Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours)
Degree Level Undergraduate
Year 2024
You're viewing degree information for Australian students
You're considered an Australian student if you are any of the following:
- Australian or New Zealand Citizen
- Australian Permanent Resident (including Permanent Humanitarian Visa holders)
Entry Scores
2024 Guaranteed Entry
Year 12 (Grades-based): NA
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2023 Cut-Offs
Year 12 (ATAR-based):
- Internal: 85.00
TAFE/RTO: Adv Dip
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Entry requirements
Admission criteria
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- Qualify for the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), and achieved a competitive Selection Rank (ATAR), or
- Complete secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE, or
- Complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum score of 24 points
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 subjectsOR
Higher education study- Complete or partially complete a recognised higher education program at Bachelor or higher level at a recognised higher education institution, or
- Complete a Diploma level program at a recognised higher education institution
OR
Vocational Education and Training (VET)- Complete an award from a registered training organisation at Advanced Diploma level or above
OR
Work and life experience- Qualify for Special Entry, or
- Complete a 12-month UniSA Foundation Studies program or equivalent, or
- Hold completed secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE obtained more than 2 years in the past
Essential requirements for admission
Prerequisites
NoneAssumed Knowledge
None
Degree overview
- Help adults and children living with communication and swallowing difficulties to communicate and connect better.
- Get real world experience with more than 800 hours of clinical placements as part of your study.
- Graduate with great career prospects, as employment opportunities for Speech Pathologists are expected to grow very strongly over the next five years.1
- Study at South Australia’s No.1 university for graduate careers in health.2
- Graduate with an honour's degree to give your unstoppable career a competitive edge from the start.
- Learn from a university with more than 50 years’ experience in health education and research.
- Benefit from our strong partnerships and alliances with hospitals, rehabilitation services, early childhood providers, schools, aged care facilities, disability, and community service providers.
- UniSA is an unstoppable university for unstoppable people.3 As one of the World’s Top Young Universities,4 we’ll ensure you get the experience your future profession demands so it’ll feel like you’re studying one minute and in a career the next.
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.
Snapshot
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.
What you'll need
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.
What you'll learn
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.
Study hours
For each course you study, you will need to allocate time for various classes such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Plus you will need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects, as well as to contribute to online discussion forums (independent study). So as a general rule, if you are studying full-time you would need to allocate 12–26 hours of study when at university and 14–28 hours of independent study per week.
Global opportunities
Enrich your studies and your life – make overseas study part of your qualification. You may have the option to undertake an exchange, short-term program or study tour overseas while you study. We have links with universities worldwide, as well as a range of travel grants available to make going overseas much more accessible.
You can choose short-term or semester-long study from a range of universities and countries depending on your area of study and cultural interests.
Take a look at the global opportunities available.
Honours
This is a four-year, professional degree with built-in honours. You’ll graduate with industry experience and connections, as well as advanced skills to prepare you for a successful career in industry or research.
The research component of your honours degree will include developing and undertaking a cutting-edge research project which may be either quantitative or qualitative. You'll develop relevant approaches to undertaking research through consultation, discussion, problem-solving and liaison with an experienced supervisory team.
Why Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours)
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.
Speech Pathology student experience
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.
Your career
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
- working with a high school student with a stutter to speak more fluently and with confidence
- training a high school teacher who constantly loses their voice to use it more effectively
- helping an elderly man with dementia from a culturally and linguistically diverse background to communicate with his family and carers
- working with a woman post-stroke to regain her language and communication skills
- teaching a person to swallow safely and without choking following a brain injury
- giving advice to a mother whose baby was born with a cleft palate
- working with a young man with severe brain injury due to a motorcycle accident to communicate again
Speech Pathologists are employed across many sectors, including:
- hospital and acute services
- private practice
- ambulatory and rehabilitation services
- aged care facilities
- community services
- home care programs
- government departments
- early years settings and kindergartens
- schools
- not for profit and non-government sector
- primary health networks
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.
Professional accreditation and recognition
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.
Industry facts
Applying to study with us:
- Go to the top of this page and make note of the SATAC code, then click Apply.
- You will be redirected through to the SATAC website to continue your application.
Preferred Pathways
Option 1:
Direct Entry
Direct Entry
Option 2:
Undergraduate Pathway
Undergraduate Pathway
Apply for your preferred degree directly via SATAC
Choose one of the following degrees and complete at least 18 units of study (four courses) and then apply for your preferred degree via SATAC at the next available intake using your competitive Grade Point Average (GPA).
Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours)
Bachelor of Human Movement OR
Bachelor of Health Science (Public Health) OR
Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science
Bachelor of Health Science (Public Health) OR
Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science
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.
Alternative Pathways
Australian
There are other pathways you can follow to study this degree, including:
- UniSA College Diploma in Health (Allied Health and Human Performance)
- SAIBT Diploma of Health Science
International
There are other pathways you can follow to study this degree, including:
SAIBT Diploma of Health Science
Deferment
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.
Scholarships
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.
UniSA Excellence Scholarships
$5,000 scholarship for South Australian students with an ATAR of 99 who enrol to study a UniSA undergraduate degree.
UniSA Outstanding Achievement Scholarship
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.
Your study experience and support
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.
Student services
Our student services provide you with all the support you need at university. We want you to succeed, and if you need help, we're here to assist. You can access a full range of support services, including:
- academic counselling
- personal counselling
- social support services, including family support and nearby childcare
- common rooms
- prayer rooms
- security officers
- career services and mentoring
- Wirringka Student Services, offering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students a supportive place to study
- as well as services offered through our student association, USASA.
When you become a UniSA student, you can also contact Campus Central for help with anything related to your degree. They will help you with your enrolment, ID cards, fees, timetables and more.
24/7 digital environment
Our learnonline facilities include a personal learning environment with virtual classrooms, lecture recordings, emails, learning support, administration, library access and results. The environment is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you can tailor your learning to your life. We are continually investing in innovative digital technologies for a high-quality student learning experience.
Your study spaces
As a speech pathology student, you’ll also have access to:
- physiology laboratory
- anatomy laboratories
You’ll also have access to a range of interesting on-campus spaces including modern lecture theatres, collaborative teaching rooms and relaxed student lounges.
Your program director
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.
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How do I apply?
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. -
Is there a closing date for applications?
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. -
What credit can I receive for previous studies?
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.
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Can I speak to someone regarding my study options?
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.
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Where can I get further information?
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.
