Analytical Placement Student Review
at AstraZeneca
Placement (10 Months+)
Science
Macclesfield
Review Submitted: June 2025
Overall Rating
4.6 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
5/5
-
Overview of Role
4.5/5
-
Skills Development
4/5
-
Support and Guidance
4.5/5
-
Company Culture
5/5
-
Overall Experience
5/5
-
Future Career Prospects
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis.
Conducting lab-based activities including LC, Dissolution, Disintegration and Water Activity to support stability studies for clinical trials.
Overseeing monthly team meetings.
Leading a 10 week analytical scientific research project, writing up a report and presenting at internal conferences.
Overseeing monthly team meetings.
Leading a 10 week analytical scientific research project, writing up a report and presenting at internal conferences.
Were you given much responsibility during your placement / internship?
I was given a lot of responsibility and treated as a valuable scientist within my team rather than just seen as a student. I was also given a support system of senior scientists that I could go to for mental wellbeing support. I did not have any responsibilities forced onto me and there was always an awareness of work-life balance being an incredibly important value at the company.
Please rate how meaningful the work you were doing was
5/5
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills, or developed your existing skills?
I have been trained on multiple new instruments that I learnt about at university but may not have had practical experience with.
I have improved my presenting and leadership skills through leading my own project and creating posters that I promoted at various internal conferences. As well as this, there is opportunity for students to become core committee members in employee resource groups across site.
I have worked with multi-disciplinary teams which has increased my knowledge on the business aspects of the pharmaceutical industry.
I have improved my presenting and leadership skills through leading my own project and creating posters that I promoted at various internal conferences. As well as this, there is opportunity for students to become core committee members in employee resource groups across site.
I have worked with multi-disciplinary teams which has increased my knowledge on the business aspects of the pharmaceutical industry.
How would you rate the training provided during your experience?
4/5
How would you rate your development of industry-specific skills during the experience?
5/5
How would you rate your development of personal / soft skills during the experience?
4/5
Please rate how these skills have helped you in your career development
5/5
Support and Guidance
How much support and guidance did you receive during your placement / internship?
It depends on the team you are in as not every student will have the same experience given the company is so large. Externally to your team, there are support networks in general for placement and summer students. There are assigned mentors you can reach out to. In my experience, everyone is very open to supporting and guiding, you need only ask.
How would you rate the support and guidance from your line manager?
3/5
How would you rate the support and guidance from the wider team?
5/5
Company Culture
What was the company culture and general atmosphere like?
I appreciate how important people in general find mental wellbeing, psychological safety, diversity and inclusion, and work-life balance. As well as this, a lot of value is placed on self-learning and there are many courses offered by the company so that you can learn about other areas you have less experience in.
How would you rate the inclusiveness of the culture?
5/5
How would you rate the social opportunities?
5/5
How would you rate the diversity initiatives?
5/5
How would you rate the charity, sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives?
3/5
Overall Experience
To what extent did you enjoy your placement / internship?
I have greatly enjoyed my time here and don't really have anything negative to say. I am continuing on at AstraZeneca after my placement ends.
Please rate your level of enjoyment on your placement / internship
5/5
Please rate how your experience met your expectations
5/5
Future Career Prospects
Please rate the future employment prospects at AstraZeneca
5/5
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend AstraZeneca to a friend?
Yes
What advice would you give to others applying to AstraZeneca
Although cover letters are not strictly required by the application process, I believe they are important to include if you want a chance at getting through to interview stage. The initial stage of CV and cover letter is the most competitive part of the process. Once you reach the interview, make sure to read the interview tips that are emailed to you and answer questions in the desired format. Other than that, the people doing your interview are relaxed and friendly and are there to help you do your best.
