Overview
Speech and language therapy is a science-based health and social care profession that is regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). The title of speech and language therapist is a protected title that only those on the professional register can use.
Speech and language therapists (SLTs) provide life-improving treatment and support for children and adults who have difficulties with communication, or with eating, drinking and swallowing.
SLTs assess, diagnose and treat speech, language and communication problems in people of all ages to help them communicate better. They also assess, treat and develop evidence-based, personalised plans for those with conditions including autism, cleft palate, hearing impairment, stammering, stroke etc.
Using specialist skills, SLTs work directly with clients and their carers and provide them with tailored patient-centred support. They also work closely with teachers and other health professionals, such as doctors, nurses, other allied health professionals and psychologists to develop individual treatment programmes.
This apprenticeship has been developed to offer a pre-registration route to professional registration as a speech and language therapist. The apprenticeship has been developed with a range of stakeholders including local healthcare providers and service users. Its development recognises the demand locally, regionally and nationally to grow the existing speech and language therapy workforce offering services in both NHS and private settings.
This apprenticeship programme offers you an exciting opportunity to train for professional registration, with the support of an employer, whilst earning a salary. You would study part-time and work part-time. On average the off the job learning time (excluding your practice-based learning placements) would be two days a week.
The course is offered via blended learning. This means you will attend a mixture of face-to-face sessions, many of these will be conducted online. Most weeks your face-to-face sessions will all be delivered on one day. The other day you would be involved in asynchronous activities and independent learning, preparing for assessments etc. These asynchronous and independent learning hours can be done at a time that is convenient for your employer.
You will be required to attend the HSU campus in Bournemouth. Where possible, we have grouped on-campus activities, to reduce travel and over-night accommodation costs.
Over the three years, you will also undertake mandatory practice-based learning hours. These will be undertaken in a variety of settings for example in our on-site clinics, in NHS services and in schools.
In addition, tri-partite reviews, to support your progress, will be held four times a year between the apprentice, apprenticeship tutor, and workplace supervisor. These meetings are designed to support your progress through the apprenticeship.
The course is designed to align to the requirements of:
- The apprenticeship standard for speech and language therapists from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE);
- The standards of proficiency of the regulator for the profession, the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
- The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapy curriculum guidance.
This means on successful completion you would be eligible to join the professional register and become a full member of the professional body.
Who is this course for?
To join this apprenticeship, you will need to be working in a suitable role for at least 30 hours per week and have the support of your employer. If you would like to become a speech and language therapist via the apprenticeship route, you will need to apply for an apprenticeship role with an employer.
Employers advertise degree apprenticeships throughout the year. You cannot apply directly to the University for a degree apprenticeship, please register your interest below and request an Expression of Interest form, and we will seek to advise you further.
Vacancies for apprenticeship roles can also be found on the NHS Jobs website. You will need to check there regularly.
If you are an employer and are considering supporting one of your team to complete the apprenticeship, please
Register your interest below and request an Expression of Interest form, and we will seek to advise you further.
How is this course structured?
The course runs over a three-year period, where you will study part-time, alongside working for your employer.
Through a combination of academic study; hands-on practice-based learning in clinical settings and mentorship, you will develop a comprehensive understanding of knowledge, skills and values required of a speech and language therapist.
You will learn how to work under pressure and to make important decisions in pressured environments. You will develop your ability to think critically and analytically, and you will become a resilient, evidence-based, reflective and empathetic practitioner able to respond to the complex needs of your clients.
Under the guidance of mentors and educators you will have the opportunity to apply theoretical concepts in practice with service users from various backgrounds, and where appropriate  collaborate with interdisciplinary healthcare teams to deliver excellent patient-centred services.
For each unit of study, you will have a number of off-the-job learning hours, this refers to the indicative protected learning time designed and planned for a typical apprentice to achieve the level of competence required to successfully achieve this apprenticeship.
Off-the-job learning will include: learner contact time (on campus face-to-face, live online learning) this could include problem-based seminars, workshops, skills sessions etc, tutor-guided learning, workplace planned learning hours, and independent study for you to extend your learning and prepare for assessments.
Health Sciences University offers state-of-the-art healthcare education provision supported by:
- Highly skilled academic and clinical staff
- Opportunities for multi-disciplinary learning
- AI enabled simulated clinical environments
- Onsite clinics
- Imaging services
- Treatment rooms
- Pro-section laboratory etc
Our links with NHS and independent service providers, provide excellent opportunities for speech and language therapy apprentices to undertake practice-based learning to train and develop across the breadth of environments where they will work.
Please note: This course is subject to validation
Course Details
The course is delivered across three trimesters each year and the programme takes three years to complete.
Your academic studies include theoretical subjects which underpin the profession, including the study of anatomy, neurology, phonetics, phonology and linguistics, communication across the lifespan, acquired and paediatric communication disorders.
You will develop patient centred the skills to support excellent evidence-based, patient centred care for people with diverse needs. You will also develop a strong understanding of what it means to be a registered professional.
The units also align to the five core capabilities that guide the development of the speech and language therapy workforce career framework of communication, partnerships, leadership and lifelong learning, research and evidence-based practice, and professional autonomy and accountability. Â This ensures you will be ready to start your career and have a framework for your further professional development.
