Laboratory Science Degree Apprentice Review
at Unilever
Degree Apprenticeship
Chemistry, Science
Port Sunlight
Review Submitted: April 2025
Overall Rating
4.5 /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!
4.5/5
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Overview of Role
4/5
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Skills Development
4.2/5
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Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
4/5
For this years rotation I am in the Hair Appraisal team. I usually start my day with emails and meetings and then head into the lab. Each day is different in the lab. I measure real human hair switches to see what differences using different products makes. This data can then be used to make claims on the front of the shampoo bottle. My role also involves statistically analysing the data and putting my results in presentations to share with my wider team.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I really enjoy my lab science degree apprenticeship programme at Unilever with MMU. I find the university content interesting and engaging. I am also really enjoying my role in work (the team, what I do day to day, and seeing products I helped design/make on shelves) and all of the extra curricular activities we get the opportunity to get involved with.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
In this team, I have learned lots of new lab skills and learned to run and interpret statistical analysis too. I have also improved on writing reports. My soft skills have also been improved such as; confidence presenting, time management, change management, creative thinking and problem solving, all of which are also aligned with the KSB's set out for the end point assessment of the apprenticeship.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
Both sides are quite well structured.
We have 1 day of study and 4 days of work per week for all 4 years.
For work, we move teams annually and for each role we have a specific target/ specific project to be involved with.
For uni we get sent content weekly and have regular webinars. The exams are every January, May and August with coursework usually due the month before.
We have 1 day of study and 4 days of work per week for all 4 years.
For work, we move teams annually and for each role we have a specific target/ specific project to be involved with.
For uni we get sent content weekly and have regular webinars. The exams are every January, May and August with coursework usually due the month before.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
I feel very supported by Unilever.
My manager is very understanding about the fact that I am an apprentice and also have university work to do. She is happy for me to take more time to do university work when the deadlines all come together!
We also have a good apprentice community on site now which helps me feel supported because we are all in the same boat.
My lab science degree apprenticeship also has a programme lead. They are a consistent person who helps with rotations (moving teams annually) and liaises with the university to help support anything needed.
My manager is very understanding about the fact that I am an apprentice and also have university work to do. She is happy for me to take more time to do university work when the deadlines all come together!
We also have a good apprentice community on site now which helps me feel supported because we are all in the same boat.
My lab science degree apprenticeship also has a programme lead. They are a consistent person who helps with rotations (moving teams annually) and liaises with the university to help support anything needed.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
I also feel supported by MMU.
As well as the weekly content (online videos), tutorial questions, coursework and exams, we also have content webinars and a dedicated skills coach.
The university lecturers who send the content videos for us to make notes on, also run fortnightly/monthly webinars. They cover the content, go over past exam questions and answer our questions. I find these really beneficial. Even though we are distance learning, I still feel supported!
We also have individual skills coaches. We have chats with our skills coach and line manager 4 times per year. These are to see how we (the apprentice) are doing, discuss progress and any support needed and to tick off the KSBs required as part of the apprenticeship before the EPA.
As well as the weekly content (online videos), tutorial questions, coursework and exams, we also have content webinars and a dedicated skills coach.
The university lecturers who send the content videos for us to make notes on, also run fortnightly/monthly webinars. They cover the content, go over past exam questions and answer our questions. I find these really beneficial. Even though we are distance learning, I still feel supported!
We also have individual skills coaches. We have chats with our skills coach and line manager 4 times per year. These are to see how we (the apprentice) are doing, discuss progress and any support needed and to tick off the KSBs required as part of the apprenticeship before the EPA.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
I think it does help me perform better in my role.
We get taught chemistry with some extra employability modules too which links in with/ supports my work role.
However, because all the lab science apprentices at MMU have such varied roles all across the country, the chemistry is what every student should know and is therefore not that specific/ tailored to my roles at Unilever.
We get taught chemistry with some extra employability modules too which links in with/ supports my work role.
However, because all the lab science apprentices at MMU have such varied roles all across the country, the chemistry is what every student should know and is therefore not that specific/ tailored to my roles at Unilever.
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
Yes there are a huge range.
There are team off-site/ wellbeing days.
There are activities anyone on site can join- choir, gym, chess, rock-climbing.
There are also development teams- they are "future careers" specific which apprentices can get involved with (running or participating). For example mentoring, senior leader talks, visiting schools/ universities, organising onboarding activities for the next cohort of apprentices joining, community and wellbeing (quizes, donuts, networking).
There are team off-site/ wellbeing days.
There are activities anyone on site can join- choir, gym, chess, rock-climbing.
There are also development teams- they are "future careers" specific which apprentices can get involved with (running or participating). For example mentoring, senior leader talks, visiting schools/ universities, organising onboarding activities for the next cohort of apprentices joining, community and wellbeing (quizes, donuts, networking).
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Unilever to a friend?
Yes
Why?
The people are all lovely to work with (there are a range of ages in all teams). I have found all my roles really enjoyable, interesting and you get to see what you worked on end up on shelves in supermarkets. You have the opportunity to work on a huge range of brands with people all across the world!
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Unilever?
Be yourself and don't overthink it.
One stage of my application process was to play a series of online games, don't overthink it, just do what you think is best, they aren't looking for one specific right answer.
For the interview stage/ assessment centre just be yourself.
One stage of my application process was to play a series of online games, don't overthink it, just do what you think is best, they aren't looking for one specific right answer.
For the interview stage/ assessment centre just be yourself.
