)
SL4009 Advanced Research and Practice in Speech and Language Therapy (5 credits)

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module descriptions may be found here.

Examinations
Full details of regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2019/2020 Book, and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2019/2020.

Programme Learning Outcomes for BSc (Hons) Speech and Hearing Sciences (NFQ Level 8, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Describe typical and atypical language, speech and swallowing throughout the lifespan;
• Compare and contrast current literature evaluating the fields of physics, linguistics, psychology, anatomy, physiology and health sciences relating to the treatment, management and prevention of disorders of communication and swallowing;
• Construct systematic reviews of the literature pertaining to relevant research in the fields of communication and swallowing disorders;
• Collect and organise data pertinent to research in the fields of communication and swallowing disorders;
• Effectively transcribe and analyse speech, language and swallowing samples using various transcription and analytic methods;
• Interpret research data using the appropriate analytic techniques and explain the relevance of such analyses to communication and swallowing disorders;
• Practice ethical behaviour, which reflects ancient and modern values to do good and no harm to clinical research participants;
• Recognise the importance of updating professional knowledge within a community of scholars of speech, language, hearing and swallowing sciences.

Programme Learning Outcomes for BSc (Ordinary) Speech and Hearing Sciences (NFQ Level 7, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Describe typical and atypical language, speech and swallowing throughout the lifespan;
• Compare and contrast current literature evaluating the fields of physics, linguistics, psychology, anatomy, physiology and health sciences relating to the treatment, management and prevention of disorders of communication and swallowing;
• Construct systematic reviews of the literature pertaining to relevant research in the fields of communication and swallowing disorders;
• Collect and organise data pertinent to research in the fields of communication and swallowing disorders;
• Effectively transcribe and analyse speech, language and swallowing samples using various transcription and analytic methods;
• Interpret research data using the appropriate analytic techniques and explain the relevance of such analyses to communication and swallowing disorders;
• Practice ethical behaviour, which reflects ancient and modern values to do good and no harm to clinical research participants;
• Recognise the importance of updating professional knowledge within a community of scholars of speech, language, hearing and swallowing sciences.

Programme Learning Outcomes for Diploma in Speech and Hearing Sciences (NFQ Level 6, Minor Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Describe typical and atypical language, speech and swallowing throughout the lifespan;
• Compare and contrast current literature evaluating the fields of physics, linguistics, psychology, anatomy, physiology and health sciences relating to the treatment, management and prevention of disorders of communication and swallowing;
• Effectively transcribe and analyse speech, language and swallowing samples using various transcription and analytic methods.