PAA/VQSET · RQF Level 3
PAA\VQSET Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Laboratory Science (QCF)
You don’t just earn this. You learn to use it, one-to-one, on your own real work.
- LevelRQF Level 3
- Total credits71
- Guided learning120 hours
- Units in this qualification24
Awarded by PAA/VQSET · on the Ofqual register
Start here
See how this course maps onto your role
Ten quick questions, one per Future Fluency, asked against this qualification rather than a generic one.
About 5 minutes · No card · Nothing to commit to
What you’ll learn
What each unit actually teaches you to do
These are the units PAA/VQSET registers against this qualification. It is a catalogue, not a syllabus. Which of them you take depends on the combination the qualification requires, and that is set by the awarding body rather than by us. Every unit here is regulated, and every one you earn is yours to keep.
Amplifying DNA samples using Polymerase Chain Reaction _PCR_Real unit · PAA/VQSET
What you'll be able to do
- 1a. Analyse DNA samples using Polymerase Chain Reaction
- 1b. Analyse DNA samples using Polymerase Chain Reaction (continued)
- 2a. Know how to analyse DNA samples using Polymerase Chain Reaction
- 2b. Know how to analyse DNA samples using Polymerase Chain Reaction (continued)
Analysing DNA using gel electrophoresisReal unit · PAA/VQSET
What you'll be able to do
- 1a. Analyse DNA using gel electrophoresis
- 1b. Analyse DNA using gel electrophoresis (continued)
- 2a. Know how to analyse DNA using gel electrophoresis
- 2b. Know how to analyse DNA using gel electrophoresis (continued)
Analysing DNA/RNA samples using Polymerase Chain Reaction _PCR_ and Quantitative PCR _QPCR_Real unit · PAA/VQSET
What you'll be able to do
- 1a. Analyse DNA/RNA samples using Polymerase Chain Reaction and Quantitative PCR
- 1b. Analyse DNA/RNA samples using Polymerase Chain Reaction and Quantitative PCR (continued)
- 2a. Know how to analyse DNA/RNA samples using Polymerase Chain Reaction and Quantitative PCR
- 2b. Know how to analyse DNA/RNA samples using Polymerase Chain Reaction and Quantitative PCR (continued)
Analysing laboratory samples using ChromatographyReal unit · PAA/VQSET
What you'll be able to do
- 1a. Analyse labouratory samples using Chromatography
- 1b. Analyse labouratory samples using Chromatography (continued)
- 2a. Know how to analyse labouratory samples using Chromatography
- 2b. Know how to analyse labouratory samples using Chromatography (continued)
Analysing laboratory samples using Circular Dichroism _CD_Real unit · PAA/VQSET
What you'll be able to do
- 1a. Analyse labouratory samples using Circular Dichroism (CD)
- 1b. Analyse labouratory samples using Circular Dichroism (CD) (continued)
- 2a. Know how to analyse labouratory samples using ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometre
- 2b. Know how to analyse labouratory samples using ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometre (continued)
Analysing laboratory samples using Fourier-transform infrared _FT-IR_ spectroscopyReal unit · PAA/VQSET
What you'll be able to do
- 1a. Analyse labouratory samples using Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy
- 1b. Analyse labouratory samples using Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy (continued)
- 2a. Know how to analyse labouratory samples using Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy
- 2b. Know how to analyse labouratory samples using Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy (continued)
Analysing laboratory samples using Gas Chromatography _GC_Real unit · PAA/VQSET
What you'll be able to do
- 1a. Analyse labouratory samples using Gas Chromatography
- 1b. Analyse labouratory samples using Gas Chromatography (continued)
- 2a. Know how to analyse labouratory samples using Gas Chromatography
- 2b. Know how to analyse labouratory samples using Gas Chromatography (continued)
Analysing laboratory samples using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry _GCMS_Real unit · PAA/VQSET
What you'll be able to do
- 1a. Analyse labouratory samples using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
- 1b. Analyse labouratory samples using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (continued)
- 2a. Know how to analyse labouratory samples using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
- 2b. Know how to analyse labouratory samples using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (continued)
