Medical sciences

A medical sciences degree enables you to work in a variety of scientific and medical careers while also opening up many opportunities for further study

Job options

Jobs directly related to your degree include:

• Academic researcher
• Clinical research associate
• Clinical scientist, biochemistry
• Medical sales representative
• Medical science liaison
• Physician associate
• Research scientist (medical)
• Science writer
• Scientific laboratory technician

Jobs where your degree would be useful include:

• Anatomical pathology technologist
• Dental technician
• General practice doctor
• Higher education lecturer
• Hospital doctor
• Operating department practitioner
• Physiotherapist
• Therapeutic radiographer

Remember that many employers accept applications from graduates with any degree subject, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here.

Work experience

Relevant work experience is useful and your course may have an optional placement year, either in the UK or abroad. This is valuable for providing practical skills and showing what a certain career is like as well as building useful contacts.

You could also apply for medical sciences related work placements in laboratories, universities and research institutions or hospitals during the summer vacation.

Work shadowing and voluntary work are other good ways of getting relevant experience and building up contacts.

Not all opportunities are advertised,Ìýso it's worth sending targeted speculative applications for work experience opportunities in the area of work you're interested in.

Search for placements and find out more about work experience and internships.

Typical employers

It's possible to find work with a variety of employers in health and medical related careers. These can include:

• the NHS and private hospitals and clinics
• pharmacology and healthcare companies
• university research departments
• private medical research institutions
• charity or government-funded laboratories
• private pathology laboratories
• biotechnology, food and drink, and pharmaceutical industries
• government departments and executive agencies
• publishing companies and the specialist press (employing medical, technical and science writers and editors).

Other employers may include the armed forces, forensics services and the police.

Find information on employers in healthcare,Ìýscience and pharmaceuticals, teacher training and education and other job sectors.

Skills for your CV

During your medical sciences degree you'll gain scientific knowledge within the topics of chemistry, biochemistry, anatomy, physiology, microbiology and pathology. You'll also gain research expertise and laboratory skills, which will equip you to work within a clinical or research setting.

You'll also develop useful transferable skills, which are valued by employers in a range of sectors. These skills include:

• effective oral and written communication
• analytical and problem-solving skills
• independent thinking, scientific enquiry and the ability to critically appraise your findings
• IT skills, numeracy and the use of statistics
• data analysis, evaluation and interpretation
• observational skills, with a focus on detail and accuracy
• project management
• organisation, decision making and time management
• teamworking and collaboration.

Further study

Further study is a popular choice after completing a medical sciences degree. Some related careers require additional qualifications such as research posts or some healthcare roles. There is also the option to apply for the NHS Scientist Training Programme.

As well as setting you up for certain careers, further study can help to develop your subject expertise, research skills and specialist knowledge. Masters courses are available in areas such as cardiovascular science, health promotion and infectious disease control. You can also study for a PhD.

Some graduates may use their medical sciences degree as a foundation for a medicine degree in order to become a doctor. You may be able to complete an accelerated graduate entry route. Find out more about becoming a hospital doctor.

You could also do further training to qualify for other careers such as a teacher, dentist or physician associate.

For more information on further study and to find a course that interests you, see Masters degreesÌý²¹²Ô»åÌýsearch for postgraduate courses in medical sciences.

What do medical sciences graduates do?

The top five roles held by medical science graduates 15 months after graduation include medical and dental technicians (12%), other health professionals (7%), biochemists and biomedical scientists (6%), nursing auxiliaries and assistants (5%) and laboratory technicians (5%).

For a detailed breakdown of what medical sciences graduates are doing after graduation, see What do graduates do?

Graduate Outcomes survey data from HESA.