Undergraduate Industrial Placement Student Review
at AstraZeneca
Placement (10 Months+)
Science
Cambridge
Review Submitted: July 2025
Overall Rating
4.9 /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
-
Skills Development
5/5
-
Support and Guidance
4.8/5
-
Company Culture
5/5
-
Overall Experience
4/5
-
Future Career Prospects
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis.
As part of the bioscience immunology team in R&I. I was assigned onto an accelerated pipeline project where I have undertaken a mix of lab based work and data analysis and desk work, as well as meetings. I have been performing in vitro assays to support this project, and have gained skills in multiple different areas, flow cytometry in particular.
Were you given much responsibility during your placement / internship?
Yes. I was given a lot of responsibility, but this was given to me incrementally from the start so it wasn't overwhelming. However, I never felt unsupported and help was always there whenever I needed it - there was a perfect balance.
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 learnt many new skills, ones I wouldn't have gained at university, including working with primary cells, cell culture, organoid model development, a variety of immunoassays, flow cytometry, data analysis, as well as presenting.
How would you rate the training provided during your experience?
5/5
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?
5/5
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?
My supervisor and team provided constant support throughout the year, both in the form of personal as well as professional development. There was always opportunities to speak to someone and learn about different experiences, and they were always happy to offer advice and give guidance.
How would you rate the support and guidance from your line manager?
5/5
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?
AstraZeneca takes the placement student scheme very seriously so I have had an extremely positive experience. Company culture harbours development and growth and this being such an early stage in my career I have found it to be extremely exciting having so many opportunities available to me, for both professional and personal development.
How would you rate the inclusiveness of the culture?
5/5
How would you rate the social opportunities?
4/5
How would you rate the diversity initiatives?
5/5
How would you rate the charity, sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives?
5/5
Overall Experience
To what extent did you enjoy your placement / internship?
I have loved my placement. My supervisor has been incredible and made me feel so welcome from the moment I started which made a huge difference. There has been such a wide range of opportunities to work and socialise with other early talent students as well as interact with more senior members of staff, which has given me a huge insight into what I want my future to be like.
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
4/5
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend AstraZeneca to a friend?
Yes
What advice would you give to others applying to AstraZeneca
Show passion for the science you enjoy and interest in what the company does. Ensure you engage in the group sessions. In the technical interview, relax! And make sure you are explaining your thought processes and how you get to each of the answers. When you start, take part in everything and meet with lots of people. You never know what you could be interested in and there are lots of chances to shadow and see what different teams/areas are working on. The year flies by so take advantage of the amazing experiences at your disposal.
