Speech and Language Therapy

Speech and language therapy is a clinical health profession concerned with the assessment and treatment of difficulties in communication and swallowing that arise from a wide range of conditions and circumstances. People with acquired neurological conditions such as stroke or Parkinson's disease, children with developmental language disorders, people who stammer, those with voice disorders, individuals with autism spectrum conditions, people with cleft palate, and many others may benefit from the assessment and support of a speech and language therapist. The profession requires a combination of scientific knowledge in linguistics, anatomy, psychology, and neuroscience, and the clinical skills to work directly and effectively with patients across the lifespan.

At the University of East Anglia you will study this three-year full-time degree, which leads to eligibility for registration as a speech and language therapist with the Health and Care Professions Council. The programme combines academic study of linguistics, communication sciences, psychology, and anatomy with clinical placements in settings including NHS speech and language therapy services, specialist education, paediatric services, and adult neurological care. Across the academic component you will develop a rigorous understanding of how communication works, how it can be disrupted, and how evidence-based therapy approaches can support recovery or adaptation.

The typical entry tariff is 120 points and admission is competitive.

Qualified speech and language therapists work across the NHS, education services, independent practice, and residential care settings, supporting clients from premature babies to older adults with dementia. The profession is regulated and the demand for therapists consistently exceeds supply, making employment prospects very strong. Speech and language therapy is a profession with real career development, including opportunities to specialise in particular client groups or conditions, to take on management and supervision roles, and to engage with research and service development.

Further study at postgraduate level is an option for those who wish to develop specialist clinical expertise or pursue academic research in communication sciences.