Clinical Speech and Language Studies

B.Sc. (Clin. Lang.) Honours Bachelor Degree (NFQ Level 8)
4 Years Full-Time
34 Places
CAO Points 544 (2023)
CAO Code TR007

Overview

What is Clinical Speech and Language Studies?

The ability to speak and write, to listen and learn, to be understood — abilities that are fundamental to human communication and interaction — can be impaired by a wide range of conditions, from stroke to cerebral palsy, hearing impairment, learning disabilities, developmental delays, and autism. Speech and Language Therapists work with people of all ages and assess, diagnose and treat individuals with a variety of communication and swallowing disorders. Since communication and swallowing difficulties affect every aspect of a person’s life, the work of the speech and language therapist is multi-faceted, and therapists work in a variety of settings, from schools to hospitals and other clinical settings.

Do you enjoy:

  • Working with a diverse range of children and adults who may face challenges in communication?
  • Exploring how people communicate?
  • Being people-oriented, highly motivated and open to a collaborative problem–solving approach to learning?

    Clinical Speech and Language Studies: The course for you?

    This course will appeal to you if you have an interest in how speech, language, communication and swallowing work and how these areas may be affected in either children or adults. You will enjoy this course if you like a variety of teaching, learning and assessment approaches, such as lectures, problem-based and case-based learning and clinical practice.

      Clinical Speech and Language Studies at Trinity

      When you decide on a career as an allied healthcare professional, you need to ensure you have the best academic and clinical preparation to succeed. The Department of Clinical Speech and Language Studies is the longest established, accredited undergraduate programme in speech and language therapy in Ireland. The team involved in the delivery of this course enjoy national and international recognition in teaching and research, and are experts in their respective fields.

      Graduate skills and career opportunities

      You might be surprised to learn that the knowledge and skills developed while studying Clinical Speech and Language Studies equips graduates to work in a wide range of interesting and challenging contexts.

      Whilst graduates emerge with an in-depth knowledge of their discipline, they also have important transferable skills that provide a strong foundation to engage with society and the workplace. Graduates develop the ability to think independently, act responsibly, communicate effectively and develop continuously. Graduates are ethically minded, resourceful and are ready to embrace challenges and innovations in their chosen specialty. They become key stakeholders in the development of the speech and language therapy profession in national and international healthcare contexts and in advocating for the rights of people who have communication and swallowing impairments. Graduates from this course are highly sought after and valued by employers in healthcare and educational contexts.

      Your degree and what you’ll study

      The four-year Honours degree course comprises an integrated programme of theory and practice. The key strands within the curriculum are: Speech and Language Pathology and Swallowing Disorders; Clinical Practice; Linguistics; Psychology; Research and Basic Sciences (such as, Anatomy and Physiology).

      First and second years

      Much of first year is focused on foundation studies for understanding typical communication and swallowing behaviours. The emphasis in second year is on understanding and assessing the strengths and needs of the client population served by the profession, together with studying speech sciences, psychology and linguistics.

      Third and fourth years

      Third year places emphasis on the application of this knowledge to intervention in clinical contexts. You will also study neurology, psychiatry, discourse analysis and further develop your research skills. In fourth year, students are provided with the opportunity to integrate knowledge skills and competencies, acquired through the four years. Students prepare to become practitioners and researchers and complete a significant piece of research known as the Capstone project.

      Clinical activities and placements provide an important learning context from the start of the course. The department has access to a wide range of service settings and clinics, in which to place students, such as hospitals, schools, clinics, rehabilitation centres. During term time, an average of one day per week is reserved for clinical work. You will also be required to undertake clinical practice outside term time.

      The course employs a wide range of teaching, learning and assessment strategies. Both continuous assessment and end of semester exams are undertaken

      Click here for further information on modules/subject.

      Study abroad

      Whilst the Department of Clinical Speech and Language Studies has a strong international network, the nature of the professional course — in terms of the clinical practice requirements — precludes study abroad at undergraduate level. However, students get an opportunity to engage in international summer schools, during the summer vacation period.

