Apprenticeships (England only)

Interested in speech and language therapy apprenticeships? Take a look at our information for prospective apprentice SLTs to find out whether an apprenticeship is for you.

If you’re a potential employer or university interested in developing an apprenticeship, please see our information for employers and universities.

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About apprenticeships

Apprenticeships offer an opportunity to work and study simultaneously, so you can earn an income while training to become a qualified speech and language therapist (SLT).

To become an apprentice, you first need to secure a position with an employer who has an SLT apprenticeship vacancy. This could be your current employer or a new one. Once employed, your employer will collaborate with a university to arrange your training. You cannot apply directly to universities for an apprenticeship.

Currently, speech and language therapy apprenticeships are only available in England due to government funding arrangements. In Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, governments support traditional degree routes through direct funding or commissioning.

Universities may offer the degree part of the apprenticeship at either undergraduate or master’s level, subject to RCSLT accreditation. Individuals cannot choose the level as the university determines this. Undergraduate apprenticeships usually take around four years to complete, while master’s level programmes (when available) are expected to take approximately three years.

Entry requirements are usually in line with those of traditional university-based courses, but employers and universities may also consider relevant work experience when assessing applications.

Key features of apprenticeships

The speech and language therapy apprenticeship:

  • Provides a mix of work-based and academic-based learning
  • Offers structured support and a high-quality learning environment.
  • Aligns with HCPC requirements for eligibility to register to practice as an SLT in the UK.

How do apprenticeships work?

  • An apprentice is employed and paid a salary, so no student loan is required
  • Tuition fees are covered by the government apprentice levy
  • At least 20% of the apprentice’s working hours will be dedicated to off-the-job learning, which includes study time that can be scheduled flexibly.

The degree structure

What qualification will I get?

On successful completion of a speech and language therapy degree apprenticeship you will be awarded a full pre-registration bachelor’s degree, equivalent to the qualification obtained through a traditional university-based programme. Master’s level options may be developed in the future.

How long will it take?

A bachelor’s level apprenticeship typically takes four years to complete.  However, if you already hold a relevant degree or have substantial experience, your employer and university may assess your prior learning and offer a shorter, tailored programme.

Just as traditional master’s degrees are shorter than undergraduate programmes, future master’s level apprenticeships are expected to follow a similar model. The exact duration will depend on the delivery model agreed between the university and employer.

Will I be able to study virtually or remotely?

Yes, apprenticeships may be delivered through face-to-face, blended, or fully virtual learning formats. The chosen approach will depend on the agreement between the university and employer, subject to RCSLT accreditation.

If you are currently working as a speech and language therapy support worker, your responsibilities will change. While some duties may continue, your role as an apprentice SLT will include new responsibilities and time allocated for placements and academic study.

What is the split between working and studying?

Employers must provide a formal apprenticeship agreement that complies with government regulations.

Employers must ensure that at least 20% of an apprentice’s working hours are allocated to off-the-job learning, including academic study. When this minimum is met, the apprenticeship typically takes four years to complete based on a standard full-time schedule. If a higher proportion of time is dedicated to academic learning, the overall duration may be shorter. The exact percentage is agreed upon by the employer and the university.

Will the apprenticeship be available as a part-time option?

Government rules require apprentices to be employed for a minimum of 30 hours per week to quality for a full-time programme. As a result, part time apprenticeships take longer than four years to complete.

If you are employed in an integrated therapy assistant role or across multiple trusts, you would need a new apprenticeship agreement tailored to the apprentice SLT role.

If you have two employers, they will need to agree on who will formally employ you and how responsibilities will be shared.

Applying for an apprenticeship

How do I become an apprentice SLT?

To become an apprentice, you will need to apply for an apprenticeship with an employer who is offering them.

If you are already working as an SLT assistant, or in another NHS role, or working in a private SLT practice, you could ask your employer whether they support the apprenticeship route. Many organisations have learning and development teams with staff who specialise in apprenticeships who can guide you through the process.

When will I be able to apply for an SLT apprenticeship?

Speech and language therapy apprenticeships are currently available at several universities.  The RCSLT have put together a list of universities offering accredited speech and language therapy degrees.

Other universities are in the initial stages of developing apprenticeship programmes, so more opportunities are expected to become available over the coming years.

