Science Work Experience – A Complete Guide for Students

For students interested in science, securing work experience is an essential step in exploring career options, developing practical skills, and improving university applications. Particularly for Year 12 students, hands-on exposure to fields such as computer science, biomedical science, or forensic science can provide a competitive edge when applying for science degrees. 

In this guide, we’ll explore the types of science work experience available, how to secure placements, and how to reflect on them for your personal statement or future applications. We also have guides on finding placements in related fields – take a look at our advice on engineering work experience, medicine work experience, and computer science work experience.

Why Science Work Experience Matters

Science is a practical subject. Reading textbooks, revising for exams and completing school practicals are important, but work experience helps you see how scientific thinking is used in real workplaces. UCAS advises students to use work experience, placements and volunteering to demonstrate enthusiasm, knowledge and passion for their subject area. It also recommends reflecting on what you learnt, what challenged you, and what the experience taught you about the profession.

Key Facts for Students

Area	Key detail	Why it matters
UK STEM workforce	9.4 million people worked in UK STEM occupations in 2023.	Science-related careers are a major part of the UK labour market.
STEM growth	STEM employment grew by 22% between 2013 and 2023.	Students with strong STEM skills are entering a growing sector.
Year 12 programmes	In2STEM is aimed at Year 12 or S5/S6 students and includes 1–2 weeks of in-person work experience, online workshops and events.	Structured programmes can be ideal for students preparing for university applications.
Virtual experience	UCAS says virtual work experience can be equally valuable in some cases.	Students who cannot access in-person placements can still build evidence of interest.
Personal statement format	UCAS personal statements for 2026 entry onwards use three questions, with the overall 4,000-character limit remaining.	Reflection needs to be specific, concise and linked to your course choice.

Popular Types of Science Work Experience 

Gaining experience in science isn’t just about learning facts; it’s about applying your knowledge in real-world scenarios. Below are some of the most sought-after types of work experience in science-related fields. 

Computer Science Work Experience 

For students interested in technology, computer science work experience placements with software companies, IT departments, or tech start-ups are ideal. These experiences often involve coding, software development, and data analysis. Whether you’re working on app or website development, you’ll get to use popular programming languages like Python or Java.

You may like to check out our Young Computer Scientist Summer Experience.

For Year 12 students, computer science work experience can also help you build a portfolio. This is particularly useful if you are applying for competitive degrees, where admissions tutors may want to see evidence of independent interest beyond the school curriculum. These placements often provide early exposure to software engineering, web development, and artificial intelligence, helping you build your portfolio before applying to university. 

Biomedical Science Work Experience 

Students aspiring to work in healthcare or research can seek placements in hospitals, research centres, or pharmaceutical companies. You may not be allowed to handle samples or perform advanced lab procedures as a school student, but observation can still be valuable. You might learn how lab teams process results, how experiments are designed, how data is recorded and how research contributes to patient care.

Biomedical science work experience can also be useful for students considering medicine, pharmacy, biochemistry, neuroscience or related life science degrees.

Forensic Science Work Experience 

Forensic science placements with police departments or forensic labs provide insights into crime scene analysis, evidence collection, and the scientific methods used in criminal investigations. You’ll gain exposure to areas like DNA analysis, toxicology, and ballistics, learning how science helps solve real-world crimes. The aim is not necessarily to work directly on criminal cases. Instead, you should try to understand how scientific evidence is collected, tested, interpreted and presented. Placements can be harder to secure because forensic work often involves sensitive evidence, legal processes and strict confidentiality.

You may be interested in our Young Forensic Scientist Summer Experience.

Science Work Experience for Year 12 Students

Year 12 is often the best time to start looking for science work experience. You are old enough for many structured programmes, and you still have time to use your experience in your UCAS application.

What Year 12 Students Should Look For

A strong Year 12 placement should give you more than a line on your CV. Look for opportunities that help you answer these questions:

Question	Why it matters
What does this field look like in practice?	Helps you decide whether the career is right for you.
What skills do scientists use every day?	Gives you practical examples for applications and interviews.
What surprised or challenged me?	Makes your reflection more thoughtful and personal.
What further reading or research did this inspire?	Shows academic curiosity beyond the placement itself.
How does this connect to my chosen degree?	Helps you write a stronger UCAS personal statement.

