Standing out from 11,000 applicants to land a prestigious NHS training place

A final-year Biomedical Science student at Southampton Solent University has become the first student from the University to receive an offer on the NHS Scientist Training Programme, one of the most competitive postgraduate pathways in the country.

Ella Newman, who grew up in the New Forest and came to Solent through clearing, applied to the programme alongside more than 11,000 other candidates, with just five places available nationally in her chosen specialism of histopathology.

Ella credits a combination of practical learning at Solent, strong support from her lecturers, and a determination to seek out every opportunity available to her as the foundation of her success.

"Solent made me feel like I was already becoming a scientist, not just studying to be one. That's a big thing."

Her interest in biomedical science was first sparked during work experience with a local GP, where conversations about the patient pathway beyond the consultation room introduced her to the role of the histopathologist.

"I wanted to understand the why behind things," she says. "Every result, every decision, came down to something from the lab. That just fascinated me."

The Scientist Training Programme first came onto her radar during a guest talk in her second year, though the headline figures made it feel out of reach. It was a cellular pathology module shortly afterwards, and the hours she spent studying slides in the lab, that ignited her passion for the sub-discipline of histopathology.

"I've always been quite artistic, and I've always loved mysteries and problem solving," she explains. "Pathology was the mix of both of them."

Throughout her studies, Ella worked two jobs alongside her degree, including a lab position arranged through the university. She also volunteered at a local pharmacy and sought out additional work experience independently, most recently arranging time in an operating theatre to see the clinical side of specimen collection firsthand. She believes this breadth of experience was central to her acceptance.

Her application and interview preparation was supported closely by her course leader, Dr Jamil Jubrail, alongside fellow lecturer Aref Kyyaly, who conducted a mock interview with her in the weeks before the real thing.

Dr Jubrail said: "I am extremely proud that Ella will be undertaking her specialty training in Cellular Pathology, which is my clinical area of expertise. The course team are extremely proud of her achievement and wish her all the best as she progresses through the training scheme."

The three-year programme, based in Southampton, will see Ella rotate across specialisms within Cellular Pathology, including cytology, genetics and dissection, while simultaneously completing a master's degree in clinical science.

Her longer-term ambitions remain open, though she is drawn to progressing within the NHS as an advanced specialist clinical scientist.

Reflecting on her time at Solent, Ella is clear about the role the course played in shaping not just her knowledge but her confidence. She points to the course's strong practical focus, its IBMS accreditation, and the freedom to work alongside her studies as things that set it apart. Learn more about biomedical science at Solent here.

She will graduate at Solent's summer ceremonies, taking place 8–10 July.