News update & frequently asked questions

Breaking News...

Most areas of the company recruit during the Autumn semester/term but occasionally we have other roles suitable for a graduate at other times during the year. Please check our website regularly. In the meantime, please sign-up for our email job alert service so that we can notify you, as and when, new opportunities arise.

Frequently asked questions

Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about AstraZeneca and our graduate, PhD and placement recruitment programmes. We hope you find the answer to your question here. If you cannot find the answer you need then please visit our contact us section

Why is the text/font size on this website too big/too small?

Our websites are designed with both usability and accessibility in mind, so that you can set the font size on your computer to suit your personal preference. On your web browser toolbar select 'view', then 'text size' . Most users set their text/font size to 'medium'

How do I apply to AstraZeneca?

You can apply to AstraZeneca using the link on every page, located in the left hand navigation menu or the right hand column. Please make sure you apply to the correct programme, i.e graduate, PhD or placement.

What is the closing date for applications?

Closing dates vary according to the area of the business and the type of programme on offer. Please check the closing date on each individual vacancy.

How long will I have to wait before hearing about my graduate application?

You will receive an acknowledgement by email soon after you submit your application. After the closing date we will then review your application in detail and you should hear from us by the end of January if you have applied to a graduate programme during the Autumn term notifying you of the next step. Although timings will vary slightly according to the dept./function, the timetable below should be a helpful guide for our Autumn graduate recruitment campaign:

Application Deadline* - 1st December 2004
Initial screening - December/January 2005
1st Interviews - February 2005
2nd Interviews - March 2005
All offers made - by 31st March 2005

What can I do if I have an urgent query with my application?

Please contact us. We will do our very best to help.

Do you accept deferred entry to allow a 'gap' year?

This would need to be looked at on a case by case basis and would depend on factors such as 'how would the individual be spending their time in that year and therefore what additional development would it provide them'. Usually we expect successful candidates to join us in September/October of the year following recruitment.

Does the company employ graduates with physical disabilities?

The Company is an equal opportunities employer and will employ suitably qualified graduates with physical disabilities, where they are the best candidates.

Letters offering interviews ask if there are any special arrangements that need to be made so we can ensure all candidates can compete fairly. We also make arrangements for candidates who need help in either completing their application or attending/benefiting fully from road show presentations.

Do you have an upper age limit for applicants?

As an equal opportunities employer we have no upper age limit. Applicants should be within two years of completing their last higher education qualification. If you are beyond this, we encourage you to visit the "Careers" section of our UK corporate web site for further careers opportunities.

Do you sponsor work permits?

AstraZeneca is an equal opportunity employer and we encourage diversity in the workplace. The current British and European Law states that we cannot employ a person aged 16 or over who does not have permission to live and work in the UK.  We are also unable to apply for work permits until all European Economic Area/EU options have been eliminated.

This means for most placement, graduate and PhD opportunities we are very unlikely to pursue a work permit application. We appreciate this may come as disappointing news. However, we have a presence in over 100 countries and we recommend visiting our AstraZeneca International Careers Site to consider an opportunity with one of our site locations within your native country.

Are there opportunities to work abroad?

Some jobs may have an overseas assignment as an integral part of the training. Given the international nature of the organisation, opportunities for secondment or postings overseas may arise from time to time. Many research scientists and professional staff attend conferences abroad. However, it is likely that for most positions you will be UK based, at least for your first 2-3 years.

I'm interested in summer placements/sandwich year with AstraZeneca. How do I apply for these?

You will find details of both summer placements and sandwich years at all our UK sites on this website. Visit out & placements section for a listing of all current placement opportunities.

What can you tell me about the care and use of laboratory animals?

Animal testing plays an essential role in the development of new medicines and safety data derived from animal testing is required by regulatory authorities before new therapeutic agents can be tested on humans.

In our research and development of medicines for important areas of human healthcare, we use the most modern scientific knowledge and techniques available. These include both animal studies and non-animal techniques, such as computer modelling.

We take our responsibility towards the animals we study very seriously and have a strict policy on the care and use of laboratory animals, which includes proactively seeking alternatives wherever possible, through research, to replace and reduce the use of animals and to refine experimental techniques.

Full details of our policy on the care and use of laboratory animals can be found on our global website

What opportunities are there for career development?

As a company our aim is to offer all employees opportunities for development and growth in line with their ambitions and ability. Career planning is a joint activity between the individual and their line manager, employees having a major responsibility for their own career management and personal development. For more information on development please visit the section called 'Your development'

How many employees do you have?

We employ over 60,000 people worldwide and approximately 11,000 in the U.K.

How will my concerns about academic freedom be addressed if I do research in industry?

If you are really concerned about academic freedom, it would be better that you continue your research at University. In an industrial enterprise, research is directed towards the achievement of commercial goals, and, therefore, research is necessarily focused. However, the Company encourages its staff to publish research findings in appropriate journals and to speak at, or contribute to, scientific conferences and symposia.