Course Overview

About This Course

The Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) equips you to diagnose and treat conditions across the full scope of speech pathology practice — speech and language, swallowing, fluency, voice and cognition — for people of any age.
Taught over four years, it builds a foundation in human anatomy and physiology, linguistics, communication and swallowing across the lifespan, speech production and aural rehabilitation, and evidence-based approaches to allied health practice.
First year introduces anatomy, physiology, public health and health research courses, all framed around how they apply in the speech pathology field. From second year onwards courses become more profession-focused, covering typical communication development, linguistics, and the advanced anatomical structures of the head and neck.
You develop high-level knowledge and skills in evidence-based, person-centred care and reflective practice, and learn to work with culturally and linguistically diverse populations, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities. Professional and technical skills are sharpened in state-of-the-art simulation suites and purpose-built training facilities, and some classes are shared with students from complementary disciplines such as physiotherapy.
You complete more than 800 hours of clinical-based placements, and undertake a major health research or industry project in your final year.
The program totals 192 units — 126 units of core courses, 24 units of discipline courses, 36 units of work integrated learning and 6 units of program electives — at the Adelaide City Campus.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Adelaide

Mawson Lakes Boulevard, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095

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Student Information

Fees & Entry by Student Type

Tuition Fee

Commonwealth supported

Duration

4 years full-time

Intakes

February

Study Mode

Full time or part time

Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

Domestic students
Prerequisite: None
Assumed knowledge: None
SATAC code: ABP131
Entry scores:
• 2026 cut-offs — Year 12 (ATAR-based): 80
To be eligible, an applicant must have achieved at least one of the following minimum entry requirements and demonstrate they fulfil any prerequisite and essential criteria for admission. In cases where there are more eligible applicants than available places, admission will be competitive with ranks based on the entry criteria.
• Secondary education (Year 12) — Completion of a secondary education qualification equivalent to the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE).
• Vocational Education and Training (VET) — Completion of an award from a registered training organisation (RTO) at Advanced Diploma (AQF level 6) or higher.
• Higher education study — Successful completion of at least 6 months full-time study (or equivalent part-time) in a higher education award program in an undergraduate diploma (AQF level 5) or higher.
• Work and life experience — Completion of an Adelaide University approved enabling, pathway or bridging program; OR A competitive result in the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT); OR Qualify for special entry
ATAR profile (2026 Semester 1 intake, ATAR-based offers):
• Highest rank to receive an offer — ATAR 99.9, selection rank 99.95
• Median rank to receive an offer — ATAR 88, selection rank 91.25
• Lowest rank to receive an offer — ATAR 71.1, selection rank 80.15

International students
Prerequisite: None
Assumed knowledge: None
Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum entry requirements:
• Secondary education (Year 12) — Completion of a secondary education qualification equivalent to the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE).
• Vocational Education and Training (VET) — Completion of an award from a registered training organisation (RTO) at Advanced Diploma (AQF level 6) or higher.
• Higher education study — Successful completion of at least 6 months full-time study (or equivalent part-time) in a higher education award program in an undergraduate diploma (AQF level 5) or higher.
Indicative academic entry requirements by country:
• Australia — ATAR: 90
• Canada — Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD): 85%
• China — Gaokao: 80%
• Denmark — Studentereksamen (stx: Upper Secondary School Diploma): 7 (Good)
• France — French Baccalaureate: 13.5
• Global — International Baccalaureate: 33
• Hong Kong — Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE): 21
• India — CBSE and CISCE: 85
• India — State Board Examinations: 93
• Indonesia — SMA III: 88%
• Kenya — Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE): A-
• Malaysia — Matrikulasi: 3.33
• Malaysia — Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM): 3.33
• Malaysia — United Entrance Certificate (UEC): 13
• Norway — Upper Secondary School Certificate (Vitnemal fra den Videregaende Skole) / Vitnemal For Videregaende Opplaering: 4.8
• Phillippines — High School Diploma (Grade 12) (Academic Track) K12: 94%
• Singapore — Singapore GCE Advanced Levels: 12
• South Korea — College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT): 350
• Sri Lanka — GCE A Levels: 12
• Sweden — Upper Secondary School Leaving Certificate: 16.0
• Taiwan — GSAT %: 80%
• Taiwan GSAT — Score out of 60: 48
• Thailand — Matayom 6: 3.90
• UK / Global — GCE Advanced Levels: 12
• USA / Global — Advanced Placement (AP): 12
• USA / Global — America College Test (ACT): 29
• USA / Global — Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT): 1280
• Vietnam — Bằng Tốt Nghiệp Trung Học Phổ Thông (Vietnamese Year 12): 8.7
English language requirements (achieved within the two years before admission):
• IELTS Overall 8
• IELTS Reading 8
• IELTS Listening 8
• IELTS Speaking 8
• IELTS Writing 8

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

Talented speech pathologists are highly sought after and demand is growing. You'll have the freedom to pursue opportunities across diverse settings, including:
• Private practice
• Community health services
• Educational settings
• Hospitals
• Rehabilitation services
• Aged care settings
• Corrections
Work can include helping children with disabilities or developmental delays improve communication and social interaction, helping a person who has had a stroke to eat and communicate, supporting a patient in end-of-life care, enabling adults with acquired or traumatic brain injuries to communicate, and working as part of a therapeutic team supporting a person's goal of gaining employment.