What will the entry requirements be?

Entry criteria are set by both the employer and the university offering the apprenticeship. These requirements are similar to those for traditional degree programmes, although relevant work experience may also be considered.

Will the apprenticeship be open to existing employees/support workers?

Yes, existing employees, including support workers, can apply for an apprenticeship provided they meet the entry and other criteria set by the employer and university.

I already have a degree, will I be able to do an apprenticeship?

Having a degree does not usually prevent you from starting a speech and language therapy apprenticeship. Employers will assess your prior learning at the outset. In the future, those with relevant degrees may be able to pursue a master’s-level apprenticeship, which could be shorter than the standard four-year programme. However, no universities currently offer this option.

What is a relevant degree?

The definition of a “relevant degree” will vary depending on the employer and university. They will assess your qualifications and experience holistically when considering your application.

Will mature students be considered?

Absolutely. There are no age restrictions from the RCSLT’s perspective. Government funding for apprenticeship training is available to anyone aged 16 and over, and employers decide who they wish to recruit.

Funding

Will I be paid during my apprenticeship?

Yes, you will be paid an apprenticeship salary. The exact amount is determined by your employer, who considers the legal minimum wage for apprentices as well as your prior experience and qualifications. This Which? guide (pdf) explains the basics.

The RCSLT recommends that apprentice speech and language therapists should be employed at broadly the same level as speech and language therapy assistants. Employers may also consider increasing pay as apprentices reach key milestones during their training.

The NHS protects the pay of staff who take on apprenticeships, such that apprentices get the higher of two pay rates: either what they would earn if they stayed in their current job, including any planned pay raises, or the pay rate for new apprentices in the same role.  NHS organisations typically use the  Agenda for Change Annex 21 guidelines to determine trainee salaries, which provide a structured pay scale based on training progress.  Other organisations may choose to set fixed salaries independently.

Will I have to pay tuition fees? Will I have a student loan?

No. Tuition fees are fully covered by the government through the apprenticeship levy, so you will not need to take out a student loan.

Will my prior degree mean that my apprenticeship learning would not qualify for government funding?

In most cases, holding a prior degree does not prevent your employer from accessing government funding for your apprenticeship given the unique nature of the speech and language therapy profession.

The funding rules are set by the government and can change from time to time, so you and your prospective employer should be careful to check your eligibility ahead of making any commitments.

Will there be any grants available for apprentices who may have to take a pay decrease to complete the apprenticeship?

Employers are responsible for ensuring apprentices are paid at least the legal minimum wage, regardless of whether time is spent working, studying or on placement. Apprentices must be offered the same conditions as other employees in similar roles.

If you are currently employed as a support worker, transitioning to an apprentice SLT role should not result in a lower pay band. We are not aware of any grants available to offset potential reduction in salary.

Placements

How would placements in other clinical areas be possible, for example working in paediatrics but having an adult placement?

Apprentices must complete 150 sessions of practice-based learning before their final assessment. This includes a requirement to undertake placements in both adult and paediatric settings, just like traditional university-based speech and language therapy programmes.

The apprentice’s employer and university should work together to ensure that these requirements are met.

What format would placements take?

The format and structure of placements will be agreed between the employer and the university. These placements must meet the requirements for speech and language therapy apprenticeships, including variety and quality of experience.

Will I need to apply for placements outside of my normal place of work?

Yes, in most cases. Although apprentices spend more time in the workplace than traditional students, you will still need to demonstrate that you have been given the opportunity for placements outside your usual setting.

Employers across regions or integrated care system are encouraged to collaborate and offer placement rotations ie options for the exchange of their apprentices to provide variety of experiences.

The RCSLT has incorporated the apprenticeship model into its revised guidance on practice-based learning.

The RCSLT curriculum guidance (PDF) sets out mandatory placement hours required.

If my employer does not have the commissioning for paediatric speech and language therapy services, would that mean that my degree would be restricted to adult services, thus would my employability only be in adult services?

As with traditional training routes, apprentices need to undertake practice-based learning in both adult and paediatric settings to maximise their employability throughout the duration of their future career. Therefore, employers may need to work in collaboration with other organisations and the chosen university to ensure this requirement is met.

Useful resources