Clinical scientist

You'll need a first or upper second class honours 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

Once you have your degree, you can apply for the NHS Scientist Training Programme, which will qualify you to work as a clinical scientist.

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

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• student finance for fees and living costs
• university courses and entry requirements

You can get into this job through a healthcare science practitioner 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 degree apprenticeship

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

You could apply to join the NHS Practitioner Training Programme without a degree.

You would study for a degree in healthcare science, which includes work-based training. You would usually need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) including English, maths and a science subject
• at least 2 A levels including maths or a science

Further information

You can find out more about how to become a clinical scientist from Health Careers.

You'll need:

• knowledge of biology
• thinking and reasoning skills
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to use your initiative
• the ability to read English
• analytical thinking skills
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• complex problem-solving skills
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Your duties will depend on your specific role, but you may:

• interpret test results and suggest treatments to doctors
• research, develop and test new methods of diagnosis and treatment
• give doctors advice on buying and using commercial products and equipment
• work directly with patients in audiology or cardiac physiology
• investigate organ abnormalities and find ways of improving a patient's wellbeing
• in embryology - research infertility, including IVF treatment, egg retrieval and assisted reproduction
• in pathology - investigate the cause and progression of illness, or reason for death
• in genetics - study cells to check for inherited diseases
• in haematology - analyse diagnose and monitor blood-based disorders

You could work in an NHS or private hospital or in a laboratory.

You may need to wear protective clothing.