Staff and apprentices on a masters-level apprenticeship at Keele University are celebrating after the programme received its second top accolade in eight months.

The Biomedical Science specialism of the Research Scientist Apprenticeship has been accredited by the Royal Society of Biology following a rigorous independent assessment - the first award of its kind handed out nationally by the Society.

It comes after the Analytical Science pathway of the apprenticeship received accreditation from the Royal Society of Chemistry in March, which was also a first for the Society.

The Research Scientist Apprenticeship offers individuals the opportunity to earn and learn simultaneously. Apprentices will earn in the workplace, while studying at university towards a degree. The programme is designed to develop well-rounded technical leaders, equipping them with the scientific knowledge, skills and behaviors to succeed in their organisation and beyond.

Successful apprentices on the programme will receive an MSc in Technical Leadership and can choose from one of three specialist pathways - Biomedical Science, Analytical Science, and the recently launched Specialist Data Processing.

Dr Chrystelle Egger, Senior Lecturer in Chemical Sciences at Keele University, said: "This is an incredible moment for vocational education. This apprenticeship has been recognised by two different Societies for what it offers - the making of problem-solvers and critical thinkers in their respective specialism.

"The curriculum is designed very differently to a more conventional Masters. Here, professional competencies are at the heart of the learning, and embedded in very rigorous academic settings, they become impactful and positively disruptive in the workplace. Most of our learners get promoted before or upon finishing their studies with us, which is exactly what education should boost - employability at all levels."