Biology

In addition to the in-depth subject knowledge you gain from studying biology, you develop a range of practical and technical skills from laboratory sessions. You also learn how to use specialist techniques and technical equipment and to confidently handle masses of diverse data and draw conclusions.

Over the course of your degree you develop a wide mix of subject-specific and technical skills, you should consider these skills developed on your course as well as through your other activities, such as paid work, volunteering, family responsibilities, sport, membership of societies, leadership roles, etc. Think about how these can be used as evidence of your skills and personal attributes. Then you can start to market and sell who you really are, identify what you may be lacking and consider how to improve your profile.

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Prospects

Scientists are highly valued by employers. Your curious, investigative minds are useful to all sorts of employment areas, not just in the science sector.

A 2010 HESA survey of 2009 graduates indicates that six months after graduation, nearly half of biology graduates had entered employment. Approximately 7% combined work and further study and 27% went on to do further study only.

Of those who entered work, about 12% went into professional and technical jobs, such as research assistant or lab technician. Approximately 12% went into scientific research, analysis and development. About 7% went into management jobs, 4% went into business and finance, 5% pursued options in education, around 5% went into healthcare and approximately 3% went into sales and marketing. About 30% were doing clerical work, retail or catering, perhaps to build up work experience or take some time out.

Where are the jobs?

A wide range of employers recruit graduates for biology-related jobs including:

• Universities and clinical research organisations (research scientists);
• Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies (research scientists and jobs in quality control);
• Private hospitals and NHS trusts (clinical biologists);
• National and global health and environmental charities;
• Scientific and technical consultancies;
• Schools and colleges (teachers and lecturers);
• Outreach organisations such as museums, science centres and broadcast companies, etc. (science communicators).

Biology graduates who choose a non-biology-related career can cast their net more widely and so it is a good idea to look at the information on specific careers.

Areas of employment to investigate are:

• Science
• Environment and agriculture
• Health

Jobs directly related to your degree

Here is a list of biology-related jobs. You may have to gain further skills or do further study to enter and/or progress in some of these professions:

• Research scientist (life science)
• Research scientist (medical)
• Pharmacologist
• Secondary school teacher
• Soil scientist
• Clinical molecular geneticist
• Nature conservation officer

Jobs where your degree would be useful

For non-biology-related jobs it is your skills and interests that will drive you towards particular career areas. You may have to do further study or demonstrate particular skills and experience gained through voluntary or paid work to enter these professions:

• Programme researcher, broadcasting/film/video
• Pensions adviser
• Education administrator
• Training and development officer

Although some of the jobs listed here might not be first jobs for many graduates, they are among the many realistic possibilities with your degree, provided you can demonstrate you have the attributes employers are looking for. Bear in mind that it's not just your degree discipline that determines your options. Remember that many graduate vacancies don't specify particular degree disciplines, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here.

You can find more about the skills you develop during your course, the jobs listed above, plus case studies and where to find these jobs at Prospects.

Included with the permission of AGCAS. For the latest version of this publication, see www.prospects.ac.uk. For permission to reproduce, contact copyright@agcas.org.uk