The degree
To apply to the Scientist Training Programme (STP) you must have a 1st or 2:1 in either an undergraduate honours degree or an integrated master’s degree. Both options must be in a pure or applied science subject relevant to the specialty for which you are applying. Medical degrees are only accepted for Life and Physiological Science specialties. However, you may submit an application if you have a higher degree (a degree completed after a Batchelors degree, at a more advanced level e.g. MSc) in a relevant subject for the specialty being applied to, and have a 2:2 honours degree in any subject.
Applicants who hold an undergraduate degree in animal or plant based science (e.g. Zoology, Marine Biology, Botany etc) without a pure or applied science higher degree do not generally meet the entry criteria.
Additional information for Reconstructive Science applicants
In addition to the degree requirements, applicants for reconstructive science posts (maxillofacial prosthetics) must hold current registration as a dental technician with the General Dental Council.
What should I do if I don’t have my degree results?
If you haven’t yet received your degree results, please provide us with your predicted results. Your predicted results must still be a 1st or 2:1 as per the entry requirements. If your final results do not meet the entry requirements any offers made may be withdrawn. When you receive your final degree result, email us to confirm your grade within 5 days of being notified by your university.
Any postgraduate qualifications included in your application must have been successfully awarded by the start of the programme. Higher Education Institutes state that applicants must not be enrolled on 2 academic programmes at the start of the STP.
Skills and knowledge
Review the job description and person specification to make sure that you have the relevant skills and knowledge required. Add any work experience, including voluntary work, to the supporting information section of your application.
Research experience
Evidence of any research experience is also desirable. This can be in the form of a higher degree (a degree completed after a Batchelors degree, at a more advanced level e.g. MSc) or equivalent evidence of a scientific/academic basis. Postgraduate diplomas and certificates are not accepted.
Relevant degrees
Due to the extensive variation in degrees it is not possible for us to provide a definitive list of relevant degrees but the most commonly accepted degrees are below. If you successfully get through the initial application stages, the national shortlisting panels will judge which applicants closely match the person specification.
Physical Sciences and Biomedical Engineering
Entry requirements met by the following (not exhaustive) list of qualifications.
Medical Physics (undefined)*, Radiotherapy Physics, Imaging with non-ionising radiation, Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Safety and Diagnostic Radiology
* If you are applying for either the Medical Physics UNDEFINED or Clinical Engineering specialties and are a successful applicant, you may be allocated to a post which may have a predetermined relevant specialty or one in which the specialty will be decided after the first year of training.
A degree that contains a high level of physics and whose content would satisfy the majority of the Institute of Physics requirements as stated in their guidelines. The Institute also publishes a register of accredited courses.
- Applied Engineering Sciences: Medical Equipment and Systems
- Applied Mathematics and Physics
- Astrophysics
- Biology and Physics
- Biomedical Engineering
- Diagnostic Radiography
- Diagnostic Radiography and Imaging
- Engineering Medical Diagnostic Equipment
- Engineering Physics
- Healthcare Science (Nuclear Medicine), Healthcare Science (Radiation Physics), Healthcare Science (Radiotherapy Physics)
- Mathematics
- Mathematics and Physics
- Medical Imaging
- Medical Imaging Technology
- Medical Sciences and Engineering
- Medical Technology (Radiodiagnosis And Imaging)
- Natural Sciences
- Nuclear Engineering
- Nuclear Engineering and Nuclear Technology
- Physics
- Physics with Astrophysics
- Physics, Mathematics and Electronics
- Radiology
- Radiology and Imaging Technology
- Radiotherapy Technology
- Theoretical Physics
Clinical Engineering
A relevant engineering degree is one whose content would satisfy the majority of the Engineering Council’s requirements as stated in their guidelines under ’The Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes: UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence’.
- Applied Engineering Sciences: Medical Equipment and Systems
- Applied Mathematics and Physics
- Bioengineering
- Biomedical Engineering
- Biomedical Systems Engineering
- Biotechnology
- Electronics and Communication Engineering
- Healthcare Science (Rehabilitation Engineering)
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Mathematics
- Mathematics and Physics
- Mathematics and Statistics
- Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Medical Sciences and Engineering
- Natural Sciences
- Physics
Pharmaceutical Science
Applicants do not require a Pharmacy degree but this specialty is open to those with a Pharmacy qualification.
- Biochemistry
- Biological and Medical Sciences
- Chemistry
- Forensic Science
- Life/Biological Sciences which are Chemistry related
- Pharmaceutical Sciences/Pharmacy/Pharmacology
Reconstructive Science
A relevant dental technology qualification that enables dental technician registration with the General Dental Council. Applicants must have the registration by the start date of the programme.