Analysing laboratory samples using Gas Chromatography-Thermal Conductivity _GCTC_Real unit · PAA/VQSET
What you'll be able to do
- 1a. Analyse labouratory samples using Gas Chromatography-Thermal Conductivity
- 1b. Analyse labouratory samples using Gas Chromatography-Thermal Conductivity (continued)
- 2a. Know how to analyse labouratory samples using Gas Chromatography-Thermal Conductivity
- 2b. Know how to analyse labouratory samples using Gas Chromatography-Thermal Conductivity (continued)
Analysing laboratory samples using High Performance Liquid Chromatography _HPLC_Real unit · PAA/VQSET
What you'll be able to do
- 1a. Analyse labouratory samples using High Performance Liquid Chromatography
- 1b. Analyse labouratory samples using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (continued)
- 2a. Know how to analyse labouratory samples using High Performance Liquid Chromatography
- 2b. Know how to analyse labouratory samples using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (continued)
Analysing laboratory samples using light microscopyReal unit · PAA/VQSET
What you'll be able to do
- 1a. Analyse labouratory samples using light microscopy
- 1b. Analyse labouratory samples using light microscopy (continued)
- 2a. Know how to analyse labouratory samples using light microscopy
- 2b. Know how to analyse labouratory samples using light microscopy (continued)
Analysing laboratory samples using ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer _UV-Vis_Real unit · PAA/VQSET
What you'll be able to do
- 1a. Analyse labouratory samples using ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometre
- 1b. Analyse labouratory samples using ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometre (continued)
- 2a. Know how to analyse labouratory samples using ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometre
- 2b. Know how to analyse labouratory samples using ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometre (continued)
Culturing/fermenting cells for laboratory activities using controlled fed batch or continuous culture fermentationReal unit · PAA/VQSET
What you'll be able to do
- 1a. Culture/ferment cells for labouratory activities using controlled fed batch or continuous culture fermentation
- 1b. Culture/ferment cells for labouratory activities using controlled fed batch or continuous culture fermentation (continued)
- 2a. Know how to culture/ferment cells for labouratory activities using controlled fed batch or continuous culture fermentation
- 2b. Know how to culture/ferment cells for labouratory activities using controlled fed batch or continuous culture fermentation (continued)
Encouraging problem solving and innovation in a laboratory teamReal unit · PAA/VQSET
What you'll be able to do
- 1a. Encourage problem solving and innovation in a labouratory team
- 1b. Encourage problem solving and innovation in a labouratory team (continued)
- 2a. Know how to encourage problem solving and innovation in a labouratory team
- 2b. Know how to encourage problem solving and innovation in a labouratory team (continued)
Maintaining cell lines for laboratory activities using cryogenic storageReal unit · PAA/VQSET
What you'll be able to do
- 1a. Maintain cell lines for labouratory activities using cryogenic storage
- 1b. Maintain cell lines for labouratory activities using cryogenic storage (continued)
- 2a. Know how to maintain cell lines for labouratory activities using cryogenic storage
- 2b. Know how to maintain cell lines for labouratory activities using cryogenic storage (continued)
Maintaining cell lines for laboratory activities using sub-cultureReal unit · PAA/VQSET
What you'll be able to do
- 1a. Maintain cell lines for labouratory activities using sub-culture
- 1b. Maintain cell lines for labouratory activities using sub-culture (continued)
- 2a. Know how to maintain cell lines for labouratory activities using sub-culture
- 2b. Know how to maintain cell lines for labouratory activities using sub-culture (continued)
Maintaining effective and efficient working relationships in the laboratoryReal unit · PAA/VQSET
What you'll be able to do
- 1a. Maintain effective and efficient working relationships in the labouratory
- 1b. Maintain effective and efficient working relationships in the labouratory (continued)
- 2a. Know how to maintain effective and efficient working relationships in the labouratory
