Biochemists and biomedical scientists — SOC 2020 2113
Biochemists and biomedical scientists examine and investigate the chemical processes of living organisms, including their inter-relationships, environments and diseases, and perform laboratory tests on tissue, blood and other samples to diagnose diseases, toxins or health conditions.
Also calledBiochemistBiological scientistClinical scientistHealthcare scientistBiotechnologistGeneticistand 52 more titles
Recruitment from abroad. 93 sponsored work visas were granted for this job from July 2025 to June 2026, most to people from United States, France, China, ranking it 101st of 313. Home Office
Who does it
ONS · Annual Population Survey · April 2025 to March 2026
15%aged 55 or over
94%hold a degree
57%women
Age of biomedical scientists
Age profile of biomedical scientists
6.2%!
32%!
28%
19%!
11%!
3.6%!
16–2425–3435–4445–5455–6465+
!Small sample: treat with cautionShow as table
16–24
6.2% (small sample)
25–34
32% (small sample)
35–44
28%
45–54
19% (small sample)
55–64
11% (small sample)
65+
3.6% (small sample)
Highest qualification
Highest qualification held by biomedical scientists
Degree or equivalent94%
Higher education below degree!2.5%
A levels or equivalent!2.3%
GCSEs or equivalent–
Not published
No qualifications–
Not published
!Small sample: treat with cautionShow as table
Degree or equivalent
94%
Higher education below degree
2.5% (small sample)
A levels or equivalent
2.3% (small sample)
GCSEs or equivalent
Not published
No qualifications
Not published
Main employers: hospital activities (24%), other research and experimental development on natural sciences and engineering (15%), manufacture of pharmaceutical preparations (13%), regulation of the activities of providing health care, education, cultural services and other social services, excluding social security (11%).
How to get in
Hold a degree
94%
as their highest qualification
Registration
HCPC
required for some roles: Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
Apprenticeships
2
from level 6, including degree apprenticeships
Apprenticeships take
3 years
typically
Routes in
Biomedical scientist
You can get into this job through:
University
You can study for a biomedical science degree.
Your course should be accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) and approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
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, including biology and chemistry
More about this route+
Laboratory work experience
To work as a biomedical scientist, you must register with the HCPC. To register you'll need to have completed work experience in an accredited laboratory.
Some degree courses include work placements. If your chosen course does not include accredited work experience, you'll need to find a laboratory placement. You could do this during a sandwich year or after you have finished your degree.
Armed forces degree sponsorships
If you're interested in becoming a biomedical scientist in the armed forces, you can find out about degree sponsorships from the:
Royal Navy
Royal Air Force
Army
Apprenticeship
You could apply to do a Biomedical Scientist Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship, if you're working in the health service or in a research lab facility.
This apprenticeship takes around 3 years to complete.
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 degree apprenticeship
Work your way up
You may be able to get into biomedical science as an NHS trainee.
You'll need at least 2 A levels in science subjects or an equivalent qualification, like a Level 3 Diploma in Applied Science.
Places are sponsored by NHS employers and you'll study for an accredited biomedical degree while you work.
Other routes
You could apply to join the NHS Practitioner Training Programme if you're working in the health service.
On this programme you'll complete an IBMS accredited degree in healthcare science, known as life science.
If you're working at the level of a biomedical scientist but not registered with the HCPC, you may be eligible to start the process of having your experience, competence and knowledge assessed by the IBMS. If the assessment is successful, you will be awarded a Certificate of Competence by Equivalence.
Once you have this, you can apply for registration as a biomedical scientist with the HCPC.
Registration and professional bodies
Registration
you'll need to register with the Health and Care Professions Council
Career tips
You would be expected to have an understanding of how the NHS values would apply in your work.
Further information
You can find more advice on becoming a biomedical scientist from the Institute of Biomedical Science and Health Careers.
Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for biomedical scientist. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Biochemist
You can get into this job through:
University
You'll normally need a relevant science degree, like:
biochemistry
biotechnology
biopharmaceuticals
chemical and molecular biology
microbiology genetics
molecular biology
If you do not meet the entry requirements for one of these subjects, you may be able to do a foundation year.
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, including biology and chemistry
a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study
More about this route+
Postgraduate courses
For certain jobs you may need a postgraduate qualification like a master's degree or PhD.
Some degree courses include an integrated master's qualification like MBiolSci, MBiochem or MSci. You'll have more time for independent research and they're designed to lead directly onto further postgraduate study like a PhD.
Laboratory experience
It's important to get work experience in a laboratory during your degree course.
