Course details

Summary

Over the four years of this degree, students gain the knowledge and skills to assist a wide variety of people with communication and swallowing disorders. The Bachelor of Speech and Language Pathology with Honours (BSLP (Hons)) is a highly regarded, professional degree with a strong practical focus. UC students are able to utilise excellent onsite resources including clinics and research facilities.

Qualification structure and duration

The Bachelor of Speech and Language Pathology with Honours requires a total of 480 points.

The Intermediate Year

Your first year, also known as the Intermediate Year, comprises a minimum of 120 points or eight compulsory 15-point courses (or equivalent). The Intermediate courses may be taken in one full-time year of study or accumulated over more than one year.

The Professional Years

First Professional Year courses focus on speech and language development and disorders, evidence-based practice and audiology. You have the opportunity for practical experience, working with a range of clients.

In the Second Professional Year you continue studying different types of communication disorders, work with practising therapists and complete coursework in a hospital setting.

In the Third Professional Year you take more advanced courses and research work is also included. About half of your year will be based in the field, with you spending more time taking responsibility for the assessment of clients and the planning, management and evaluation of therapy programmes.

Fieldwork

Fieldwork accounts for about 25% of the year's work in the second year, 30% in the third and 50% in the final year. You have the opportunity to undertake work with people of all ages at clinics in Christchurch and throughout New Zealand and overseas.

Further study

Postgraduate qualifications include:

• Master of Audiology
• Master of Speech and Language Pathology
• Master of Science (specialising in Speech and Language Sciences)
• Doctor of Philosophy

Career opportunities

The speech-language therapy profession offers a range of career opportunities. Graduates are highly employable as clinicians both in New Zealand and overseas. The BSLP(Hons) is recognised in Australia, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Canada.

You can work with people or computers, in a research laboratory, a private clinic or a government agency. You can work with language-delayed children in a school setting or with elderly stroke patients in a large hospital or nursing home. You can be an entrepreneur, developing and marketing new communication devices and tests, or building your own private practice.

Entry criteria

Admission to UC with University Entrance, or equivalent, is required to enrol for a Bachelor's degree. Applicants must have completed New Zealand University Entrance through NCEA; or Cambridge International Examinations (CIE); or International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) or any other equivalent overseas qualification.

Other English language requirements: TOEFL PBT with a minimum score of 550 and TWE with a minimum score of 4.5; CCEL EAP Level 2 with a minimum C+ grade; CAE or CPE minimum score of 169 with at least 162 in reading, writing, listening and speaking; Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE with an overall score of 57 and no PTE communicative skills score below 50.