Bachelor of Speech and Language Pathology with Honours

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).

For information on the enrolment process, please see how to apply for undergraduate qualifications.

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, or Bachelor of Arts.

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, 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.

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 ‘How do I plan my degree?’ above 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 1
• SPSC461 Complex Communication Disorders
• SPSC482 Clinical Practice 5
• SPSC484 Clinical Practice 6
• One course chosen from these 400-level options

Plus one of either:

• SPSC490 Research Project
• SPSC491 Capstone Project