QC analytical lab science apprentice Review
at AstraZeneca
Degree Apprenticeship
Science
Macclesfield
Review Submitted: February 2025
Overall Rating
5 /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
5/5
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Skills Development
5/5
-
Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
5/5
Testing and analysing raw materials/ chemicals to compare them against specification.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I enjoy both the academic and social side of it. AstraZeneca has an apprentice community which makes the whole course easier and smoother.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
I have developed transferrable skills, both for within the lab and for daily life such as presentation and communication skills
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
The structure is great. AstraZeneca do 1 day study leave per week and the other 4 are done physically in the workplace. They also do university residentials as well as online learning.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
AstraZeneca has an apprentice committee to support everyone with settling in/ general questions. Every apprentice gets a mentor and a buddy within the workplace who trains them up and is there to help.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
MMU does regular reviews with the apprentice and their mentor/ manager so they can line up the work in university and in the workplace. They also have extra support classes online that are easily accessible.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
The course lines up well with my current role, in the regular reviews the skills coach (university) will give the apprentices mentor/ manager a run through of the upcoming modules so they can try to line up the work in the workplace.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
5/5
There is an apprentice social committee available to all years including different sports team (such as a netball team.) They also did a 'freshers month' for new apprentices to meet older apprentices and build a network through socials and a week long induction week with all of the first years.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend AstraZeneca to a friend?
Yes
Why?
It is a secure, welcoming company with a no blame culture. They are aware of what is expected of them in regards to accommodating to the apprentices and their education. They are really understanding of the stress that comes with exams, and they allow extra time off as study leave.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to AstraZeneca?
Don't get disheartened with the application process as it's pretty long. The apprenticeship route is hard work but there's so much support throughout the whole company, and it is so worthwhile.
