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NHS Scientist Training Programme

The NHS Scientist Training Programme ( STP ) may be for you if you are a science or engineering graduate.

You can train to work in a senior healthcare science role in one of the following areas:

• clinical bioinformatics (including  genomics ,  physical sciences  and health informatics )
• life sciences  (including andrology , cancer genomics ,  clinical biochemistry , clinical immunology , genomics , genomic counselling ,  haematology/transfusion science , histocompatibility and immunogenetics , histopathology , microbiology  and  reproductive science )
• physical sciences and biomedical engineering  (including clinical engineering  (eg  rehabilitation engineering ), clinical pharmaceutical science , medical physics (eg nuclear medicine , radiotherapy physics , radiation safety , imaging (ionising) , imaging (non-ionising) , MRI and ultrasound ) and reconstructive science )
• physiological sciences  (including audiology , cardiac science ,  critical care science , gastrointestinal physiology , neurophysiology , ophthalmic and vision science ,  respiratory and sleep science , urodynamic science and vascular science )

Not all specialisms are available every year through the STP , so it's essential to check during the STP recruitment window (see below for details of the latest recruitment round). 

The programme

You'll be employed on a fixed-term contract and paid a salary during your training.

The STP lasts for three years and involves:

• approved and accredited workplace-based training (you'll usually spend the first year in a range of settings and then specialise in the last two years)
• gaining a master’s degree in your chosen area of work

Once you have completed the STP , you will be eligible to apply for suitable healthcare science posts as a clinical scientist.

Find out more about the various healthcare science roles in  clinical bioinformatics ,  life sciences ,  physical sciences and biomechanical engineering  and  physiological sciences

Charlotte Harborow

Trainee clinical scientist.

Working while training means I can also raise real-life cases with my training officer and gain more of an understanding of the course.

Entry requirements

Applicants must have a 1st or 2.1 either in an undergraduate honours degree or an integrated master’s degree in a pure or applied science subject relevant to the specialism for which they are applying.

However, if you have a 2.2 honours degree you may submit an application if you also have a higher degree (a degree completed after a bachelor's degree, at a more advanced level such as an MSc) in a relevant subject for the specialty being applied to.

For all candidates evidence of research experience, e.g. in the form of a higher degree or equivalent evidence of scientific and academic capability, is considered desirable.

Recruitment for 2024 entry 

The application window for the NHS Scientist Training Programme for direct entry in 2024 opens at 11am on Monday 15 January 2024 and closes at 4pm Monday 29 January 2024.

The recruitment process for the NHS Scientist Training Programme is administered by the National School for Healthcare Science. For the latest details about the STP recruitment process, visit the  National School's website  where you can find:

• details of the programme
• information about which specialisms are available
• the application process
• the interview process
• details of open days
• case studies 
• important documents

You can also follow the National School @NSHCS and Health Careers @HealthCareersUK on  Twitter

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Research Roles Within The NHS

Academics with a specialism in the field of medicine or biology may find employment outside of Higher Education in The National Health Service, which employs over 2.1 million people in the UK in total, including clinical academics. It can be a very rewarding field to work in, with many opportunities for career development and the chance to have a direct impact on healthcare in the community and across the nation.

Careers in the NHS

Those with research experience ( PhD students ) and a strong science or medicine background can find work in clinical research for the NHS, especially in the area of biochemistry and related fields. Healthcare Science in the NHS encompasses a variety of jobs that will likely appeal to academics who want to move away from work in Higher Education. Opportunities in every field of healthcare are available, and a strong science degree is essential if you are to apply.

The NHS operates a graduate training scheme in management. The requirements include a degree with second class honours or a postgraduate qualification. Management in the NHS combines leadership skills with health care management techniques.

Typical jobs in the National Health Service for graduates include:

• Clinical research fellow
• Clinical academic
• Therapist and related roles

Finding a job in the NHS

The NHS website offers a great deal of useful information for potential employees. You might also want to examine your prospects through the ‘ What Can I Do With My Degree? ‘ website. The graduate scheme can be applied for directly .