- 2b. Know how to maintain effective and efficient working relationships in the labouratory (continued)
Maintaining health and safety in a laboratory environmentReal unit · PAA/VQSET
What you'll be able to do
- 1a. Maintain health and safety in a labouratory environment
- 1b. Maintain health and safety in a labouratory environment (continued)
- 2a. Know how to maintain health and safety in a labouratory environment
- 2b. Know how to maintain health and safety in a labouratory environment (continued)
Managing budgets for laboratory projectsReal unit · PAA/VQSET
What you'll be able to do
- 1a. Manage budgets for labouratory projects
- 1b. Manage budgets for labouratory projects (continued)
- 2a. Know how to manage budgets for labouratory projects
- 2b. Know how to manage budgets for labouratory projects (continued)
Measuring, weighing and preparing compounds and solutions for laboratory useReal unit · PAA/VQSET
What you'll be able to do
- 1a. Measure, weigh and prepare compounds and solutions for labouratory use
- 1b. Measure, weigh and prepare compounds and solutions for labouratory use (continued)
- 2a. Know how to measure, weigh and prepare compounds and solutions for labouratory use
- 2b. Know how to measure, weigh and prepare compounds and solutions for labouratory use (continued)
Providing leadership for a laboratory teamReal unit · PAA/VQSET
What you'll be able to do
- 1a. Provide leadership for a labouratory team
- 1b. Provide leadership for a labouratory team (continued)
- 2a. Know how to provide leadership for a labouratory team
- 2b. Know how to provide leadership for a labouratory team (continued)
Separating samples for laboratory activities using centrifugationReal unit · PAA/VQSET
What you'll be able to do
- 1a. Separate samples for labouratory activities using centrifugation
- 1b. Separate samples for labouratory activities using centrifugation (continued)
- 2a. Know how to separate samples for labouratory activities using centrifugation
- 2b. Know how to separate samples for labouratory activities using centrifugation (continued)
Using and communicating laboratory information to authorised personnelReal unit · PAA/VQSET
What you'll be able to do
- 1a. Use and communicate labouratory information to authorised personnel
- 1b. Use and communicate labouratory information to authorised personnel (continued)
- 2a. Know how to use and communicate labouratory information to authorised personnel
- 2b. Know how to use and communicate labouratory information to authorised personnel (continued)
Using statistical process control _SPC_ for laboratory measurement processesReal unit · PAA/VQSET
What you'll be able to do
- 1a. Use statistical process control for labouratory measurement processes
- 1b. Use statistical process control for labouratory measurement processes (continued)
- 2a. Know how to use statistical process control for labouratory measurement processes
- 2b. Know how to use statistical process control for labouratory measurement processes (continued)
The honest bit
You’ve started things before
Most courses were built for a room full of people who aren’t you. A cohort moves on whether or not your week allowed it, and by the third week the thing you’re behind on becomes the reason you stop opening it.
There’s no cohort here, and no timetable to fall behind. Before anything starts, Zavmo asks when you’re sharpest and how long you can realistically sit down for, then builds the sessions around those answers. A bad fortnight changes your pace. It doesn’t put you behind.
And you only pay once you start learning. Searching and planning are free, and you can cancel any time — so the cost of finding out is an afternoon, not a year.
Your passport
Every credit is a stamp you keep
Level 3 credits are regulated. They don’t vanish when a subscription ends or a website closes. They travel to any employer, and Zavmo keeps the map of what you’ve earned and what’s next.
Each stamp is a real unit registered against this qualification.
Who’d teach you this
The Evidence Evaluator
Assessor
Helps you show what you can actually do, gathering the evidence that proves it as you learn.
Meet all twelve tutorsWhere this connects
Where these credits take you
A qualification is never a dead end here. See the jobs its credits open, the national occupational standards its units map to, and the future skills they quietly build.
