Medical sciences

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

Job options

Jobs directly related to your degree include:

• Academic researcher
• Biomedical scientist
• Clinical research associate
• Clinical scientist, biochemistry
• Clinical scientist, genomics
• Clinical scientist, haematology
• Clinical scientist, immunology
• Research scientist (medical)

Jobs where your degree would be useful include:

• Anatomical pathology technologist
• Higher education lecturer
• Medical sales representative
• Medical science liaison
• Naturopath
• Physician associate
• Prosthetist/orthotist
• Regulatory affairs officer
• Science writer

Medical sciences courses can differ from biomedical science courses in that they may be accredited differently. If you're considering working as a biomedical scientist within the NHS, you'll need to be Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registered and have your degree and experience accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS). Check if accreditation is needed when applying for jobs as courses vary.

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

Some medical science roles require you to take up further training after your first degree. As a result, relevant work experience is extremely helpful when applying for jobs in the area and can provide the experience of working in a lab and research environment. It's helpful to consider medical science related placements and opportunities with labs, universities or hospitals during vacations.

It's also worth sending out speculative applications for work experience opportunities, many of which are not advertised. You could also complete work shadowing or voluntary work.

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

Typical employers

Common employers of medical sciences graduates include:

• food and drink, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries - offering roles in research and development, quality assurance and sales
• forensic, charity or government-funded laboratories
• Health Careers - NHS
• Medical Research Council (MRC)
• NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT)
• private pathology laboratories
• Public Health England
• publishing companies and the specialist press employ medical science writers and editors
• The Francis Crick Institute
• university academic departments.

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

Skills for your CV

You'll gain scientific knowledge, research expertise and lab skills during your medical science degree, which will equip you to work within a clinical or research setting.

In addition to these, you'll also develop useful transferable skills, which will be valued by employers in a variety of different roles. These include:

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

Further study

Progressing into further study following a medical science degree is very common and can be necessary, particularly for jobs in research. By studying at postgraduate level, you'll further develop your specialist knowledge, research and communication skills.

Training to be a doctor is a popular route after studying a degree in medical science. This will require taking a medical degree, either an accelerated degree for graduates or at undergraduate level. After the medical degree you'll continue your training with the foundation programme before selecting your specialty as a hospital doctor or GP.

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?

Biochemist, medical scientist (12%) and lab technician (7%) are the top three occupations entered.

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

Graduate destinations data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

Find out more

• Find out more about Health in Wales.
• Discover health and social care jobs in Northern Ireland at HSC Recruit.
• Explore opportunities with the Institute of Biomedical Science.
• Learn more about the Medical Research Council.
• Search NHS Jobs.
• Explore NHS Scotland Recruitment.