You usually need a first or 2:1 (upper second class) degree in a science subject to become a research scientist. Most research scientists continue to study for a postgraduate qualification like a PhD.

You could study on an integrated postgraduate master's course. These courses include independent research and are designed to lead directly on to a PhD.

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 to do a degree apprenticeship if you want to work in a particular field of scientific research.

Apprenticeships include:

• Scientist Level 6
• Biomedical Scientist Level 6
• Nuclear Scientist Level 6
• Materials Science Technologist Level 6
• Clinical Scientist Level 7

You could also do a Research Scientist Level 7 Apprenticeship, which is equivalent to postgraduate study.

These apprenticeships can take between 3 and 5 years to complete.

Entry requirements

To get onto an apprenticeship, you'll find it useful to have:

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

It may be possible to start as a research assistant or graduate industrial scientist. You would usually need to study part time for a PhD while you work.

UK Research and Innovation and industrial companies sometimes offer studentships. This would give you the opportunity to do a PhD while getting practical research experience.

You'll need:

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

As a research scientist you could:

• write research proposals and apply for funding
• plan, design and do experiments
• record and analyse results
• present findings in journals and at conferences
• develop new products and ways to apply new discoveries
• teach and supervise students' research projects

We've identified this as a potential green job

For a research scientist to be a green job, you could:

• carry out research which supports the environment like turning waste products into fuel
• work with reusable or recyclable equipment
• use materials from local suppliers to reduce emissions from shipping

Find out more about green careers

You could work in a laboratory or at a university.

Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.

You may need to wear protective clothing.