Bachelor of Speech and Language Pathology with Honours
- Degree Structure - Duration
- 4 years full-time
480
Overview
Bachelor of Speech and Language Pathology with Honours
Introduction
Over the four years of the BSLP(Hons) degree, you will gain the knowledge and skills to assist a wide variety of people with communication and swallowing disorders.
UC students are able to utilise excellent on-site resources including clinics and research facilities.
Bachelor of Speech and Language Pathology with Honours
What will my study involve?
- The BSLP(Hons) is a highly regarded, professional degree accredited by Te Kāhui Kaiwhakatikatika Reo Kōrero o Aotearoa | New Zealand Speech-language Therapists’ Association (NZSTA).
- You have the opportunity to work with people of all ages at clinics on campus, nationally, and overseas.
- Fieldwork accounts up to 50% of your coursework depending on year of study.
Bachelor of Speech and Language Pathology with Honours
Entry requirements
Admission to UC with University Entrance (or equivalent) is required to enrol.
International students with English as a second language must provide evidence of IELTS (Academic) 7.0, with no score lower than 6.5, before admission to the First Professional Year (second year of study).
See Admission and enrolment for all information on enrolling at UC.
One or more courses or research may require vaccination
The final vaccination mandate ended at 11:59 pm on Monday 26 September 2022 which applied to health and disability workers. Some employers/placement sites may still require workers to be vaccinated due to health and safety. As such, some clinical placements may be restricted for those students who are not fully vaccinated.
Recommended background
The Intermediate Year (first year) is open to anyone, however a background in science from secondary school is recommended.
Entry into the Professional Years
The first year is followed by the Professional Years. Entry into the Professional Years is limited and is based on completion of the Intermediate Year, academic merit, an application form, a statement of interest, two letters of recommendation, and performance in an interview with a programme representative or representatives. Relevant work or volunteer experience may also be considered.
Applications for entry for the First Professional Year close on 1 October of the preceding year, although late enrolments will be considered if places are still available. For further application information and an application form, please contact the Professional Programmes Administrator at speech-hearing-admin@canterbury.ac.nz
If you are unsuccessful in gaining a place in the First Professional Year, your completed courses can usually be credited to a Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Health Sciences, Bachelor of Psychological Science, or Bachelor of Arts.
Bachelor of Speech and Language Pathology with Honours
Subjects and courses
The compulsory courses in your first year (Intermediate Year) cover introductory anatomy, physiology, and statistics. The advancing years (Professional Years) involve advanced assessment, planning, and evaluation of therapy programmes for a variety of communication disorders, put into practice through clinical fieldwork working with a range of clients.
See ‘Planning my degree’ below for an example degree structure diagram.
Compulsory courses
Year 1
- STAT101 Statistics 1
- One course chosen from these options
You will also need to complete another six 100-level courses from any degree at UC. The following courses are highly recommended:
- EDUC102 Child and Adolescent Development
- SPSC113 Introduction to Communication Disorders
- SPSC114 The Art and Science of Human Communication
- LING101 How Language Works
- PSYC105 Introductory Psychology – Brain, Behaviour and Cognition
- PSYC106 Introductory Psychology – Social, Personality and Developmental
Year 2
In the First Professional Year (second year of study), you will take courses in speech and language development and disorders, evidence-based practice, clinical linguistics, and audiology. You will also be introduced to the observation and assessment of individuals with communication difficulties and the distinguishing characteristics of the major types of communication disorders. 25% of the coursework includes clinical practice.
- SPSC222 Language Disorders in Children
- SPSC223 Clinical Linguistics and Phonetics
- SPSC232 Speech Sound Disorders
- SPSC262 Neuroscience of Swallowing and Communication
- SPSC281 Observation and Clinical Practice 1
- SPSC282 Clinical Practice 2
- HEAR243 Introduction to Audiologic Assessment and Management
- One course chosen from these options
Year 3
In the Second Professional Year (third year of study), you will continue studying different types of communication disorders, predominantly those of neurogenic origin, conduct applied research in clinical settings, and gain practical experience with clients. You will get to work with practising therapists, and complete coursework in education and medical settings. 30% of the coursework includes clinical practice.