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

TEQSA

Professional Body

Speech Pathology Australia (SPA)

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Skills Assessor

SPA (Speech Pathology Australia)

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units51 units

HBIO1002

Human Anatomy and Physiology A

SPTH1002

Introduction to Speech Pathology Practice (UoA)

INDG1003

Aboriginal Health, Culture, Community, and Country

HLTH1023

Psychological Foundations for Allied Health

HLTH1016

Introduction to Evidence Based Practice and Research in Health Sciences

SPTH1001

Linguistics for Speech Pathology A

HBIO1003

Human Anatomy and Physiology B

SPTH2006

Communication and Swallowing Across the Lifespan

SPTH2007

Anatomy and Physiology for Speech and Swallowing

HLTH2009

Evidence Based Practice in Allied Health 2

SPTH2001

Linguistics for Speech Pathology B

SPTH2008

Speech Production and Aural Rehabilitation

SPTH2009

Clinical Reasoning in Professional Settings

SPTH2010

Speech Pathology Clinical Skills and Practice

SPTH3005

Preparing for Speech Pathology Practice

SPTH3003

Speech Pathology Assessment and Management A

SPTH3004

Speech Pathology Practice Education A

SPTH3006

Speech Pathology Assessment and Management B

SPTH3007

Speech Pathology Practice Education B

SPTH3008

Speech Pathology Industry Honours Project 1

SPTH4001

Speech Pathology Assessment and Management C

SPTH4002

Speech Pathology Practice Education C

SPTH4003

Speech Pathology Practice Education D

SPTH4006

Speech Pathology Industry Honours Project 2 Part A 1

SPTH4008

Transition to Professional Practice (UoA)

SPTH4004

Speech Pathology Practice Education E

SPTH4005

Speech Pathology Practice Education F

SPTH4007

Speech Pathology Industry Honours Project 2 Part B

HLTH4004

Allied Health Research Project Planning

HLTH4006

Allied Health Honours Research Project A 1

HLTH4007

Allied Health Honours Research Project B

SPTH4006

Speech Pathology Industry Honours Project 2 Part A

HLTH4006

Allied Health Honours Research Project A

DENT2002

Pathophysiology for Allied Health

HLTH1024

Introduction to Behavioural Neuroscience

HLTH2008

The Neuroscience of Human Behaviour and Cognition

HLTH2010

Development Across the Lifespan for Allied Health

INDG1007

Indigenous Scholarship & Interplay of Knowledges

INDG2002

Relatedness and Indigenous Peoples

INDG2003

Australian Indigenous Languages (Level 2)

INDG2004

Reclaiming Languages: a Kaurna Case Study

INDG3003

Australian Indigenous Languages (Level 3)

LING2004

Cross Cultural Communication

LING2005

Semantics: The Study of Meaning

LING3004

Perspectives on Language Variation & Change

PHAR2021

Foundations of Pharmacology (UoA)

PUBH2006

Social Foundations of Health

PUBH2010

Rural Public Health

PUBH2012

Epidemiology for Health and Medical Sciences

PUBH2013

Introduction to Counselling Theory and Practice

PUBH3006

Health care systems: structure, policy and people

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) take to complete?

The Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) at Adelaide University has a duration of 208 weeks (approximately 4 years).

Is there a work placement component in this degree?

Yes, the course includes a mandatory work component of 900 hours spread over 24 weeks, providing students with practical, hands-on experience in speech pathology settings.

What is the estimated total cost of the Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours)?

Adelaide University publishes an indicative annual tuition fee of AU$54,300 for international students commencing in 2027, which is AU$217,200 across the four-year program. With the AU$1,347 non-tuition fee, the estimated total course cost is AU$218,547.

Where is the Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) taught?

The course is delivered across two campuses: the Adelaide City Campus and the Magill Campus, both owned and operated by Adelaide University in South Australia.

Is this course eligible for extended Post-Study Work Rights?

This course may be eligible for extended Post-Study Work Rights as it is a Skills Level 1 qualification (Bachelor Honours Degree), has a duration greater than 92 weeks, and falls under the Rehabilitation Therapies narrow field of education. Eligibility is reviewed yearly and requires at least one active enrolment at the time of review.

Application

How to Apply

Three simple steps to get enrolled

Step 01

Enquire

Click "Enquire Now" and tell us a little about yourself. It's free and takes 2 minutes.

Step 02

Submit Documents

Our team will guide you on exactly which documents to prepare and submit.

Step 03

Get Enrolled

Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!

Course Snapshot

Salary, careers & skills

Typical Salary

Entry-level (0-2 years)AUD $70,000 to $85,000 per year

Early Career (2-5 years)AUD $85,000 to $100,000 per year

Mid-Level (5-10 years)AUD $100,000 to $120,000 per year

Career Paths

Graduate Speech PathologistPaediatric Speech PathologistHospital Speech Pathologist (Acute Care)Community Health Speech PathologistSchool-Based Speech Pathologist

Key Skills

Clinical assessment and diagnosis of speech, language, and swallowing disordersEvidence-based intervention planning and therapy deliveryDysphagia (swallowing) assessment and managementAugmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) device use and prescriptionPhonological and phonetic analysis

Full Course Overview

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