Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours)
Degree Level Undergraduate
Year 2024
You're considered an Australian student if you are any of the following:
Degree Level Undergraduate
Year 2024
Entry Scores
2024 Guaranteed Entry
Year 12 (Grades-based): NA
View Guaranteed Entry Info
2023 Cut-Offs
Year 12 (ATAR-based):
- Internal: 85.00
TAFE/RTO: Adv Dip
View full entry requirements
The admission criteria have been grouped to assist you to easily find the information most relevant to your circumstances. However, you may fit into more than one and the university will consider applicants against each of the relevant criteria.
Certain conditions apply. For more information refer to Appendix 4 of the University's Selection and Entry policy.
Applicants are required to meet one of the following criteria with a competitive result, and demonstrate that they
fulfil any prerequisite requirements and essential requirements for admission:
Recent secondary education
Meet any prerequisite requirements with a minimum grade of C- or equivalent
AND
Applicants who have not achieved the Selection Rank required for automatic selection may be selected for any
remaining places based on the grades of their year 12 subjects
OR
Higher education study
OR
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
OR
Work and life experience
1Australian Government National Skills Commission Employment Projections 2021. 2ComparED (QILT) Graduate Outcomes Survey 2020-22, Health Services and Support – Overall Employment Indicator (Domestic Undergraduate). SA public universities. 3UNSTOPPABLE® is a Kellogg Company trade mark used under licence. 4Ranked #52, 2023 THE Young University Rankings.
Communication is critical for building human connections and living a fulfilling life. Speech pathologists study, diagnose and treat communication disorders, including difficulties with speech, language, fluency, and voice.
As a speech pathologist, you’ll support and empower people who have difficulty communicating because of developmental delays and disorders, autism spectrum disorder, stroke, brain injuries, learning disability, intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, dementia and hearing loss, as well as other problems that can affect speech and language.
UniSA's Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) has received Provisional Accreditation for graduates of 2023 and 2024. This classification enables graduates of the program to be eligible for certified practising membership of Speech Pathology Australia. The Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) program will undergo full accreditation in 2025.
Students who undertake activities where interaction with patients/the public is required for their degree, such as field or clinical placements/visits and in University clinics and gyms, must demonstrate they meet mandatory pre-placement conditional requirements. These include criminal history clearance, a Working with Children Check and immunisation requirements. Please visit the Clinical Placement Unit for information on key requirements, and to access the full student checklists.
Speech pathologists work with a wide range of people across different settings and manage complex and difficult issues. In this degree you'll gain the knowledge required to engage in professional, ethical, and evidence-based practice. This involves drawing on skills in reasoning and reflection to provide appropriate services for people across their entire lifespan.
In the first year, you’ll develop foundational knowledge in the areas of anatomy, physiology and biopsychosocial issues that can affect people’s health, swallowing, speech, and language ability.
Your second year will focus on human communication science, clinical science, and research methods. You’ll have opportunities to learn alongside your allied health peers from occupational therapy and physiotherapy in UniSA’s community clinics. You’ll be involved in simulated tele-practice environments to deliver collaborative, quality care through clinical case scenarios.
Practice-based learning is a strong focus, particularly during the third and fourth years, where you‘ll be able to complete clinical placements in UniSA’s community clinics and in professional practice across community, hospital, aged care, early years settings and schools.
You can gain an extra qualification and broaden your career prospects by completing a Diploma in Languages.
UniSA has more than 50 years' experience in allied health education and is proud of the rich knowledge base we’ve created.
Despite our heritage, we always look to the most innovative and relevant practices at the forefront of industry today. As the speech pathology profession is continually evolving, our curriculum remains evidence-based and industry-informed.
Healthcare today is truly multidisciplinary. Speech pathologists work closely with other allied health professionals, such as occupational therapists, physiotherapists and psychologists. You’ll benefit from strong interdisciplinary learning opportunities throughout your degree, in preparation for this new age in clinical practice.
