To become a speech and language therapist in the UK, you'll need a degree in speech and language therapy approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT), then registration with the HCPC. If you already have a relevant degree, a 2-year fast-track postgraduate course is an option, and there's a degree apprenticeship too.
Speech and language therapy (SLT) is a protected, registered profession in the UK. You can't call yourself a speech and language therapist without HCPC registration, so the course you choose matters from day one.
This guide uses the National Careers Service profile, read on 26 October 2026. It's a careers guide about training, registration and pay, not health or therapy advice.
SLT salary, hours and registration
| What you'll want to know | National Careers Service figure |
|---|---|
| Starting salary | £32,000 a year |
| Experienced salary | £57,000 a year |
| Typical hours | 37 to 40 a week |
| When you could work | Between 8am and 6pm |
| Registration | Health and Care Professions Council |
Those salary figures are as of October 2026. Regular daytime hours are one of the reasons people choose SLT over other NHS careers with shift work.
Three ways to qualify
- Undergraduate degree. Study an HCPC and RCSLT approved degree in speech and language therapy. You'll usually need 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent.
- Fast-track master's. If you've already got a relevant degree, you could take a 2-year postgraduate course in speech and language therapy.
- Degree apprenticeship. The Speech and Language Therapist Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship takes around 4 years, and you'll usually need 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 plus A levels, or equivalent.
- Register with the HCPC. Once you qualify, registration lets you practise.
The assistant-to-therapist route
Here's the route many people miss. If you're already working as a speech and language therapy assistant, you might be able to apply for the degree apprenticeship with your current employer, as long as you meet their entry requirements.
And if you already hold a relevant degree, the apprenticeship may be shorter, and you might be able to earn a master's qualification as part of it. That turns a support job into a paid path to a registered profession, without stepping away from work for years.
You may also be able to get extra student support through the NHS Learning Support Fund if you choose the university route.
Comparing the routes
| Route | Length | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate SLT degree | Varies by university | School leavers with A levels |
| Fast-track postgraduate course | 2 years | Graduates with a relevant degree |
| Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship | Around 4 years | People working in a healthcare or education setting with employer support |
| Apprenticeship with a relevant degree | May be shorter | Graduates who want to earn while they train |
Volunteering in the NHS is a good way to get healthcare experience before you apply, and it helps whichever route you choose. You'll need to pass enhanced background checks, and some roles need a driving licence because you'll visit clients at home.
Who SLTs work with
- Children with language delays or disorders
- Adults relearning communication after a stroke or brain injury
- Children and adults with eating or swallowing problems
- Children with special educational needs
- Patients in hospitals, health centres, schools, nurseries and their own homes
The skills you'll lean on are a strong knowledge of English, knowledge of psychology, patience, active listening and careful attention to detail. The work can be emotionally demanding. If you end up running a caseload in private practice, our guide to record-keeping software for therapists covers the admin side.
Where SLT can take you
With experience, you could specialise in working with children with special educational needs or with people who have eating, drinking and swallowing disorders (dysphagia). After further training, you could move into teaching and research, or become self-employed and run your own practice. Some independent therapists build a simple website early on, and this round-up of website builders for therapists is a practical starting point.
The RCSLT and Health Careers both publish more on the profession if you want to compare universities and placements before applying.
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What SLT courses and employers look for
- A strong knowledge of English language
- Knowledge of psychology
- Sensitivity, understanding and patience
- Counselling skills, including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
- Flexibility and the ability to work well with others
- Careful attention to detail in assessments and notes
Before you apply, ask each university or employer a few practical questions. Is the course approved by both the HCPC and the RCSLT? Where do placements happen, and how far will you travel? If you're applying for the apprenticeship, does the employer already support SLT apprentices, and what entry requirements do they set? The answers tell you far more about the route than a prospectus will, and they're the details that decide whether a course fits around your life.
My verdict
Speech and language therapy is a rewarding, registered career with daytime hours and clear routes in. If you're starting from school, take an approved degree. If you've got a relevant degree already, look hard at the 2-year fast-track course. And if you're working as an SLT assistant, ask your employer about the degree apprenticeship first, because it lets you qualify without giving up your income.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to become a speech and language therapist?
An undergraduate degree varies by university, a fast-track postgraduate course takes 2 years and the degree apprenticeship takes around 4 years.
Can you become a speech and language therapist without a degree?
You'll finish with a degree, but the Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship lets you train while you work instead of studying full time.
Who do speech and language therapists register with?
You'll need to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
How much do speech and language therapists earn in the UK?
The National Careers Service gives £32,000 a year for starters and £57,000 for experienced therapists, as of October 2026.
Can an SLT assistant become a therapist?
Yes. If you work as a speech and language therapy assistant, you might be able to do the degree apprenticeship with your current employer.
Where do speech and language therapists work?
You could work in a school, an NHS or private hospital, a health centre, a nursery or at a client's home.
