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DipHE Scientist (Biological Scientist)
Technician
Scientist (Biology)
Level 5 apprenticeship
Distance learning
Develop your team’s bioscience talent for the digital age. Our Technician Scientist apprenticeship program equips your laboratory staff with both essential technical skills and the digital competencies that drive modern scientific innovation.
Key information
Apprenticeship standard
Technician Scientist (ST0597)
Full-time or part-time
46 weeks per year (typically one day a week off-the-job)
Start date
January, April or October
Course length
24-27 months
Qualification
DipHE Scientist (Biological Scientist)
Location
Distance learning
Up to one week of in-person teaching annually during both Year 1 and 2, in London.
End-point assessment
Non-integrated
Why choose this degree apprenticeship programme?
Invest in an innovative curriculum that builds your team’s capabilities across biological science fundamentals, data literacy, coding proficiency, project management, and communication. Apprentices will benefit from real-world case studies and assessment formats that are relevant to the workplace.
This programme develops Technician Scientists who can meet the evolving demands of the bioscience sector, strengthening your workforce and giving a competitive advantage.
Who is this apprenticeship for?
This programme is designed to be integrated with full-time work, offering an efficient route to diploma qualification. It’s suitable for new entrants to science, or for experienced professionals seeking to develop their knowledge and skills and gain a formal qualification.
Programme overview
What apprentices will study
Our DipHE Scientist (Biological Scientist) apprenticeship programme bridges the gap between academic study and professional practice and is designed to produce well-rounded employees.
Apprentices will gain a thorough grounding in the theory, principles and methods that underpin biological science. They’ll come away with data science literacy, coding competency, project management skills and the ability to communicate with a variety of stakeholders.
They’ll develop their professional practice, with learning contextualised to your workplace. Combining academic learning with on-the-job training, your employees will gain the in-depth knowledge and practical skills to make significant contributions to scientific investigations, research and development.
By the end of the programme apprentices will be able to:
- Identify and apply relevant scientific approaches to solve problems and support investigations.
- Collect, analyse, interpret and evaluate scientific data and present their results both in writing and verbally, and critically analyse relevant literature and data to inform their investigations.
- Keep records in line with regulatory requirements and maintain data integrity, traceability and confidentiality, and apply quality standards, safe working practices and risk management.
- Manage a work plan, prioritise tasks and evaluate their progress.
- Contribute to technical projects across multi-skilled teams and share best practice with others.
Courses
Summary
The courses outlined below are indicative of those planned for learners starting their apprenticeships in the 2025-26 academic year. Courses are subject to change in line with industry needs and apprenticeship requirements.
In addition to the courses below, at the beginning of the programme there is a Virtual Induction week where apprentices are expected to be available full-time for off- the-job learning.
- Physiology, Pharmacology and Drug Development (30 credits)
or:
- Plant Physiology and Agri-Tech (30 credits)
The learning experience
Our degree apprenticeship programmes offer:
- Innovative, self-paced learning that blends interactive case studies, quizzes, and games
- Structured workplace activities so your employees can apply their learning in the real world
- Online seminars
- In-person bootcamps
- 1:1 sessions with our academic experts
We pride ourselves on our ability to offer personal attention. Apprentices will have access to:
- A dedicated Success Manager Team, who’ll support apprentices and their line managers from day one through to graduation.
- Subject-specialist course leaders to help learners achieve their full potential.
- Opportunities to learn from peers in different industries and organisations, including social learning activities and small group seminars.
- Options to tailor learning to their workplace, including closed cohorts, guest speakers, industry-specific case studies and bespoke modules.
Entry requirements
Standard offer
To study for a degree apprenticeship with us, you must be employed in a suitable biology role with responsibilities aligned to the Technician Scientist (Level 5) apprenticeship standard.
We set entrance requirements for our apprenticeships in partnership with employers on a case-by-case basis. Typically, apprentices will need to have:
- Three A-levels (or equivalent) at BBB or above, including Biology
- GCSE Maths, English and IT at Grade 4/C or above
We’ll also consider prior learning and skills developed in the workplace for applicants who don’t have the traditional qualifications listed above. If this is the case, you should follow our Recognition of prior learning and credit transfer policy.
