How to become an allied health professional

What is allied health?

Allied health professionals (AHPs) provide essential services that complement and enhance the work of doctors, physicians and nurses.

Around 71,000 to 76,000 allied health professionals work across England, using their specialist skills to diagnose and assess a wide range of conditions. For example:

• speech and language therapists identifying communication disorders
• radiographers using imaging techniques to detect abnormalities.

AHPs also focus on treatment, rehabilitation and long term support, such as:

• occupational therapists helping people manage daily living activities
• physiotherapists supporting recovery and mobility
• professionals managing breathing and respiratory conditions.

Many AHPs are also involved in prevention and health promotion, through screening, patient education and lifestyle support.

What jobs can I do in allied health?

There are 14 recognised allied health professions in the UK, including:

• Art therapists - supporting emotional expression through art.
• Dietitians - helping people manage health through nutrition.
• Dramatherapists - using drama techniques to support mental health.
• Music therapists - using music as a therapeutic tool.
• Occupational therapists - enabling independence in daily life.
• Operating department practitioners - supporting surgical teams.
• Orthoptists - diagnosing and treating eye movement disorders.
• Osteopaths - treating musculoskeletal conditions.
• Paramedics - providing emergency medical care.
• Physiotherapists - supporting physical rehabilitation.
• Podiatrists - treating foot, ankle and lower‑limb conditions.
• Prosthetists and orthotists - designing assistive devices.
• Radiographers - producing diagnostic and treatment imaging.
• Speech and language therapists - supporting communication and swallowing.

Each profession requires specific training and registration, but all share a focus on improving patient outcomes.

A career in allied health can be challenging but highly rewarding. If you're motivated by helping others, enjoy problem solving, and want a career with real impact on people's lives, allied health is well worth exploring.

How do I qualify in allied health?

There are several routes into allied health, depending on your qualifications and career stage. All routes include clinical placements, giving you hands‑on work experience in real healthcare settings.

Placements might include:

• community services for occupational therapy students
• hospital imaging departments for student radiographers
• outpatient clinics for dietetics students.

Placements are assessed and form a core part of allied health qualifications.

Undergraduate degrees

The most common route is an approved undergraduate degree in your chosen profession. For example, aspiring physiotherapists typically study a physiotherapy degree, combining academic learning with clinical placements.

You'll need a Bachelors degree accredited by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) to practise in most allied health roles.

Examples of undergraduate degrees in allied health professions include:

• BSc Diagnostic Radiotherapy - The University of Derby
• BSc Dietetics and Nutrition - London Metropolitan University
• BSc Operating Department Practice - University of Lancashire
• BSc Osteopathy - Swansea University
• BSc Paramedic Science - The University of Brighton
• BSc Prosthetics and Orthotics - The University of Strathclyde
• BSc Podiatry - The University of Huddersfield
• BSc Physiotherapy - The University of Salford
• BSc Speech and Language Therapy - The University of Manchester

For more information on funding an undergraduate degree, see student loans and finance.

Degree apprenticeships

Some allied health roles are available through degree apprenticeships, which allow you to earn while you learn. This route combines paid work in a healthcare setting with academic study, leading to a full degree and professional qualification.

Allied health degree apprenticeships are available in areas such as:

• diagnostic radiography
• dietetics
• occupational therapy
• operating department practice
• paramedicine
• physiotherapy
• podiatry.

As an apprentice, you'll usually work four days a week in a clinical role and spend one day a week at university. Rather than applying to a university directly, you apply through the NHS, which employs you while you train.

Eligibility requirements vary depending on the role and employer, but you'll generally need:

• A‑levels or
• equivalent Level 3 qualifications

Some apprenticeships also specify GCSE requirements. For example, the midwifery apprenticeship at Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust requires:

• GCSEs in English and maths at grades 9 to 4
• three Cs at A‑level.

Your starting salary is determined by both your training rate, and the relevant NHS pay band. For example:

• a Band 4 dietetic apprentice at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust can earn a salary of £31,944 to £34,937
• a Band 3 podiatry apprentice at South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust earns £24,071 to £25,674 per year

This means you can gain valuable experience and a recognised qualification without paying university tuition fees.

You can explore current opportunities on NHS Jobs - Apprenticeships, and find step‑by‑step guidance in how to apply for an apprenticeship.

Postgraduate conversion courses

If you already have a degree in a related subject, you may be able to qualify as an allied health professional through a postgraduate pre‑registration or conversion course. These routes are designed for graduates who didn't study an allied health subject at undergraduate level but want to retrain.

Common examples include two‑year MSc programmes in professions such as:

• occupational therapy
• speech and language therapy.

Some allied health professionals choose to complete a Masters degree for advanced practice or specialisation later in their career. These programmes can help you take on greater responsibility and progress into senior, advanced or consultant roles.

For example, The University of Southampton offers a part‑time Advanced Clinical Practice (Advanced Allied Health Practitioner) MSc for practising and newly qualified physiotherapists and paramedics. The course is designed to support progression into advanced or consultant practitioner roles. Tuition is charged per module, but you'll pay £9,700 for a full year of study.

The University of Huddersfield also offers a one‑year Theory of Podiatric Surgery MSc, which provides in‑depth knowledge of surgical procedures alongside valuable clinical placements in podiatric surgery settings. Tuition for the full‑time course is £9,265.

