Study speech language pathology at the University of Sydney
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In response to COVID-19, the University of Sydney has reviewed the availability of courses to be delivered remotely for students commencing their studies in Semester 1, 2021.
Some units of study and/or placements relating to this course cannot be delivered remotely or online for students commencing their study in Semester 1, 2021. You will be required to attend in-person on campus from Semester 1, 2022.
Note: The University intends to offer as many units of study as possible in a remote as well as face-to-face learning method of delivery in Semester 1, 2021 and subject to ongoing border closures and public health orders impacting attendance on campus, in Semester 2, 2021. However, some units of study and courses require students to study in-person at the relevant University of Sydney campus/es and host locations for placements and will not be available remotely.
About this course
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.
For more information, you can read our frequently asked questions.
Learn more about studying School of 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.
For academic requirements check the ‘Admission requirements’ section on this page.
You can apply online via the application portal. When you are ready to apply, select the ‘Apply’ button on this course page. Visit the How to apply page for other important information.
Application dates
Applications open - 1 July of the preceding year
Applications close - 31 October of the preceding year
Early offers: A small number of offers released to applicants with high academic merit
Main offers released: December - January
We strongly encourage applicants to apply as early as possible, offers are made on a rolling basis and places are limited. Separate scholarship deadlines apply - check the scholarships website for details.
The course start date is 2 weeks prior to the standard semester 1 start date.
You can apply online via the application portal. When you are ready to apply, select the ‘Apply’ button on this course page. Visit the How to apply page for other important information.
Application dates
Applications open - 15 March of the preceding year
Applications close - 31 October of the preceding year
Offers released: Offers are made throughout the year based on academic merit and subject to availability in the program
We strongly encourage international applicants to apply as early as possible to allow time for visa and travel arrangements. Separate scholarship deadlines may apply - check the scholarships website for details.
The course start date is 2 weeks prior to the standard semester 1 start date.
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
Mandatory work component = 744 hours.
This translates to 32.4 hours per week.
This mandatory work component must be completed as part of the award requirements for the course.
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
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. To help all students completing the MSLP learn this assumed knowledge you will be given access to three online modules once you have enrolled in the MSLP degree. The modules are offered to all enrolled students and will be available to you once you are successfully enrolled. The modules cover all the assumed knowledge requirements listed below.
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.
For more information about the University’s credit policy, please see the Credit for Previous Studies page.
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.
