BMedSci Speech and Language Therapy pre-arrival information

Congratulations on securing your place to study Speech and Language Therapy with us this September. On this page you’ll find useful information and tasks to help make your transition to the University of Sheffield as smooth as possible.

On

We know this can be a busy time for you, and we want to make preparing to start your course as straightforward as possible. This pre-arrival page is just for new BMedSci Speech and Language Therapy students starting in September 2025. Here you’ll find information and tasks to complete specific to you and your course.


Complete your registration

Follow this link for a step-by-step outline of everything you need to do in order to complete your registration at the University.

Register as a student 


Welcome Week timetable

Welcome Week is week commencing Monday 22 September and we've arranged a number of sessions and activities for you to attend.

View your Welcome Week timetable [Google Doc link]


Programme handbook

We've created an online programme handbook to help make your transition to University as smooth as possible. This document gives you a very brief overview of the BMedSci Speech and Language Therapy programme. You have probably seen some of the information before on our prospectus page.

View your BMedSci Speech and Language Therapy handbook

The handbook has a lot of information in it, but don't worry - we will go through the most important areas together when we meet in September.

Some parts of the handbook are only accessible once you have registered with the University so make sure you complete your registration in good time.


Modules

In your three years you will study the following modules:

Year one

Module title

Strand

Staff

Professional Practice 1

Professional Practice

Dr Emma Gregory

Key Clinical Topics

Participation and Society

Participation and Society

Gemma Sleman

Speech, Language, Communication and Literacy Development in Children

Communication

Dr Sarah Spencer

Language, Cognition and Communication in Adults 1

Communication

Dr Emma Gregory

Introduction to Practical Linguistics

Communication

Dr Traci Walker

Biomedical Sciences

Biomedical Sciences

Dr Rosalyn Ferguson

Year two

Module title

Strand

Staff

Research Methods and Statistics

Research Methods

Dr Stuart Cunningham

Key Clinical Topics 1

Key Clinical Topics

Dr Caroline Haw

Biomedical Sciences

Communication

Participation and Society

Language, Cognition and Communication in Adults 2

Communication

Prof Ray Wilkinson

Speech and Hearing Science

Communication

Dr Ben Rutter

Biomedical Sciences

Professional Practice 2

Professional Practice

Dr Emma Gregory

Key Clinical Topics

Language Analysis, Sound and Structure

Communication

Dr Traci Walker

Developmental Differences of Communication

Communication

Prof Judy Clegg

Year three

Module title

Strand

Staff

Key Clinical Topics 2

Key Clinical Topics

Dr Lucy Dyson

Biomedical Sciences

Communication

Participation and Society

Transition to Professional Autonomy

Professional Practice

Dr Emma Gregory

Key Clinical Topics

Evaluating the Evidence Base 1

Research Methods

Dr Stuart Cunningham

Evaluating the Evidence Base 2

Research Methods

Prof Patty Cowell

Professional Practice 3

Professional Practice

Jon Smyth

A copy of the above can be found here [Google Doc link].


Placements

You will also be on placements in each semester, right from your very first semester! Your first placements will be well supported and will probably be paired. By your final year, you will be working much more independently. You will all be placed in different settings for the placements, but the structure is as follows (details are subject to change):

Year

Placements

Sessions

BMed1

Paediatric

10

Adult: Conversation Partners or Memory & Life Story

8

BMed2

Paediatric: Sheffield Children’s Service

16

Adult: AHPNM Aphasia Centre

13

Eating, Drinking and Swallowing (EDS)

6

BMed3

Paediatric

30

Adult

30

A copy of the above can be found here [Google Doc link].


Occupational Health and DBS Clearance

You have already received an email explaining these processes. It is important that you complete these tasks as soon as possible to make your placements run smoothly. Please follow the links in the email.

Can’t find the email? Please email ahpnm-support@sheffield.ac.uk.


Recommended reading

We use a wide range of texts throughout the Speech and Language Therapy course and support you by providing multiple copies of key texts and/or electronic copies where possible. These will be available via the University Library once you have completed your registration.

There is no requirement to do any reading before you start the course, or to purchase any books before or during the course. However, some students prefer to have some information in advance should they wish to do some background reading before arriving.

Please note if you do want to buy books:

  1. Most of the texts are available to purchase online
  2. Students sometimes agree to share more expensive books between them, so its sensible to wait and discuss this with your fellow students when you arrive.

A copy of the list below can be found here [Google Doc link]

Introduction to living with communication difficulties

You can get an introduction to living with communication difficulties from the website Communication Access UK. This website also includes free training which you could work through to get started on some simple strategies to support communication. 

Impact of communication difficulties

A good place to start your reading can be from the perspective of the person with the communication difficulty, their families and other texts focusing on the functional impact on their daily life.

Books

  • John-Dominique Bauby, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. Harper Perennial, 2008.

  • Naoki Higashida, The Reason I Jump. Sceptre, 2013.

  • Grace Maxwell, Falling and Laughing: The Restoration of Edwyn Collins. Random House, 2010. 

  • Robert McCrum, My year off: rediscovering life after a stroke. Picador, 1999.

  • Cynthia Pelman, Joshy Finds His Voice - A Story About Speech and Silence. Grosvenor House Publishing, 2014.

If you have come across any other books which you think we should add to this list, please let us know! We are happy to hear your suggestions about books we might have missed.

Websites

Anatomy and physiology

In your first year you will study a big module on Anatomy and Physiology. This is a module which students often worry about, as they might not have a very ‘science-y’ background. The core text for this module is:

  • Atkinson, M. & McHanwell, S. (2018) 2nd Edition. Basic medical science for speech and language therapy students. London: Whurr.

The book is co-written by Martin Atkinson, who previously taught Biomedical Science to our students for many years, and so demonstrates an understanding of SLT student needs. This is the book that students often report they would like to have familiarised themselves with prior to the course. Again, there is no requirement for you to do this. The course is well-supported and designed specifically for SLT students, and you will be provided with all the content you need to pass this module.


Student support

As a University of Sheffield student, you have access to a lot of support. There is an overview of support available on the University website.

If you have a disability or a specific learning need, please contact DDSS (the Disability and Dyslexia Support Service). We also have a Disability Liaison Officer in the School of AHPNM, and a Student Inclusion Officer, who you will meet when you arrive.

The University also offers a variety of study support. Some information can be found here: digital learning support and library information

You will also have an Academic Tutor, who you will meet individually every semester. They will give you plenty of support and guidance during your studies.


Contact us

BMedSci Speech and Language Therapy Programme Lead

 Professional Lead for Speech and Language Therapy

General contact details 

Programme support: ahpnm-support@sheffield.ac.uk