Research positions are regularly advertised on jobs.ac.uk in the ‘ Health and Medical ‘ section. You can also find out about jobs on the websites of individual hospitals (although most positions will also be advertised on the main NHS website, or external sites such as jobs.ac.uk ).

Benefits of working for the National Health Service

Working in research and scientific roles in the NHS requires making use of the investigative and analytical skills that are gained from PhD study . Many people who have made the move from academia to the NHS cite the direct connection to patient care and the practical nature of the work as being positive factors. It can be rewarding to see theoretical study come to fruition in real terms.

National Health Service salary scales are relatively good; remuneration for a Biomedical Scientist, for example, can rise as high as £65,000 at senior levels, while consultants can expect a salary nearer the £100,000 mark.

Former academics and PhD/Postgraduate students have skills and experience that are prized in NHS roles such as:

• Research experience
• Analytical thinking
• Carrying out work independently
• Handling sensitive information
• Communication skills (writing, presenting findings etc.)

Find your NHS role.

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13th October 2021 at 11:45 am

Hi I have done masters in microbiology (in my home country India-2005 pass out). I did a medical transcription course and worked as a medical transcriptionist (level 1 proofer–in India from 2007-2010). How can I enter nhs? What is the route of entry? Do I need to do any course? If so, what are the best options for me? I am very much interested in Medical summarizer, Health informatics, Medical secretary, health records assistant, health records manager, patient administrative team leader, waiting list co-ordinator. is there any training available to further my studies in microbiology? I am also interested in Pharmacy. Please let me know the career options/training options/courses(within the nhs or outside) available. Thank you.

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• Home: Explore careers

Clinical scientist

Alternative titles for this job include healthcare scientist.

Clinical scientists research and develop techniques and equipment to help prevent, diagnose and treat illness.

Average salary (a year)

£35,000 Starter

£68,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

38 to 40 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends on a rota

How to become

How to become clinical scientist.

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• an apprenticeship
• an NHS training programme for non-graduates

You can do a degree to start your training as a clinical scientist. 

Subjects include:

• life sciences
• biology or biochemistry
• biomedical science
• medical physics

After completing your degree, you can apply for the NHS Scientific Training Programme (STP) . During the 3-year programme, you'll combine employment in the NHS with study for a postgraduate master's degree.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including a science, for a degree
• a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

More Information

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

Apprenticeship

You could apply for a place on a higher or degree apprenticeship, such as:

• Healthcare Science Associate Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
• Healthcare Practitioner Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship
• Clinical Science Level 7 Postgraduate Apprenticeship

When you finish your apprenticeship, you can apply to join one of the NHS training programmes and continue your training to become a clinical scientist.

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
• guide to apprenticeships

Other Routes

If you do not have a degree, you could apply to join the NHS Practitioner Training Programme (PTP) .

During the 3-year programme, you'll be employed in the NHS and study for an accredited university degree in healthcare science.

If you work as a healthcare science associate in the NHS, you may be able to apply for a place on the PTP.

Registration

• you'll need to register with the Health and Care Professions Council

Career tips

When looking to join an NHS training programme or an apprenticeship, you'll be expected to have an understanding of how NHS values apply in your work.

Further information

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

What it takes

Skills and knowledge.

You'll need:

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

What you’ll do

What you'll do, day-to-day tasks.

There are 4 main areas of clinical science . Depending on your area you could:

• analyse data from genetic material to trace how diseases develop
• research and test methods to improve diagnoses and treatments
• assess abnormalities in different parts of the body
• study cells or diagnose and analyse blood disorders
• investigate the causes of illness or death
• instruct medical staff on how to use instruments and equipment

Working environment

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

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career path and progression

With experience you could:

• apply for the NHS Higher Specialist Scientist Training programme
• become a consultant clinical scientist or move into healthcare management
• work in research and study for a PhD
• teach in higher education

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships in england.

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a Clinical scientist right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Biomedical science.

• Provider: LINCOLN CHRIST'S HOSPITAL SCHOOL
• Start date: 05 September 2024
• Location: Lincoln

L3 Edexcel Applied Biomedical Science

• Provider: SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE AND STROUD COLLEGE
• Start date: 09 September 2024
• Location: Filton

Jobs In the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

Not what you're looking for?

