Industry/academia links fuel UK medical innovation

A surge in apprenticeships, placements, and global research collaborations is strengthening the UK’s pharmaceutical workforce, according to the latest Industry and Academic Links Survey from the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI).

As National Apprenticeship Week (10 - 14 February) begins, new figures highlight the growing importance of industry-academic partnerships in filling skills gaps, advancing research, and keeping the UK ahead in global life sciences innovation.

The biennial ABPI Industry and Academic Links Survey [1]  tracks long-term trends in collaborations between pharmaceutical companies and universities, highlighting how these partnerships create opportunities across research, manufacturing, IT, marketing, and more. The latest data reveals:

• The industry now supports apprenticeships at all levels, with 47 per cent at Level 6 (equivalent to a bachelor’s degree) and 17 per cent at Level 7 (master’s level), showing industry’s commitment to investing in advanced qualifications and specialist skills.
• The industry funds postdoctoral researchers across 27 countries, with nearly half based in the UK.
• A total of 699 undergraduate placements were reported in 2024, 88 per cent of which last one year and span 70 academic institutions across the UK.
• Industry-academic partnerships extend beyond traditional research and development (R&D), covering 15 business areas for undergraduate placements and 17 for apprenticeships, including IT, manufacturing, and marketing.
• R&D remains the most popular field for apprenticeships, accounting for over 40 per cent of all roles.

With the UK facing increasing global competition for life sciences talent, apprenticeships and industry-academic collaborations provide varied routes into the sector, equipping the next generation with the skills needed to drive future medical breakthroughs.

Apprenticeships are a popular alternative route into high level careers within the industry as they provide hands on experience while developing skills for the job. Government support via the Apprenticeship Levy has led to apprenticeships becoming more common within the life sciences sector, and since the start of the survey the number of apprentices has continued to increase.

Demand for apprenticeships among learners has also increased in recent years [2], with degree apprenticeships playing a significant role in driving this trend. Many industries, including the pharmaceutical industry have been calling for the Apprenticeship Levy to change to allow more flexibility in how it is used.

Andrew Croydon, ABPI Director of Education and Examination Policy, said: “Collaborations between industry and academia are one of the main ways to build up our industry’s future workforce. Both sides are investing in the future of innovation and skills in the UK and these partnerships create unique opportunities for knowledge sharing, benefiting students, universities, businesses and ultimately patients.”

As demand for specialist skills continues to grow, industry-academic collaborations will play a key role in keeping the sector globally competitive while opening doors for the next generation of scientists and innovators.

The full interactive report is now available here.