Masters in Human Communication Sciences

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Study mode: Full Time

Duration: 1 year

Why choose Human Communication Sciences at Sheffield?

This is a multi-disciplinary programme, taught by experts in the fields of speech and language therapy, phonetics and linguistics, psychology, education, and computer sciences. It aims to provide students with a sound understanding of current research into the nature of human communication and how it may be impaired. It also offers general training in research methods and design in social sciences.
The programme provides a research training and is a good basis for an MPhil/PhD. The department is recognised by the ESRC as a research training outlet.

This programme does NOT provide a professionally accredited qualification in speech and language therapy.

Programme Outline

This full-time course runs over a full calendar year. The MSc carries a credit-weighting of 180 credits.

Aims and Objectives

• To provide students with a sound understanding of current research into the nature of human communication and how it may be impaired.
• To provide students with a general training in research methods and design in the social sciences;
• To familiarise students with a range of analytical approaches in clinical linguistics and phonetics.
• To develop general intellectual and communicative skills such as the analysis of data and the oral and written presentation of research.
• To provide students with a sound foundation for PhD research and a career either in academia, educational or health care settings.
• To equip students with the academic and professional skills needed to foster a positive attitude towards lifelong learning.
  

Curriculum

• Research methods in Human Communication Sciences
• Methods in clinical linguistics
• ICT applications in Human Communication Sciences
• Professional research skills in Human Communication Sciences
• Dissertation
  

And three OPTION Modules selected from the following

• Speech difficulties 1: Nature and investigation
• Speech difficulties 2: Intervention and management
• Speech assessment in cleft lip and palate
• Second language acquisition
• Teaching English for specific purposes
• Language testing
• Spoken & Written Language
• Developing an Evidence Base for Practice
• Developmental Disorders (specific language impairment, autistic spectrum disorders, learning difficulties, behavioural difficulties, AAC, auditory processing disorder amongst others)
• Acquired Disorders
• Case Study
• Early Years
• Literacy, Numeracy and other Symbolic Systems

More details of the course structure and curriculum is available in the Course Outline (PDF)

Some modules are also available for individual study.

Assessment methods

All modules are assessed by written work.

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. However, teaching is primarily seminar and workshop based to allow students to engage as active participants in the learning process. There is also material for self-directed learning.

Key teaching staff

The following staff contribute to teaching on this programme: Professor Joy Stackhouse, Professor Bill Wells, Professor Rosemary Varley, Dr Sara Howard.

What our students say about our courses.

• Read what our students say about our courses.

Entry requirements

Applicants will normally have a good BA or BSc degree (1st class, upper 2nd or equivalent) in a relevant discipline such as Speech and Language Therapy/Pathology, Linguistics, Education, Psychology or Computer Sciences.

For students who do not have English as a first language, the English language requirement is an IELTS average score of 7 with no component less than 6, or the equivalent.

Fees and Funding

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.

More information about fees is available

Closing Date for applications

The course commences in mid-September of each year.
Applications will usually be considered up until 31st July in each year.

How to apply

You can apply online here

• You can apply online here.

For more information contact

• Professor Bill Wells 0114 2222429
• Ms Kathryn Sharpe Programme Secretary, Tel:0114 2222402
• Admissions Secretary, Tel: 0114 2222405