How to Become a Speech and Language Therapist in the UK
Speech and language therapists (SLTs) assess and treat people who have difficulty communicating, eating, drinking or swallowing. You might help a child with a language delay or stammer, an adult relearning to speak after a stroke, or someone with dementia or head and neck cancer who has swallowing problems. Work settings include NHS clinics, hospitals, schools, care homes, people's homes and private practice.
Speech and language therapist is a protected title, so you must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). To register, you complete an approved degree, usually a three or four-year BSc or a two-year postgraduate course.
Quick facts
- Starting salary
- £30,000 - £35,000
- Mid-career salary
- £37,000 - £45,000
- Senior salary
- £50,000 - £65,000
- Work environment
- NHS, schools, private clinics
- Time to entry
- 3 - 4 years (BSc or MSc)
- Degree required
- Regulated - HCPC registration required
- Category
- Mental Health and Therapy
Compare pay across careers in the UK salaries by career report. Also in: Stable careers, Career change.
What a Speech and Language Therapist does
Assess and treat children and adults with communication, language or swallowing difficulties.
How to become a speech and language therapist in the UK
The main route is an HCPC-approved BSc in Speech and Language Therapy or Speech and Language Sciences, taking three or four years. Graduates can take a two-year pre-registration MSc instead. There is also a Level 6 speech and language therapist degree apprenticeship, where an employer pays your fees while you work. After qualifying you register with the HCPC, and most SLTs join the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT). In England, eligible students on pre-registration courses can apply for at least £5,000 a year through the NHS Learning Support Fund.
- Get experience with children or adults who have communication needs, for example volunteering in a school, stroke group, care home or SEN setting.
- Talk to a practising SLT or arrange to visit an NHS speech and language therapy team to see what the job really involves.
- Apply for an HCPC-approved BSc, a two-year pre-registration MSc if you already have a degree, or a degree apprenticeship.
- If you study in England, apply for the NHS Learning Support Fund training grant as soon as you have your university place.
- Complete your clinical placements across different client groups, then register with the HCPC when you graduate.
- Apply for newly qualified Band 5 posts in the NHS, choosing teams that offer good supervision and support in your first year.
- Specialise over time in areas such as paediatrics, swallowing (dysphagia), stroke, autism, voice or head and neck cancer.
| Route | How long | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| BSc Speech and Language Therapy | 3-4 years | Tuition fee loan, plus NHS grant in England | School leavers |
| Pre-registration MSc | 2 years | Postgraduate fees, NHS grant in England | Graduates in related subjects |
| Level 6 degree apprenticeship | About 3-4 years | Paid by the employer | Support staff already in the NHS or schools |
| Speech therapy assistant first | Varies | None, paid work | Testing the job before a degree |
How long it takes
Expect three to four years through an undergraduate degree, or two years if you already have a degree and take a pre-registration MSc. Working as a speech therapy assistant first is a good way to test the job before you apply.
Speech and Language Therapist salary in the UK
Newly qualified speech and language therapists usually earn around £30,000 to £35,000, typically on Band 5 in the NHS. With experience, pay rises to around £37,000 to £45,000, and senior or specialist therapists can earn £50,000 to £65,000. NHS pay follows Agenda for Change bands, with extra high cost area payments in and around London. Private practice rates vary, and some experienced SLTs work independently for schools, families and solicitors.
Key skills
- Clinical assessment
- Patience
- Family communication
- Care planning
Speech and Language Therapist FAQs
How do I become a speech and language therapist in the UK?
Complete an HCPC-approved qualification in speech and language therapy, either a BSc, a two-year pre-registration MSc or a degree apprenticeship. Then register with the HCPC, which you must do before you can use the title or practise.
What qualifications do I need to study speech and language therapy?
Entry requirements vary by university, but most ask for good A levels or equivalent, often including a science or language subject, plus GCSE English and maths. Experience with people who have communication needs strengthens your application.
How much does a speech and language therapist earn?
Newly qualified SLTs earn around £30,000 to £35,000, rising to £37,000 to £45,000 with experience. Senior or specialist therapists earn about £50,000 to £65,000. NHS pay follows Agenda for Change bands.
Can I become a speech and language therapist without a degree?
You can't register as an SLT without an approved qualification, but a degree apprenticeship lets you qualify while working and being paid. You can also start as a speech and language therapy assistant without a degree to gain experience.
Is Speech and Language Therapist right for you?
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Still deciding whether speech and language therapist is the career for you? Here is which career test is actually worth taking, and what a free quiz will not tell you.