Programme Specification
A statement of the knowledge, understanding and skills that underpin a
taught programme of study awarded by
The University of Sheffield
1
Programme Title
Cleft Palate Studies
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Programme Code
HCST05
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JACS Code
B600
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Level of Study
Postgraduate (M Level)
5
Final Qualification
Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert)
6
Intermediate Qualification(s)
None
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Teaching Institution (if not Sheffield)
Not applicable
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Faculty
Medicine, Dentistry & Health
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Home Department
Human Communication Sciences
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Other Department(s) involved in
teaching the programme
Not applicable
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Mode(s) of Attendance
Part-time
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Duration of the Programme
1 year
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Accrediting Professional or
Statutory Body
Not applicable
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Date of production/revision
January 2013, Revised March 2016
15. Background to the programme and subject area
The PG Certificate in Cleft Palate Studies is the only course of its kind in the UK. It gives comprehensive and indepth coverage of the impact of a cleft lip and/or palate on an individual across the lifespan. It pays particular
attention to the impairments of speech, language and communication associated with a cleft and to theoretical and
practical approaches to their assessment and management. As such the course is suitable not only for speech and
language therapists who specialise (or wish to develop a specialism) in the area of cleft lip and palate, but also for
graduates of other disciplines (including linguistics, psychology, education, and the biomedical sciences) who have a
particular interest in the area. It is an inherently multi-disciplinary course, taught by experts in the fields of speech
and language pathology, phonetics and linguistics, psychology, education, medicine, dentistry and professions allied
to medicine.
The Department of Human Communication Sciences is one of the leading departments of its kind in the UK, and
offers expertise in all areas of human communication sciences including, Speech and Language Pathology,
Phonetics and Linguistics, Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience, Education and Research Methods. Further
information is available on the departmental website at http://www.shef.ac.uk/hcs
16. Programme aims
The PG Certificate in Cleft Palate Studies has the following general aims, consonant with the Mission Statement of
the University of Sheffield:

To provide an engaging and stimulating learning environment that includes high-quality learning resources
and a curriculum based on current research and scholarship;

To foster in students a comprehensive, detailed and in-depth understanding of cleft lip and palate, and its
impact on an individual within social, educational and health contexts;

To provide students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary to observe and analyse
human behaviours associated with cleft lip and palate;

To provide the educational base for professional work in the field of cleft lip and palate care;

To equip students with the academic and professional skills needed to foster a positive attitude towards
lifelong learning.
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17. Programme learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
K1
a range of methodologies appropriate to collecting and analysing information about individuals with a cleft
palate;
K2
a range of theoretical approaches to the study of cleft palate speech;
K3
the impact of a cleft lip and palate on an individual, across the lifespan, within social, educational and health
contexts;
K4
the configuration of the professional care team for individuals with cleft lip and palate, and the roles and
responsibilities of individual members of the team;
K5
a range of approaches to the management of speech and language impairments associated with cleft lip and
palate.
Skills and other attributes:
Students will be able to:
S1
demonstrate the ability to write and speak effectively about a range of theoretical and practical issues in the
field of cleft lip and palate;
S2
access information about cleft lip and palate from a variety of sources, including books, journals, the internet,
professional reports, clinical case-notes, research databases and professional colleagues;
S3
demonstrate familiarity with a range of IT skills, including word-processing, performing electronic searches and
use of the internet;
S4
use phonological and psycholinguistic frameworks to analyse and interpret speech processing associated with
cleft lip and palate;
S5
use phonetic transcription to make perceptual analyses of speech production associated with cleft lip and
palate;
S6
demonstrate familiarity with a range of instrumental techniques for the analysis of speech production
associated with cleft lip and palate.
18. Teaching, learning and assessment
Development of the learning outcomes is promoted through the following teaching and learning methods:
The modules use a blended learning approach, which combines face-to-face sessions with a range of e-learning
materials. A range of teaching and learning methods are employed including lectures, seminars, tutorials and
practical workshops according to the nature of the material to be covered. Seminars and workshops, in particular,
allow students to engage as active participants in the learning process. This is particularly important in areas such as
phonetic transcription, data analysis, case presentations and other group activities. Broadly, lectures, seminars and
guided reading will be used to develop the knowledge based outlined in Section 17 K1-5 above; workshops, tutorials
and assignments will be used to develop skills S1-S6. The theme of theory and practice links will run through all
teaching and learning sessions.
Some modules are taught as short (two- to three-day) study blocks; others by weekly sessions. All modules are
supported by further structured material provided through MOLE (My Online Learning Environment).
Tutorials offer guidance in the preparation of written assignments, feedback on students’ progress and general
support towards attaining learning outcomes.
Opportunities to demonstrate achievement of the programme learning outcomes are provided through the
following assessment methods:
Assessment varies slightly from module to module. For the most part, assessment consists of coursework exercises
while the module is in progress, together with an assignment (such as an essay, data analysis assignment or oral
presentation) at the end of a module. All individual assessments are tailored to the requirements of the specific skill,
ability, activity or knowledge area being assessed, and cover both theoretical and practical aspects. The assessment
schedule is structured to provide opportunities for feedback fairly early on in the course and at regular intervals
thereafter.
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19. Reference points
The learning outcomes have been developed to reflect the following points of reference:
The Strategic Plan of the University of Sheffield (http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/strategicplan) informed the design and
the content of the curriculum, ensuring, for example, that teaching is informed by current developments in research.
The Royal College of Speech & Language Therapy Guidelines for Continuing Professional Development, the Royal
College of Speech and Language Therapists Handbook for Practice (Communicating Quality 3) and the Forum of
Lead Cleft Lip and Palate Speech & Language Therapists UK also influenced the development of this course.
20. Programme structure and regulations
Please refer to the Programme Regulations, General University Regulations and the On-line Directory of
Modules for detailed information about the structure of programmes, regulations concerning assessment and
progression and descriptions of individual modules.
21. Student development over the course of study
Semester 1
HCS6027 Developing an Evidence Base for Practice
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HCS6105 Cleft Palate: Speech Production and Multidisciplinary
Care
15
Semester 2
HCS6103 Cleft Palate: Speech Assessment
15
HCS6104 Cleft Palate: Intervention and Service Provision
15
22. Criteria for admission to the programme
Detailed information regarding admission to the programme is available in the University’s On-Line Prospectus at
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/study/ and also in the department’s website at http://www.shef.ac.uk/hcs.
Applicants should normally have a First class or Upper Second class degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline,
such as Linguistics, Speech Sciences, Speech and Language Therapy. Candidates with a diploma or ordinary
degree in speech and language therapy can be accepted if the candidate can show continued learning and
experience after the first qualification; such candidates may however be recommended for the Diploma Cleft &
Speech (CLASP) in the first instance. Non-native speakers of English require an IELTS score of 7 or above with at
least 6 in each component, or equivalent.
23. Additional information
This specification represents a concise statement about the main features of the programme and should be
considered alongside other sources of information provided by the teaching department(s) and the University. In
addition to programme specific information, further information about studying at The University of Sheffield can be
accessed via our Student Services web site at www.shef.ac.uk/ssid.
The website of the Department of Human Communication Sciences can be found at: http://www.shef.ac.uk/hcs.
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