- SPSC320 Spoken and Written Language Disorders in Education
- SPSC322 Motor Speech and Voice Disorders
- SPSC351 Fluency Disorders
- SPSC365 Dysphagia and Related Disorders – Diagnosis
- SPSC366 Dysphagia and Related Disorders – Management
- SPSC369 Aphasia and Related Disorders
- SPSC381 Applied Research and Clinical Practice 3
- SPSC382 Clinical Practice 4
Year 4
In the Third Professional Year (fourth year of study), more time is spent on research and taking responsibility for the assessment of clients and the planning, management, and evaluation of therapy programmes. 50% of the coursework includes clinical practice.
- SPSC420 Professional Studies
- SPSC461 Evidence-based Case Integration in the Aotearoa Context
- SPSC483 Clinical Practice 5
- SPSC484 Clinical Practice 6
Plus one of either:
If enrolled in SPSC491, you will also need to choice one course from these options or another TREO, MAOR, or PSYC course.
Bachelor of Speech and Language Pathology with Honours
Further study
Postgraduate communications disorders study options include:
- Master of Audiology
- Master of Science in Speech and Language Sciences
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Speech and Language Sciences
Other students with any undergraduate degree can choose to study our Master of Speech and Language Pathology to become qualified as a speech-language pathologist/therapist.
Bachelor of Speech and Language Pathology with Honours
Career ready
- We have a speech and language pathology clinic on campus and the opportunity to go on placement to speech-language therapy clinics at hospitals, schools, and other facilities nationwide and overseas.
- You will learn skills to help with client assessment, and the planning, management, and evaluation of therapy programmes.
- Graduates work with children with autism or language delays, helping stroke patients relearn speech and swallowing, developing new communication devices and tests, building their own private practices, and more.
Find out more about what can you do with a degree from UC.
2024 tuition fees estimate (per 120 points):
- Domestic — $7,571
- International — $39,175
2023 tuition fees estimate (per 120 points):
- Domestic — $7,365
- International — $37,500
SSL estimate (per 120 points):
- 2024 — $1,100.40
- 2023 — $992.40
Planning my study
(1) Take at least one of the following: MAOR165; TREO110; TREO111; MAOR172; HLTH106.
(2) You can choose courses from other degrees to make up 120 points. See 'Subjects and courses' above for highly recommended courses.
Each small block represents a 15-point course. However, some courses may be 30 points or more.
This diagram is an example only – other combinations are possible. For specific course requirements, see the Regulations for the Bachelor of Speech and Language Pathology with Honours.
Bachelor of Speech and Language Pathology with Honours
How do I plan my degree?
The Bachelor of Speech and Language Pathology with Honours requires a total of 480 points:
- At least 405 points of compulsory and fieldwork courses
- 15 points from a prescribed list of courses
- 75 points of courses in Science or from other degrees.
The degree takes 4 years of full-time study, or can be studied part-time for up to 8 years.
For the full degree requirements, see the Regulations for the Bachelor of Speech and Language Pathology with Honours.
The Intermediate Year
Your first year, known as the Intermediate Year, includes a minimum of 120 points (or eight 15-point courses). The Intermediate courses may be taken in one full-time year of study or accumulated over more than one year.
It is highly recommended that you begin your BSLP(Hons) degree in February. Those wanting to begin in July will need to complete more courses in a short timeframe with good grades, or will take an additional six months to finish their degree. Contact a Student Advisor for more information and to organise your programme schedule.
Limited entry into second year
Entry to the second year of the Bachelor of Speech and Language Pathology with Honours is limited to those who have successfully completed their Intermediate Year with good grades, and completed an application process. Relevant work or volunteer experience with people who have communication disorders may also be considered when selection decisions are made.
Applications for entry to the First Professional Year close on 1 October of the preceding year. Late enrolments will be considered if places are still available.
If you are unsuccessful in gaining a place in the First Professional Year, your completed courses can usually be credited to a Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Health Sciences, Bachelor of Psychological Science, or Bachelor of Arts.
The Professional Years
- First Professional Year courses focus on speech and language development and disorders, evidence-based practice, and audiology. You will gain practical experience working with a range of clients (which represents up to 25% of the year's work).
- In the Second Professional Year, you will continue studying different types of communication disorders, work with practising therapists, and complete coursework in a hospital setting. This year your fieldwork increases to 30%.
- In the Third Professional Year, you will take more advanced courses and also complete research work. About half of your year will be based in the field, and you will spend more time taking responsibility for the assessment of clients and the planning, management, and evaluation of therapy programmes.
You will need to pass all the compulsory courses and achieve at least a B- GPA in each year before progressing to the next year.
