An Overview
In order to compete in today's competitive and multinational work environment, scientists
are increasingly following diverse and joint degree structures. This may involve four or five
years of study leading to a masters degree or a joint degree such as Chemistry with German.
Graduates on this wide range of science courses that are now available have particular
strengths with which they can market themselves. In addition to the underpinning scientific
theory, scientists develop well-honed analytical and numerical skills which complement their
computer competency. These skills are highly sought after for financial, commercial and
management graduate trainee positions. Most science degrees also enable students to build on
the team-working and communication skills valued by blue chip employers, small and medium sized
enterprises, and, increasingly postgraduate course entry tutors.
Demand for scientists is still strong in teaching, particularly in physical sciences such
as physics. Environment and conservation remains a highly competitive area of employment
and periods of work experience and voluntary work can prove an important stepping stone to
employment in this field.
Types of Work
Looking more closely at the type of work entered by these graduates six months after
graduation in 2000, over 25% of chemistry graduates found posts in scientific research,
analysis and development whilst 22% of physicists pursued a career in information technology.
Over 18% of the jobs undertaken by environmental science graduates were in other
professional, associate professional and technical occupations which included environmental
officers, industrial safety officers and laboratory technicians. 12.3% of biologists were
employed in scientific research, analysis and development. In addition, around one fifth of
employed biology and environmental science graduates went into clerical and secretarial work,
compared with about one in ten chemistry and physics graduates.
Graduate Salaries
According to Prospects Today, the average salary offered to graduates from any science
degree in the year to May 2001 was £19,044, an increase of 8.4% from the same period a year
previously, and significantly higher than the average graduate starting salary of £17,786.
However, jobs specifically requiring life sciences and physical sciences* graduates offered
lower averages of £17,122 and £17,471, respectively. These figures are shown in
the graph below.
*Life sciences include medical & related subjects, biological sciences, and
agriculture & related subjects. Physical sciences include subjects such as chemistry,
materials science, physics, geology and environmental science.
