Overview

First Year - Speech and Language Therapy

To be admitted to the First University Examination in Speech and Language Therapy, a student must have satisfactorily attended modules to the value of 60 credits.

Second Year - Speech and Language Therapy

No student may register for the Second Year programme of study until the First University Examination has been passed. To be admitted to the Second University Examination in Speech and Language Therapy, a student must have satisfactorily attended modules to the value of 60 credits.

Non-Clinical Exit Pathways for Students not proceeding to Third Year Speech and Language Therapy

1. The Diploma in Speech and Hearing Sciences, NFQ Level 6, is an alternative diploma pathway for students who do not satisfy the pass standard for the practice placement module SL2008. For students who do not pass SL2008 in Year 2 of the BSc (Hons) Speech and Language Therapy at either the Summer Examinations or the Autumn Supplemental Examinations or at the first attempt in a Repeat year, the student will re-register for the alternative pathway. Such students may opt to register instead for the non-clinical Diploma in Speech and Hearing Sciences. To complete the Diploma in Speech and Hearing Sciences, a student must pass all modules (except SL2008) for the second BSc Speech and Language Therapy Examinations and achieve a pass in the independent study module SL2002 (10 credits). The Diploma in Speech and Hearing Sciences does not confer eligibility to practice as a Speech and Language Therapist.
2. The BSc (Ordinary) (Speech and Hearing Sciences), NFQ Level 7, is a non-clinical exit pathway for students who satisfy the pass and progression standards of Second Year Speech and Language Therapy, but who, following consultation with the Programme Leader, do not continue with their clinical education. Such students may register instead for the non-clinical BSc (Speech and Hearing Sciences) in their Third Year for one further year. Programme requirements are outlined on the corresponding page. The BSc (Ordinary) (Speech and Hearing Sciences) does not confer eligibility to practice as a Speech and Language Therapist.
3. The BSc (Hons) (Speech and Hearing Sciences), NFQ Level 8, is a non-clinical exit pathway for students who satisfy the pass and progression standards of the Second Year Speech and Language Therapy Examination, but who, following consultation with the Programme Leader, do not continue with their clinical education leading to the qualification to practice in the BSc (Hons) Speech and Language Therapy. Such students may register instead for the non-clinical BSc (Hons) (Speech and Hearing Sciences) for a further two years. Programme requirements are outlined on the corresponding page. The BSc (Hons) (Speech and Hearing Sciences) is a non-clinical degree and does not confer eligibility to practice as a Speech and Language Therapist.
   
   Students who satisfy the pass standard for Year 3 in the BSc (Ordinary) (Speech and Hearing Sciences) may opt not to be conferred with the Ordinary degree and may instead transfer to the Fourth Year BSc (Hons) (Speech and Hearing Sciences) programme.

Third Year - Speech and Language Therapy

No student may register for the Third Year programme of study until the Second University Examination has been passed. To be admitted to the Third University Examination in Speech and Language Therapy, a student must have satisfactorily attended modules to the value of 60 credits.

Non-Clinical Exit Pathway for students not completing Third Year Speech and Language Therapy

The BSc (Ordinary) (Speech and Hearing Sciences), NFQ Level 7, is a non-clinical Ordinary degree pathway for students who do not satisfy the pass standard for the placement module (SL3007) in Year 3 of the BSc (Hons) Speech and Language Therapy in the Summer Examinations and/or the Autumn Supplemental Examinations, or who do not continue with their clinical education. Such students may, following consultation with the Programme Leader, register instead for the non-clinical BSc (Speech and Hearing Sciences) ordinary degree. Programme requirements are outlined on the corresponding page. The BSc (Ordinary) (Speech and Hearing Sciences) does not confer eligibility to practice as a Speech and Language Therapist.

Students who pass the replacement module SL3008 (in place of SL3007), at the first or the second attempt, and have passed all other modules in Third Year Speech and Hearing Sciences may, following consultation with the Programme Leader, progress to the Fourth Year BSc (Hons) Speech and Hearing Sciences degree, NFQ Level 8. Students continue with their registration on the non-clinical pathway, taking module SL4005 (in place of SL4004) and all other fourth year modules. The BSc (Hons) Speech and Hearing Sciences does not confer eligibility to practice as a Speech and Language Therapist.

Non-Clinical Exit Pathway for Students not proceeding to Fourth Year Speech and Language Therapy

The BSc (Hons) Speech and Hearing Sciences, NFQ Level 8 is a non-clinical Honours degree pathway for students who satisfy the pass and progression standards of Third Year Speech and Language Therapy, but who, following consultation with the Programme Leader, do not continue with their clinical education. Such students may register instead for the non-clinical BSc (Hons) Speech and Hearing Sciences, commencing in Fourth Year. Programme requirements are outlined on the corresponding page. The BSc (Hons) (Speech and Hearing Sciences) does not confer eligibility to practice as a Speech and Language Therapist.

