Job Description

Speech and language therapists diagnose, advise and provide life-changing treatment, support and care for children and adults who have difficulties with communication, eating, drinking and swallowing.  They will assess a person's ability to communicate using various methods and provide therapy to help them improve as well as suggestions for alternative forms of communication such as devices and apps.

They normally work in  health centres, hospitals, clinics, schools, independent practices and patients' homes.

Entry Requirements

You can get into this role by taking a degree or a degree level apprenticeship.

University

You will need a degree that is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

To get onto a speech and language therapy degree course you will usually need:

• Two or three A levels or equivalent
• along with Five GCSEs at grades 9-4 (A-C), including English language, maths and science

If you already hold a relevant first degree, you can apply for an accelerated postgraduate programme in speech and language therapy. These courses usually last two years.

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Apprenticeship

You could take a speech and language therapist degree apprenticeship.

You will usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSE's at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) 
• 2 or 3 A Levels or equivalent 

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Further information

You will need to register with the Health and Care Professions Council

You will need to pass enhanced background checks

For some roles you may need a driving licence.

You can find out further information from:

Healthcare Careers

Royal College of Speech Therapists

Career Path and Progression

With experience you could specialise in different areas such as:

• Helping children with special educations needs

Or you could move into research and teaching.

Required Skills

• Sensitivity and understanding
• The ability to motivate and reassure people of all ages
• Good at problem solving
• Able to keep calm in stressful situations
• Patience
• Able to work alone and part of a team
• Flexibility and open to change
• Good knowledge of the English language

Salary Range

£24,907 to £44,503 (NHS)