Students

Volunteer opportunities

If you are looking for voluntary work, you can approach charities involved with different clinical areas. Visit our clinical guidance A to Z to find key contacts and charities under each clinical area.

You could also ask whether your university runs a community volunteer scheme for students.

The RCSLT curriculum guidance five core capabilities

The five core capabilities of the speech and language therapy profession provide a focus for learning activities, the development of curricula and shared resources, and the delivery of the outcomes inherent in the vision for the workforce.

Find out more about the five core capabilities. 

Curriculum guidance

The RCSLT curriculum guidance is used by education providers when developing pre-registration speech and language therapy courses. The guidance uses the RCSLT core capabilities to provide guidance and support to education providers.

By completing a pre-registration course in speech and language therapy, the RCSLT envisages that all future new graduate SLTs will possess not only the distinctive skill set required to transform the lives of individuals with speech, language, communication and swallowing difficulties, but also to:

• develop transferable skills to lead change, and
• evaluate, improve and evidence the impact of their contribution

As a graduate SLT, you must be able to recognise and articulate the role that speech, language, communication and swallowing difficulties play in and the ways in which SLTs can work for the benefit of individuals, communities and populations in emerging-practice areas.

The pre-registration course should also facilitate the development and attainment of:

• A level of academic and clinical capability on completion of an approved qualification that is fit for professional practice
• The capacity to continue to develop personal and professional skills within the community of speech and language therapy practitioners and the broader community of health, education and social care practitioners.

See the RCSLT curriculum guidance for more information.

CPD diary and setting goals

Students are encouraged to use the online CPD diary. Although this is not mandatory, it may be a useful reflection tool for your clinical placements.

After you graduate, you will need to use the online CPD diary to complete the newly-qualified practitioner (NQP) framework, so it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with the platform and start recording CPD activities as soon as you can.

As a student you can use the CPD diary to:

• Create your own CPD goals, referring to:
  • RCSLT core capabilities
  • RCSLT curriculum guidance
• Record your CPD activities and reflections

Find out more about using your CPD diary.

Download our list of frequently asked questions about NQP goals and competencies (PDF).

RCSLT membership and insurance

As a student you can apply for free membership of the RCSLT. We hope you’ll make the most of the benefits that membership offers, including:

• The RCSLT website members’ only pages
• All RCSLT guidance to support you in your studies
• The RCSLT CPD diary, where you can record your learning
• More than 100 professional networks – joining these is a great way to build your CV
• Online access to Bulletin
• Help and support when you need it through our dedicated enquiries service, info@rcslt.org
• Professional insurance

Guidance on disability issues

The speech and language therapy workforce welcomes individuals from all sections of society, to study and join the profession.

The RCSLT has published a resource to support SLTs with disabilities in the workplace. It includes advice and information also relevant for students, for example support while on placement.

The 2009 RCSLT guidelines on disability issues for students (PDF) are available for general reference, but please note the legal references are out of date and do not reflect legislation such as the Equality Act 2010. We plan to update these guidelines soon.

RCSLT student roadshows

The RCSLT is keen to engage with all SLT students from an early stage – you are the SLTs of tomorrow. We will support you in your studies and throughout your career.

We offer each university a visit from RCSLT officers who will talk to students at both the start and end of their course. These visits provide information about:

• the support and guidance that the RCSLT can give
• the benefits of RCSLT membership
• advice and guidance for after graduation.

You can follow this on Twitter with the hashtag #RCSLTUniTour

Video interviews with SLTs

Find out what previous students had to say about finding a job and transitioning from student to newly-qualified practitioners.

Giving Voice

Since the Giving Voice campaign began, student SLTs have led the way in showing the vital work that they do.

Visit the Giving Voice section to see the campaign’s achievements and how you can get involved.