Postgraduate Speech and Language Therapy 2014 (MSc)

The band is your level, they are consistent across the NHS to see what pays cake you are on.

You qualify as a band 5 (SLT). You move up to band 6 (specialist SLT) band 7 (highly specialist SLT) and band 8 (clinical lead). At each move higher you will become more specialist in the client group you choose to work with eg mainstream, ASD, neuro acquired disorders etc. And also take on more supervision roles. Band 8s do little clinical work, they are the service managers.

Assistants are band 3 or 4 and support the slts in day to day running - carrying out planned programs of therapy, supporting groups, admin tasks etc. They are not trained SLTs.

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Thanks for your help! Does your band number increase based on the number of years of experience? are there a specific number of years you must complete before moving to the next band number? Or is it based on going back to school and getting a specialization in a certain area and your band number increases.
I went on the NHS website and they also have a points system for each band number... what do the points mean? This is the link I found it on

http://www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/working-in-the-nhs/pay-and-benefits/agenda-for-change-pay-rates/

You can apply for higher band positions when you have appropriate experience, yes. You would apply for a vacancy at that level, it wouldn't normally automatically increase.

The points system however does, you increase by increments annually to reward experience and you would also go up as your skills increase eg you get your competencies signed off. So your first job is bottom of band 5 but if you then applied for another band 5 job when you had completed your competencies and had more experience you might negotiate not going in at the bottom of the band.

Think the NHS are getting rid of the points system though so it may not be around much longer...


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That makes sense!! Do you know how the job market is in London for speech therapists? I would like to work abit there after completing my degree if there are good job prospects. Thank you again for your help This is probz dumb question loll but what are competencies?! Do you mean finishing off your masters?

Hey guys, I don't want to flood this thread with questions but this seems the only place I can ask this. I want to do an undergraduate degree in modern languages travel, work abroad etc then get some work experience relevant to SALT and do a Msc. Would doing a degree that is not psychology, linguistics etc make me unable to go down this route.

Ahh okay! I'm still thinking about it, but it looks like I might have to turn it down.. but Reading is a great Uni! i'm quite an indecisive person !
Haha i got so excited when I saw the email, then was a bit disappointed I don't no not for this year's intake, going to re-apply, but also kinda want to look into studying abroad also maybe the states... have you got any other offers?
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Yeah Reading is, I only applied to Reading and Essex because I ran out of time for the others and didn't have enough experience for UCL. I've got an interview with Essex on May 6th :/ so not long to go, bit worried!

Yeah I was considering that also, I'm not sure how expensive it is though? What have you found out about it so far?

Jumping in here, but I've got an interview with Essex on May 6th, too! Nerves are starting to wrack up now, for sure. Driving up to Essex from home tomorrow. Wonder how many of us there'll be.

Yeah Reading is, I only applied to Reading and Essex because I ran out of time for the others and didn't have enough experience for UCL. I've got an interview with Essex on May 6th :/ so not long to go, bit worried!

Yeah I was considering that also, I'm not sure how expensive it is though? What have you found out about it so far?

I also got an offer from Reading for Language Sciences.I was lucky enough to be accepted by UCL but I did look at what Reading were offering out of curiosity. I agree that it's very expensive for the year and there's no guarantee of a place on a course in future years. I would think it would be better to use the year to gain more experience?

Jumping in here, but I've got an interview with Essex on May 6th, too! Nerves are starting to wrack up now, for sure. Driving up to Essex from home tomorrow. Wonder how many of us there'll be.

How did your interview go?! I hope it went well for you
Keep your options open always! The states offer great courses and for 2 years, with some schools offering scholarships (but most require specific criteria to apply for). A lot of them i've seen offer ones especially to asian/hispanic/or people from very low income backgrounds But without the scholarships it's quite expensive, espec if you go to NYC or a large city school, but great teaching/research facilities and job opportunities to stay after
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Hi I'm hoping to apply to UCL next year, I'm finishing my undergrad in psychology and sociology and am going to take a year out to get more experience. I was just wondering if you could give me any advice on what kind of experience I should get to be accepted onto the course in UCL? And do you know what level of degree is recommended to be offered a place (like 2:2, 2:1 or a 1:1) ? Thanks!

I was at the interview yesterday too! How did you find it? x

Haha strange, who were you I probably met you and didn't even know!

Haha, probably! I'm Kez. I was the girl who'd driven up from Swansea the day before.

Hi JessMMcG,

I studied Psychology at National University of Ireland, Maynooth achieved a 2:1, and then took a year out to gain SLT experience with as many different populations as possible before applying for masters. I was lucky enough to gain places at several universities this year including UCL. My decision eventually came down between UL and UCL. I chose Limerick in the end because of it's great reputation and the included Dysphagia qualification. UCL is a fantastic university and their staff is really lovely, a special shout out to Anna who is one of the most supportive individuals I have ever has the pleasure of encountering.

Are you considering UL? Or do you want a change of universities from where you're doing your undergrad?

In terms of UCL's expected grade they state a requirement of a 2.2 and above but from what I've seen in order to gain admission with a 2.2 you must have extensive experience and excellent references. In some other unis a 2.1 is necessary.

I had work as an unpaid SLTA, volunteered in care of the elderly facilities, working with stroke patient and individuals with dementia working alongside SLTs. I also attended many courses and training days, including a 4 day workshop with the McGuire Progamme to gain experience with individuals challenged by stammer. I also spent time volunteering as an SNA in a mainstream school to observe typically developing children. It all adds up.

As you're based in Limerick, I advise talking to the Clinical Therapies dept and asking if there are any opportunities to observe clinics. Meeting with staff and therapists there will provide you with lots of information. You should get in touch with Jonathon Linklater. He's completing his PhD at UL and is the current head of the IASLT and runs Stammering Awareness Day. He'd be happy to let you know of volunteering opportunities that you could of avail of. One day here and there is very valuable.

Sorry for the super long post and I hope I haven't rambled too much or forgotten anything. Feel free to message me if you have any questions that you think I might be able to help with.

Best of luck with your finals and your applications.

Dani xx