Apprenticeship programme content and assessment approaches may be adjusted in line with changes to regulatory policy, funding rules or apprenticeship standards. Where changes are necessary we will communicate these to applicants, apprentices and employers as early as possible.
Our degree apprenticeship courses
We currently offer a range of degree apprenticeship programmes. For the full range of programmes visit our apprenticeships page for applicants or for employers.
Course summary
| Duration | Start date | Location | Entry level | End Point Assessment Organisation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 years | September 2026 | New Cavendish Campus, Central London | Level 4 | University of Westminster |
This apprenticeship combines real workplace experience with the scientific knowledge needed to develop skilled, confident biomedical scientists. It strengthens training and learning in the workplace with essential theory, ensuring apprentices can apply what they learn directly to professional practice while delivering value to their employer.
Apprentices begin by studying core scientific principles, including biochemistry, cell biology, and human anatomy and physiology. These foundations support a deeper understanding of disease processes, the molecular changes associated with illness, and the laboratory techniques used to support accurate diagnosis.
As the apprenticeship progresses, learning becomes more specialised, focusing on the complex ways disease affects different biological systems. This approach equips apprentices with the expertise required for professional growth, while giving employers a highly capable, knowledge-driven member of the laboratory team.
This apprenticeship is only open to you if you are employed in a suitable accredited biomedical laboratory able to support work-based learning, and you'll need a written statement of support from your employer.
Course structure
This apprenticeship blends practical workplace training with expert scientific knowledge. Apprentices take part in lectures, seminars, hands-on lab work, group activities, tutorials, and supervised use of professional facilities — giving employers confident, capable team members and apprentices a rich learning experience.
Assessment is varied and practical, including exams, essays, lab work, group projects, presentations, and reports. This ensures apprentices develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed while demonstrating real value to their employer.
Apprentices cover a wide range of subjects while completing the Institute of Biomedical Science Registration Training Portfolio, ready by the final year. By the end, they’re fully equipped for a professional career, delivering expertise, confidence, and workplace-ready skills.
Subjects of study include:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Functional Anatomy
- Human Physiology
- Learning in Professional Practice
- Professional Development in Science
Credit Level 4
Subjects of study include:
- Advanced Learning in Professional Practice
- Applied Pathobiology
- Infection and Immunity
- Medical Genetics and Genomics
- Metabolic Biochemistry
- Research Methods
Credit Level 5
Subjects of study include:
- Cellular and Molecular Pathology
- Clinical Immunology and Immunohaematology
- Diagnostic Biochemistry and Haematology
- Final Year Project in Life Sciences
- Medical Microbiology in the Genomics Era
- Registration Training Portfolio
Credit Level 6
Accreditations
This apprenticeship is fully approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS), ensuring apprentices meet all the requirements for HCPC registration and IBMS membership. It is also accredited by the Royal Society of Biology, helping to fulfil the academic and experience requirements for Membership and Chartered Biologist (CBiol).
For employers, this means apprentices are trained to meet professional standards from day one, bringing recognised qualifications and workplace-ready expertise to your team. For apprentices, it provides a clear pathway to professional registration and a career as a qualified biomedical scientist.
Programme specification
Employers and prospective apprentices can explore the full course structure, modules, and details of teaching and assessment by viewing the programme specification.
To request an accessible version of the programme specification, please email [email protected].
Download the programme specification
Entry requirements and eligibility
Our apprenticeships are only available to those employed as part of an agreed apprenticeship scheme in a related role, who are aged 18 or over on the first day, are not in full-time education and meet the DfE funding eligibility criteria. Further details are available on our How to Apply page.
Applicants must also meet the academic entry requirements of the course:
- A levels – CCC (96 UCAS Tariff points), with two Science subjects from Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Maths
- T levels – 96 UCAS Tariff points in Science
- International Baccalaureate – 96 UCAS Tariff points from the IB including a minimum of four in two HL science subjects
- BTEC Extended Diploma – MMM in Applied Science
- BTEC Diploma – DD in Applied Science
- Access – 96 UCAS Tariff points from the Access course in Science
- Level 4 Healthcare Science Associate Apprenticeship
- Level 3 Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship
If your first language is not English, you'll need an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with 5.5 in each component.
Please note, however, that the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), along with other requirements for registration, requires that students must be capable of attaining the equivalent to IELTS 7.0, with no component part scoring below 6.5, at the point of graduation. During the course of your degree you'll have the opportunity to practise and improve your command of the English language as you complete various assessment tasks including oral and written assessments. If you feel, however, that you would benefit from extra English support, the University has a number of options to help, including a pre-sessional English course and academic English modules, which may be taken as options during your Level 4 and Level 5 studies. For more details on the English language courses and support we offer, visit our English language support page.
Fees
Employers who pay the apprenticeship levy can use their levy funds to cover the full cost of training and assessment.
Employers who do not pay the levy benefit from government co-investment. The government covers 95% of the apprenticeship cost, and the employer is responsible for just 5% — or may not need to contribute at all.
Retakes of university modules are excluded from apprenticeship funding and will incur a separate charge.
Careers/professional development
To join the Applied Biomedical Science apprenticeship, you’ll need to be employed in an approved healthcare laboratory, whether in a hospital or private diagnostic setting. The programme is designed to turn workplace experience into expertise, helping apprentices grow professionally, build strong networks, and expand their scientific knowledge and skills.
Course Leader
Dr Anjali Ghosh
Lecturer
Anjali's background and main area of study has been recombinant gene technology in microorganism. She completed a MSc in Animal Biotechnology and Biomedical Science. She then went on to study her PhD where her thesis focused on recombinant DNA technology with genes acquired for heavy metals in strains of Salmonella. Anjali's research interests lie in cancer cell biology and gene polymorphism studies, linked to ACE gene, as well as biofilm studies in Salmonella. She is also a trained Biomedical Scientist and completed her IBMS training portfolio in 2011.
Anjali has been teaching in higher education for 15 years at various institutes in the UK. Since moving to University of Westminster, she has taken on the role of deputy module leader for Foundation Applied Biomedical Science, module leader for Advanced learning in Professional Practice and co-course leader for Applied Biomedical Science.
Teaching and assessment
At the University of Westminster, apprentices combine University-based learning with workplace experience and structured placements, with additional requirements agreed with their employer to develop and demonstrate their skills. Teaching is hands-on and interactive, including lectures, seminars, practical classes, problem-based learning, and placement-based learning, alongside independent study and assessment preparation. Apprentices are assessed through a range of methods, including practical tasks (such as laboratory work where appropriate), presentations, and coursework, giving employers clear evidence of their development while equipping apprentices with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in their roles.
Course location
With cutting-edge science and psychology labs and modern computer suites, Cavendish Campus gives science and tech students dynamic, inspiring spaces to learn and create.
Right in the heart of London, just a five-minute walk from Oxford Street and Tottenham Court Road, it’s the perfect mix of innovation and city life.
For more details, visit our Cavendish Campus page.
Contact us
We are keen to establish new relationships with employers from a wide range of sectors and also welcome enquiries from individuals interested in apprenticeships. For more information, please contact our dedicated apprenticeships team on:
T: +44 (0) 207 911 5027
E: [email protected]