Study speech language pathology at the University of Sydney
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Transform lives through high quality healthcare. The Master of Speech Language Pathology (MSLP) prepares you for professional practice as a speech pathologist, developing the skills to assess and treat people of all ages, backgrounds and cultures, and change lives by making it easier for people to communicate.
One in seven Australians have some form of communication disability, such as a problem with speech, using and/or understanding language, voice, fluency, hearing or reading and writing. As a speech pathology student, you will learn to work with children and adults with such communication and speech difficulties, as well as those clients who have swallowing difficulties or need alternative ways to communicate.
During this two-year degree, you will learn from leading experts in a curriculum that has been specifically designed to enable students to learn in a way that resembles the clinical practice of speech therapy. Case-based learning underpins this program and is complemented by extensive clinical placements which provide hands-on experience with real clients in a supervised environment.
The Master of Speech Language Pathology is a graduate entry program designed to accommodate all suitably qualified candidates regardless of their previous discipline. Accredited by Speech Pathology Australia, graduates are eligible for practising membership of the association, which is a requirement to work as a speech pathologist in Australia. A career in speech pathology gives you the rewarding opportunity to work across hospitals, private practice, schools and early childhood services.
Learn more about studying health sciences at Sydney.
Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) are available for this course for eligible domestic students. This means that your course fees are subsidised by the Australian Government and you pay a student contribution amount (SCA). CSP places are limited in number and are allocated based on academic merit.
There are no specialisations for this course.
You will follow a prescribed course of study with a total of 96 credit points, including clinical placements from year 1 .
Year 1
Year 2
The Master of Speech Language Pathology requires the completion of complete 96 credit points of core units of study.
A number of clinical and professional fieldwork opportunities are scheduled as part of the course. Fieldwork provides hands on experience with real clients in a supervised environment allowing students to combine academic study with the practical abilities required of the Speech Pathology profession.
As part of this course eligible students also have the opportunity to take part in the ‘FHS Abroad' program which involves academic study and a 4-6 week placement with non-government organisations and other development agencies in one of a small number of countries in South and South East Asia. This experience (valued at 6 credit points) enables students to gain a real understanding of global health and make a lasting difference to communities worldwide.
To be eligible to apply you will need to fulfil the following criteria:
This course has assumed knowledge requirements
All offer holders will be given access to online modules that cover the assumed knowledge requirements listed below. The modules are offered from mid October to March.
When you commence your studies in the Master of Speech Language Pathology, it will be assumed that you have reached a certain level of knowledge or skills in four areas of assumed knowledge. The four areas of assumed knowledge are:
If you do not have the assumed knowledge for the Master of Speech Language Pathology, the University strongly recommends that you do not commence the degree until you have undertaken studies in these areas.
Assumed knowledge requirements document: Please read this document carefully for a detailed outline of knowledge, practical skills required in each area and examples of units which meet the assumed knowledge requirements.
Download the graduate entry masters admissions guide (pdf, 180KB) for more information on the admissions process for domestic and international applicants.
Inherent requirements are the essential tasks and activities necessary to be able to achieve the core learning outcomes of a course. They are specific to a particular course or discipline. To assist students to make informed choices about their study, we have identified and set out the inherent requirements for this course.
The academic criteria are updated annually in October and may be changed without notice. The Handbooks Online is the official legal source of information relating to study at the University of Sydney.
Speech Pathology programs are accredited by Speech Pathology Australia to ensure that the professional practice requirements of the profession are incorporated into courses and standards are maintained. Accreditation qualifies graduates to work as speech pathologists in Australia.
The Master of Speech Language Pathology has been continuously accredited and is accredited until the end of 2023.
More information about accreditation can be obtained from Speech Pathology Australia.
Graduates of the Master of Speech Language Pathology are qualified to work with children and adults experiencing communication difficulties. These communication difficulties may include problems with speaking, understanding what people say, reading, writing, voice problems and stuttering. Speech pathologists also work with children and adults who have swallowing difficulties or need alternative ways to communicate.
Indicative Postgraduate Student Contribution Amount
The student contribution amount for a Commonwealth Supported Place is an indication only of the amount payable in Year 1 for a standard full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). The exact student contribution that you pay will depend on the calendar year in which you undertake your study, and the specific units of study in which you ultimately enrol. For further information about how to calculate your specific total student contribution, please refer to the University's Tuition Fees website.
Annual review and fee increases
Importantly, student contribution amounts are subject to annual review by the University, and will increase each year of your period of study (subject to a Commonwealth specified cap), effective at the start of each calendar year.
Indicative Postgraduate Domestic Tuition Fee
The tuition fee for a domestic postgraduate student is an indication only of the fees payable in Year 1 for a standard full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). Depending on the calendar year in which you undertake your study, and if your study load is more or less than the 1.0 EFTSL, your tuition fee will differ from the indicative amount.
Annual review and fee increase
Importantly, tuition fees are subject to annual review by the University, and will increase each year of your period of study, effective at the start of each calendar year.
Additional incidental costs
For some courses there are incidental costs additional to the student contribution and/or course fee. Some of these incidental costs are significant, for example, course-specific materials, tools, protected clothing and equipment. Further information about these costs is available from https://sydney.edu.au/students/materials-and-equipment.html.
Visa/MasterCard/American Express/JCB surcharge
Please note that a surcharge of 1.53% will apply for payments made by Visa, MasterCard, American Express or JCB. The surcharge is subject to review and may change. Information about payment methods and the surcharge is set out at: http://sydney.edu.au/study/finances-fees-costs/fees-and-loans/paying-your-fees.html.
Potential for inaccuracy
Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information here, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about fees.
Indicative International Tuition Fees for Postgraduate Students
The tuition fee for international postgraduate students is an indication only of the fees payable in Year 1 for a standard full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). Depending on the calendar year in which you undertake your study, and if your study load is more or less than the 1.0 EFTSL, your tuition fee will differ from the indicative amount.
Annual review and fee increases
Importantly, tuition fees are subject to annual review, and will increase each year of your period of study, effective at the start of each calendar year.
Additional incidental costs and health insurance
For some courses there are incidental costs additional to the tuition fees. Some of these incidental costs are significant, for example, course-specific materials, tools, protective clothing, and equipment. Further information about these costs is available from https://sydney.edu.au/students/materials-and-equipment.html. In addition to the fees indicated here for the course of study, International Students studying on an Australian Student Visa must have appropriate health insurance for the duration of their studies on a Student Visa through a government approved provider of the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) scheme. This is a requirement of the Australian Government, unless otherwise exempted by the Government. Further information is available from https://sydney.edu.au/study/finances-fees-costs/living-costs/health-insurance.html.
Visa/MasterCard/American Express/JCB surcharge
Please note that a surcharge of 1.53% will apply for payments made by Visa, MasterCard, American Express or JCB. The surcharge is subject to review and may change. Information about payment methods and the surcharge is set out at: http://sydney.edu.au/study/finances-fees-costs/fees-and-loans/paying-your-fees.html.
Potential for inaccuracy
Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information here, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about fees.
