Science Courses

You may be able to achieve your career goals in a number of ways, but this will depend on your current qualifications.

Science careers you can access with GCSE’s 

If you’ve completed your GCSE’s, you’ll have access to a variety of entry-level science jobs. For example, you could become a lab technician; a role that involves carrying out tests, then recording and analysing the results. You could also find work as a pharmacy retail worker, an animal technician, a trainee quality control scientist, or a science education technician. 

Once you’ve gained some experience in your chosen role, you’ll have the option of completing a higher qualification such as a level three BTEC in Applied Science. As well as improving your career prospects, studying at this level could open up access to degree level courses.

Like the idea of gaining a qualification on the job? Then why not consider applying for a science-related apprenticeship? For example, if you’ve got at least two GCSE’s and you want to work in the health sector, you could opt for an intermediate Healthcare Science Assistant apprenticeship. This entry-level role involves carrying out routine scientific procedures such as processing tissue samples in a pathology lab, or measuring a person’s breathing in a hospital respiratory department. Once you’ve completed your intermediate qualification, you could do further training and become a healthcare science associate.

If you’ve got four or five grade 4-9 GCSEs (including a science subject and maths), you’ll be able to access advanced apprenticeships, which are equivalent to a level three qualification. For example, you could apply for GSK’s Science Manufacturing apprenticeship which involves learning how to operate the equipment and systems that produce pharmaceutical products.

Science careers you can access with A levels 

It’s also possible to access a range of scientific careers with two or three relevant A levels. For instance, you could work as a measurement and control technician, which involves monitoring production processes and equipment in industries like manufacturing and engineering. Alternatively, you could become a gas and oil instrument technician, looking after high voltage power distribution systems.

Higher and degree apprenticeships are also excellent options if you’ve got A levels, as they allow you to earn while you gain a more advanced qualification. Opt for a higher apprenticeship and you’ll work towards a level five qualification such as an HND or a foundation degree, whereas most degree apprenticeships lead to an honours degree or a master’s. Degree apprenticeships are available in an impressive range of scientific subjects, from food science to biomedical science.

Of course, science A levels also give you the option of taking a traditional university degree, which could broaden your career options. The exact qualifications you’ll need to apply for a degree course depend on your choice of subject, but here are some of the careers on offer:

• Analytical chemist
• Biochemist
• Pharmacist
• Forensic scientist
• Meteographer
• Microbiologist
• Research scientist
• Toxicologist
• Astronomer
• Oceanographer
• Zoologist
• Food scientist
• Pharmacologist
• Nuclear Physicist
• Science Teacher
• University lecturer

Many scientific careers involve working fairly regular hours on a full-time basis, while others (such as ecology and microbiology) involve working shifts or irregular hours. You might be expected to travel in order to attend scientific conferences, and some roles involve working in a variety of settings, from laboratories to lecture theatres.