Entry requirements for in-service applicants

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Educational requirements for in-service posts

To be eligible for the STP as an in-service applicant you must meet the educational requirements, as follows:

  • A 1st or 2:1 in either an undergraduate honours degree or an integrated master’s degree, in a pure or applied science subject. The degree subject must be relevant to the specialty for which you are applying. Science degrees related to medicine may also be considered suitable for some of the specialties.

Or

  • A 2:2 honours degree in any subject plus a higher degree in a subject that is relevant to the specialty you wish to apply for.

You must also match the person specification for the role.

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Scientist Training Programme – Core person specification
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Support from your employer

As an in-service applicant you need to have the support of your employer in consideration of current and future workforce needs. You do not have any choice of post location or specialty and may only apply for the training place for which your current employer is sponsoring you.

Once the employer provides confirmation of their support, they will be given an in-service application code to pass onto their nominated applicant. You must enter this code when applying for the post. You must also send copies of qualifications throughout the application window to ensure eligibility. If you do not meet the above entry requirements, you will not be able to proceed with the recruitment and selection process.

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Additional entry requirements for in-service applicants

The School recognises that there may be in-service applicants who possess appropriate professional experience but do not meet the academic entry requirements for the STP.

For 2024 recruitment, any in-service applicant who is unable to apply for equivalence via The Academy for Healthcare Science or Association of Clinical Science, will be considered for entry to the STP if evidence of the following is provided:

  • The proposed training centre is experienced, i.e., they have successfully trained at least one trainee to completion of the STP.
  • The proposed in-service STP trainee can demonstrate they are able to enrol on the designated MSc by confirmation in writing from the NHSE commissioned University, that they will be accepted for admission in 2024.
  • The expression of interest (EOI) for the post is successfully agreed.
  • Trust recruitment and selection processes have been followed.
  • Any other required documentation requested by the School Recruitment Team.

This option is only available for in-service applicants and does not apply to direct entry applicants.

Discussions with the university should be held prior to nomination of the in-service candidate. The name of the relevant programme director and the university that offers the academic portion of the Scientist Training Programme can be provided by emailing england.hcsrecruitment@nhs.net if not already known.

All required evidence should be provided, along with the details of the nominated candidate, in time for the candidate to submit an application within the published application window.

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Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) requirements

If the proposed in-service STP trainee cannot meet the entry requirements for the designated STP MSc programme, or the training centre has not already successfully trained a Clinical Scientist via the STP route, then the proposed in-service STP trainee cannot enter the STP programme. If the proposing training centre is unhappy with the decision made by the university with regard to APEL, then it will have to follow the university’s relevant appeal process, as the University APEL processes are completely independent from the School. The applicant will need to provide evidence that they will be accepted on to the academic programme and this will be required prior to the application process.

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Non UK qualifications

If you are relying on non-UK qualifications you will need to provide UK ENIC equivalence at the time of application. Visit the UK ENIC website for further information.

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Levels of English competency

As an applicant you must have the required level of communication skills to undertake the role effectively and deliver safe care to patients. You must also be able to demonstrate that you can achieve the standards set for clinical scientists by the Health and Care Professions Council.

The following will help you to demonstrate meeting these standards:

  • Being a national of a majority English speaking country or having worked in an organisation/institution where English was the primary language.
  • Pursued part of university level education in the UK.
  • Hold a degree or relevant educational qualification that was taught in English by a recognised institution abroad.
  • Pass an English language competency test.
  • If you have obtained a Skilled Worker visa to apply to the programme, you will have already demonstrated English language skills as part of the visa application process. Evidence of passing the test set by the Home Office should be provided.

If English is not your first language, you will also have to demonstrate to the Higher Education Institution (HEI) the necessary knowledge of English to meet the entry requirements and enrol on the MSc course.