You can do this through a:
work placement
internship
year in industry scheme
Summer Vacation Studentship
Work your way up
You could start as a laboratory technician and study for a biochemical science degree while working.
Other routes
You could train to be a clinical biochemist in the NHS through the NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP).
Registration and professional bodies
Professional and industry bodies
You can find career development opportunities and create a network of contacts by joining a professional body like the Biochemical Society and the Royal Society of Biology.
Further information
You can find out more about becoming a biochemist from the:
Biochemical Society
Royal Society of Biology
Association for Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine
Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for biochemist. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Clinical scientist
You can get into this job through:
University
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
Apprenticeship
You could apply for a place on a higher or degree apprenticeship, such as:
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
Other routes
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.
Registration and professional bodies
Registration
you'll need to register with the Health and Care Professions Council
Career tips
You would be expected to have an understanding of how the NHS values would apply in your work.
Further information
You can find out more about how to become a clinical scientist from Health Careers.
Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for clinical scientist. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Biotechnologist
You can get into this job through:
University
You can do a degree in a relevant scientific subject, like:
biotechnology
bioscience
microbiology
biochemistry
food science
chemistry or chemical engineering
As well as a degree, some employers may want you to have a postgraduate qualification, especially for research posts.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including biology or chemistry
a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study
Apprenticeship
You may be able to apply to do an apprenticeship, such as:
These apprenticeships take between 3 and 5 years to complete.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
Work your way up
You could start as a lab technician and work your way up through training on the job, for example, a part-time university degree or a degree apprenticeship.
Registration and professional bodies
Professional and industry bodies
You can join an organisation like the Science Council. This can help you:
get professional recognition
find training opportunities
make industry contacts
Further information
You can find out more about working in biotechnology from the Science Council.
Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for biotechnologist. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Geneticist
You can get into this job through:
University
You'll need a life science degree or a postgraduate master's qualification in genetics, or a related subject which covers genetics.
Degrees and postgraduate courses include:
genetics
biology
biochemistry
molecular biology
life sciences
biological science
Employers may expect you to have, or be working towards, a PhD.
Integrated master's qualifications such as MBiolSci, MBiol or MSci can be studied at university. These courses combine independent research and can lead directly on to study for a PhD.
It's useful to gain experience of laboratory and research techniques during your degree through internships or year placements.
If you want to work in the NHS you can apply to the Scientist Training Programme (STP) after your degree where you can specialise in genomics work.
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, including at least 1 science
a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study
Registration and professional bodies
Professional and industry bodies
You could join The Genetics Society to get access to professional development opportunities.
Further information
You can find out more about careers in genetics from:
The Genetics Society
The British Society for Genetic Medicine
Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for geneticist. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Apprenticeships
2 for this job
Level 6About 3 yearsDegree
Biomedical scientist
You gain
A Health and Care Professions Council approved BSc (hons) degree; or a BSc (hons) degree…
Registration
Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
Employers may ask for
Entrants will typically have completed either A-levels, including at least one science A-level, or the L4 Healthcare Science Associate Apprenticeship.
Typically, entry requirements are a 2:1 or 1st class honours degree or integrated master’s degree in a pure or applied science subject relevant to the…
studies the chemical form, structure, composition and function of living organisms
identifies and studies the chemical substances, including microbial infections, involved in physiological processes and the progress of disease
performs tests to study physiological and pathological characteristics within cells and other organisms
researches the effects of internal and external environmental factors on the life processes and other functions of living organisms
performs tests to help clinicians diagnose and treat various conditions, evaluates existing treatments and researches new ways to treat diseases
researches, develops and quality checks new products in the pharmaceuticals, food production and agricultural Industries
Skills
apply scientific methods
perform laboratory tests
perform scientific research
develop scientific research protocols
develop scientific theories
write research proposals
write scientific papers
write work-related reports
maintain laboratory equipment
analyse blood samples
analyse cell cultures
analyse work-related written reports
archive scientific documentation
assess environmental impact
Knowledge
biology
laboratory techniques
microbiology-bacteriology
scientific research methodology
animal welfare legislation
biological chemistry
communicable diseases
food legislation
Suits people who like
Working with ideas and solving problems
Organising and following procedures
Outlook
DfE · Skills Imperative 2035
Broader groupThese projections are for science, research, engineering and technology professionals, a group of 28 jobs that includes biomedical scientists.
Change in jobs, 2020 to 2035↑ 18%about 394,000 more jobs
Workers needed by 20351.3 millionincluding people replacing those who retire or leave
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: Office for National Statistics licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Occupations in demand and the Employer Skills Survey: Department for Education and Skills England. Immigration system statistics: Home Office. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
This service uses the ESCO classification of the European Commission.
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