Botanist

View this career for different education levels:

Primary Secondary Post-16

A botanist is a scientist who studies plants. Botanists learn about how plants grow, where they live, and how they help the environment. This can include trees, flowers, grass, and even tiny mosses. Some botanists spend time outside collecting plant samples, while others work in laboratories using microscopes and computers. Their work is very important because plants give us food, clean air, and medicines. Botanists also help protect rare plants and teach people about nature.

📊 Statistics

Average Salary

Botanists in the UK typically earn between £22,000 and £40,000 per year, depending on their experience and where they work.

Employment Numbers

There are around 5,000 to 7,000 people working as plant scientists, including botanists, across the UK.

Workplaces

Botanists can work in universities, research institutes, botanical gardens, government departments, and environmental organisations.

🚀 Careers in this path

Tree Expert

A person who studies and cares for trees, helping them grow strong and healthy in parks and forests.

Flower Specialist

Someone who learns all about different flowers and helps gardens look beautiful by choosing the best plants.

Plant Explorer

A person who goes on adventures to find new types of plants and learns how they grow in different places.

Discovering Plants

Get Curious About Plants

Start by spending time outdoors and looking closely at different plants in your garden, park, or school.

Take a notebook and draw or write about the plants you see. Notice their colours, shapes, and sizes. Try to learn the names of some common plants by asking adults or using books. This will help you become more interested and begin to recognise different types of plants.

Learn About Plants in School

Pay attention to science lessons, especially when you learn about plants, trees, and nature.

Ask your teacher questions about how plants grow. Try simple experiments, like growing beans in a cup. Reading books or watching videos about plants can make learning fun and help you understand how plants work.

Growing Knowledge

Study Science Subjects

Work hard in science subjects like biology and chemistry as you move through school.

When you get to secondary school, choose subjects that are about living things and the environment. Doing well in these subjects will help you later if you want to go to college or university to study plants.

Join a Nature Club

Join a gardening or nature club at school or in your community to learn more about plants.

These clubs often do fun activities like planting seeds, taking care of gardens, or going on nature walks. You can meet other people who love plants and share ideas and tips about growing and studying them.

Becoming a Botanist

Go to University

After school, apply to study botany, plant science, or biology at university.

Look for universities that offer courses about plants, the environment, or natural sciences. At university, you will learn from expert teachers and do lots of experiments and projects about plants.

Get Practical Experience

Try to get work experience in places like gardens, parks, or plant research centres.

You could volunteer at a local botanical garden or help with a plant research project. This gives you real-world experience and helps you learn what botanists do every day.

Start Your Career

Look for jobs as a botanist in gardens, universities, or environmental organisations.

You might help protect rare plants, teach others about nature, or discover new plant species. Botanists are important for looking after the planet and helping people understand the world of plants.

Available Apprenticeships

Please note that this may not be a comprehensive list of available apprenticeships. To view a more complete collection, visit the Find an apprenticeship service.

Click on any card to be redirected to their vacancy page.

L3 Pharmacy Technician Apprentice

MYHEALTH PHARMACY LTD

( Added 26 Jul 2024 - 1 position available )

An opportunity has arisen with My Health Pharmacy. You will be taking in and handing out prescriptions, dispensing and selling over the counter medicines. You will work towards a Level 3 Pharmacy Technician (integrated) apprenticeship standard.

Closing date: in 1 month