Lab (biology) degree Apprentice Review
at GSK
Degree Apprenticeship
Research
Stevenage
Review Submitted: April 2026
Overall Rating
3.5 /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
-
Overview of Role
5/5
-
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:
5/5
I work as a Downstream Process Research Scientist, focusing on developing and evaluating strategies to purify complex biological modalities. My day-to-day responsibilities vary depending on project needs, ranging from supporting and leading pipeline project activities to contributing to technology development work.
This includes designing and executing experiments, analysing process performance, troubleshooting purification challenges, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to progress project objectives. My responsibilities can range from acting as a project lead to carrying out technically focused work supporting innovation, process understanding, and intellectual property licensing with patent attorneys.
This includes designing and executing experiments, analysing process performance, troubleshooting purification challenges, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to progress project objectives. My responsibilities can range from acting as a project lead to carrying out technically focused work supporting innovation, process understanding, and intellectual property licensing with patent attorneys.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
3/5
From a role and team perspective, I would rate my experience five stars. I had an amazing time in my placement, learned a huge amount, and was surrounded by supportive, knowledgeable, and inspiring people. I felt trusted, challenged, and encouraged to grow throughout the programme. I would say the same for the university side of the apprenticeship, which I also found valuable and positive.
However, my overall three-star rating is due to my experience with the Early Talent team, particularly towards the end of the apprenticeship. Throughout the programme, it was communicated that there was a strong intention to retain apprentices and support us into future roles. However, due to a site restructure, very few apprentices in my cohort could be kept on.
The main issue was the lack of clear, timely communication and support from Early Talent. This information was not communicated until very late, and I was ultimately informed by my department rather than Early Talent. Once it became clear that opportunities were limited, I did not feel there was sufficient support to help apprentices relocate, identify alternative roles, or navigate opportunities elsewhere in the business. It should be noted no apprentices in my R&D Area were able to be offered a job, and didn't have this communicated to them until the very end of their FTC. Communication was a real issue with early talent.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the role, team, and university aspects of the programme, but the lack of support and communication at the end significantly affected my overall experience.
However, my overall three-star rating is due to my experience with the Early Talent team, particularly towards the end of the apprenticeship. Throughout the programme, it was communicated that there was a strong intention to retain apprentices and support us into future roles. However, due to a site restructure, very few apprentices in my cohort could be kept on.
The main issue was the lack of clear, timely communication and support from Early Talent. This information was not communicated until very late, and I was ultimately informed by my department rather than Early Talent. Once it became clear that opportunities were limited, I did not feel there was sufficient support to help apprentices relocate, identify alternative roles, or navigate opportunities elsewhere in the business. It should be noted no apprentices in my R&D Area were able to be offered a job, and didn't have this communicated to them until the very end of their FTC. Communication was a real issue with early talent.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the role, team, and university aspects of the programme, but the lack of support and communication at the end significantly affected my overall experience.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
In terms of skill development it was a great experience, deepening my technical understanding, whilst developing the soft skills to excel in the workplace.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
1/5
How much support do you receive from your employer?
2/5
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
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
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend GSK to a friend?
No
Why?
Very poor support from early talent and poor communication when it comes to being on-boarded after. your always told its in the works, then last minute all apprentices got told they couldn't say on in my R&D area, with no support from Early talent and no chance of a small contract extension - resulting in completing your final dissertation whilst working and interviewing for new jobs definitely wasn't ideal
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to GSK?
Read the company code it will come up and ensure you know what is in GSKs pipeline it will set you above everyone else.
