Speech and Language Therapy

University College Cork

Ireland, Cork

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Home/Ireland/Cork /University College Cork/Speech and Language Therapy

University College Cork

Ireland , Cork

Key Facts

Program Level

Bachelor

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Campuses

Main Site

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake DeadlinesSeptember-2026

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 4 year(s)

Tuition Fee

EUR 21,700 / year(s)

Next Intake September-2026

Speech and Language Therapy

About

10 great reasons to study Speech and Language Therapy at UCC

State-of-the-art building and facilities, including simulation and the new anatomy FLAME laboratory

A strong focus on practical education, including opportunities to qualify with dysphagia competence

Problem-based learning, helping students through small-group work, individual tutorials and continuous assessment

Vibrant in-house Brookfield Speech and Language Therapy Clinic runs throughout the year

Opportunities to learn alongside other health-professional students

High level of support for student learning and development

Unique opportunity to learn clinical skills through visual thinking strategies

Highly qualified and friendly staff who have won prizes for their teaching and research excellence

Study in a department that includes a nationally-funded research programme

Opportunities for students to attend conferences and to progress to study at postgraduate level

Disciplines

Medicine and Health

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Leaving Certificate Entry Requirements

At least six subjects must be presented. Minimum grade H4 in two subjects and minimum grade O6/H7 in four other subjects. English and Irish are requirements for all programmes unless the applicant is exempt from Irish.

The following are considered Lab Science subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Physics with Chemistry and Agricultural Science.

Applicants will need to meet the following minimum entry requirements:

English Irish Maths Other Language Lab Science Additional Requirements

O6/H7 O6/H7 O6/H7 O6/H7 H4 H4 in a language other than English

EU/EFTA/UK Qualifications

EU/EFTA/UK applicants presenting an equivalent school-leaving qualification should review the EU/EFTA/UK Applicants page for information on equivalent grades and how to prove their level of English.

Mature Students

To compete through the mature entry route, applicants must be 23 years of age on or before 1 January of the application year and apply online via the CAO by 1 February. The application should include a statement of interest. Applicants may also be called for interview.

Applicants must have a H4 in a Lab Science subject and a language (other than English) in the Leaving Certificate (or equivalent). (HC2 if presenting a pre-2017 Leaving Certificate).

Further information on applying as a mature student is available on the Mature Applicants and Mature Student Entry support pages.

Fitness to Practise

This programme is subject to UCC's Fitness to Practise Policy.

Student Garda Vetting

All students on this programme will come into contact with the public and assume positions of trust through educational and training opportunities. To ensure the protection of the public, and to justify public trust and confidence, UCC is committed to ensuring that only suitable candidates are allowed to undertake this programme.

Vetting is carried out by the Admissions Office in UCC under the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012 to 2016 (the Acts) once a student has accepted their place on the programme. This involves a police check to establish whether the individual being vetted has had criminal convictions in the past or whether any criminal proceedings are pending. The Garda Siochána provide this information for students who have resided in Ireland for a period of six months or more (including permanent residence).

All students who have resided outside Ireland for a period of six months or more must furnish a Police Clearance Certificate from their country or countries of residence. This certificate should state that the student has had no convictions recorded against them while residing there.

Further information can be found on our Student Garda Vetting page.

Non-EU Applicants

Non-EU applicants are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to the Irish Leaving Certificate. In addition, where such applicants are non-native speakers of the English language they must satisfy the university of their competency in the English language.

To verify if you meet the minimum academic and language requirements visit our qualification comparison page and refer to our International Office page for more information.

English Program Requirements

English Language Requirements (for Non-Irish EU applicants)

Teaching in Irish Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) is normally through the medium of English; therefore all applicants are required to demonstrate a high level of competence in the English Language.

Applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of equivalent competence in English Language through their school leaving examination or matriculation examination or by achieving the minimum standard (there may be higher levels for matriculation and/or particular programmes in individual institutions) in a recognised English language test, as specified below (note applicants are assessed on the results of a single sitting only):

UCC Language Centre Pre-sessional Programmes

These programmes are available to assist students who:

Have not achieved their required level of English for acceptance onto their undergraduate or postgraduate programme
Feel they do not have the academic or general English language skills necessary to succeed at the University

Find out more about the Language Centre's Pre-Sessional Programmes.

Career

If you are a person who likes to help others, and you are interested in a career in understanding how difficulties with speech, language and swallowing impact on people’s lives, then the course in Speech and Language Therapy will interest you.

The Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences will educate you into a health profession in which you will use linguistic, social, behavioural, medical and other scientific knowledge to provide assessment and treatment for both children and adults who have developmental or acquired disorders of speech, language and swallowing.

While an interest in science and language is important for this career, the ability to interact socially with all age groups (including very young people and older adults), and the ability to empathise with people, are also essential qualities of speech and language therapists.

The course in SLT was established as part of a national response to a shortage of SLTs in Ireland. It aims to educate students to provide the highest level of service to individuals with communication and swallowing disorders, as part of a healthcare team.

The course involves extensive and varied work experiences (practice education) in Years 2, 3 and 4. This work experience involves taking on clients, under supervision, both inside and outside of Cork city.

As successful communication abilities are so vital to normal human development and social interaction, interventions by SLTs can have profound and far-reaching effects on quality of life and well-being.