FdSc
Speech, Language and Communication Science
Develop your understanding of human communication
Course Overview
Why take this course?
The UK has an ageing population and increasing numbers of children with communication difficulties, meaning the demand on speech and language therapy services is greater than ever.
Our course focuses on developing tomorrow’s competent skilled speech and language therapy assistants.
What will I experience?
On this course you can:
- Undergo simulated competency tasks before putting your learning into action during placements in a variety of health and social care settings
- Observe, examine, assess and engage with real patients struggling with their speech
- Shadow and receive mentoring from a registered practitioner whilst on placement
What opportunities might it lead to?
Speech and language therapy is undergoing a period of change, where much therapy is now provided by assistants who may work with individuals in a variety of settings. Our course is training to enter the therapy profession in healthcare services and education.
Here are some routes our graduates have pursued:
- pre-schools
- schools (including special schools)
- acute healthcare
- elderly care
- rehabilitation
This is a unique course and the only kind in the country designed to train associate practitioners in speech and language. It will equip a new breed of professionals, leading to new jobs being created in the NHS and schools. It gives a flavour of the opportunities available in order for you to decide the further education or career path you wish to follow once qualified.
Dr Chris Markham, FdSc (Hons) Speech, Language and Communication Science lecturer
Key Facts
- UCAS Course Code:
- BC68
- Duration
- 2 years full time, 3 years part time
- Entry
160 points from at least one of the following: A levels or AVCE/Advanced GNVQ/BTEC National/Access (English Language, Psychology, Social Science) or equivalent experience. All shortlisted applicants are subject to interview. All offers are subject to Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance and Occupational Health clearance.
English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 7.5 with no component score below 7.5.
Other qualifications- Fees
UK/EU/Channel Islands and Isle of Man full-time students: £8,750 p/a*
UK/EU/Channel Islands and Isle of Man part-time students: £4,000 p/a*
International full-time students: £10,500 p/a*
International part-time students: £7,000 p/a*
*Please note that all fees are subject to annual increase.- Contact
- sci.admissions@port.ac.uk
+44 (0)23 9284 5550 - Department
- School of Health Sciences and Social Work
Subject:
Health Sciences and Social Work
Find out what our students say about studying at Portsmouth, including:
- The clinical and real-life learning approach that will equip you for your chosen career
- Our simulated environments that mean you’ll gain and practise the skills you’ll need before entering the workplace
- Approachable lecturers, many of whom are teacher practitioners
Visit us at our open day
Wed 10 Jul
Structure & Teaching
Year one
You will begin the course by studying the many stages of human speech development. You’ll also cover human anatomy for patient assessment and begin your introduction to working in a healthcare environment.
Core units in this year include:
- Anatomy and Physiology Applied to Clinical Practice
- Early Human Development
- Clinical Skills One and Two
- Working in Health
- Evidence-Based Practice
Year two
This year covers a more in depth look at speech and other impairments such as sight and hearing. You’ll gain the required clinical skills in diagnosis and treatment using a variety of therapeutic procedures.
Core units in this year include:
- Speech, Language and Communication Needs and Management
- Improving Health Services
- Sight and Sound
- Case Study
- Altered Physiology
Teaching and Assessment
Face-to-face learning via lectures, seminars and practical work will make up the majority of your campus-based learning. However, you will also be expected to apply the theoretical and practical components of the course to your hospital placements.
How are you assessed?
On this course there is a varied blend of assessment methods as well as a portfolio, which you’ll use to showcase your abilities to future employers. Here’s how we assess you:
- tests (academic or practical/skills based)
- case studies
- online assessment
- academic written work/portfolios
- objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs)
- presentations
Visit us open day
Facilities & Features
Centre for Simulation in Healthcare
The Centre is used to simulate real-life scenarios – a great way to prepare you for the real thing
Supervised Work Placements
Workplace experience is a key component of this course
University Library
Our library offers a wealth of information
Centre for Simulation in Healthcare
Our aim is to enhance your learning and experiences through the use of innovative technologies. You’ll practise profession-specific skills in a safe and supportive environment, as well as experience the types of clinical and informal healthcare situations that you’ll encounter in the workplace. The Centre is used to simulate real-life scenarios – a great way to prepare you for the real thing during placement.
Supervised Work Placements
Supervised workplace experience is a key component of the course and we anticipate that placements will be within acute and community NHS Trusts, education (mainstream and special education settings), and with a wide range of health and social care services. Our Faculty of Science Placement Office will help you secure work placement opportunities.
University Library
Modern, comfortable and a great learning environment, our library offers a wealth of information including 400,000 books, DVDs, maps and thousands of online ejournals and newspapers. Many electronic resources are available anywhere, 24/7 and our friendly staff are always on hand to help.
Careers & Opportunities
Career prospects
Speech and language assistants work with a variety of individuals in numerous settings. This qualification is also suitable for a range of other support roles involving children and adults with special needs, including senior teaching assistant posts in schools and colleges. It could also enable you to access further study in order for you to qualify as a speech and language therapist.
Work experience
Supervised workplace experience is a key component of our course and some of your time will be spent in practice placements. If you’re a full-time student we anticipate that your placement will be within acute and community NHS Trusts, education (mainstream and special education settings), and with a wide range of health and social care services. Whereas if you’re a part-time student your placement will usually be with your existing employer, although observational visits to other agencies will be undertaken.
Career planning
6.04 minutes
Finding a job is a competitive business, but the statistics show that 89 per cent of our 2011graduates went into employment, further study or training within six months of finishing their degrees.
To make sure you take the right steps on your career path, we’re here to give you help, support and advice throughout your study. Even after you’ve graduated, we continue to give you support for up to five years.
Employers tell us that they want graduates to be able to demonstrate certain skills when they come out of university. Our courses take account of this. We make sure we prepare you for employment through work-related learning, projects, placements and working in simulated environments that are designed to prepare you for the working world.
Open Day
Our next open day is Wed 10 July
VISIT US! Have a look around and get a feel for what it’s like to live and study here. We’ll be on hand to talk to you about your course interests and show you all of our amazing facilities. You’ll also get to meet tutors and other students…
Application, Fees and Funding — find out more