Qualifying for apprenticeship funding
To be eligible for funding, apprentices must fulfill the following requirements and provide all necessary documentation and evidence before their application can be processed and considered for approval.
To be eligible for funding, apprentices must:
- Meet the government’s residency requirements – this usually means applicants must have been living in the UK for the past three years.
- Have left full-time education before the apprenticeship start date.
- Be able to complete their apprenticeship, including the end-point assessment, within applicable time constraints (for example, a visa or fixed-term contract.)
- Be at least 16 years old.
Workforce development
Building capacity across your organisation
Created in consultation with leading employers, the Technician Scientist apprenticeship develops the talent your teams need to stay ahead in your industry and help your organisation succeed. Apprentices will gain the ability to:
- Question results, challenge outputs and make evidence-based discoveries with confidence
- Plan and manage scientific projects with autonomy
- Take on new responsibilities, developing their career and bolstering employee retention
- Set and reach goals that matter most in their role through 1:1 support
- Apply critical thinking skills to complex scientific challenges
What roles is this apprenticeship relevant for?
You’ll find Technician Scientists in organisations of all sizes, from large corporations to small specialist businesses, in a diverse range of industries including healthcare, life sciences, agriculture, and analytical services. The role is usually laboratory-based, working with cutting-edge equipment and technologies in dedicated science departments or science-focused service providers.
This apprenticeship is relevant for people who are employed in the following kinds of roles:
Laboratory Positions
- Laboratory Assistant
- Senior Laboratory Technician
- Laboratory Analyst
- Laboratory Research Assistant
- Laboratory Co-ordinator
- Technical Laboratory Assistant
Scientific Support Roles
- Technical Support Scientist
- Microbiology Support Scientist
- Assistant Scientist
- Technical Specialist (Scientist)
Quality & Development Roles
- Quality Control Laboratory Assistant
Process Development Technologist
Support for Apprentices
We work closely with our apprentices and employers to ensure you’re fully supported from day one of your journey with us. Apprentices will receive:
- Personalised guidance from a dedicated Success Manager Team
- Regular review meetings
- 1:1 bookable office hours with their course leads
- Additional learning support provided by our Student Support Team, complemented by access to external services where helpful
Support for Employers
Line managers and employers also benefit from:
- Regular manager forums
- Training and induction sessions
- Comprehensive reporting to help your apprenticeship scheme stay on track
Register your interest
Does your organisation have skills gaps to fill? Connect with our expert team to see how apprenticeships could be your solution.
Frequently asked questions
The information here is for organisations employing apprentices. If you’re interested in an apprenticeship, but not yet in a suitable role, you’ll need to apply directly to an employer. Vacancies with our employer partners are usually advertised on the government’s Find an Apprenticeship service or on company websites. For a head start, you can check out our application tips.
If you’re an employer or manager looking to upskill a member of your team (or an individual already employed in a relevant role), you can register your interest by booking a consultation call with our business development team. They’ll guide you through the process and help you determine the best approach for your organisation.
If the prospective apprentice is employed in a suitable role, they can join the next cohort that works for you. We have regular intakes in October, January and April. Applications typically close 4 weeks before each start date, so register your interest early to ensure enough time to get your employee onboarded.
No – apprentices can schedule most of their studies around work commitments. Some activities like exams and in-person bootcamps have fixed dates, which we’ll share in the programme timetable before you start.
As part of our application process, we undertake an initial assessment process with prospective apprentices to identify if our programme is sufficiently aligned to the employee’s role. We’ll work closely with apprentices and their line managers to make sure your learning is relevant, and that there are plenty of opportunities to apply new skills. This will include structured workplace activities to support your progress, and regular check-ins between our Success Managers and apprentices’ line managers.
All our programmes are designed to be accessible from the start. Our Student Support Team will provide apprentices with personalised support, where applicable, and we can also arrange Clear Links support workers or tailored learning support plans to help learners reach their full potential. If you would like to discuss a particular learning need for one of your employees in more detail, please book a call with our apprenticeship team.
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