Degree Apprenticeship BSc (Hons) Laboratory Science Laboratory Scientist

Who is this apprenticeship for?

This apprenticeship is ideal for anyone currently working as a laboratory scientist who is looking to enhance their academic knowledge and career prospects with a degree level qualification. The programme is also ideal for those aspiring to work as a laboratory scientist or looking to change their career path and use their passion for applied bioscience or analytical chemistry to deliver scientific value and propose innovative scientific ideas.

The apprenticeship will develop talent for roles including Analytical Chemist, Research & Development Scientist, Molecular Biologist, Formulation Scientist, Medicinal Chemist and Process Scientist.

You may wish to create a new role within your organisation to attract fresh talent or develop your existing staff.

Capabilities to better your business

• Strengthen and develop existing staff, emerging talent or new recruits into competent professional and ethical laboratory scientists
• Apprentices learn from expert academics and industry professionals, equipping them with the full range of knowledge, skills and behaviours relevant to your organisation
• You’ll have the opportunity to instil your organisation’s business culture and working style from an early stage
• The course allows apprentices to select optional modules to specialise in either applied bioscience or analytical chemistry

A cost-effective way to develop and retain talent

Degree apprenticeships are a smart investment. You can reinvest Apprenticeship Levy funds to cover the cost of the apprenticeship or receive funding support from the government.

If you operate in England and your annual payroll is over £3 million, you pay a levy of 0.5% of your payroll into a levy account.

The cost of the Laboratory Scientist programme for levy paying employers is £27,000 and this can be covered in full using the non-refundable funds in your levy account. If you exhaust the funds in your levy account, then the government will pay 95% of the outstanding fees and you will need to pay the remaining 5%.

If you are an SME, not required to pay the levy, you will pay only 5% of the cost of the apprenticeship programme while the government pays the remaining 95%. The cost of the of the Laboratory Scientist programme for non-levy paying employers is just £1,350.

For more about the Apprenticeship Levy, and to find out about any additional incentive payments for hiring a new apprentice from the government, please visit the key information section on our Degree apprenticeships for employers page.

Our team of dedicated consultants can talk you through the detail.

Delivered by experts, blending online and face-to-face learning

The Laboratory Scientist Degree Apprenticeship is delivered over four years.

20% of their learning will be classed as ‘off the job’, which means that they'll be learning during normal working hours either in their place of work or outside – but not part of their normal working duties.

There are two delivery options available for the off-the-job learning:

Blended 
The ‘blended’ delivery option combines online learning, with a series of short face-to-face residentials on our Cambridge campus.

This blend of online and face-to-face learning fosters a collaborative and supportive programme, augmented by online discussions, student blogs and critical reflection and analysis under the guidance of experienced tutors. The on-campus workshops will include tutorials, practical sessions, and lectures.

Day release
The ‘day release’ option is delivered through term time day release with apprentices attending one-day face-to-face workshops on our Cambridge campus every week.

What are the entry requirements? 

As an employer your business sets out the person specifications for the role, but the apprentice will need to meet our entry requirements to be accepted onto the course. You can see the full entry requirements on our apprentice course page.

Our team of dedicated consultants can talk you through the detail.