Programme Specific FAQ’s

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many places are available on the MSc in Speech and Language Therapy (Professional Qualification) each year?
There are approximately 30 places available each year.

2. I'm in the final year of my degree. Will I be eligible to apply in the same year that I graduate?
Official confirmation of final degree results must be provided at the time of applying (first Friday in December) so if you finish your degree in May/June you will be eligible to apply the following December.

3. What previous work experience would be considered relevant when applying for the programme?
Your application should include details of any work experience with people with communication difficulties and/or other special needs as well as any other experience that you consider relevant. In addition you are encouraged to increase your knowledge and understanding of the profession of speech and language therapy prior to applying for the course.

4. How intense is the programme and when will I be expected to be in college? The MSc is a two-year, full-time programme incorporating four regular university semesters, one or two weeks of pre-semester teaching each semester, and two summer study periods. As a graduate entry masters, the workload is consistently high across the programme and the completion of 150 sessions (over 500 hours) of placement adds to the intensity of the course. Please note that the course structure is always under review so may differ to this in future years.

5. Can you give me more information about Clinical Placement?
Clinical Placement is an integral part of the MSc Speech and Language Therapy (Professional Qualification). It is organised by the Practice Education Co-ordinator and takes place throughout the two years of the programme. Students will be placed in different sites around Ireland and there may be opportunities for some placements to take place outside of Ireland. There is no financial support for placement: students will need to cover their travel and accommodation costs associated with placement. Placements frequently involve considerable travel.

6. What are the fees?
Information on fees

7. Are there any additional costs associated with the programme?
There are some additional costs mainly associated with Clinical Placement. These include accommodation and travel costs while on placement, and vaccinations - students are required to be immunised against Hepatitis B, BCG, Varicella (chickenpox), Measles, Mumps and Rubella before going on placement.
While many of the recommended books for the programme are available from the University of Limerick library, students are encouraged to purchase some key texts.

8. Are there any grants available?
Some local authorities have grants available for third level education. You should contact the local authority in the area where you are living for further information.
Limerick County CouncilLimerick City Council

9. I am a mature student. Will this influence my application?
No. As this is a postgraduate degree, it is only open to those who have already completed an undergraduate degree. The entry process is the same for all applicants.

10. I have been offered a place on the programme but am unable to take up the offer this year. Is it possible to defer my place?
Deferrals are only granted in truly exceptional circumstances, such as long-term illness of self or a close relative. Please contact the Speech and Language Therapy Department for further information on or 061-234232

11. Where can I find more information on Speech and Language Therapy?
Further information on Speech and Language Therapy can be gotten by exploring the Useful Links section of the website.
12. Is this qualification recognised abroad?
If you are intending to work as a speech and language therapist in another country, you should take into account that many countries have registration requirements, or require speech and language therapists to be accepted as full members of the relevant professional body in that country in order to work there.

The MSc Speech and Language Therapy (Professional Qualification) course is accredited by the Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists. Graduates of this course are entitled to full membership of the IASLT after one year of clinical practice as a New Graduate. This organisation has a mutual recognition accord with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), the Canadian Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (CASLPA), the New Zealand Speech-Language Therapists Association (NZSTA), the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) and the Speech Pathology Association of Australia (Speech Pathology Australia). See for more details. You should contact the professional body for the country you intend to work in to find out the requirements to become a full member and be eligible to work in that country.
Frequently Asked Questions for New Entrants
1. What will my weekly timetable look like?
Sample Timetable

Above are sample timetables for semester one for first and second years. Clinical observation sessions/clinics will be held on different days, so you must be free 5 days a week to attend. Before each semester there are one to two weeks of pre-semester teaching. In special circumstances, e.g. exams, you may also be required to attend on Saturdays or in the evening. Lectures may be scheduled between 9 and 6 pm, and there are up to 19 hours of lectures to be held across 3 days. There is one day of clinic per week in Semester 2 and 3 and no clinic in Semester 4. In addition to this there is a considerable amount of work to be done in your own time. Please note that the course structure is always under review so may differ from this in future years.

In the first semester most observation sessions are within Co. Limerick, but in subsequent semesters and summer periods, while we make every effort to take account of special circumstances, you must be prepared to attend clinic anywhere in the country as some types of placement are either very limited or not available locally.

We always stress that this is a compressed course. The workload is therefore much higher than most undergrad courses, and the contact hours are also generally significantly higher.

2. How is the academic year laid out?
Induction starts 1 to 2 weeks prior to each semester. Semesters are 12 weeks in duration followed by reading week in week 13 then exams in weeks 14/15. There are 2 semesters per academic year, thus 4 in total for this course.

3. When will clinics start?

Clinic 1 (Semester 1)
Visiting aphasia scheme - weekly for 10 weeks
Creche observation session
SLT and Audiology observation sessions
Clinical tutorials

Clinic 2 (Semester 2)
1 day per week for 10 weeks
Clinic induction/tutorials

Clinic 3 (Summer block 1)
Clinic Induction
5 weeks full time

Clinic 4 (Semester 3)
Clinic induction/tutorials
1 day per week for 10 weeks

Clinic 5 (summer block 2)
Clinic induction
5 weeks full time
Please note that travelling for clinics is necessary.

4. Where can I find out about sources of funding?

The fees for this course are already heavily subsidized and the Speech and Language Therapy department do not offer any scholarships or funding. Students who receive funding / grants do so through their own initiative; for example through their local Vocational Education Committee (VEC). See for details of grants and other funding sources.

The only other source of funding available to students for this programme is US Financial Aid loans. If you are from the US you can apply for US Financial Aid. The University of Limerick has been approved by the US Department of Education to certify loans that fall under the Family Federal Educational Loan Program (FFELP). Further information can be found on the following link:

5. What kind of course materials will I be expected to purchase?

You will be given reading lists by all of your module leaders at the start of each module. You should be able to access the majority of the references via the library. You may choose to purchase some of the books which are listed as core reading for each module.

You will also need to cover the cost of: your clinic uniform, materials required for coursework, travel to and from clinical placements and accommodation if required for clinical placements.

6. What preparation must I do before starting the course?

Although not specifically required, you may find it beneficial to continue with / gain more relevant experience prior to commencing the course in August.

Once you have accepted a place you will be sent a reading list which you are required to read over the summer.

Below is a pre-semester reading list which you are required to read over the summer.
Pre-Semester Reading List 2011

7. What kinds of support networks are available throughout the course?

You will be assigned to one of the members of staff as a tutor. You will have a scheduled tutor / tutee meeting every semester. In between the scheduled meetings you can request to see your tutor for further meetings if necessary. Tutor / tutee meetings initially serve the function of checking that you are settling into the course and answering any questions you may have. Later on the meetings also cover how you're doing with the academic coursework and if your clinics are going ok.

These meetings are strictly confidential and are not discussed with other members of staff / students. If you are having problems of any sort throughout the course which may impact on how you are getting on you can discuss these with your tutor.

There are also supports throughout the university for students. Please see links below for; The Writing Centre, Disability Supports Office, Student Counselling and Chaplaincy Services.

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/web/WWW/Services/Student_Affairs/Student_Specialised_Supports/Disability_Support_Services/Welcome/Disability_Staff

/web/WWW/Services/Student_Affairs/Student_Supports/Student_Counselling

/web/WWW/Services/Student_Affairs/Student_Supports/Chaplaincy_Service