As one of the World’s Top Young Universities1, studying at UniSA will give you the clinical experience your future profession demands. UniSA students get to apply their theoretical learning during more than 800 hours of clinical placement under the supervision of experienced industry experts across a breadth of real-world settings.
You’ll acquire theoretical and clinical knowledge, as well as the hands-on skills needed to assess, diagnose and provide intervention for children and adults affected by communication difficulties. For example, brain injuries can result in difficulties understanding or producing language, slurred and imprecise speech; and changes to cognition such as attention, memory, and personality.
In your studies, you’ll learn about the role of technology in speech pathology practice, such as technology for understanding acoustic signals of speech and parameters of voice production, and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices.
You’ll also study course content that is specifically aligned with Australia’s First National Guideline for the Assessment and Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders, meaning you’ll graduate industry-ready with the skills and knowledge you’ll need to make a difference.
Graduating with an honour’s degree from UniSA will ensure you have a competitive edge and are well-placed for a career in industry, research or postgraduate study.
1Ranked #52, 2023 THE Young University Rankings.
Hear from Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) student Alexandra as she talks about the benefits of the degree, placement opportunities, and why she chose to kickstart her unstoppable career at UniSA.
A successful Speech Pathologist is pragmatic, logical, attentive, and observant. You’ll have a passion for interacting with people; be great at communication and value diversity and inclusion.
This field of work is immensely rewarding and can offer exciting challenges. Some scenarios could include
Speech Pathologists are employed across many sectors, including:
Once UniSA’s speech pathology program has full accreditation with Speech Pathology Australia, this qualification will be recognised in Australia and other countries around the world including New Zealand, Canada, USA and the UK.
For specific requirements about registration with Speech Pathology Australia please check their website.
This program has received provisional accreditation with Speech Pathology Australia. The Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) is undertaking accreditation processes in accordance with the accreditation procedures of Speech Pathology Australia.
Applying to study with us:
Please note that all pathways are competitive and no guaranteed due to limited places. A competitive Grade Point Average (GPA) and other entry criteria (including prerequisites) apply. For more information, visit unisa.edu.au/study or contact our Future Student Enquiries Team at unisa.edu.au/enquire or on (08) 8302 2376.
Australian
There are other pathways you can follow to study this degree, including:
International
There are other pathways you can follow to study this degree, including:
SAIBT Diploma of Health Science
This degree is available for deferment. This option is made available by responding to your offer during the application process via the SATAC website. Applicants who receive an offer into a midyear degree are eligible to defer for six months.
Every year, over 2,500 UniSA students are supported in their studies through scholarships and grants worth millions of dollars. Check out the scholarships below. One of them may be perfect for you. Visit our scholarships page for more.
$5,000 scholarship for South Australian students with an ATAR of 99 who enrol to study a UniSA undergraduate degree.
Up to $10,000 per annum (full time) for South Australian students who obtain an ATAR of 99.95 or IB equivalent and enrol to study at UniSA.
Our campuses are home to fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops and laboratories, as well as spaces that simulate real work environments. But you’ll also discover that your journey at UniSA is about social experiences, healthy living and getting involved. You’ll find student sports and fitness facilities, community clinics, tech zones and chill-out spaces. There are campus sport activities to keep you active, and if you are keen to explore the social side of university life, there are movies, cooking demonstrations, parties and loads more.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation and private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages, or explore our student accommodation by Scape on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, an ideal location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.
As a speech pathology student, you’ll also have access to:
You’ll also have access to a range of interesting on-campus spaces including modern lecture theatres, collaborative teaching rooms and relaxed student lounges.
I inform teaching with the latest research findings and evidence-based practice. With over 20 years of teaching experience at university level, I have taught a wide range of courses, mostly but not limited to speech pathology students. My goal is to empower students to become leaders and agents of change in the realm of speech, language and communication disorders in today’s complex world and to actively contribute to the field of speech pathology.
