QC Apprentice Review
at AstraZeneca
Degree Apprenticeship
Chemistry, Pharmaceutical
Macclesfield
Review Submitted: February 2026
Overall Rating
3 /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!
2.5/5
-
Overview of Role
4/5
-
Skills Development
3/5
-
Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
3/5
You learn new skills such as HPLC, UV, IR but was unable to rotate. Not very flexible, need to be in the lab full time.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
2/5
Enjoyed it at the start but it felt quite monotonous and is a difficult program
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
I did learn new skills such as HPLC, IR, TLC but the training was really slow and I felt pushed to the back of the training queue.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
1/5
Very Poorly organised, needs changing, lack of rotation, no plan for apprentices.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
3/5
At the start 0 but now I receive a lot from my manager, I would say it varies from manager.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
Helped me a lot and very flexible
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
Some topics, like instrumental analysis are related but a lot are not
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
4/5
Lots of activities to get involved in but I did not have the time/opportunity.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend AstraZeneca to a friend?
No
Why?
From my experience no, I have had a lot of issues regarding my apprenticeship.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to AstraZeneca?
Make sure you apply to a role which has lots of rotations and good prospects after you apprenticeship. A hybrid role is much easier than being in the lab/office full time.
