Speech and language therapist

You'll need a degree in speech and language therapy that's approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

If you've got a degree in a science or language-based subject, you could do a 2-year fast-track postgraduate course in speech and language therapy.

You'll find it helpful to get some paid or voluntary experience in the health or care sector before you apply for a course.

You could contact the voluntary services co-ordinator at your local NHS trust for further advice.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
• a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• student finance for fees and living costs
• university courses and entry requirements

You can do a speech and language therapist degree apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

Registration

• you'll need to register with the Health and Care Professions Council

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a speech and language therapist from:

• Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
• Health Careers

You'll need:

• knowledge of English language
• sensitivity and understanding
• the ability to work well with others
• to be flexible and open to change
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• excellent verbal communication skills
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

For some roles you'll need to visit clients in their homes, so you'll need a driving licence.

As part of your day-to-day tasks, you could:

• talk to clients, observe them and use tests to assess specific difficulties
• plan and develop therapy programmes
• support clients through treatment
• work closely with colleagues like doctors and teachers
• coach parents and carers to continue their therapy at home
• keep detailed progress records
• work with groups or individuals to improve the way they communicate

You could work at a school, in an NHS or private hospital, at a health centre, in a nursery or at a client's home.

Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.