There are a number of ways to apply to study UniSA's undergraduate and postgraduate coursework degrees.
Applications for admission into the University of South Australia’s undergraduate and most postgraduate degrees are made via the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC). Visit satac.edu.au and follow the links.
For the MBA degrees please apply through the UniSA MBA Application Portal. Applications for a small number of degrees are submitted direct to UniSA through our Apply Online portal. It will be noted on the degree page if you need to apply via Apply Online.
Postgraduate study by research
For information on applying to do postgraduate study by research, including Master of Research, PhDs or Doctorates, please visit unisa.edu.au/resdegrees.
Undergraduate
Yes. The deadline to apply to study a degree at UniSA for semester one (commencing late February) and be given equal consideration is in early December. While you may be able to apply after this date, you are not guaranteed to be considered equally with other applicants and your application may not be assessed in time for the main round of offers (mid January). Some degrees will not make any offers after the main offer round. Please click here find all of the key dates for applications here.
Postgraduate
Most postgraduate degrees do not have a closing date for applications. However, there are exceptions, so it is best to check – either on the SATAC website, Apply Online or the degree homepage. Postgraduate offers are normally ‘rolling’, meaning they may be sent out at any time up until the program starts. This also means that applications may close at any time without warning, if the quota is filled earlier. For this reason, postgraduate applications should be submitted without delay. For more information, please contact our Future Student Enquiries team on (08) 8302 2376 or via the online enquiry form.
Credit transfer or advanced standing
You may be eligible to receive a credit transfer or advanced standing for your chosen UniSA degree based on your previous studies, if they are in a related area at an equivalent or higher level. Receiving a credit transfer will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree.
Recognised prior learning
If you have related industry experience, you may also be eligible to receive recognised prior learning for this experience. Receiving recognised prior learning will normally reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and can reduce the duration of the degree.
How do I get credit?
Credit transfer and recognition of prior learning is assessed on a case-by-case basis by the Program Director who will discuss your prior learning and experience with you to ascertain what credit you may be eligible for.
Many of our credit transfer arrangements are listed on our online Credit Assessor.
UniSA welcomes the opportunity to speak with you regarding your study options. Our staff are able to talk to you about degree information, career outcomes and pathways, entry requirements, applications, and student life, so that you are able to make the best study decision for your future.
Click here to book a 1:1 appointment with one of our enquiries team.
If you are interested in studying an MBA please contact admissions@unisa.edu.au and our Future Student Enquiries team will contact you regarding your enquiry.
Alternatively, you can complete a MyCareerMatch career profile. MyCareerMatch is an online career profiling tool that you can use free-of-charge through UniSA. MyCareerMatch specialises in career profiles and provides you with a personalised career report outlining information about your personality style and a list of career options, which are complementary to your natural strengths and talents.
We have many events throughout the year where you can speak with a lecturer or tutor about your degrees of interest. You can find out what is happening at UniSA by visiting our events page or by signing up to our mailing list, so you're the first to know about careers events, information sessions, degree requirements, scholarships and more!
There are also many career counsellors external to the University that you can discuss your career options with. If you are unsure where to start your search, you can contact the Government's Work Ready team (formally Skills for All). Visit skills.sa.gov.au or call 1800 506 266.
You may also find Job Outlook a helpful resource in your decision-making.
It can be difficult to decide what degree you would like to do and where. You might find information from government organisations will help to weigh up your degree and provider options.
Find a course or a provider
TEQSA is a regulatory body for higher education providers. Use the TEQSA national register of higher education providers to search for a course or a provider. Compare courses and providers for undergraduates and postgraduates using the Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) online comparison tool.
More information on university admission
Visit the SATAC website to find out important news, events and information on applying to university in South Australia. Visit Study with Us to find out everything you need to know about studying at UniSA, admissions and the application process.
Questions about your application
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your application you should contact the Future Students Enquiries team in the first instance.