Your guide to the different routes into the NHS
Whether you’re leaving school, finishing college or graduating from university, there’s more than one way to begin a career in the NHS. We have flexible entry points, so you can choose the pathway that fits your interests, qualifications and the way you prefer to learn. The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital (SaTH) partners with a number of local education providers to deliver some of the lesser known routes.
This blog post will guide you through the different routes available, and what each one offers.
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are one of the most popular ways to start an NHS career. They’re available from Level 2 all the way up to Level 7 (equivalent to a master’s degree), and they exist across both clinical and non‑clinical roles. You can find apprenticeships in nursing and pharmacy to digital, estates, admin and more.
You can join as a ‘true’ apprentice, starting in your first role after education and learning on the job, or complete an apprenticeship alongside your current role if you’re already employed. Apprenticeships are ideal for school and college leavers because you earn a wage, gain real experience, achieve a nationally recognised qualification in your chosen subject, and there's no tuition fees. They also offer clear progression routes, helping you move into more advanced roles over time.
University Degrees
Some NHS careers require professional registration — for example nursing, midwifery, radiography, physiotherapy and other Allied Health Professions. To enter these roles, you’ll need to complete a degree at University, and then achieve your Professional Registration with the appropriate body (ie. Nursing and Midwifery Council, Health and Care Professions Council).
SaTH occasionally offers degree apprenticeships for these professions, but these are usually internal opportunities for existing staff. That means you can join us in an entry‑level role such as Healthcare Support Worker or Therapy Assistant, and then progress into a degree apprenticeship later as part of your development.
Work Experience
If you’re still exploring your options, work experience is a great place to start. It gives you a real insight into what a job involves, helps you meet staff and lets you see the environment for yourself. Work experience is a great way to try out working in the hospital to see if it's something you could see yourself doing long-term.
At SaTH, placements can range from a single day to a full week, depending on the area. Opportunities exist in both clinical and non‑clinical settings — from nursing and pharmacy to IT, admin and estates. You can find out more and how to apply for work experience on our dedicated work experience webpage.
Volunteering
Volunteering is a rewarding way to gain experience while supporting patients and staff. It gives you the chance to try new things, meet new people and build confidence in a healthcare environment, whilst making a difference for our patients.
SaTH also offers Volunteer to Career, a programme designed for people who want to move into NHS employment. It combines volunteering with an in‑house training course, giving you skills, knowledge and support to help you apply for roles in the future. You’ll need to complete at least 50 hours of volunteering and attend five evening training sessions. Occasionally these programmes are delivered for a specific area of work so please check the main Volunteers webpage for more information on this.
Employability Programmes
These programmes are designed to help people gain workplace experience and move into employment.
The DFN Project Search is a supported internship for young adults aged 18–24 with a learning disability or autism, delivered through local colleges.
There are also Step Into… courses which are delivered by Telford College. These courses introduce you to NHS career paths and help you build the skills needed to apply.
These programmes are ideal if you want structured support and hands‑on experience.
T‑Levels
T‑Levels are perfect if you want a practical route after GCSEs. They are Level 3 technical qualifications studied over two years and are equivalent to three A‑Levels. They’re perfect for students who prefer practical, career‑focused learning.
One of the biggest benefits is the 45‑day industry placement, giving you real experience in a healthcare setting. Subjects like Health, Science, Legal Services and Digital Data Analytics link directly to NHS careers.
Graduate Opportunities
If you already have a degree — even if it’s not healthcare‑related — there are several ways to enter the NHS.
- Accelerated Nursing Programmes for graduates in subjects like psychology or human biology
- NHS Scientist Training Programme for science or engineering graduates
- NHS Finance Insights Placement Scheme for experience in finance teams
- NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme for future leaders in HR, finance, general management and informatics
- Public Health Specialty Training and Physician Associate Training for those interested in clinical or population‑health roles
These programmes offer structured development and clear career pathways. You can find more information about these on the NHS Health Careers website.
Direct entry
If none of the above routes are suitable, you can always apply for an entry level role directly. You'll just need the relevant qualifications (check the person specification for each role) and to demonstrate your skills and abilities match the criteria that we're looking for. Find all our latest vacancies on our website, and be sure to check our guide on how to apply for a job at SaTH before you apply!
There's a route for everyone
Everyone's career path looks different - and at SaTH we recognise and celebrate this. Whether you learn best through hands-on experience, structured study or workplace training, there's a route that can help you develop your skills and secure your ideal role.
.png)
