Science Apprenticeships

What are the best apprenticeships for scientific minds?

Are you fascinated by the world around us? Want to make it a better place and help people?

A lucrative career in science could await.

Science Apprenticeships

Why Science is useful for apprenticeships

Although maths and English are usually the mandatory GCSEs to be eligible for an apprenticeship, many apprenticeships will also value an aptitude for science. 

Not only are there many industries where science plays a major role, but the skills that make someone a good scientist are beneficial across other aspects of work, too. 

Science overlaps with engineering and education amongst others. 

Due to the difficulty and specificity of their skills, scientists are in high demand and are often very well paid for their endeavours. 

Many science apprenticeships are based in laboratories, but you could also work in a hospital, factory, dental surgery or opticians.

Transferable skills

Scientists are curious, meticulous and analytical. They are great observers and problem solvers who constantly seek answers.

You can hone your powers of observation in every aspect of your life. Start by asking more questions, and don’t always take the answers at face value. Test hypothesise by devising and implementing experiments.

It is not all white coats and microscopes, however. 

Work on your research and problem-solving skills and evaluate your communication skills. Part of science is having the confidence and ability to summarise and present your findings. Particularly in medical circumstances, you must understand and be understood.

Intermediate roles

The first level of UK apprenticeships is called level 2, intermediate or entry-level. Designed to get young people into work faster to fill the skills gap, they also provide an avenue for older candidates looking to change their careers. Lastly,  they encourage diversity in jobs where it may have been lacking historically, 

Entry Requirements

To be eligible for a science apprenticeship in the UK, you:

  • Must be 16 or older
  • Must not be in full-time education
  • Must have the right to live and work in the UK

These requirements are mandatory for all UK apprenticeships. For science apprenticeships specifically, you may require more qualifications than in other areas of study.

Many intermediate science apprenticeships require you to have achieved grade C or above in 5 GCSEs, including Science, Maths, and English Language, or equivalent. If you do not have these grades when you apply, you may be allowed to complete them as part of your apprenticeship. 

Qualifications gained

You will earn the equivalent of 5 good GCSE passes when you graduate from an intermediate apprenticeship. 

You can find intermediate science apprenticeships at:

Up to date on apprenticeships?

Join the newsletter to receive news, articles and vacancies delivered straight to your email inbox.

Advanced/Higher/Degree targeted at A-Level

Level 3 apprenticeships are called advanced, levels 4 and 5 are higher, and degree apprenticeships are level 6 or 7. 

Entry Requirements

As with the intermediate level, advanced science apprenticeships also require a greater level of qualification than other subjects. You will likely need five or more GCSEs of C or above (or equivalent), including at least one science or technical subject, such as biology, chemistry, maths, physics or statistics. 

To be accepted for a higher or degree-level science apprenticeship, you will need to have good A-level passes in scientific studies. 

Qualifications gained

  • An advanced apprenticeship = 2 A-Level passes 
  • A higher apprenticeship = A foundation degree 
  • A degree apprenticeship = A bachelors or Masters degree 

Advanced, higher and degree apprenticeships in science include: 

Industry Focus

Under the umbrella term of ‘science’, you will find an array of roles and disciplines spanning most sectors. 

Here are a few of the most popular:

Health and medical science is an offshoot of health and social care, focusing more on supporting doctors and nurses in dispensing the correct care and treatments.

From dental hygienists and opticians to dispensing medicines and testing samples to researching new treatments and cures, this field has many rewarding roles. 

An apprenticeship in healthcare science can lead to a job as a chemical scientist, biological scientist, general medical practitioner and many other related roles. 

You can find medical science apprenticeships at the NHS and private health companies.

Traditionally, we think of scientists working in laboratories, and there this is indeed a common practice for research scientists.

Using the latest technology, they investigate everything from products and pharmaceuticals to geoscience and nuclear power, depending on their specialism, with a view to improvement.

They may work for a manufacturer, utility company, private company, university or Government, usually as part of a team.
Companies such as GSK and the University of Kent offer laboratory scientist apprenticeships.

If you care about the planet and want to make a tangible difference for the better, you could consider an apprenticeship in environmental science. 

Researching and testing sustainable solutions to pollution and climate change, you will work outdoors more than your typical scientist, with lots of field-based exploration. 

Programmes in this subject, such as the Environmental Science BSc (Hons) degree apprenticeship offered by Kingston University London, will help you to develop your independent research skills.

Other Opportunities 

As noted, science is a diverse field offering many numerous roles, including:

  • Cosmetic scientist
  • Geologist
  • Physicist
  • Pharmacist
  • Agronomist
  • Veterinarian

Conclusion

If you have an affinity for science, you could be looking at a personally and financially rewarding career. Science is geared towards innovation and improvement, with everyone working towards a common goal.

If that sounds like something you would enjoy, please search our website using the location and subject filters to find science apprenticeships near you.

For any other queries, please don’t hesitate to get in touch, and we will respond asap.

Relax. We’ll send the jobs to you.

Reckon you know what you want to do, but can’t find the perfect role? Most companies hire their apprentices in a ‘recruitment window’. This means many great jobs are only available for a short time once or twice each year.

Sign up for our job alerts service, and we’ll send you any jobs that fit your search criteria.