Bachelor of Speech and Language Pathology with Honours (BSLP(Hons))

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 accredited by New Zealand Speech-language Therapists’ Association (NZSTA). UC students are able to utilise excellent on-site resources including clinics and research facilities.

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 Intermediate Year

Your first year, known as the Intermediate Year, comprises 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.

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 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 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.

Further study

Postgraduate options include:

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

Career opportunities

Our graduates are in demand and highly employable both in Aotearoa New Zealand and overseas. They go on to work in hospitals, schools, and private clinics. Some of our graduates now have their own private practices, while others are working in research labs, and designing and developing new speech–language technologies. The BSLP(Hons) is recognised in Australia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Canada.