My year in industry helped me secure a graduate role with Sanofi

Biomedical Science with a Year in Industry is an amazing four-year course which gives you the opportunity to experience life in a real working environment and apply skills you have learned at University, whilst also learning valuable new skills.

I decided that I wanted to change onto the year in industry course after receiving numerous lectures and talks during first year, informing me about the possible opportunities available to students. 

After doing my own research into companies that offered year-long placements and talking to the Biomedical Science Placement Officer, I started putting together a CV which would showcase my skills and experience.

The support that was offered to me throughout the whole application process was amazing. I received help tailoring my cover letters to the specific companies I was applying to and was updated with placement vacancies by the University Careers Service. 

Year in industry placements are very competitive, so I submitted many applications to a variety of companies in order to maximise my chances of getting an interview and being successful.

I was lucky enough to be invited to a couple of interviews and learned that each company has a different way of interviewing. Some ask for video interviews, assessment centres or completion of online games, whereas others invite you to a simple face-to-face interview.

I was mainly based in the laboratory, where I developed essential laboratory skills and learned about different electronic analysers. I was also exposed to many technical laboratory techniques, such as flow cytometry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and platelet aggregation.

Laura Bradley

BSc Biomedical Science with a Year in Industry

The company where I secured my placement as a ‘Student Biomedical Scientist’ was with Hammersmith Medicines Research, a clinical research organisation in London focussing on Phase-1 clinical trials.

Throughout my time there, I was mainly based in the laboratory, where I developed essential laboratory skills and learned about different electronic analysers. I was also exposed to many technical laboratory techniques, such as flow cytometry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and platelet aggregation.

This allowed me to build on the knowledge I had gained at University and apply it in a practical way. I was also given the opportunity to experience more office-based work, relating to regulations and compliance.

I found that I enjoyed the office work more than the practical laboratory work, which really helped me when applying for graduate jobs.

Upon returning to University to complete my final year of study, I started to apply for graduate schemes. I decided that I wanted to do a rotational scheme at a pharmaceutical company, which would expose me to many different functions within the company.

I have become so much more confident in myself and in my abilities and was able to discuss many interesting experiences from my placement when I went to interviews

Laura Bradley

BSc Biomedical Science with a Year in Industry

I was invited to assessment centres at big companies such as Sanofi, Reckitt Benckiser and GlaxoSmithKline and secured a three-year graduate role with Sanofi before Christmas. I found that completing a year in industry was so beneficial when it came to applying for graduate jobs.

I have become so much more confident in myself and in my abilities and was able to discuss many interesting experiences from my placement when I went to interviews. It also greatly enhanced my organisation and time management skills, which meant I was well-equipped to tackle final year.

The support and guidance I received from the University Careers Service and the Biomedical Science Placement Officer was incredible and really helped me succeed in securing a placement.

I would strongly encourage any future students to complete a year in industry, as it will provide you with amazing skills and will be of great benefit when applying for graduate jobs, Masters or PhDs.