The short answer
Healthcare and science apprenticeships include NHS roles, lab science at pharmaceutical companies, and eye and hearing care. The NHS says you can start over 350 careers through an apprenticeship, typically lasting 1 to 5 years. Pharmaceutical employers like Pfizer offer Levels 3 to 7, and Specsavers runs optical and hearing aid dispenser routes.
Key figures
- NHS careers, many of which you can start through an apprenticeship
- 350+
- Source: NHS Health Careers (opens in a new tab)
When people think of healthcare apprenticeships they often think of nursing, but the range is much wider. You could work in a hospital lab, develop medicines, dispense prescriptions or test people’s eyesight.
Where you could work
The government’s apprenticeship site lists careers in health and science including:
- dispensing medicines in a pharmacy
- giving eye tests
- testing samples in labs
- researching new cures and medicines
- dental nursing
- nursing
Employers we’ve researched
| Employer | What we know |
|---|---|
| NHS | Over 350 careers can start with an apprenticeship; typically 1–5 years |
| AstraZeneca | Scientist Apprenticeship, 3–4 years; IT degree apprenticeship with rotations |
| Pfizer UK | Levels 3 to 7, 12 months to 5 years, at four UK sites |
| Specsavers | Optical assistant (Level 3, 15–18 months) and hearing aid dispenser (18–24 months) |
What to compare
Clinical or scientific?
Clinical roles, like nursing or hearing care, mean working directly with patients. Scientific roles, like AstraZeneca’s and Pfizer’s, are mostly in labs. Think about which suits you.
How training is split
NHS Health Careers says apprentices often spend four days a week on placement and one day at college or a training centre. Specsavers trains you in store with an apprentice coach.
Professional registration
Some routes lead to registration with a professional body. Specsavers’ hearing aid dispenser apprenticeship makes you a Registered Hearing Aid Dispenser. Ask what you’ll be qualified to do at the end.
Next steps
Compare everyone on our health and life sciences page. If you have a health condition yourself, our guide to support for disabled apprentices explains your rights.
Sources and review
Last reviewed . Details can change after this date, so check the official source before you rely on them.