The University of Manchester offers the one-year MSc Advanced Leadership for Professional Practice (Allied Health Profession). You will gain advanced professional and leadership skills in allied healthcare, with flexible study options and the ability to tailor your learning to your interests. The course costs £12,000.

These routes are particularly suited to professionals who want to:

• develop expertise in a specific clinical area
• lead services
• specialise.

Search for postgraduate courses in allied health.

PGCerts and PGDips in allied health

If you're looking for a flexible route to build skills or specialise, a postgraduate certificate (PGCert) or postgraduate diploma (PGDip) can be a good option. These qualifications allow you to develop advanced knowledge without committing to a full Masters degree straight away.

They're particularly useful if you want to:

• upskill alongside work
• specialise in a particular clinical area
• explore postgraduate study before progressing to an MSc
• support career progression within your current allied health role

PGCerts and PGDips are shorter and more focused than a full Masters degree. Typically:

• a PGCert takes six to twelve months, often part time, and covers a small number of modules
• a PGDip usually takes nine to twelve months full time (or longer part time) and offers a broader, more in‑depth programme.

In many cases, credits can be carried forward into a full MSc, giving you the option to continue your studies later if you choose.

PGCerts and PGDips often focus on applied, practice‑based learning, helping you develop skills you can use directly in your role. Depending on the course and profession, areas of study may include:

• advanced clinical practice
• leadership and service improvement
• specialist clinical skills
• research methods and evidence‑based practice.

Example courses include:

• PGCert Clinical Practice - City St George's, University of London
• PGCert Non-Medical Prescribing for AHPs - University of Wolverhampton
• PgCert/PgDip Critical Care (online) - The University of Edinburgh
• PGDip Clinical Professional Development - Edge Hill University
• Practice Certificate in Independent Prescribing (AHPs) - University of Hertfordshire

These courses are commonly taken by qualified AHPs, but some may be suitable for newly qualified practitioners or those returning to practice.

Search for PGDips and PGCerts in allied health.

Access routes and career changes

Postgraduate access courses also make allied health careers accessible to career changers and mature students. If you're returning to education or changing direction, these pathways offer a structured way to retrain and qualify in a recognised healthcare profession.

For example, someone working in retail or administration who decides to pursue a career in healthcare - after completing an access course at a local college, they may progress to a BSc in physiotherapy and later qualify as a registered physiotherapist.

Find out more about Access to HE Diplomas.

What skills do I need to work in allied health?

To succeed in allied health, you'll need a mix of technical and personal skills, including:

• communication and teamwork
• empathy and compassion
• organisation and time management
• problem solving and adaptability
• resilience in demanding situations.

Discover what skills employers want.

How do I get a job in allied health?

Although the NHS employs over 1.5 million people, making it one of the largest employers globally, allied health professionals aren't limited to hospitals - they work across a range of settings, including:

• charities, social care and secure environments
• community services and patients' homes
• NHS hospitals and specialist clinics
• private practice and rehabilitation centres
• schools and educational settings.

After completing your degree or apprenticeship, you'll need to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) or the General Osteopathic Council. This registration confirms that you meet the professional standards required to practise.

Most people begin their careers in generalist roles to build core experience. Over time, you can specialise in areas that match your interests. For example, physiotherapists might focus on sports rehabilitation, while speech and language therapists may choose to work with children with communication difficulties.

Joining professional bodies such as the Royal College of Occupational Therapists or the British Dietetic Association can support your career development. These organisations help validate your qualifications, offer networking opportunities, and provide access to job listings and resources.

How much will I earn working in allied health?

Salaries in allied health vary depending on your role, experience and where you work. In the NHS, most allied health professionals start on Band 5, with salaries typically ranging from £30,000 to £36,000.

As you gain experience and take on more responsibility, many professionals progress to:

• Band 6 to 7 roles, earning around £39,000 to £53,000
• Band 8+ roles in advanced practice, leadership or consultancy, with salaries of £50,000 to £70,000.

Some specialities can offer higher earning potential. For example:

• speech and language therapists typically start on £29,970, rising to £36,483 with experience
• occupational therapists (entry‑level NHS Band 5) usually earn £29,969 to £36,483.

Most allied health salaries follow NHS pay bands, but figures can vary depending on:

• your employer
• your level of experience
• your specific role or specialism.

Some allied health professionals also increase their earnings through private practice or consultancy work, particularly later in their careers.

What will my career look like?

Most AHPs follow a clear progression pathway in the NHS:

• Band 5 - newly qualified practitioner
• Band 6 - specialist practitioner
• Band 7 - advanced practitioner or team lead
• Band 8+ - consultant, leadership or research roles.

For example, a radiographer might specialise in cancer treatment as a therapeutic radiographer, while an occupational therapist could move into advanced practice supporting patients with complex neurological conditions.

To maintain your professional registration, you'll need to engage in continued professional development (CPD). This ensures you stay up to date with the latest practices and innovations, helping you deliver the highest standard of care.

Find out more

• Explore apprenticeships in nursing.
• Discover what the healthcare sector has to offer.
• Check out other roles in the sector through our healthcare job profiles.