Speech and Language Therapist

I have worked in a nursery for 4 years and I have obtained my level 2 and currently completing my level 3, due to finish in November.

For as long as I can remember I always wanted to become a teacher however, since getting older I feel that Education isn’t something I agree with or want to be a part of as I believe children are so much more then what they are graded on in school (just my opinion).

During my time in nursery settings I have worked along side Speech and Language Therapists and I have found it so interesting and I am eager to learn more.

I was just wondering what the course is like, could I do a more broader subject to keep my options open and then complete a masters in speech and language? And how do I go about applying? I am based in Liverpool so would ideally like the University to be a close distance.

I have had a little look into it and considering doing ‘BA (Hons) Education and Special Educational Needs with Foundation Year’. Is it possible to become a Speech and Language Therapist with this?

Thank you in advance

Reply 1

MindMax2000

Original post

by LydiaOneill

I have worked in a nursery for 4 years and I have obtained my level 2 and currently completing my level 3, due to finish in November.
For as long as I can remember I always wanted to become a teacher however, since getting older I feel that Education isn’t something I agree with or want to be a part of as I believe children are so much more then what they are graded on in school (just my opinion).
During my time in nursery settings I have worked along side Speech and Language Therapists and I have found it so interesting and I am eager to learn more.
I was just wondering what the course is like, could I do a more broader subject to keep my options open and then complete a masters in speech and language? And how do I go about applying? I am based in Liverpool so would ideally like the University to be a close distance.
I have had a little look into it and considering doing ‘BA (Hons) Education and Special Educational Needs with Foundation Year’. Is it possible to become a Speech and Language Therapist with this?
Thank you in advance

A speech and language therapist is a regulated role i.e. you need specific qualifications in order to do it. A random degree in something won't do. In your case, you would need a specific degree.

From the following job profiles:
https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/speech-and-language-therapist#qualifications
https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/allied-health-professionals/roles-allied-health-professions/speech-and-language-therapist
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/speech-and-language-therapist
https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/job-sectors/childcare/job-profile/speech-and-language-therapist
https://www.life-pilot.co.uk/job-sectors/childcare/job-profile/speech-and-language-therapist

...you need a HCPC regulated degree (otherwise also approved by the RCSLT) in speech and language therapy. There are currently 54 approved degrees and courses in the country for this:
https://www.hcpc-uk.org/education/approved-programmes/approved-programmes-results/?Professions=270450016&ProviderQueryString=&IntakeModes=Open
https://www.rcslt.org/speech-and-language-therapy/become-a-speech-and-language-therapist/university-degrees/hei-list/

From the list, you can see that you can do either a BSc or MSc in the subject. In some cases, you can do a MSc with an undergraduate degree in either a related subject or a completely unrelated subject, but you would need to check each individual degree to be sure e.g.:
https://www.bcu.ac.uk/courses/speech-and-language-therapy-msc-2025-26#entry_requirements - yes with an undergrad in education
https://www.canterbury.ac.uk/study-here/courses/postgraduate/speech-and-language-therapy?year=september-2025&modeRef=0#courseEntryRequirements - unclear. Need to contact uni to be sure.
https://www.citystgeorges.ac.uk/prospective-students/courses/postgraduate/speech-and-language-therapy#accordion513943-header513943 - undergrad in any subject
https://www.hsu.ac.uk/course/pre-registration-msc-speech-language-therapy/#requirements - yes, with an undergrad in education
https://www.lancashire.ac.uk/postgraduate/courses/speech-language-therapy-pre-registration-msc - an undergrad in any subject
https://www.essex.ac.uk/courses/pg00803/1/msc-speech-and-language-therapy-pre-registration - undergrad in any subject
https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/courses/speech-language-therapy-msc/ - yes, with an undergrad in education
https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/course/splathms/ - unclear. Will need to contact to confirm
https://www.mmu.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/course/msc-speech-and-language-therapy-pre-registration#course-information - an undergrad in any subject
https://www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/degrees/5104f/#entry-requirements - no
https://www.qmu.ac.uk/study-here/postgraduate-study/2025/msc-speech-and-language-therapy-pre-registration - undergrad in any subject
https://www.reading.ac.uk/ready-to-study/study/2025/speech-and-language-therapy-pg/msc-speech-and-language-therapy - yes with an undergrad in any subject
https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/postgraduate/taught/courses/2025/speech-and-language-therapy-mmedsci#entry-req - undergrad in any subject
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/taught-degrees/speech-and-language-therapy-msc- undergrad in any subject

To answer your questions:
I was just wondering what the course is like, could I do a more broader subject to keep my options open and then complete a masters in speech and language?
Yes, see above. I haven't done the course or know of anyone who did, so I can't give you an accurate account of what the course is like.

