Masters (MMedSci) in Clinical Communication Studies
Study mode: Full-time
Duration: 2 calendar years
Why choose Clinical Communication Studies at Sheffield?
The MMedSci (Clinical Communication Studies) is a two calendar-year course. It is designed to enable graduates in appropriate fields to study for a professional qualification in Speech and Language Therapy.
What is speech and language therapy?
Many children and adults have difficulties with communication. Speech and language therapists work with these individuals to help them to communicate. Speech and language therapists usually work with the individual as well as their families and carers. This can take place in the individual's home or in a clinic or hospital. Speech and language therapists who work with children usually do so in the child’s school or nursery in collaboration with teachers and other professionals.
There are many different types of communication problems. Some of these are well known, for example stammering, hearing loss and cleft palate. Others are less well known, such as head injury, autism and losing the ability to communicate after a stroke. Communication problems are complicated. The role of the speech and language therapist is to identify the type of communication problem and then how to help the individual to communicate more effectively. To do this, speech and language therapists study a range of subjects including biomedical sciences, psychology, linguistics and communication. They also need to develop clinical skills to enable them to work with individuals with communication problems.
The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) and the Health Professions Council are the two bodies that govern the profession in the UK. See links at top right of this page.
Programme Outline
The course is offered on a full-time basis over two calendar years. It is divided into 6 tracks of study.
- Communication track: linguistics, psychology and how this relates to speech and language pathology.
- Participation and Society track: the study of sociology and social and health psychology and impact on speech and language therapy.
- Research track: research skills that are essential to providing evidence based health care.
- Biomedical Sciences track: anatomy, physiology, audiology and neurology and how to link this medical knowledge to speech and language pathology.
- Key Clinical Skills & Clinical Practice tracks: development of students´ clinical skills & professional competence to enable them to work with a range of clients with communication impairments.
Aims and Objectives
The aims of the course are:
- To develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for the graduate to work as a speech and language therapist.
- To enable the graduate to develop the necessary competencies in order to assess and manage a range of communication and swallowing disorders at the appropriate entry-level to the profession.
- To develop the relevant IT and research skills to equip the graduate to be active in evidence-based practice.
Curriculum
Year 1
| Curriculum Track | Module |
|---|---|
| Communication | Lifespan Communicative and Cognitive Development Language and Aphasia Speech Processing 1 Speech Processing 2 Developmental Communication Disorders |
| Participation & Society | Participation & Society |
| Research Methods | Research Methods 1 Research Methods 2 |
| Key Clinical Topics | Interpersonal and Professional Skills Introduction to Clinical Methods and Intervention |
| Clinical Placements | Clinical Practice 1 Clinical Practice 2 |
| Biomedical Sciences | Biomedical Science |
Year 2
| Curriculum Track | Module |
|---|---|
| Communication | Cognition and Communication Literacy, Numeracy and Other Symbolic Systems |
| Participation & Society | Mental Health and Learning Difficulties |
| Research Methods | Research Methods 3 Research Methods 4 (Dissertation) |
| Key Clinical Topics | Counselling in the Speech and Language Therapy Context Fluency Impairment Voice Disorders Transition to Professional Autonomy Dysphagia Motor Speech Disorder |
| Clinical Placements | Clinical Practice 3 Clinical Practice 4 Clinical Practice 5 Clinical Practice 6 |
| Biomedical Sciences | Neurology Audiology |
Assessment methods
Students’ work on the course is assessed by various methods including formal examination, assignment, clinical presentation and clinical report. In addition, students are assessed on clinical placement via observation of sessions and viva examinations.
Teaching Methods
A range of teaching and learning methods are employed including lectures, seminars, tutorials and practical workshops according to the nature of the material to be learned. Students will also spend time on clinical placement.
Entry requirements
The two-year course is open to graduates whose first degrees entailed a significant amount of study in a relevant field such as Psychology, Linguistics or a Biomedical Science. All applicants are required to hold at least a IIi first degree (or higher degree) and must hold their degree at the time of application.
Candidates who hold degrees in non-cognate fields will be considered if they can demonstrate a record of working in an area relevant to speech and language therapy (SLT) (e.g. as an SLT Assistant). All candidates are expected to demonstrate some degree of work experience relevant to speech and language therapy.
If you come from a non-English speaking background, you must successfully complete the International English Language Testing Service (IELTS) with an average score of 8 or above, with at least 7.5 in each component. Applicants for the MMedSci (Clinical Communication Studies) will have to complete clinical placements working with clients in English. This requires a very high degree of proficiency in English.
We currently have places available for overseas students who meet our academic and English language requirements. Overseas course fees will be applicable (see below).
All short-listed candidates for this course are required to attend for interview, since places are offered not only on the basis of academic ability, but also on the basis of interpersonal skills. Telephone interview can be arranged for overseas students.
As employment as a speech and language therapist can involve working with vulnerable people in a position of trust, all successful applicants are required to produce an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau disclosure before they can take up the offer of a place on the course.
Fees and Funding
Home and EU Students are eligible to apply for an NHS Bursary if they are accepted onto the MMedSci (Clinical Communication Studies) degree. Details of how to apply can be found on the NHS Pensions Agency website. Please follow the link on the right hand side of this page.
Information about fees for Overseas Applicants is available.
Funding for international students.
There are scholarships available for some nonUK, nonEU students who are studying either full-time or part-time masters programmes at Sheffield.
For more information go to: http://www.shef.ac.uk/international/enquiry/money/pg and look at information for your country.
Closing Date for applications
The closing date for applications is 1 December prior to the September start of the course.
How to apply
You can apply online here
Contact
Admissions Secretary Tel: 0114 2222405
Dept of Human Communication Sciences, University of Sheffield, 31 Claremont Crescent, Sheffield, S10 2TA