UK Operations-Macclesfield-Work Experience

Year 12 Work Experience Programme 

UK Operations - Macclesfield 

About AstraZeneca  

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Disease, and Biopharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism and Respiratory & Immunology.  

Headquartered in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca has a strong global presence with 6 strategic R&D centres in the US, UK, Sweden and China, and 30 manufacturing sites across 17 countries.  Its innovative medicines are sold in more than 125 countries and used by millions of patients worldwide.   

Our R&D focuses on delivering life-changing medicines for today’s highest unmet medical needs and investing in transformative technologies to pioneer next-generation solutions for tomorrow and the day after.  By partnering across industries and borders, we collaborate and pursue opportunities to access the best science, fostering innovation and co-creating solutions that meet patients’ needs.  

We create great employee experiences that ignite innovation, unite diverse talent and unlock capacity.  We do this by being champions of inclusion and diversity and fostering personal growth and enterprise leadership.  

Programme description  
During the work experience placement, you will experience: 

• An introduction to the pharmaceutical industry.  

• Application of STEM subjects to drug development.  

• Time in our world-class Manufacturing and Packing facilities.  

• Practical experience of the life cycle of a medicine as it moves from being made to being delivered to our patients. 

• Career advice from those currently working for AstraZeneca, plus a chance to chat with the current cohort of the apprenticeship scheme, industrial placement students, and graduates. 

What knowledge/skills will you gain?  

• An understanding of the variety of Operations roles to support the Research, Development, Manufacturing, Packing, Testing and Release, and supply of Drug Product to a global market. 

• Operations career opportunities within a pharmaceutical organisation. 

• An understanding of AstraZeneca’s commitments to sustainability and the criticality of the role of Operations in reducing dependency on nature and ensuring sustainability. 

• Awareness of roles based on STEM in AstraZeneca and the different entry points.  

• Application and development of STEM knowledge and skills.  

• Experience the workplace environment whilst making new friends. 

What we won’t cover  

• Working on live plant and equipment.  

• Hands-on manufacturing activities. 

Programme information 

AstraZeneca has an exciting opportunity for 1 x one-week unpaid work experience placement based at their Macclesfield site. The placement dates are as follows:  

• Monday 6th July to Friday 10th July 2026  

Working hours will be 9 am to 4 pm*  

(* Monday will be 8:30 am start to allow time to register with reception) 

Who can apply?