And how do I go about applying?
You will have to see the entry requirements. After getting the grades for your undergrad, you typically need a DBS check, health clearance, and interview. When it comes to postgrad degrees, you usually just download an application form from the uni concerned, and apply directly (attaching the relevant supporting documents).
For anything related to undergrad applications, you need to apply via UCAS (irrespective of how old you are or how many qualifications you have done beforehand).

I am based in Liverpool so would ideally like the University to be a close distance.
As it's an accredited degree that you would need, you're limited to the choices above. UCLAN, MMUA, Sheffield, and Leeds Beckett probably being the closest to you.

I have had a little look into it and considering doing ‘BA (Hons) Education and Special Educational Needs with Foundation Year’. Is it possible to become a Speech and Language Therapist with this?
Yes, with certain degrees. See above.

Reply 2

normaw

Original post

by LydiaOneill

I recommend you go to some uni open days for SLT and chat to staff and students. And, although you have experience of SLT in a nursery setting, try and get some shadowing experience in a hospital setting as there are many paths you can take once qualified.

To become an SLT you do need to take an SLT degree or a pre-registration SLT masters. The pre-reg masters is a condensed two-year version of the three-year undergrad course. You would need to check if your level 3 nursery qualification meets the entry requirements for an undergraduate course. If it is not clear on the course page, call the admissions department at your chosen unis. If your current qualifications are not enough, consider taking a one-year Access to HE diploma course which are readily accepted for most healthcare courses.

https://www.accesstohe.ac.uk/

The following is the best tool to search for healthcare courses and you can filter by region:

https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/career-planning/course-finder

You apply for uni through UCAS. The equal consideration deadline for applications for Sep 2026 entry is 14 January 2026.

Reply 3

UniLancashire

Official Rep

Original post

by LydiaOneill

I have worked in a nursery for 4 years and I have obtained my level 2 and currently completing my level 3, due to finish in November.
For as long as I can remember I always wanted to become a teacher however, since getting older I feel that Education isn’t something I agree with or want to be a part of as I believe children are so much more then what they are graded on in school (just my opinion).
During my time in nursery settings I have worked along side Speech and Language Therapists and I have found it so interesting and I am eager to learn more.
I was just wondering what the course is like, could I do a more broader subject to keep my options open and then complete a masters in speech and language? And how do I go about applying? I am based in Liverpool so would ideally like the University to be a close distance.
I have had a little look into it and considering doing ‘BA (Hons) Education and Special Educational Needs with Foundation Year’. Is it possible to become a Speech and Language Therapist with this?
Thank you in advance

Hi @LydiaOneill,

Thank you for your message and patience. The University of Central Lancashire is located in Preston which has great transport links especially to and from cities like Liverpool. You can get to Preston from Liverpool in under an hour depending on if there are connections or if the route is direct. There is some useful information about commuting to our Preston campus here: Local and commuter students

I would recommend attending some open days if you can. Open days are great to get a flavour of the course, the university and it's campus but to also ask any questions to current students and lecturers. Open days helped me to narrow down which university I wanted to attend and helped me get a feel for them too. I often asked myself 'Can I see myself studying here' and 'What is the most important aspect to me that the uni offers' Knowing what is important for you will make the research easier for example is it student support? Is it the location like you mentioned already?

We do have an open day coming up in August which you can find out about more here: Undergraduate Open Day at Preston Campus - Aug 2025

Here's some more info on our Speech & Language Therapy (Pre-registration) course: Speech & Language Therapy (Pre-registration), MSc and we do also offer it as a degree apprenticeship which may be of interest to you: Speech & Language Therapy, BSc (Hons) - Degree Apprenticeship

Speaking to our enquires team is something I would also recommend. You will be able to ask any questions you may have, go through and explore your options. If you'd like to speak with our enquires/admissions team you can find their contact details under the course enquires tab on this page: Contact us

Let me know if you have any questions or feel free to direct message us 🙂
Best wishes, ^Zac

Reply 4

evantej

Original post

by LydiaOneill

I have worked in a nursery for 4 years and I have obtained my level 2 and currently completing my level 3, due to finish in November.
For as long as I can remember I always wanted to become a teacher however, since getting older I feel that Education isn’t something I agree with or want to be a part of as I believe children are so much more then what they are graded on in school (just my opinion).
During my time in nursery settings I have worked along side Speech and Language Therapists and I have found it so interesting and I am eager to learn more.
I was just wondering what the course is like, could I do a more broader subject to keep my options open and then complete a masters in speech and language? And how do I go about applying? I am based in Liverpool so would ideally like the University to be a close distance.
I have had a little look into it and considering doing ‘BA (Hons) Education and Special Educational Needs with Foundation Year’. Is it possible to become a Speech and Language Therapist with this?
Thank you in advance

SLT / lecturer here.

If you do not want to go into education then there is no point doing the degree in education and SEN. There is no harm in doing a 'broader' subject first but that education degree is actually rather narrow in scope and does not give you many options upon graduation.

