Study allied health professions in the UK

Allied health professions degrees are for people who want to make a real difference in people's lives.

From supporting someone’s recovery and rehabilitation to improving their communication, mobility and long-term wellbeing, allied health professionals play a crucial role in healthcare systems around the world. Studying in the UK gives you the chance to develop these specialist skills, to gain real clinical experience, and to prepare for a career that combines science, care and real, human connection.

What are allied health professions?

Allied health professions (AHPs) are a group of healthcare roles that work alongside doctors and nurses to deliver patient care. They focus on supporting diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and people’s long-term wellbeing.

There’s no single allied health professions degree. Instead, they include careers such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, dietetics, radiography, paramedic science, podiatry, orthoptics, prosthetics and orthotics, and art therapy. These professions are all recognised by the NHS, and the courses are listed through UCAS.

Why study allied health professions in the UK?

The UK has a unique reputation for medicine, and one of the most famous healthcare systems in the world. The National Health Service is 70 years old and its philosophy of free care for all is a mark of national pride. An allied health professions degree from the UK allows you to understand this integrated system first hand, whilst seeing how it connects with private practice and wider services, such as care for the elderly and mental health.

Our allied health profession degrees are shaped by close links between universities, hospitals and community services, ensuring learning is relevant, practical and grounded in real-world care.

By studying in the UK, you’ll learn in a country known for advancing healthcare practice, where education, research and patient care are closely connected. Our courses are taught by experienced academics and healthcare practitioners who bring professional insight into the classroom, helping you develop judgement, adaptability and confidence.

Real-world experience from the start

When you study an allied health professions degree in the UK, you don’t have to wait until graduation to understand what working in healthcare is really like.

UK universities have strong relationships with healthcare providers across the country. This means you’ll have opportunities to apply your learning in real clinical settings during your degree - working with patients, observing professional practice, and developing hands-on skills. By the time you graduate, you’ll already have experience of healthcare environments and feel prepared for professional roles.

Learning with the latest technology and insights

You’ll train in modern learning environments designed to reflect real healthcare settings. Depending on your profession, this may include clinical skills suites, simulation spaces, therapy rooms and specialist laboratories.

UK universities invest in up-to-date facilities and technologies that support practical training. Many courses are also informed by current healthcare research, meaning your learning reflects the latest thinking and evidence.

From our leading learning environments to our unique culture, studying an allied health professions degree in the UK puts you at the leading edge of medical practice – ensuring you have the best possible start to your career, wherever you want to go.