The Student Room Group

Biomedical Science apprenticeship?

I'm thinking of doing a degree apprenticeship for uni in biomedical science as I think I can still do the scientist training programme after. I'm not too sure.

'To apply to the Scientist Training Programme (STP) you must have a 1st or 2:1 in either an undergraduate honours degree or an integrated master’s degree. Both options must be in a pure or applied science subject relevant to the specialty for which you are applying'
does that mean I can do the apprentice route for the degree and still manage to to the STP? Plus I know it's competitive so does this limit me?

What's it like doing applied biomedical at uni?
I'm thinking of going somewhere like LJMU, Manchester metropolitan etc. in the north west. Only problem is that I don't have much work experience but I'm in year 12 so I'm hoping to fix that and I'm still trying to get a part time job but no luck.

Any advice helps as I don't know much about degree apprenticeships at this time all I know is that if I don't get in to the apprentice i might do a gap year then apply to biomedical science at Lancaster university instead?
A degree apprenticeship provides exactly the same degree as someone who does it full time, you just do the end point assessment and gain work experience.

You can absolutely do the STP after the level 6 BMS apprenticeship. If you aren't successful going for the apprenticeship next year, then I'd actually recommend applying for medical laboratory assistant roles to get the experience. You may find that the department offers you the level 6 apprenticeship once you have a job.

I could be wrong but I don't believe that Manchester Met offers the biomedical science degree apprenticeship. Salford definitely does though.
(edited 1 month ago)
Original post by HealthcareSci
A degree apprenticeship provides exactly the same degree as someone who does it full time, you just do the end point assessment and gain work experience.
You can absolutely do the STP after the level 6 BMS apprenticeship. If you aren't successful going for the apprenticeship next year, then I'd actually recommend applying for medical laboratory assistant roles to get the experience. You may find that the department offers you the level 6 apprenticeship once you have a job.
I could be wrong but I don't believe that Manchester Met offers the biomedical science degree apprenticeship. Salford definitely does though.

I'll double check with the Manchester met but medical laboratory assistant role I'll definitely look at for experience thank you
Original post by fullofregrets
I'm thinking of doing a degree apprenticeship for uni in biomedical science as I think I can still do the scientist training programme after. I'm not too sure.
'To apply to the Scientist Training Programme (STP) you must have a 1st or 2:1 in either an undergraduate honours degree or an integrated master’s degree. Both options must be in a pure or applied science subject relevant to the specialty for which you are applying'
does that mean I can do the apprentice route for the degree and still manage to to the STP? Plus I know it's competitive so does this limit me?
What's it like doing applied biomedical at uni?
I'm thinking of going somewhere like LJMU, Manchester metropolitan etc. in the north west. Only problem is that I don't have much work experience but I'm in year 12 so I'm hoping to fix that and I'm still trying to get a part time job but no luck.
Any advice helps as I don't know much about degree apprenticeships at this time all I know is that if I don't get in to the apprentice i might do a gap year then apply to biomedical science at Lancaster university instead?

Hi @fullofregrets

While my knowledge on apprenticeship routes for biomed is limited, I can give you an insight into the uni side of study a Biomedical Science degree at Lancaster Uni.
I have enjoyed studying this degree and I have gotten quite a bit of lab experience, I would say you are usually in the lab once or twice a week learning new skills or refining others applying them to a different context/experiment. During my dissertation in third year I was in the multiple times a week eg growing and culturing cells for my experiment (which was using snake venoms on cancer cells to see if they have any anti-cancer properties!) then carrying out my experiment and running assays. The degree has definitely prepped me for going into lab work as a job later (of course there will always be new things to learn from protocols to using new machines though).
As a uni degree, there will be modules you have to learn so studying will take up a big part of your time however if you structure your time right, you'll be fine. There's also over 150 societies if you want to learn something new or just want to do something fun!

All in all, make sure you study in a way that you think you'll prefer wether that's apprenticeship or degree route.
Hope this helps,
Rachel - Lancaster University Student Ambassador.
Original post by Lancaster Student Ambassador
Hi @fullofregrets
While my knowledge on apprenticeship routes for biomed is limited, I can give you an insight into the uni side of study a Biomedical Science degree at Lancaster Uni.
I have enjoyed studying this degree and I have gotten quite a bit of lab experience, I would say you are usually in the lab once or twice a week learning new skills or refining others applying them to a different context/experiment. During my dissertation in third year I was in the multiple times a week eg growing and culturing cells for my experiment (which was using snake venoms on cancer cells to see if they have any anti-cancer properties!) then carrying out my experiment and running assays. The degree has definitely prepped me for going into lab work as a job later (of course there will always be new things to learn from protocols to using new machines though).
As a uni degree, there will be modules you have to learn so studying will take up a big part of your time however if you structure your time right, you'll be fine. There's also over 150 societies if you want to learn something new or just want to do something fun!
All in all, make sure you study in a way that you think you'll prefer wether that's apprenticeship or degree route.
Hope this helps,
Rachel - Lancaster University Student Ambassador.

thank you and the your experiment certainly does seem interesting
Original post by fullofregrets
I'll double check with the Manchester met but medical laboratory assistant role I'll definitely look at for experience thank you

I can't see anything on their website. Remember that for apprenticeships you need to apply for the job- not to the university directly.

I'm a really big supporter of degree apprenticeships. In this case the pros are:

1.

No student loan. That means after you have finished you are earning about £2k more than a former FT student on the same wage.

2.

Professional registration supported and included as part of your work, no need to try and find a position afterwards.

3.

Four years of work experience. University lab practicals are absolutely not the same as the work place and this experience allows you to move forward in your career faster.

4.

You get paid! Not a huge salary, but it is money. And that makes life much easier later on.

5.

Chances are the research project will have more real world applications as it will be something the laboratory you are working in needs and not something the university comes up with as they need a certain number of projects a year.

If it's what you decide to go for then good luck. :smile:

Quick Reply