2025 CLAST Graduation

10/03/2025

A date for your diary:

This year’s graduation will take place at the Advance training centre at MRC Harwell on Thursday 11 September. More details on this will follow.

Welcome to the

College of Laboratory
Animal Science & Technology

A non-profit course provider of Higher Education (HE) and CPD qualifications designed for those working with animals in research, including Animal Technologists, Registered Veterinary Professionals, and Senior Researchers.

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Upcoming Diploma and CPD Courses

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AS-ET
A “Scottish Technician’s Day” was held on 6th October 2023. The day focused on training (both of people and animals). CLAST sponsored the event and two of the presentations were recorded to allow wider access via the CLAST website. The first presentation focuses on clicker training in mice and was given by Dr. Nadine Baumgart, Expert in Laboratory Animal Sciences GV-SOLAS, Head of the TARCforce3R Center University Medical Center Mainz and Animal Welfare Officer BC Klinik Ludwigshafen. The second presentation, “Refinement at RISE - Stress-reduced handling of mice and rats”, was given by Dr Matilda Bäckberg, Director of the animal facility at RISE, Sweden and includes information on how to train animals so that many dosing methods can be applied to unrestrained animals. The presentations aim to provide advice on methods that reduce stress for mice and rats on study by positive reinforcement training.
  • Flexibility: Choose your own modules
    • Knowledge and understanding of the structural organisation and function of major body systems, and how they interact with each other
    • Safe and accurate execution of practical experiments
    • Ability to illustrate the contribution of these topics to the better understanding of animal welfare, technology and credible scientific research.
  • Progression: Taking the next step
    • We offer Level 4 – 6 Diplomas  in a range of subjects specific to Laboratory Animal Science and Technology.
    • Once completing a diploma level, you can start applying for the next level.
    • There is no obligation to complete all 3 years and you can take a break between levels, returning to study when the time is right for you.
  • Support: Financial aid for training

    We work with AS-ET, an educational charity that can provide funding to those that are unable to cover the costs of a course/courses. AS-ET is a registered charity that was created with the objective of distributing grants in order to advance education and promote excellence in the care and welfare of animals in science.

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Now partnered with Advance at MRC Harwell

We are now partnered with the Advance Training Centre at MRC Harwell to help provide high quality courses in their purpose built, state of the art training facility.

More about Advance

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What our students say

  • “Attending CLAST was a great opportunity to learn from others. ​I was able to extend my skills and knowledge which in turn gave me confidence in my own abilities to produce ideas that improved my work practices. It opened up opportunities to learn from the experienced teachers, the different work practices and knowledge from my peers. Ultimately it forms links of communication and a support network, not only through the course, but for the future.”

    Danielle - Level 6 graduate

  • “My studies with CLAST whilst challenging have been very enjoyable. They have helped me progress throughout my career, as well as given me the opportunity to make some close friends in the industry. All the teachers were very knowledgeable in their fields and very approachable, even for the silly questions.”

    Sam - Level 6 graduate

  • “What I most liked about studying with CLAST was the teaching staff, they were superb and took time out to explain anything that was not understood. I still keep in touch with some of them and think of them as friends.”

    Patrick - Student

  • “I just wanted to say that I really enjoyed this unit, you were both fantastic tutors and the topic was very interesting. I also really enjoyed the different delivery methods, it worked well. Thanks again!”

    Pam - Physiology of Pain and Distress – Level 4

  • “Thank you for fantastic delivery of the module and sharing enormous amount of significant and useful information which I have already started using in practice. I think everyone working with anaesthesia and laboratory animals could benefit from your amazing module.”

    Justyna - Anaesthesia for minor procedures - Level 5

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