- 01_Maintaining health and safety in a laboratory environment
- 02_Maintaining effective and efficient working relationships in the laboratory
- 05_Managing budgets for laboratory projects
- 06_Encourage problem solving and innovation in a biomanufacturing team
- 06_Measure, weigh and prepare compounds and solutions for biomanufacturing use
- 07_Analysing laboratory samples using Gas Chromatography (GC)
- 08_Analysing laboratory samples using Gas Chromatography
- 09_Analysing laboratory samples using Gas Chromatography
Where this can lead
Director of Laboratory Operations
Your journey at Zavmo as Director of Laboratory Operations isn't just a job; it's a critical stepping stone to shaping the future of scientific innovation. We're committed to supporting your growth, whether that's into the C-suite or as a world-renowned scientific expert. The impact you'll have here is immense, and the opportunities for your career are truly significant.
See the whole journey →Showing 1 roles, drawn from 3 job records mapped to this qualification.
Skills it covers
What the job actually needs. These are the standards the units are built against, in the words employers and awarding bodies already use for the work itself.
How you’ll actually learn this
One-to-one, on your own real work
A qualification is usually something done to you: sit the class, sit the exam, hope it sticks. Here it’s the opposite. You learn it one-to-one with a companion, on your own real work, and you keep going until you can use it, not just recall it.
Applied to your work in any of these jobs
- Remember
- Understand
- Apply
- Analyse
- Evaluate
- Create
Built for PAA\VQSET Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Laboratory Science (QCF)
24 units in this credential, in the order it lists them, awarded by PAA/VQSET.
- Amplifying DNA samples using Polymerase Chain Reaction _PCR_
- Analysing DNA using gel electrophoresis
- Analysing DNA/RNA samples using Polymerase Chain Reaction _PCR_ and Quantitative PCR _QPCR_
- Analysing laboratory samples using Chromatography
- Analysing laboratory samples using Circular Dichroism _CD_
- Analysing laboratory samples using Fourier-transform infrared _FT-IR_ spectroscopy
and 18 more in the full unit list below.
One to one, not one to many
No two people run this the same way
A course is written once and handed to everyone. This is assembled around you, and keeps changing as it learns you. Five things it reads, and what each one changes.
- Your actual work Every unit is taught against a live piece of your own work, not a worked example from a textbook.
- What you already know The first conversation finds your starting point, so you skip what you can already do and spend the time on what you cannot.
- The conditions you learn under Not a learning-styles quiz. The evidence does not support those. The dimensions the research does back, read once and used to shape the plan.
- How far you got last time It picks up mid-thought. The tutor knows what you said, what you struggled with, and what it asked you to try.
- Which tutor suits the moment Twelve of them, each for a different kind of thinking. The one who walks you through a first idea is not the one who stress-tests it.
See how you learn, free. Eight questions, no sign-up. A directional taster; the diagnostic inside Zavmo goes deeper and keeps adapting.
Why it sticks
Most courses stop at remembering
There’s a well-known ladder of how deeply you learn something, called Bloom’s Taxonomy. Most courses get you up the first two rungs: you remember some facts, you pass a test, you forget it. Real skill lives at the top. Judging, deciding, creating. And this isn’t a generic ladder: every rung has a named Zavmo tutor who walks you up it.
- 6CreateThe Creative Catalyst
- 5EvaluateThe Evidence Evaluator
- 4AnalyseThe Analyst
- 3ApplyThe Coach
- 2UnderstandThe Connector
- 1RememberThe Builder
Where most courses leave you Where Zavmo takes you
The value
Why the companion is worth £70 a month
You’re not paying for the units. They’re regulated, and the same wherever you earn them. You’re paying for the one thing that decides whether you actually get there: a companion that makes them stick, on your real work.
That is one-to-one on this qualification, every day, on the work you already do, for £70 a month. Your first module is free, so you can see the teaching before you pay for any of it. Billed monthly, cancel any time and billing stops.
Earned on your own work, taught to the top.
Everything you just read, learned one-to-one on the job you already do. Your first module is free, so you can see the teaching before you pay for any of it.
Build my plan, freeNo card. See how this qualification maps onto your role and meet the tutors who’d teach it, free. The learning begins when you subscribe. It’s £70 a month, billed monthly. Cancel any time and billing stops.