Fourth Year - Speech and Language Therapy

Only students who have passed the Third University Examination in Speech and Language Therapy, and satisfied all other requirements specified for the Third Year, will be permitted to register for the Fourth Year of the programme. In order to be admitted to the BSc (Hons) Speech and Language Therapy Examination, a student must have satisfactorily attended the prescribed modules to the value of 60 credits.

Students may be offered the opportunity to study abroad as part of the Erasmus programme. If approved, students will attend the Erasmus host university during the second semester of 4^th year, where they are required to successfully pass a 5 credit module in place of SL4009. The module replacing SL4009 will be agreed between the Erasmus host university and the Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences in advance of the student’s visit. Students must be aware that if the timing of exam boards differ between UCC and the host university, marks may be presented at a later UCC examination board.

Non-Clinical Exit Pathway for Students not Completing Fourth Year Speech and Language Therapy

The BSc (Hons) Speech and Hearing Sciences is a non-clinical Honours degree pathway for students who do not satisfy the pass standard for the placement module (SL4004) in Year 4 of the BSc (Hons) Speech and Language Therapy in the Summer Examinations and/or the Autumn Supplemental Examinations, or who, following consultation with the Programme Leader, do not continue with their clinical education. Such students may register instead for the non-clinical BSc (Hons) Speech and Hearing Sciences degree and complete Year 4 of the programme. Programme requirements are outlined on the corresponding page. The BSc (Hons) Speech and Hearing Sciences does not confer eligibility to practice as a Speech and Language Therapist.

Programme Requirements

For information about modules, module choice, options and credit weightings, please go to Programme Requirements. 

Programme Requirements

Module List

Code	Title	Credits
Year 1
Students take 60 credits as follows:
Core Modules
AN1061	Anatomy of Speech and Hearing	5
PL1025	Fundamentals of Physiology	5
SL1004	Communication, Learning and Behaviour across the Lifespan	5
SL1005	Preparation for Academic and Professional Learning	5
SL1006	Language Acquisition	5
SL1007	Speech, Hearing and Swallowing Sciences I	10
SL1008	Introduction to Language Studies	5
SL1009	Introduction to Communication Disorders I	10
SL1010	Introduction to Communication Disorders II	10
Year 2
Students take 60 credits as follows:
Core Modules
AN2061	Neuroanatomy and Embryology for Speech and Language Therapy	5
CT2001	Introduction to Research Methods	5
SL2003	Speech, Hearing and Swallowing Sciences II	5
SL2007	Language Sciences II	5
SL2008	Practice Education I	10
SL2009	Communication Disorders in Children I	15
SL2010	Communication Disorders in Children II	15
Year 3
Students take 60 credits as follows:
Core Modules
AN3061	Applied Neuroanatomy for Speech and Language Therapy	5
CT3002	Advanced Research Methods	5
SL3001	Language Sciences III	5
SL3002	Communication Disorders in Adults I	15
SL3003	Speech, Hearing and Swallowing Sciences III	5
SL3006	Communication Disorders in Adults II	15
SL3007	Practice Education II	10
Year 4
Students take 60 credits as follows:
Core Modules
SL4003	Research-Based Dissertation	20
SL4004	Practice Education III	20
SL4007	Mental Health and Communication Disorders	5
SL4008	Dysphagia	10
SL4009	Advanced Research and Practice in Speech and Language Therapy	5
Total Credits		240

Examinations

Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards Book and for each module in the Book of Modules.

Programme Learning Outcomes

Programme Learning Outcomes for BSc (Hons) Speech and Language Therapy (NFQ Level 8, Major Award)

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

1
1-1
Apply knowledge of the relevant areas of physics, linguistics, psychology, anatomy, physiology and health sciences to the assessment, treatment, management and prevention of disorders of communication and swallowing;
1-2
2
Elicit relevant information about a patient's communication or swallowing difficulties by means of sensitive interviewing and information gathering, and appropriate test and assessment procedures;
1-3
3
Practice ethical behaviour, which reflects ancient and modern values to do good and no harm to clients; accords them maximum autonomy, privacy and dignity; respects therapist-client confidentiality; and includes performance of the legal and moral duties of accurately recording, organising and storing client information in traditional and electronic forms;
1-4
4
Apply tested methods of clinical intervention and design treatment plans that take into account the particular social, cultural and personal needs of the client with a communication or swallowing disorder;
1-5
5
Care for individuals with a communication or swallowing disorder in a manner which respects the organisation of health and educational services in Ireland, as these relate to the delivery of speech and language therapy services;
1-6
6
Develop therapeutic relationships that promote the general health and wellbeing of clients with communication or swallowing disorders;
1-7
7
Operate supportively within health and education teams to highlight the impact of a communication or swallowing disorder on a client’s overall health and well-being and to provide leadership in the team when appropriate;
1-8
8
Recognise the importance of updating professional knowledge within a community of scholars of speech, language, hearing and swallowing science, and make rational and sensitive decisions based on the best available evidence;
1-9
9
Apply principles from qualitative and/or quantitative research paradigms to review and conduct relevant research in the fields of communication and swallowing disorders.