      On graduation, your qualification from Trinity is recognised as a licence to practise as a Speech and Language Therapist in Ireland. Those holding the degree are eligible to apply for statutory registration with CORU and membership of the Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists (IASLT): www.iaslt.ie. Graduates who wish to work in the UK should contact the UK Health Professionals Council: www.hcpc-uk.org

      Graduates of the course, who wish to work in another European country, will have to apply for approval from the appropriate registration body in that country. If you are considering applying for professional recognition to work as a Speech-Language Pathologist in the US or Canada, you should contact the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association at: www.asha.org or the Canadian Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists at: sac-oac.ca. For more detailed information on your career prospects, visit the professional associations’ websites at: www.iaslt.ie and www.rcslt.org

      Study Clinical Speech and Language Studies (Speech and Language Therapy) at Trinity

       This is a presentation by Dr. Órla Gilheaney giving an outline of the Clinical Speech and Language Studies course in Trinity College Dublin.

      Course Details

      Awards

      B.Sc. (Clin. Lang.) Honours Bachelor Degree (NFQ Level 8)

      CAO Information

      CAO Points 544 (2023) CAO Code TR007

      Number of Places

      34 Places
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      Admission Requirements

      Leaving Certificate:

      O6/H6 Mathematics

      H4 in a language including English, French, German, Irish, Italian, Russian, or Spanish

      H4 in one of Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Physics/Chemistry or Agricultural Science

      GCSE:

      Grade C/5 Mathematics

      In addition, either - 

      GCSE Grade B/6 in one of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics

      Advanced GCE (A Level) Grade C in a language including English, French, German, Irish, Italian, Russian, or Spanish

      Or

      GCSE  Grade B/6 in a language including English, French, German, Irish, Italian, Russian, or Spanish

      Advanced GCE (A Level) Grade C in one of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics

      International Baccalaureate:

      SL / HL Grade 4 in Mathematics

      In addition, either:

      HL Grade 5 in one of English, French, German, Irish, Italian, Russian, Spanish

      SL Grade 6 in one of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics

      Or

      SL Grade 5 in one of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics

      HL Grade 6 in one of English, French, German, Irish, Italian, Russian, Spanish

      Students are required to undergo a health screening prior to course registration. You can learn more about these requirements at: www.tcd.ie/students/orientation/undergraduates/health-screenings.php

      Students will be required to undergo Garda Vetting, for more details see: www.tcd.ie/students/orientation/undergraduates/garda-vetting.php

      Course Fees

      Click here for a full list of undergraduate fees.

      Apply

      To apply to this course, click on the relevant Apply Link below

      EU Applicants

      Read the information about how to apply, then apply directly to CAO.

        Non-EU Applicants

        Advanced Entry Applications

        Read the information about how to apply for Advanced Entry, then select the link below to apply.

          Register Your Interest

          Register your interest in studying at Ireland’s leading university, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin.

          Register Your Interest

          I would recommend Clinical Speech and Language Studies in Trinity for many reasons. The standard of teaching is exceptional and Trinity students seem to be sought after. I would highly recommend this course at Trinity if you are interested in any of the following: linguistics, psychology, anatomy, physiology, phonetics, audiology, clinical practice, teaching, or healthcare.

          Emma Leitch

          Graduate

          During an enjoyable four years of study, I acquired the foundation knowledge and tools to shape my development and qualify as a Speech and Language Therapist. My learning highlights were periods of clinical practice, where I had the opportunity to work under the supervision of Speech and Language Therapists in a variety of settings, including schools, hospitals and adult rehabilitation units. These supportive clinical learning environments afforded me the opportunity to put theory into practice and develop clinical reasoning skills, a sense of professional identity and recognise the need for continuous life-long learning. Having graduated in 2015, I am currently a member of a multi-disciplinary healthcare team, working on swallowing and communication disorders in elderly people. The service provides both inpatient and day hospital care for the elderly in the Dublin area.

          Sarah Rowland

          Graduate