Explore this course:
Supporting Speech, Language and Literacy in Children and Young People
School of Allied Health Professions, Nursing and Midwifery,
Faculty of Health
Course description
This course focuses on speech, language and literacy development and difficulties that affect children and young people.
It is a continuing professional development programme aimed at speech and language therapists, teachers, SENCOs, SEN teaching assistants, psychologists, and other professionals. It’s the ideal course for people who want to support the children and young people they work with - whether in a clinical or educational context - and promote successful collaborative practice.
Build a unique programme of study
We’ve designed the course with flexibility in mind; the majority of our modules are optional, which means you can create your own unique pathway of specialisation in the areas of speech, language and literacy. There are opportunities to deepen your understanding of speech, language and communication across the lifespan, or acquire new knowledge and skills to work effectively with children with special educational needs. Some of the areas you can choose to study include:
- Speech sound disorders (identification and management) and their impact on children
- Children’s learning and links to language
- Language and communication development, difficulties, and intervention
- The relationship between speech, language, and literacy development and implications for practice
- Topics such as autism, language and communication in adolescence, in multilingual contexts, and links between language and social, emotional and mental health needs
The University is a world-leading centre of research, with an excellent reputation in the area of speech, language, and literacy difficulties. Our subject specialists will incorporate the latest research into your teaching to enable you to make evidence-based decisions in future practice. You will also gain the knowledge and skills required to carry out research in preparation for your final dissertation (MSc route).
Flexible study options
You can choose to complete your studies at a PGCert, PGDip or MSc level. We offer both a full-time PGDip or MSc route, as well as part-time, distance learning routes at all levels, so you can fit your studies around your work and life commitments. You’ll be able to supplement this online learning with face-to-face study blocks. These on-campus study days will give you the chance to network with your fellow students, who can offer specialist knowledge in speech, language, communication, and literacy.
This programme does not lead to a professionally accredited qualification in either teaching or speech and language therapy, but it does provide continuing professional development, an opportunity to specialise, research training, and an excellent basis for an MPhil/PhD
Modules
CPD modules
If you are not ready to apply for the full PGCert, PGDip or MSc programme, most of the modules on this programme can be taken as a standalone CPD module.
Find out more on our continuing professional development page.
The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it's up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research; funding changes; professional accreditation requirements; student or employer feedback; outcomes of reviews; and variations in staff or student numbers. In the event of any change we'll consult and inform students in good time and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption.
Open days
An open day gives you the best opportunity to hear first-hand from our current students and staff about our courses.
Open days and campus tours
Duration
- MSc: 1 year full-time or 2/3 years part-time by distance learning
- Postgraduate Diploma: 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time by distance learning
- Postgraduate Certificate: 1 year part-time by distance learning
Teaching
This course is mostly taught online. Study blocks for each module take place on campus at regular intervals throughout the academic year. They include lectures, tutorials and practical workshops held over one to three days.
Attendance at study blocks is normally compulsory for full-time students and highly recommended for part-time distance learning students. Full-time students can also attend other lectures, seminars and practical workshops offered by the School of Allied Health Professions, Nursing and Midwifery.
Assessment
You will be assessed in a variety of ways, depending on the modules you choose to study. Assessments may include essays, data interpretation assignments, or infographics. MSc students are also assessed through a 12,000-word dissertation.
Your career
This is an advanced professional development programme, which will equip you with the specialist knowledge and skills needed to develop best practices for inclusive and special education.
Successful graduates will be able to work collaboratively with other professionals working with children who have speech, language and literacy difficulties, in both clinical and educational settings.
The course provides graduates with a solid foundation for career development in education, the NHS, or the private sector. It’s also great preparation for PhD research or other kinds of postgraduate training.
This course does not lead to a professional qualification that would allow you to practise as a teacher or speech and language therapist.
Student profiles
This course combines teaching from two courses previously run by the University. Profiles from students in these two master’s courses can be found below.
Entry requirements
If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the school/department.
Fees and funding
Apply
This course is pending approval. Once the programme is open to applicants, you'll be able to apply via the Postgraduate Online Application Form.