How To Become A Speech Therapist

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A Speech Therapist helps adults and children who have problems with communication, drinking, eating and swallowing – it is a very rewarding profession to train for, and career in which every day is different. “Speech and language therapist” is a protected title – meaning practitioners must be registered with, and are regulated by, the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Speech therapists work in a wide variety of places including hospitals, schools and nursing homes using a range of methods to treat a variety of conditions. Many also work in community clinics, early‑years settings, specialist centres and private practice, often as part of multidisciplinary teams with teachers, psychologists, occupational therapists and doctors.

Traditionally, speech therapy is completed as an undergraduate degree, but if you have an undergraduate degree already you can still become a speech therapist without completing a second undergraduate degree. In the UK this is usually via an accredited pre‑registration MSc/MA in Speech and Language Therapy which leads to eligibility to apply for HCPC registration.

How to become a speech therapist

Undergraduate qualifications to become a speech therapist

In the UK, there are accelerated postgraduate pre‑registration courses available for graduates who wish to become speech therapists. To gain access to these courses you generally require an undergraduate degree in a related subject such as linguistics, biology or psychology at an upper second-class honours level. Some course providers will consider applicants with degrees in other disciplines if they can show strong relevant experience and a clear understanding of the profession. Students are also required to have gained substantial experience in working with those who have difficulty with communication, drinking, eating and swallowing.

In the UK, international students whose first language is not English must have an excellent English language test score and this is similar for most other countries as speech therapy is generally taught in the institution's local language. Typical English language requirements for UK MSc Speech and Language Therapy courses are around IELTS 7.5 overall with no component below 7.0, reflecting the high communication demands of the role.

In addition, applicants may have to complete occupational health checks and an enhanced DBS check if the work involves contact with children and vulnerable adults.

Postgraduate qualifications to become a speech therapist

How to become a speech therapist The accelerated MSc in Speech and Language Therapy (pre‑registration) is often completed in two years on a full‑time basis or in four years on a part‑time basis and there are a number of courses in the UK, including the MSc Speech and Language Therapy (Pre‑Registration) at Queen Margaret University and similar HCPC‑approved pre‑registration masters at universities such as (UCL) University College London, City St George’s, University of London and the University of Reading.

In the UK, once you have completed the accelerated pre‑registration masters program you will need to gain entry to the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Most countries around the world have similar systems of registration and regulation of speech therapists. Studying a course that is approved by your local regulatory body will allow you to register and practice as a speech therapist. Prospective students should always check that their chosen course is accredited/approved by the relevant national body before enrolling.

Speech therapists in the UK must maintain Continuing Professional Development and show that they are maintaining their professional standards in order to renew their HCPC registration, which is normally required every two years. RCSLT also expects members to undertake and record CPD activities that keep their knowledge and skills up to date.

To maintain professional standards or to focus their career on a specific area of speech therapy some speech therapists go on to further postgraduate study.

The MSc in Advanced Practice in Healthcare at Cardiff Metropolitan University is a flexible course for practising speech therapist to expand their clinical practice and research skills. This course is completed on a part‑time basis over three years, or alternatively students can study individual modules as micro-credentials.

If you wish to go onto further research or complete a PhD in speech therapy, then completing a masters degree that allows you to explore one or more of the areas of language science could be a good move. UCL (University College London)’s MSc in Language Sciences: Principles of Language and Speech is a good starting point.

Other options include specialist MSc pathways in areas such as dysphagia, paediatric communication impairments, acquired neurological conditions or augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), often delivered part time for working clinicians.

Work experience for speech therapists

The pre‑registration courses provide students with opportunities for work placements, but to gain access to these courses in the first place most students will need to have gained substantial work experience. In the UK most of this will be in the NHS, so getting in touch with your local Speech and Language Therapy Department is a where many students will begin.

There are also a substantial number of private speech therapists in the UK and they may be willing to offer work experience. Working for a private practice during your university holidays may be a great way to gain additional experience. Many students who are studying a postgraduate pre‑registration course in speech therapy will have come into contact with speech therapy through volunteer work, and this is an excellent way to gain work experience.

There are a number of charities that work in Speech and Language Therapy around the world, such as the Stroke Association. Other relevant organisations include charities supporting people with autism, learning disabilities, head injury, dementia or hearing loss, as well as schools and early‑years settings where communication support is a focus.

When you apply, universities will usually expect you to be able to reflect on what you have learned from your experience – for example, your understanding of the role, multidisciplinary working and the impact of communication/swallowing difficulties on everyday life.

Student case study

Speech therapist case study Naomi has completed the pre‑registration MSc in Speech and Language Therapy at UCL (University College London), after completing an undergraduate degree in linguistics.

During her masters course she spent three days a week in lectures, one day a week in a clinical placement and one day a week doing research. The clinical placements meant that she didn't have to find extra work experience, but she felt that if you of had a clear idea of which area of speech therapy you want to work in then it helps to gain extra experience. She recommends getting as much experience as you can to understand where you want to work after completing the course, as the full‑time course is a very busy and intensive time.