Laboratory technician

You can do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a scientific subject to work as a laboratory technician.

Subjects include:

• biomedical science
• environmental science
• forensic science
• materials science
• pharmacy
• biology, chemistry or physics

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

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
• university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/

You could take a college course to help improve your chances of finding a trainee lab assistant position.

You could do a course such as:

• applied science
• environmental science
• chemistry, physics or biology
• T Level in Science

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

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

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
• guide to T Levels|https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/
• search for courses|/find-a-course

You could apply for a Laboratory Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship or a Technician Scientist Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship.

These apprenticeships can take between 2 and 3 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

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• apprenticeship levels|https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/apprentices/about-apprenticeships#UnderstandingApprenticeshiplevelsandqualifications
• guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

You can apply for work as a lab technician if you have experience in a:

• university research lab
• clinical laboratory in a hospital
• manufacturing or industrial research facility
• school or college science department

Professional and Industry Bodies

You can register with a professional body linked to your area of work for career development and training opportunities.

Further Information

You can find out more about becoming a laboratory technician from the Science Council and Health Careers .

As a laboratory technician, you could:

• set up experiments and investigations
• prepare solutions, cultures and specimens
• analyse samples using scientific instruments
• collect and present data and statistics
• calibrate, clean and maintain equipment, and follow safety rules

We've identified this as a potential green job

For a laboratory technician to be a green job, you could:

• work with scientists to develop more energy efficient products
• test soil and water samples to check for toxins and pollutants
• analyse data from crop experiments to limit the effects of pests and diseases

Find out more about green careers

You could work in a laboratory, at a university or at a manufacturing plant.

You may need to wear protective clothing.