A masters-level apprenticeship at Keele University has made history by being the first scheme of its kind to earn accreditation from the Royal Society of Chemistry. 

The Research Scientist apprenticeship programme offers apprentices a rounded education providing scientific technical knowledge and skills, as well as developing leadership qualities, to help learners lead on highly technical scientific projects to both advance their careers and increase workplace productivity. 

Successful apprentices on the programme will receive an MSc in Technical Leadership in one of three specialised pathways, including Biomedical Science and Specialist Data Processing (from September 2024). The third pathway Analytical Science, has just had its first graduating cohort and has received accreditation from the Royal Society of Chemistry, making it the first course of its kind to do so. 

Dr Chrystelle Egger, Senior Lecturer in Chemistry and Forensic Science at Keele University, said: “Working with the Royal Society of Chemistry on the accreditation process is a very thorough, deep dive into the programme, assessing whether it is fit for purpose and whether it indeed brings in knowledge and professional competency in the chemical sciences. 

“With the apprenticeship nature of the programme, the assessment goes further and checks that standards of qualification, competence and conduct are undeniably upheld by those apprentices in the chemical sector. 

“This in-depth understanding of the programme is carried out very constructively and professionally by the RSC accreditation team and their independent assessors, both from academia and industry. The site visit allows an honest, well-rounded conversation about the quality of learning, including the experience of the learners and the impact of the learning on organisations.” 

Katie Dryden-Holt, Vocational Skills Programme Manager within the RSC’s Accreditation and Careers team, added: “This accreditation of a degree-level apprenticeship programme is a really important first for the RSC. 

"The MSc in this programme, which is studied for part-time while apprentices are in the workplace, has met the same robust criteria as accredited full-time MSc degrees. Through this recognition, we are showing that if someone wants to combine work with study, they can still enjoy the benefits of a first-class chemistry education and explore all the avenues open to them."