Speech therapy as career (my teen)

[BadHare]

Hi, Dd wants to be a Speech and language therapist. She's only leaving high school next year but We are looking at uni/college etc and I'm struggling to make sense of what qualifications are actually needed. The courses at uni seem to be a year so is a degree needed first and if so in what?
More importantly, what would be the best courses to take at college/sixth form

Thank you :)

For A Levels, she would want English Language and at least one science, Biology is probably is best.

Sociology/ Psychology are also good, and/ or something creative like Art/ Music.

There are various options for courses, usually a 3 or 4 year BSc, or a fast track masters which is 2 years and can be done after a different related degree (e.g. Linguistics or Psychology).

Not sure what the one year courses are that you mention, but as far as I know you can't become an SLT in a year. Make sure the course says 'pre-registration' - that means you will be qualified to practice once completed.

Thanks so much that's very informative

I will have a better look into it this week

I haven't been an SLT for over 20 years so I am very out of date. There are two year post grad courses (maybe that's what you mean?). When I worked these were one year courses and I worked with an SLT who had done this.

It's also possible to do an apprenticeship - news to me, wasn't possible in my time.

The Royal College of Speech and language website (rcslt.org) will have a list of all the universities offering accredited courses and apprenticeships. Undergrad courses will be 3 or 4 years. Acredited courses can still have a slightly different focus - some are more linguisticsy or social sciency and some more medical sciencey, so she should look at what she likes best - some courses will be in uni department of social science, others in healthcare science, or even medicine - I think Newcastle it is part of the medical school.

She is likely to also need either some experience of shadowing an SLT so she understands the role, or some work/ volunteering experience, eg with young children or in a care home etc.

Universities are likely to interview candidates, so she should be prepared for that.

Good A levels could be English language, psychology, sociology, MFL, sciences, maybe drama.

Like other allied health courses, she will be on placement over a wide geographic area, so learning to drive might be helpful.

The NHS offers a learning support fund to help with some costs, such as placement travel expenses, as long as you are UK student and have applied for student loan.

Thanks so much