Search further careers, related careers.

• Pathologist
• Audiologist
• Medical physicist
• Clinical engineer

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Benefits of exercise

Step right up! It's the miracle cure we've all been waiting for.

It can reduce your risk of major illnesses, such as coronary heart disease , stroke , type 2 diabetes  and cancer and lower your risk of early death by up to 30%.

It's free, easy to take, has an immediate effect and you don't need a GP to get some. Its name? Exercise.

Check physical activity guidelines for:

• children (under 5 years)
• children and young people (5 to 18 years)
• exercise (adults 19 to 64 years)
• older adults (65 years and over)

Exercise is the miracle cure we've always had, but for too long we've neglected to take our recommended dose. Our health is now suffering as a consequence.

This is no snake oil. Whatever your age, there's strong scientific evidence that being physically active can help you lead a healthier and happier life.

People who exercise regularly have a lower risk of developing many long-term (chronic) conditions, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and some cancers.

Research shows that physical activity can also boost self-esteem, mood, sleep quality and energy, as well as reducing your risk of stress , clinical depression , dementia and Alzheimer's disease .

Health benefits

Given the overwhelming evidence, it seems obvious that we should all be physically active. It's essential if you want to live a healthy and fulfilling life into old age.

It's medically proven that people who do regular physical activity have lower risk of:

• coronary heart disease and stroke
• type 2 diabetes
• bowel cancer
• breast cancer in women
• early death
• osteoarthritis
• hip fracture
• falls (among older adults)

What counts?

To stay healthy, the UK Chief Medical Officers' Physical Activity Guidelines, on GOV.UK , state that adults should try to be active every day and aim to do at least 150 minutes of physical activity over a week, through a variety of activities.

For most people, the easiest way to get moving is to make activity part of everyday life, like walking for health or cycling instead of using the car to get around. However, the more you do, the better, and taking part in activities such as sports and exercise will make you even healthier.

For any type of activity to benefit your health, you need to be moving quick enough to raise your heart rate, breathe faster and feel warmer. This level of effort is called moderate intensity activity. If you're working at a moderate intensity you should still be able to talk but you won't be able to sing the words to a song.

An activity where you have to work even harder is called vigorous intensity activity. There is substantial evidence that vigorous activity can bring health benefits over and above that of moderate activity. You can tell when it's vigorous activity because you're breathing hard and fast, and your heart rate has gone up quite a bit. If you're working at this level, you won't be able to say more than a few words without pausing for a breath.

Video: Keep healthy with 150 minutes of exercise a week

In this video people describe what exercise they do, including cycling, running and swimming.

A modern problem

People are less active nowadays, partly because technology has made our lives easier. We drive cars or take public transport. Machines wash our clothes. We entertain ourselves in front of a TV or computer screen. Fewer people are doing manual work, and most of us have jobs that involve little physical effort. Work, household chores, shopping and other necessary activities are far less demanding than for previous generations.

We move around less and burn off less energy than people used to. Research suggests that many adults spend more than 7 hours a day sitting down, at work, on transport or in their leisure time. People aged over 65 spend 10 hours or more each day sitting or lying down, making them the most sedentary age group.

Sedentary lifestyles

Inactivity is described by the Department of Health and Social Care as a "silent killer". Evidence is emerging that sedentary behaviour, such as sitting or lying down for long periods, is bad for your health.

Not only should you try to raise your activity levels, but you should also reduce the amount of time you and your family spend sitting down.

Common examples of sedentary behaviour include watching TV, using a computer, using the car for short journeys and sitting down to read, talk or listen to music. This type of behaviour is thought to increase your risk of developing many chronic diseases, such as heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes, as well as weight gain and obesity .

Crucially, you can hit your weekly activity target but still be at risk of ill health if you spend the rest of the time sitting or lying down.

For a summary on the health benefits of being more active, check out these physical activity guidelines from the Department of Health and Social Care .

Page last reviewed: 4 August 2021 Next review due: 4 August 2024

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