Biomedical Scientist (Student)

Service:Surface Fleet
Branch:Medical
Level:Rating,Apprenticeship
Adventure
Hands on
Healthcare
Sciences
Medical
Biomedical Scientist looking through a microscope
Favourite

The role at a glance

Sunshine icon.

6 weeks

Of paid holiday every year

Pound coin icon.

Extra pay

For every day spent at sea

Money icon.

£20,000

Earn up to this amount while studying at university

Doctors bag icon.

Free

Medical and dental care

Money icon.

£34,000

Earn over this amount after university and initial training

Globe icon.

Travel

All around the world

What you’ll do

Saving and safeguarding the lives of our most important asset: our people. Once you’ve completed your fully-funded Biomedical Science degree, this is what your job will be all about. Helping care for survivors at the scene of a natural disaster. On rotation in an NHS hospital. Conducting blood transfusions in conflict zones where trauma patients need lifesaving treatment. Wherever you are, and whatever you’re up against, as a Royal Navy Biomedical Scientist, you’ll support our medical teams with an essential clinical laboratory service. You’ll help ensure the wellbeing of our people, and will be crucial to the success of every operation. 

If you have questions, talk to us

call us 0345 607 55 55

Your role

  • Practise all the major laboratory disciplines, whether you’re in a hospital in Birmingham, or on board a ship off the coast of Bahrain
  • Combine your degree with military training to prepare for life in the Navy
  • Play a key role in supporting deployed personnel as well as those stationed in the UK
  • Be part of a world-class medical service that’s respected far beyond the Armed Forces

What you’ll get

Skills for life

Qualifications you'll gain

  • BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science
  • An opportunity to study further at Degree level 6 and Masters level 7 to top up your professional portfolio

Skills you'll develop

  • How to support medical teams with clinical lab service, wherever they are in the world
  • Experience every laboratory discipline, and develop throughout your career

Career progression

Day one

Start your four years of studying at Aston University

Professional training

Once qualified, finish joining routine, start your rotation

Year one

Following your degree, Leading Rates Leadership Course

First promotion

Become Leading Hand, mentor students, go on deployment

Second promotion

Become Petty Officer, take on more managerial responsibility

What you'll need

Eligibility

  • Aged 17.5 to 36
  • Evidence of academic study within the last 5 years
  • 2 weeks of clinical experience
  • 3 x A level at ABB-BBB - must include Biology or Human Biology
  • Some BTEC qualifications may be considered. Check with MSAT PO
  • 5 at min grade 4/C to include Maths, English Language and Science - Functional Skills or key skills not accepted
  • You must be a British or Irish national, a Commonwealth citizen, or a Dual National
  • A Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18 and 28 (between 17 and 27 if under 18)
  • Pass the Naval Swimming Test
     

Skills and interests

  • An aptitude for technical thinking in the clinical environment 
  • A caring and compassionate nature
  • A passion for helping people
  • A team player
  • An adventurous spirit

Check Eligibility

Starting your career

Joining process

Once you’ve confirmed your eligibility, the joining process is as follows:

  • Submit an application

    Once you’ve registered your interest and have satisfied the basic eligibility criteria, you will be sent an online application form

  • Defence Aptitude Assessment (DAA)

    You’ll be tested on: Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning, Work Rate, Spatial Reasoning, Electrical Comprehension and Mechanical Comprehension.
    To prepare, you can practise the DAA

  • Interview

    A formal interview to talk through your suitability for the role. This is normally conducted using your own device over the Shine video platform 

  • Candidate Preparation Course (CPC)

    This is a four-day induction to life in the Royal Navy, which is a pass or fail course. This will include:  

    - Pre-Joining fitness test  
    - Swimming test  
    - Medical test  

  • Start training

    Once you’ve passed a Security Check, you’ll be offered a place at HMS Raleigh

more about the joining process

Find out more

Initial training

Your Royal Navy career begins with 10 weeks’ basic training at HMS Raleigh, a shore base in Torpoint, Cornwall. The discipline, teamwork, organisational, firefighting and weapon handling skills you learn here will stay with you right through your career.

Aim to get yourself as fit as possible before you arrive. You’ll be doing a lot of physical exercise, and you’ll find it much easier if you’re already in shape.

There's also a swimming test, so if you can't swim, make sure you learn by the time you join us.

more about initial training

Find out more

Professional training

Once you’ve graduated from university you’ll have to complete a six-month Military Pathology course, which develops your unique multi-disciplinary laboratory skills. After that you’ll join an NHS Hospital as an Acting Leading Medical Technician.

more about professional training

Find out more

Start my application
Tell me more
Call 0345 607 55 55
Find your local AFCO

Need more information?

Recommended roles

Medical Assistant

Join us

Royal Navy Police

Join us

Qualified Deck Officer (RFA)

Join us

Warfare Officer

Join us