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

Subjects include:

• life sciences
• biology or biochemistry
• genetics
• 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

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.

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 higher or degree apprenticeship

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.

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

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

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

You may need to wear protective clothing.