Speech and Language Therapy (Degree Apprenticeship) - BSc (Hons)

Speech and Language Therapists support people of all ages who have communication and/or swallowing difficulties. We are one of only three universities offering this new apprenticeship in Speech and Language Therapy, which will prepare you to achieve excellence and professional autonomy in clinical practice. This course is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). 

What do apprenticeships offer?

• Work based learning – the opportunity to build on existing knowledge and skills
• A wide range of placement opportunities to broaden your understanding of healthcare provision across the lifespan
• Highly experienced tutors who are all professionally qualified to support you at university
• Work based clinical educators to support you in practice
• A wide range of support services available to you at university to support your learning journey
• We have been training Speech and Language Therapists for over 50 years, so you are guaranteed excellent support, training and access to a wealth of knowledge
• Learn from passionate and experienced staff – the course team offers a wealth of experience and knowledge for you to learn from – plus they are actively involved in campaigns and lobbying to make a difference
• Our City South Campus features two specialist SLT clinics with cutting-edge technology, a resource room, home environment room and simulation suites to aid your learning.

Applications

Application for the apprenticeship is through the employer organisation. Your application will be assessed by both your employer and the academic team at Birmingham City University.

To secure a place on the apprenticeship, you will also need to pass an interview with representatives from both your employer and Birmingham City University.

Entry requirements

Three GCSEs at grade C/4 or above, including Mathematics and English language. Level 2 equivalent qualifications (e.g. Functional Skills) are accepted.

Level 2 qualifications must have been achieved at the point of enrolment.

Plus one of the following:

• 112 UCAS points (Grades BBC) from 3 A levels or an equivalent L3 qualification examples include:
• BTEC National/Extended Diploma DDM
• Access to HE Diploma (Health or Science related pathway) - Pass with 60 credits overall; 45 credits at level 3 with 12 at Distinction and 24 at Merit. If applying with an Access course you only need GCSE mathematics and English language at grade C/4 or above. You are not required to hold three GCSEs in total.

This is not an exhaustive list of qualifications so please contact your employer for further clarification.

Applicants who do not meet typical Level 3 qualifications who have relevant and sufficient experience* can still apply by successfully completing a portfolio of evidence set by our university admissions team. (The same GCSE qualifications are still required.)

*Speech and Language Therapy Assistant, Teaching Assistant, Senior Health Care Support Worker

IELTS

• Applicants who have not received their secondary school education in English will require an overall IELTS score of 7.5, with no subtest below 7.
• To register with the Health and Care Professions Council, applicants for whom English is not a first language will require an overall IELTS score of 8, with no subtest below 7.5.
• If English is studied at GCSE Level but as a second language, IELTs must be completed to qualify for UK L2 requirement

Places are subject to:

• Occupational Heath Clearance
• Advanced Disclosure and Barring Service report
• Successful interview
• Proof of qualifications
• Pre-employment checks
• Successful formal application to university through APTEM system and eligibility checks e.g. qualification checks

How will I study?

As an apprentice on this course you will be released by your employer to study part-time at university while having exposure to a range of practice placement settings. In university, you will experience a mixture of face-to-face and virtual teaching, self-directed study and practice-based clinical placements. On the job, you will engage with practice partners and service users to learn the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to care for a wide range of patients.

Apprentices are required to complete an End Point Assessment (EPA) on completion of the programme. The EPA is independently assessed outside of the university.

We have invested over £400 million in our facilities, including an upgrade to our Skills and Simulation facilities at City South Campus. We boast up-to-date, innovative facilities that simulate the real situations that you may come across in the workplace. These resources are essential in offering you a hands-on introduction to health and social care practice.