*** Only for Incoming First Years and Repeat First Years 2024/2025 ***
*** Click here for Marks and Standards for all other years ***

Marks and Standards

These Marks and Standards should be read in conjunction with the Programme Requirements and the Book of Modules.

Fitness to Practise

All students on programmes subject to Fitness to Practise in UCC will be required to comply with the Fitness to Practise Policy and meet the relevant Fitness to Practise standards, in order to progress to the next year of his/her/their programme. Click here for a list of programmes subject to the Fitness to Practise Policy.

Marks and Credits

Students are required to take modules to the value of 60 credits.
Total Marks for year: 1200.

First Year - Pass and Progression Criteria

To pass first year and progress to second year, students must have satisfied the Fitness to Practise requirements and must achieve:

1. An aggregate mark of 50% across all modules, and
2. A pass mark in modules to the value of 60 credits.

Award of Honours in the Degree Award

An honours classification is awarded for the final degree using the final year examination results and marks carried forward from the penultimate year. The aggregate of 33.33% of the penultimate year marks plus 66.67% of the final year marks will be used to calculate the final degree award.

Honours will be awarded as follows:

1. First Class Honours: ≥ 70%
2. Second Class Honours, Grade I: ≥ 60% and <70%
3. Second Class Honours, Grade II: ≥ 55% and <60%
4. Pass: ≥ 50% and <55%

Examination Boards

• Provisional marks for Semester 1 examinations are released in January/February of each year. These marks are subject to approval at the University Examination Board.
• Marks for all modules taken in Semester 1 and 2, including those wholly assessed by Continuous Assessment, will be presented to the University Examination Board at the end of Semester 2.

Supplemental Examinations and Assessment

• Students who fail to achieve the progression standard for the year at the Summer Examination Board must complete Supplemental Examinations and/or Continuous Assessment for those specific module(s), where there is provision to do so.
• Please refer to the Book of Modules for requirements governing the Supplemental Examination and Assessment for individual modules. Note: For some modules there is no Supplemental Examination and Assessment.
• The marks achieved in the Supplemental Examinations and/or Continuous Assessment of a repeat module are considered at the Autumn Examination Board.
• The actual mark achieved by the candidate in the Supplemental or Repeat Year Examination will be recorded on the student record (Academic Transcript).
• The maximum mark that will be taken into account for aggregation and progression purposes is a pass level, unless the student has been granted a cap waiver or deferral by the University Mitigation Committee, or a University Examination Board, or has been approved to defer the previous attempt by the University Mitigation Committee.
• At the Autumn Examination Board, marks from all passed modules approved at the Summer Examination Board are carried forward and are combined with the marks achieved in Supplemental Examinations and/or Assessments. The pass and progression criteria are applied to the aggregate mark achieved.

Note: The mark achieved at the last examination/assessment attempt is the mark that is included in the calculation of the aggregate mark for pass and progression purposes.

Exemptions

All passed modules carry an exemption, which is limited to a period of five academic years (or two in the case of Computer Science modules) subsequent to the award of the exemption.

Repeat Year Examinations

Students retain module exemptions, if any, and must repeat all failed/absent modules, including those modules where the failing mark previously achieved was greater than the level of compensation (≥ 45%) but who failed to achieve the progression standard for the year (see above). The pass and progression criteria are then applied to the combination of full marks achieved in modules passed at the first attempt, plus capped marks achieved in modules in the Repeat Year Examinations.​

Note: For students selecting different modules not previously taken, there are no restrictions on the marks awarded for those modules at the first attempt in a repeat year. The selection of different modules by the student means that the student foregoes any previous marks achieved in the original modules (including previously passed modules).

Two Year Rule

Students must pass/progress within two academic years of the date of first registration for a year, otherwise they cannot continue in the programme.

Terms and Definitions

Programme Description

• The programme description is outlined in the Programme Requirements tab.

Module Descriptions/Assessment

• Module descriptions, including the pass standard for a module, special requirements to pass a module, and assessment elements and their weightings, are contained in the Book of Modules.

Marks and Credits

• A maximum of 100 marks may be awarded for every five credits of a programme.
• Some modules are assessed on a Pass/Fail basis only, i.e. marks are not awarded.

Pass and Progression

• Progression is defined as the permission granted to a student to register in the subsequent academic year for the next set of modules within his/her/their programme of study.
• Compensation is defined as the process by which a student, who fails to satisfy some of the regulations for credit in a specific module, is nevertheless recommended for credit to be awarded on the grounds that the failure is offset by his/her/their performance in the other modules on his/her/their programme of study.