Entry requirements, skills and interests (clinical biochemistry)
You'll need a relevant honours degree to enter clinical biochemistry as a career.
Entry requirements
There are currently two entry points into clinical biochemistry.
You can apply for a place on the graduate-entry NHS Scientist Training Programme [1] for which you must have a 1st or 2.1 either in an undergraduate honours degree or an integrated master’s degree in a pure or applied science subject relevant to the specialism for which you are applying.
If you have a 2.2 honours degree or better in any subject, you will also be considered if you have a higher degree* that is relevant to the specialism for which you are applying.
(*Higher degree as defined on page 17 of The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies [2] Please note this does not include postgraduate diplomas or postgraduate certificates.)
Because of the extensive variation in degrees available it isn’t possible to provide a definitive list of relevant degrees for entry to the STP [3]. For STP [3] positions in the life sciences (which include clinical biochemistry), the most commonly accepted degrees will be in biomedical sciences, biology, microbiology, genetics [4] or biochemistry.
For all candidates, evidence of research experience (e.g. in the form of a higher degree or equivalent evidence of scientific and academic capability) is considered desirable.
For full details of entry requirements for the STP [3], including qualifications, scientific skills, transferable skills and physical requirements, please see the person specification on the National School of Healthcare Science’s website [5].
As a registered clinical scientist
With experience as a registered clinical scientist, you can apply for Higher Specialist Scientist Training (HSST) [6].
It can be advantageous to have gained some experience of working in a relevant environment before applying for a place on a course or job vacancy. You should always check with the course provider/employer to see what sort of experience is preferred or required.