Medical sciences

A medical sciences degree provides you with the skills and knowledge to work in a variety of scientific and medical careers, and also opens up many opportunities for further study

Job options

Jobs directly related to your degree include:

• Academic researcher
• Clinical research associate
• Clinical scientist, biochemistry
• Clinical scientist, genomics
• Clinical scientist, immunology
• Medical science liaison
• Physician associate
• Research scientist (medical)

Jobs where your degree would be useful include:

• Anatomical pathology technologist
• General practice doctor
• Higher education lecturer
• Hospital doctor
• Medical sales representative
• Operating department practitioner
• Palaeontologist
• Physiotherapist
• Science writer
• 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. 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, so 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

Common employers of medical sciences graduates include:

• biotechnology, food and drink, and pharmaceutical industries
• charity or government-funded laboratories
• government departments and executive agencies such as the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (part of the Department of Health and Social Care) and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)
• medical research companies and institutions
• the National Health Service (NHS) and private hospitals
• private pathology laboratories
• publishing companies and the specialist press (employing medical, technical and science writers and editors)
• university academic departments.

Other employers may include the armed forces, forensics services and the police. You could also join the NHS or other graduate management schemes.

Find information on employers in healthcare, science and pharmaceuticals, teaching training and education and other job sectors.

Skills for your CV

During your medical science degree you gain integrated scientific knowledge, research expertise and laboratory skills, which equip you to work within a clinical or research setting.

You also develop useful transferable skills, which are valued by employers in a wide range of sectors. These 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 an collaboration.

Further study

Around a quarter of graduates go on to further study following a medical sciences degree. Further study can be essential, particularly for research jobs. There is also the option to apply for the NHS Scientist Training Programme.

Further study at postgraduate level will help further develop your specialist knowledge, research and communication skills. Masters courses are available in areas such as cardiovascular science, health promotion and infectious disease control. You can also study for a PhD.

Training to be a doctor is a popular route after studying a degree in medical sciences. You'll need to take a four-year accelerated graduate entry medicine programme, also known as a graduate entry programme (GEP), after your medical sciences degree. After the medical degree you'll continue your training with the foundation programme before selecting your specialty training as a hospital doctor or GP.

You could also do further training to work as a teacher.

For more information on further study and to find a course that interests you, see Masters degrees and search 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 health associate professionals (15%), other health professionals (9%), caring personal services (8%), natural and social science professionals (6%) and science, engineering and production technicians (6%).

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

Graduate destinations data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.