In focus groups conducted by Save British Science, research and undergraduate science students said the education system was not geared towards them.
They felt that they had not been given enough information on which to base career choices and that most of their training had been too narrowly focused.
Research students saidlecturers appointed for their research abilities were reluctant to teach.
Peter Cotgreave, director of SBS, said flaws at "all levels" meant that large numbers of potentially brilliant scientists were "thrown away".