Allied Health Professionals
Entry requirements
There are a wide range of career opportunities within the allied health professions. Whatever your interests, qualifications, academic background and work experience there will be something for you.
To become a qualified professional you will need to study for a degree and some careers such as art therapy also require further post-graduate study. Alternatively you can join the NHS as a therapy assistant, working along side qualified staff, where you can also build up qualifications and experience to help you apply for training. The following entry requirements will help you identify which career you might be most suited to.
With good GCSEs and/or work experience
Across most of the allied health professions there is also a range of assistant roles that play an important part in providing treatment to patients. There are no set academic requirements but these roles can act as a springboard for further career development and eventual professional qualification. How far you want to take your career will depend on you but the culture of personal development and continuing learning within the NHS will provide all the support you need. For more information on roles see here.
With A-Levels
To move into any of these professional roles, you will need to have completed a course of study and training at degree or diploma level or above. Only then will you be qualified to make the kind of clinical judgements on which the health and well-being of your patients may depend. This means you will need good grades at A-level or equivalent to gain a place on a university course, or relevant work experience combined with evidence of academic ability. For more information on roles see here.
As a graduate
In any of the allied health professions you will be working as an independent professional, responsible for the assessment and treatment of your own caseload of patients. Therefore, you must first complete a higher education training programme at degree/diploma level or equivalent.
If you already have a degree in a relevant discipline, there are also postgraduate training courses at diploma, masters or doctorate level. For more information on roles see here.
To work in the NHS, most allied health professionals must be registered with the appropriate regulatory body. Registration is usually through the Health Professions Council (HPC). You will only be eligible for registration if you have completed accredited training and been awarded an approved qualification. .