If you want to become a speech and language therapist then you need to do a degree in speech and language therapy. You can do this as an undergraduate or master's degree as others have said. You apply via UCAS for undergraduate degree.

Your nearest universities are Wrexham, Manchester Metropolitan University, the University of Manchester, UCLAN, and Keele University. I suspect the Manchester universities are probably easier for you to travel to if you wanted to commute from Liverpool (obviously depends which part of Liverpool you are from), and I imagine one if not both probably offer placements in Liverpool too. So it is worth either getting in touch with them or perhaps attending an open day. (In my university's open day we explicitly show a map of potential placement locations to students so there are no surprises / fewer complaints when it comes to second and third year).

If you want to qualify as soon as possible then do a full-time undergraduate course. Remove UCLAN from your list as they only do master's and apprenticeships which you cannot apply for. All the others do undergraduate courses. All of them are three years except Keele's which is four years but you graduate with a master's which might be helpful if you ever wanted to work abroad. Wrexham are a good option if you want to graduate with less debt but you would have to stay and work in Wales for a couple of years after you graduate to have your fees paid etc.. There might also potentially be a language barrier once you start venturing further into north Wales towards the Irish sea.

As recommended above, I would make sure your current qualifications are actually accepted / enough to get onto the course. This also includes level 2 qualifications / GCSEs in English and maths etc.. I would also strongly suggest trying to get some experience or speaking to a SLT who works outside of schools.

When I interview applicants with similar backgrounds to yourself there is often quite a narrow understanding of what SLTs do (understandably) and sometimes little appreciation of the amount of anatomy, physiology, research methods that you have to do on the course. So that is why you need to try and look for wider experiences so you know what you are letting yourself in for!

Reply 5

kuponut

I initially trained (and worked for too many years) as a teacher in KS1 and foundation stage - it was not the greatest career choice for me. I retrained as a mature student into SLT, but what I'd say is keep your mind open - I was sure I wanted to work with kids, ideally in a special school - but the course trains you for the whole range of SLT including adults, dysphagia (swallowing), acquired brain injury etc etc and I really did gravitate and find my niche in a specific adult area in the end.

Reply 6

LJMUStudentReps

Official Rep

Hi @LydiaOneill

Thank you for your message – it’s great to hear about your experience in nursery settings and your growing interest in Speech and Language Therapy.

At Liverpool John Moores University, we offer the BA (Hons) Education and Special Educational Needs with Foundation Year. You can find more information about the course, including career prospects, content, and how to apply, at the following link: https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/study/courses/undergraduates/2025/46405-education-and-special-educational-needs-ba-hons-fnd

While this undergraduate degree won’t qualify you directly as a Speech and Language Therapist, it can be a valuable foundation for progressing to a relevant Master’s degree that would lead to professional qualification in that field.

Career pathways from this course include, but are not limited to:

•

Teacher (via a PGCE)

•

Special Educational Needs Coordinator

•

Inclusion Support Coordinator

•

Behaviour Support Worker

•

Learning Mentor

•

Disability Inclusion Officer

•

Local Authority Disability Coordinator

•

Disability Support Worker

•

Roles within community or charitable organisations

To explore more, I recommend visiting the LJMU On Demand platform. Most courses feature in-depth induction videos led by academic staff that give insight into what the course involves and where it can lead (no login required): https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/on-demand/login

If you’d like to visit us in person for taster sessions or to get a feel for the university, you can find information about our upcoming open days here: https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/study/undergraduate-students/undergraduate-open-days

If you have any further questions, feel free to reply to this message – I’d be happy to help.

Megan (LJMU Rep)

(edited 7 months ago)

Reply 7

-hollieroberts

Original post

by LydiaOneill

I have worked in a nursery for 4 years and I have obtained my level 2 and currently completing my level 3, due to finish in November.
For as long as I can remember I always wanted to become a teacher however, since getting older I feel that Education isn’t something I agree with or want to be a part of as I believe children are so much more then what they are graded on in school (just my opinion).
During my time in nursery settings I have worked along side Speech and Language Therapists and I have found it so interesting and I am eager to learn more.
I was just wondering what the course is like, could I do a more broader subject to keep my options open and then complete a masters in speech and language? And how do I go about applying? I am based in Liverpool so would ideally like the University to be a close distance.
I have had a little look into it and considering doing ‘BA (Hons) Education and Special Educational Needs with Foundation Year’. Is it possible to become a Speech and Language Therapist with this?
Thank you in advance

Hey!

I did A-Levels at College and got a lot of experience in primary schools and shadowed the school's Speech and Language Therapist because SLT was something I was interested in. Similarly to you, I wanted to study a broader subject to keep my options open, so I did an undergrad in Educational Psychology. From studying this for 3 years, I realised how I much I loved learning about children's language acquisition and everything surrounding speech and language, so I applied to do a Masters in SLT, and am due to start next month. So it is definitely possible to do an undergrad in a related subject, and then go on to do a SLT masters. I hope this helps 🙂

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