• Programme overview
• Entry Requirements
• Awards
• Fees

Programme overview

The University of Birmingham’s School of Education offers a masters programme for professionals working with children and young people with speech, language and communication needs also often called ‘speech and language difficulties’ or ‘language impairment’.   The programme is designed for teachers, speech and language therapists, educational psychologists and other professionals such as SENCOs.

Speech, language and communication difficulties are one of the most common and least visible forms of disability.  Up to 10% of primary school aged children have speech, language and communication difficulties.  Delayed speech and language may resolve, while more serious speech and language difficulties (disorders) may persist throughout life.  Speech difficulties affect intelligibility due to articulation or phonological disorders or dyspraxia.  There are difficulties understanding and expressing grammar, meaning and conversation, known as syntactic, semantic and pragmatic difficulties.

• The programme in speech, language and communication difficulties develops your knowledge of language and your skills assessing speech, language and communication difficulties.

Speech, language and communication difficulties are associated with learning difficulties, social, emotional and behaviour difficulties and other difficulties such as autistic spectrum disorders.  The programme also takes an in-depth look at dyslexia/specific learning difficulties.

• The programme offers you opportunities to develop expertise in a wide range of areas associated with speech, language and communication difficulties.

Speech, language and communication difficulties are a serious barrier to learning.

• The programme in speech, language and communication difficulties develops your knowledge and skills for language-focused curriculum planning and pedagogy.  

Children and young people with speech, language and communication difficulties are often seen by professionals in many agencies. 

• The Speech and Language Difficulties programme helps you develop collaboration strategies in and beyond your workplace and with families.  

Programme entry requirements

For an overview of the entry requirements, please refer to the "Admission requirements" page.

A degree or equivalent professional qualification; must be working with children with speech, language and communication needs in an educational setting.

Awards

In addition to the courses above, this 20-credit module is offered on campus at Level 3 and M. It can be taken as part of an award-bearing course.

Fees*

1st Year (Distance Education)

* Fees correct as of 7th November 2007

Fees for 1st year students commencing in 2008-09. Fees for subsequent years of study are likely to increase. An additional cost may be incurred for transferring between levels of study. These are indicative fees, to be confirmed. Students should confirm their fees upon being offered a place.

2nd Year (Distance Education)

* Fees correct as of 7th November 2007

Fees for 2nd year students commencing in 2008-09. An additional cost may be incurred for transferring between levels of study. These are indicative fees, to be confirmed. Students should confirm their fees upon re-registering for their 2nd year.