Admission requirements

• Write the NBTs
• For the National Senior Certificate an aggregate of at least 50%
• English (Home Language or First Additional Language) (level 4)
• Afrikaans (Home Language or First Additional Language) (level 4)
• A third language is strongly recommended
• Physical Sciences and Life Sciences  as subjects are recommended

The following admission requirements will be applicable from 2015:

• Write the NBTs
• For the National Senior Certificate an aggregate of at least 60%
• An aggregate of at least 60% (level 5) in two of the following three languages: English (Home Language or First Additional Language) and/or Afrikaans (Home Language or First Additional Language) and/or a third language
• Physical Sciences or Life Sciences 50% (level 4)

About 30 candidates are selected in the year preceding study.

This programme trains speech-language therapists in the relevant knowledge and skills for the management of persons with communication disorders. The student is equipped to perform the following professional functions: prevention, identification, assessment, diagnosis and treatment of communication disorders; client- and family-centred counselling; guidance, education and training of other professionals or relevant lay persons; consultation and research in the field of communication disorders; and management of programmes provided by speech-language therapists to clients with communication disorders in health, education and private contexts. In order to perform the above-mentioned functions optimally in the multilingual South African context, students are expected to be competent in at least two official languages, as well as Sign Language.

Visitation Form
Medical Report

Training of speech-language therapists

The curriculum spans four years and covers all speech, language, voice, hearing, fluency, feeding and swallowing disorders. The hearing therapy content includes aspects of the practice of audiology such as basic pre-tone and speech audiometry, immittance audiometry and aural rehabilitation. With respect to hearing disorders, the emphasis in training is on the management and rehabilitation of persons with communication disorders caused by hearing loss. Students are also trained in basic Sign Language to support rehabilitation. Psychology and General Linguistics are the other two majors in the programme. Other modules include Anatomy, Neuro-anatomy and Clinical Neurology, which are adjusted to meet the needs of the profession. Xhosa or Afrikaans Language Acquisition (as determined by language proficiency tests) is a compulsory first-year subject to introduce the structure and system of the language to students.

The clinical modules provide students with opportunities to acquire relevant clinical skills for application in specific contexts under the supervision of qualified therapists. Clinical training takes place in hospitals, schools, community health centres and clinics. A high premium is placed on excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

This four-year programme is followed by a year of community service after which you will be eligible for registration as a speech-language therapist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa. Speech-language therapists have opportunities to practice in the public, private and non-government sectors as well as in academic institutions. Graduates can obtain work in hospitals, clinics, schools or specialised schools, for instance.

For further information refer to the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Yearbook