During the course you will undertake practice-based learning hours, supported by a practice-educator, which allow you to consolidate your academic learning and develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to become a reflective autonomous practitioner. This practice-based learning will take place alongside speech and language therapists working in a range of environments.
Some of your units will be studied alongside apprentices from other allied health professions, namely diagnostic radiography, occupational therapy, and podiatrists.
Together you will undertake units that cover some key concepts common to all AHP professions such as professionalism, leadership, communication skills and health behaviour. You will also learn the skills to undertake research and quality improvement initiatives to enhance and improve practise in your chosen profession. These units will have some shared sessions but also profession specific sessions where appropriate.
You will become a reflective practitioner, able to critique and reflect upon your clinical practice decisions, monitor and review interventions allowing you to modify care and instigate change to improve the service as necessary.
You will be assessed through a combination of assessment methods, that may include:
- Written reports and essays
- Presentations
- Blogs and Vlogs
- Debates
- Practical activities
- Online examinations
- Portfolio of Evidence
To be able to apply for this course you must already be employed in a suitable area that will support your apprenticeship.
It may be possible to undertake some of your practice-based learning hours within the organisation (not in the department) where you are employed. However, to ensure you cover the entire scope of practice for SLTs and that you experience different working environments, you will be required to undertake practice-based learning hours in a number of settings.
You will need to be working a minimum of 30 hrs per week. Your employer is required to support your off-the job development time, this time may be spent attending classes at the University or online or on a placement or undertaking self-directed study.
Additional Information
Health Sciences University offers state-of-the-art healthcare education provision supported by:
- Highly skilled academic and clinical staff
- Opportunities for multi-disciplinary learning
- AI enabled simulated clinical environments
- Onsite clinics
- Imaging services
- Treatment rooms
- Pro-section laboratory etc
Our links with NHS and independent service providers, provide excellent opportunities for speech and language therapy apprentices to undertake practice-based learning to train and develop across the breadth of environments where they will work.
The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapy has published a professional development framework for SLTs, which provides guidance for the career progression for the profession.
The framework encapsulates the purpose of continued professional development (CPD) learning, which can be used to keep you up to date and also tailored to your interests to further increase capabilities within particular areas of practice.
Entry Requirements
What qualifications do I need? 
You will need to provide HSU with evidence of the following:
Level 5 qualification i.e. FdSc Assistant Practitioner OR
Three A Levels BBB-BBC or above to include a Science OR
BTEC: DMM or above in a relevant Extended Diploma for example: Applied Science, Medical Science or Health and Social Care. OR
Access to HE Diploma: A total of 112-120 UCAS points in a relevant Access to HE Diploma for example; Science, Medicine, Human Science, Allied Health Professions. OR
International Baccalaureate: Overall grade of 30-32 points or higher to include either Biology/Human Biology/Mathematics/Chemistry or Physics at Higher Level. OR
T Level: Merit in any Health and Science pathway accepted.
You must also have GCSE pass (A-C or 4-9) English and Maths or equivalent e.g. level 2 functional skills in English and Maths, prior to the end-point assessment.
AND
The HCPC Standards of Proficiency for SLTs for entry to the professions state that SLTs must: ‘Be able to communicate in English to the standard equivalent to level 8 of the International Language Testing System, with no element below 7.5. The test covers reading, writing, listening and speaking.
If you are not sure about anything listed here, talk to our Apprenticeship team by emailing apprenticeships@aecc.ac.uk complete the form below or call us on 01202 436200 and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Anything Else Needed
Is there anything else that is required?
In addition, apprenticeship funding comes with the following requirements:
- You must be employed for a minimum of 30 hours per week, at least 50% of these hours must be working in England.
- Your employment must be linked to this apprenticeship course.
- You must have resided in the UK for a minimum of 3 years.
- You must be eligible for apprenticeship funding through your employer.
- You must not be enrolled on another apprenticeship
International registrants who are employed and have relevant visas can access apprenticeship programmes, please see the international section for information on the English language required for this programme.
If you are not sure about anything listed here, talk to our Apprenticeship team by emailing apprenticeships@aecc.ac.uk complete the form below or call us on 01202 436200 and we will be happy to answer any question you have.
International
The HCPC Standards of Proficiency for SLTs for entry to the professions state that SLTs must: ‘Be able to communicate in English to the standard equivalent to level 8 of the International Language Testing System, with no element below 7.5. The test covers reading, writing, listening and speaking.
More information on permission to study in the UK can be found on our Visas and immigration page.
For more information about our admissions policies and procedures, including our Admissions Complaints and Appeals Policy, please see our latest policies.
Evidence of prior learning
At interview you will undertake a skills scan, where relevant prior academic learning and experience relevant to the course learning outcomes, will be identified. Consideration will be given to recognition of this prior learning. Prior learning will be reviewed to ensure it meets the learning needs of the course and meets the learning outcomes of any units where exemption is requested.
Register your interest
Register your interest
To register your interest now or ask any questions about the course, please complete the form at the bottom of the page.
Still have questions about applying?
Course Fees
Speech and Language Therapy – This apprenticeship has been allocated to the £26,000 funding band.Â
Register your Interest
Why choose Health Sciences University
There are many benefits to studying at Health Sciences University, from our expertise and history in teaching health sciences, to our state-of-the-art facilities, on-site clinical training, and of course our location on the beautiful Bournemouth coast.
Latest News
Discover and read all the latest news, press releases and happenings here at Health Sciences University.
