Physiology

During your course, you study the biochemistry of individual cells, integrating this into an understanding of organ function and finally into how the whole animal works. Physiology is, therefore, often considered as looking at the bigger biological picture. The ability to look at science from different angles is considered a skill in itself.

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.

Prospects

A 2010 HESA survey of 2009 graduates indicates that six months after graduation, almost 45% of physiology graduates were in UK or overseas employment, with a further 5% combining work and further study.

Of these, 20% had gone on to work as scientific research, analysis and development professionals, 12% had taken posts in the health sector, 5% were in commercial, industrial and public sector management, and 7% had gone into other techical and professional roles. A further 20% were working in the retail, catering and hospitality industries and 6% were in various clerical and secretarial jobs.

There are three main ways you can use your physiology degree in a graduate job:

• directly - in a scientific, biomedical or related role, where your physiology knowledge and skills are essential; 
• indirectly - where having scientific knowledge and specific skills, such as numeracy or data interpretation, are useful (examples include management consultancy, chartered accountancy or information science);
• in a non-scientific job where graduate qualities, such as intellectual ability, planning and organising, and teamworking skills, are essential.

Where are the jobs?

The major scientific employers of physiology graduates are:

• universities;
• pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies;
• the National Health Service (NHS) - see NHS Careers.

Non-scientific employers include:

• management consultancies;
• retail companies;
• banks and other financial institutions.

Most employers are spread throughout the country, although corporate headquarters and the larger pharmaceutical companies tend to be in the South of England. Biotechnology companies often appear in clusters, such as in Nottingham, Edinburgh and Oxford.

Other areas of employment to consider:

• Education - includes a range of careers within higher education, including administration and research;
• Health - covers careers in hospitals and other health settings;
• Science - covers careers in industrial, academic, hospital and public laboratories.

Jobs directly related to your degree

• Biomedical scientist
• Clinical research associate
• Radiation protection practitioner
• Audiological scientist
• Physiological scientist
• Research scientist (medical)

Jobs where your degree would be useful

• Scientific journalist
• Medical sales representative
• Health and safety inspector
• Information scientist

Jobs that are analytical and quantitative often appeal to physiologists. These include jobs in areas such as computing, accountancy, banking and insurance.

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