Language and Communication Impairment in Children - MSc/Diploma/Certificate

About the course

2-3 years part time by distance learning

This course is for teachers, speech and language therapists, and other professionals working with children with special educational needs.

You'll develop your knowledge and understanding of speech, language and communication and extend your existing skills. The course is delivered by distance learning meaning you can gain a specialist qualification without having to leave your current position.

Entry requirements

MSc - At least a 2:1 degree plus a minimum of two years’ experience of working with children.

PGCert/PGDip - A degree-level professional qualification, or a first degree, plus at least two years’ experience of working with children.

English language requirements

IELTS 7 (with no less than 6 in each part) or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English Grade B or above.

Entry requirements for international students 

Course content

All students take modules in:

• Children’s Learning
• Evidence-Based Practice
• Spoken and Written Language
• Language and Communication

PGDip/MSc

You'll choose two or more specialist topics for further study. Choices include:

• Autism and Autistic Spectrum Disorder
• Specific Language Impairment
• Language and Behaviour
• Persisting Speech Difficulties
• Language and Environment
• Learning Difficulties
• Hearing Impairment
• Auditory Processing Disorder
• Alternative and Augmentative Communication
• Dysfluency and Dyslexia

There are also optional modules in Early Years in Developmental Speech Difficulties and you’ll develop an in-depth case study based in your work setting

If you take the MSc, you'll undertake and write up an original piece of research related to your own work interests in the field of language and communication impairment.

Teaching

• Option to attend three study weekends each year
• Essential reading material will be available electronically and a small number of key textbooks are used
• Online activities, such as discussion forums
• Tutors will provide ongoing support via email and phone

Assessment

• Four written assignments of 3,000 words in each of the first and second years
• MSc students are assessed on their research dissertation

Fees and funding

Financial information for postgraduate taught courses

Any questions?

If you'd like to know more about any aspect of our courses, contact us:

E: hcs-admissions@sheffield.ac.uk
T: +44 (0)114 222 2405

Your career

Your masters will give you the skills and knowledge to make a difference in whatever you go on to do. Our courses provide professional development training or can lead to careers in university teaching and research.

Develop your skills and knowledge

We have a reputation for high-quality teaching and research in the field of human communication and its disorders. Our courses include professional training in speech and language therapy for students looking to enter this as a career, research training leading to a PhD, and professional development courses that can be studied alongside your current job.

We have links with the NHS, special schools and specialist charities to ensure that what we teach you is in line with current developments in the field.

We work with other departments across the University to inform our teaching, including the School of Education, the Department of Psychology, the Department of Computer Science and the School of English Language and Linguistics.

Study at a leading centre for research into human communication and its disorders.

Apply now

You can apply for postgraduate study using our Postgraduate Online Application Form. It is a quick and easy process.

Postgraduate Online Application Form