How to Secure Science Work Experience 

Finding science work experience can be competitive, but there are several routes worth exploring.

Speak to Your School First

Your science teachers, Head of Careers or sixth form team may know local employers, universities, hospitals or alumni who can help. Some schools also have established partnerships with STEM organisations.

When you speak to your school, explain:

• Which science subjects you are interested in
• Whether you want in-person or virtual experience
• Your availability
• Any relevant skills or projects
• Your university or career goals

Contact Universities and Research Institutes

Universities often run outreach activities, summer schools, public lectures and research placement schemes. Some departments may also offer short shadowing opportunities, although this varies. When contacting a university department, be specific. Instead of simply asking for “science work experience”, explain whether you are interested in biomedical science, chemistry, physics, computer science, environmental science or another area.

Apply for National STEM Programmes

National programmes are often the most structured route into science work experience.

Nuffield Research Placements help students gain experience with scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians. The programme is designed to develop subject understanding, research skills and quantitative skills, and can support UCAS personal statements and university applications.

In2STEM is another strong option for eligible Year 12 or S5/S6 students. It is free to join and includes a 1–2 week in-person placement, online workshops, competitions and events.

Explore Virtual Work Experience

Virtual work experience can be a useful alternative if you cannot travel, cannot secure an in-person placement or want to explore several fields quickly. UCAS notes that virtual work experience can be equally valuable in some cases and recommends online activities such as virtual events, lectures, tutorials and work experience programmes.

Forage offers free, self-paced job simulations designed by employers, including software engineering, healthcare and data-related simulations. Its platform includes more than 300 job simulations across a range of industries.

Contact Local Employers

Not every placement is advertised. Local employers may be open to a short placement, shadowing day or conversation if you approach them professionally.

Depending on your interests, you could contact:

• Local councils
• Pharmacies
• GP practices or hospitals
• Local laboratories
• Environmental consultancies
• Tech companies
• Engineering firms
• Manufacturing companies
• Museums or science centres
• Veterinary practices
• Universities

Maximising Your Science Work Experience 

Once you’ve secured a placement, it’s important to make the most of the experience. Here are a few tips to ensure you get the most out of your time: 

Documenting Progress 

Keep a journal or log of your daily tasks, the skills you’ve learned, and any key insights from your placement. This will not only help with personal reflection but also provide evidence for future applications. 

Skill Development 

Focus on both technical and soft skills. For example, in computer science, you might  improve your programming abilities, while in biomedical science, you could improve lab techniques. Soft skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving are also crucial for future success. 

Connecting Experience to Career Goals 

Consider how each task or responsibility during your work experience aligns with your long-term career goals. Use this reflection when writing your personal statement or preparing for interviews. 

Reflecting on Your Work Experience for Applications 

Reflecting on your work experience is essential for articulating your skills and experiences in university applications or personal statements. Here’s how to effectively reflect on your science work experience: 

Use the STAR Framework 

The STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) framework is a great way to structure your reflections. Describe a specific situation, the task you were assigned, the actions you took, and the outcome or skills gained from the experience. 

Highlighting Transferable Skills 

Emphasise the technical and soft skills you developed during your placement. Whether it’s coding, data analysis, or teamwork, make sure to explain how these skills will benefit you in your future studies or career. 

Tailoring Reflections for Specific Fields 

Different science fields require different competencies. For example, in computer science, you could focus on programming and problem-solving, while in biomedical science, you could highlight lab techniques and scientific inquiry. Tailor your reflections to the specific degree or job you are applying for. 

How Dukes Plus Can Help 

Securing science work experience is an essential step for students aspiring to work in fields like computer science, biomedical science, or forensic science.

• Career Experiences: Experience a career in one of 15 competitive industries, from engineering to forensic science – with the chance to earn a UCAS-accredited work experience qualification.

• Science Summer Schools: Explore a fascinating world of scientific discovery on our incredible summer schools, with options for ages 12-18.