The University of Sheffield
Prospective Postgraduates

MSc/Diploma/Certificate Language and Communication Impairment in Children

Laura Hayes, Student in the Department of human communication sciences

Key facts

  • Department of Human Communication Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health
  • MSc- 2/3 years part-time
  • Postgraduate Diploma- 2 years part-time (by distance learning)
  • Postgraduate Certificate- 1 year part-time (by distance learning)

Financial information for postgraduate taught courses

Entry requirements

PGCert/PGDip
A degree-level professional qualification, or a first degree, plus at least two years’ experience of working with children.

MSc
Minimum 2.1 honours degree and two years’ relevant work experience with children.

English language requirements: overall IELTS grade of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component, or equivalent.

Entry requirements for international students

Any questions?

If you'd like to know more about any aspect of our courses, contact us:

E: hcs-admissions@sheffield.ac.uk
T: +44 (0)114 222 2405

Apply now

About the course

This course is for teachers, speech and language therapists, and other professionals working with children with special educational needs. You'll develop your understanding of speech, language and communication and build on your existing skills. The course is delivered by distance learning so you can gain a specialist qualification without having to leave your current job.

Course content

All students take modules in:

  • Children's Learning
  • Evidence-Based Practice
  • Spoken and Written Language
  • Language and Communication

PGDip/MSc

You'll choose at least two specialist topics for further study. Options include:

  • Autism and Autistic Spectrum Disorder
  • Specific Language Impairment
  • Language and Behaviour
  • Persisting Speech Difficulties
  • Language and Environment
  • Learning Difficulties
  • Hearing Impairment
  • Auditory Processing Disorder
  • Alternative and Augmentative Communication
  • Dysfluency and Dyslexia.

There are also optional modules in Early Years in Developmental Speech Difficulties and you'll develop an in-depth case study based in your work setting.

Teaching

  • Online plus the option to attend three study weekends each year
  • Essential reading material will be available electronically and a small number of key textbooks are used
  • Online activities, such as discussion forums, to support you in developing your ideas
  • Tutors will provide ongoing support via email and phone

Assessment

  • Four written assignments of 3,000 words in each of the first and second years
  • MSc students are assessed on their research dissertation

Your career

This course will develop your knowledge and understanding of speech, language and communication and build on your existing skills.

How we teach

We have a reputation for high-quality research in the field of human communication and its disorders. That research informs our teaching.

We have links with the NHS, special schools and specialist charities to ensure that what we teach you is in line with current developments in the field. We work with other departments across the University including the School of Education, the Department of Psychology, the Department of Computer Science and the School of English Language and Linguistics.

Apply now

You can apply for postgraduate study using our Postgraduate Online Application Form. It is a quick and easy process.

Postgraduate Online Application Form