Microbiology: Further study

A third of students graduating with degrees in microbiology in 2011 went on to do full-time postgraduate study, with almost 6% combining work with study. Undertaking further study can help you gain more specialised knowledge in a specific area of your subject. Typical areas of postgraduate study undertaken by microbiology graduates include: genetics; biochemistry; medical microbiology; bioinformatics; molecular biology; biotechnology; and environmental microbiology. It is also possible to proceed to graduate-entry programmes in medicine.

Some microbiology graduates choose to diversify by studying subjects such as computing, science communication and journalism. There are also many courses open to graduates from any discipline that lead to careers in areas such as marketing, finance, business, teaching and law.

These trends show only what previous graduates in your subject did immediately upon graduating. Over the course of their career - the first few years in particular - many others will opt for some form of further study, either part time or full time. If further study interests you, start by thinking about postgraduate study in the UK and search courses and research to identify your options.

For details relating to finance and the application process, look at funding my further study.