Science at B&FC

The science industries are concerned with making discoveries, pushing boundaries and promoting innovation. There are growing career opportunities in both the public and private sector, with excellent rates of pay to reward your passion and expertise. In the North West, scientists earn more than any other professionals.

At B&FC, our science programmes have been co-created with employers to deliver the technical and transferable skills needed to succeed in your chosen field. STEM Assured status demonstrates our commitment to providing a consistently high standard of training aligned with industry requirements. You will access outstanding facilities and experiential learning through first-rate industry placements.

Discover how B&FC can help you begin or advance your career in science. Contact us on T 01253 504 343 or E info@blackpool.ac.uk.

Science programmes

School Leavers Degree-Level Courses Apprenticeships For Business Adults

Careers

Scientists are among the most highly paid professionals in the North West with opportunities available within research organisations, manufacturing and engineering companies, universities, schools, hospitals and government departments.

According to research by the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, a surge in R&D investment in Lancashire’s life sciences sector over the next decade will create 3,200 extra skilled jobs and more than £238m of extra growth.

Most popular career routes:

£40,200

Average annual wage in this sector

201,711

Number of jobs in the North West

What our staff and students say

“I was surprised but delighted to win this award. I have enjoyed my time at B&FC and have learned many new skills which I am sure will benefit me both at work and through my time at university. Studying a Level 3 Triple Diploma has given me much more practical experience to prepare me for my dream career in dentistry.”

Mica Mullender – BTEC Science Student of the Year 2018

“The tutors are great – they’ve been through it all so you learn so much. I’d like to work in a hospital path lab eventually. I want to make a difference and make my children proud.”

Ricardo Prada, FD/BSc (Hons) Human Biosciences

“I was advised early on that you will get out of it what you put in and I’m over the moon with my result. The tutors are excellent and are really knowledgeable about their subjects.”

Thom Clough, BSc (Hons) Marine Biology and Coastal Zone Management

Why choose B&FC?

Getting Here

With our FREE 24/7 Blackpool Transport travel pass, eligible students* get unlimited use of any Blackpool Transport bus or Tram. We also offer help with long-distance travel costs.

Personalised Learning

Your own personal progress tutor will help you to settle in, keep you informed about upcoming events and provide ongoing support and guidance. We also offer confidential counselling.

Money Matters

We offer a FREE healthy breakfast for everyone. You could also get up to £1200 worth of funding and FREE meals if you're in care or receiving certain benefits.

Learning Support

If you have a disability (including a specific learning or mental health difficulty) we will help you to access the support needed to manage your studies as independently as possible.

Food and Drink

From smoothies to sub rolls, we offer a wide range of low-cost food and drink plus a FREE healthy breakfast for everyone and FREE meals for eligible students*.

*Eligibility applies - see blackpool.ac.uk/support/funding for details

Career Planning

Our free careers service includes expert advice and resources to help with making career choices, applying to university and coaching to get you ready for employment.

Expert Tutors

Our tutors are specialists in their subjects and help you develop the skills you need to be successful. They regularly spend time in industry to keep their knowledge and experience up-to-date.

Students' Union

Our Students' Union runs a variety of clubs, societies and events, all aimed at giving you the best student experience possible. You could also get involved as a rep or elected officer.

Sports

Sports are big at B&FC and there are lots of fitness activites and College teams for you to join, facilitated through our all-weather pitch, sports hall and fitness suite-inspirations.

Work experience opportunities

We can help you secure industry placements with employers such as Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Blackpool Zoo, Sea Life Centre Blackpool, Churchill Archaelogy, Evans Vanodine and the Environment Agency.

"It is incredibly rewarding when we see students who have come to us on a work experience placement and then later, we employ them as our doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, healthcare scientists and support staff."

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust: Science

“Blackpool and The Fylde College work experience students are highly beneficial to our organisation as they bring in fresh ideas and enthusiasm. It is important for students to gain the qualifications required for this industry, but they must also have the experience to go along with them.”

Blackpool Zoo

Take a virtual tour

Industry-standard facilities

Our industry-standard science laboratories enable students to practise advanced practical techniques. We’re the only college in the area to offer educational access to high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) machines.

Our laboratories have seen significant investment with the addition of a wide variety of equipment, including fish tanks to support Marine Biology.

Our facilities play host to various public events – such as a heart dissection - where students can showcase their skills.

First-rate resources enable our students to cut and alter DNA of bacteria to glow under UV light - a marker for gene expression.

Student experience

Live industry briefs

Students work closely with our partner employers on live projects to prepare them for their industry career. This year they have worked with the Environment Agency to identify and prevent pollution issues on Blackpool’s beaches.

National success

Science students perform outstandingly at a national level. This year student Mica Mullender was crowned BTEC Science Student of the Year 2018, while two of her science colleagues were highly commended in the awards.

Put your heart into it

We hold various public events where our students can showcase and develop their skills. After one of Lancashire’s most respected cardiologists performed a heart dissection demonstration, our students helped visitors to learn the techniques themselves.