How to become a clinical scientist
You can get into this job through a university course or an apprenticeship.
University
You'll need a first or upper second class honours (2:1) degree in a subject related to the specialist area you want to work in. For example:
- life sciences like biology, genetics or biochemistry
- biomedical science
- medical physics
Practitioner Training Programme
Alternatively, you could apply for the NHS Practitioner Training Programme (PTP) to get a degree in healthcare science.
Scientific Training Programme
Once you have your degree, you could apply for the NHS Scientific Training Programme (STP). This programme will train you to become a qualified clinical scientist with a master’s degree.
There are 2 different ways to apply for the Scientific Training Programme depending on your current circumstances.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
- 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including maths and physics
- a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study
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Apprenticeship
You might be able to start by doing a higher or degree apprenticeship.
You could do a:
- healthcare science associate higher apprenticeship
- healthcare practitioner degree apprenticeship
- clinical science degree apprenticeship
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
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Registration
- you'll need to register with the Health and Care Professions Council
Further information
You can find out more about how to become a clinical scientist from Health Careers.