Science

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• applying directly

College

You could take a college course to help improve your chances of finding work. Courses include:

• Level 2 Certificate or Level 3 Diploma in Applied Science
• T Level in Healthcare Science

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements
• funding advice
• guide to T Levels
• search for courses

Apprenticeship

You can do an intermediate healthcare science assistant apprenticeship.

If you have A levels or equivalent Level 3 qualifications, you could do a healthcare science associate higher apprenticeship.

The Academy of Healthcare Science has more information about apprenticeships.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

Volunteering and work experience

You'll find it helpful to get some paid or voluntary work experience before you apply for jobs or training.

You can also find volunteering opportunities near you through The National Council for Voluntary Organisations and Do IT.

Direct application

You can apply directly for jobs. You'll usually need:

• good literacy, numeracy and IT skills
• an understanding of medical terminology
• some experience of working in a healthcare or lab setting

More information

Professional and industry bodies

You could join organisations like the Academy for Healthcare Science for professional development and training opportunities.

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a healthcare science assistant from:Health Careers; Academy for Healthcare Science; Institute of Biomedical Science

View all vacancies in this region

With experience, you could apply for a post as a healthcare science associate.

With a degree you could work towards becoming a healthcare scientist or biomedical scientist, or apply for the NHS Practitioner Training Programme.

You could also train to become a cardiological technician, cardiographer, cervical cytology screener or phlebotomist.