Supporting Speech, Language and Literacy in Children and Young People

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.

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

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.

Entry requirements