Laboratory Technician

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship

University Course

You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree course in:

• biology
• chemistry
• physics
• forensic science

Entry requirements: you’ll usually need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
• 3 A levels or equivalent

College Course

You could take a college course, like a Level 2 Certificate or Level 3 Diploma in Applied Science to help improve your chances of finding work.

Chemistry, Physics and Biology A levels are also useful.

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

Apprenticeship

You could get into this job through an advanced apprenticeship as a laboratory technician.

Entry requirements: you’ll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science

You’ll need the following skills:

• knowledge of chemistry including the safe use and disposal of chemicals
• knowledge of biology
• the ability to work well with your hands
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to use your initiative
• the ability to work well with others
• administration skills
• maths knowledge
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Career Tips

Experience in a lab can help when looking for work. You can get this by:

• doing a year in industry as part of your degree
• applying for part-time work in a laboratory whilst studying