Biology

Job options

Jobs directly related to your degree include:

• Academic researcher
• Biotechnologist
• Higher education lecturer
• Marine biologist
• Microbiologist
• Nanotechnologist
• Nature conservation officer
• Palaeontologist
• Pharmacologist
• Research scientist (life sciences)
• Scientific laboratory technician
• Secondary school teacher
• Soil scientist
• Water quality scientist

Jobs where your degree would be useful include:

• Anatomical pathology technologist
• Clinical scientist, genomics
• Dental therapist
• Dentist
• Diagnostic radiographer
• Fisheries officer
• Forensic scientist
• Genetic counsellor
• Neuroscientist
• Operating department practitioner
• Physician associate
• Science writer
• Sustainability consultant
• Veterinary nurse
• Zoologist

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 experience helps you test career ideas, build practical skills and show employers that you understand the area you want to enter. Look for laboratory, fieldwork, conservation, healthcare, science communication or data-focused opportunities, depending on your interests.

Check whether your course offers a placement year, study abroad option or undergraduate research project. You can also approach university research groups, local employers and professional bodies about short placements, summer studentships and volunteering.

Summer studentships can involve laboratory research or practical fieldwork, while part-time work and volunteering can develop teamwork, organisation and public engagement skills. Keep a record of what you did, the methods or equipment you used and the results you contributed to so that you can use specific examples in applications.

Useful organisations and settings to explore include:

• conservation organisations and nature reserves
• natural history and science museums
• pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies
• research and clinical laboratories
• schools and science outreach organisations
• zoos and veterinary practices.

The Royal Society of Biology - Studentships and Placements page lists summer studentships and placement opportunities.

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

Typical employers

Biology graduates work for employers across research, healthcare, conservation, education and industry. Common employers include:

• biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies
• environmental and conservation organisations
• government departments and public laboratories
• hospitals and healthcare organisations
• local authorities and water companies
• museums, science centres and outreach organisations
• schools and colleges
• scientific and technical consultancies
• universities and research institutes.

Your scientific training can also be useful in business, data, finance, marketing, policy, publishing, sales and the Civil Service. When comparing employers, look at the type of work, training offered and whether a role requires professional accreditation or postgraduate study.

Find information on employers in environment and agriculture, healthcare, science and pharmaceuticals and other job sectors.

Skills for your CV

A biology degree develops your understanding of living systems alongside practical experience of laboratory work, fieldwork and scientific methods. The exact balance depends on your course and module choices.

Skills you'll develop include:

• communication - explaining scientific ideas clearly in reports, presentations and discussions
• data analysis - collecting, interpreting and presenting quantitative and qualitative evidence
• independent working - planning tasks, using initiative and meeting deadlines
• laboratory and fieldwork - following methods, using equipment safely and recording results accurately
• problem solving - assessing evidence, testing ideas and adapting methods
• teamwork - collaborating on practical work, projects and seminars.

Further study

You could take an MSc or MRes to specialise in an area such as bioinformatics, conservation, ecology, genetics, microbiology or molecular biology. Compare course content, research facilities, funding and links with employers before applying.

Postgraduate study can strengthen your research skills and specialist knowledge, but it is not required for every biology career. Check entry requirements for the roles that interest you before deciding whether further study will improve your options.

A PhD is usually needed for an academic research career and may be preferred for some advanced research roles. Professional courses or graduate training can also lead to careers in teaching, healthcare, law, science communication and other fields.

For more information on further study and to find a course that interests you, see Masters degrees and search postgraduate courses in biology.

What do biology graduates do?

The five most commonly reported occupations of biology graduates are:

• laboratory technicians (8%)
• biological scientists (8%)
• secondary education teaching professionals (6%)
• sales and retail assistants (6%)
• conservation professionals (4%).

Find out what other biology graduates are doing 15 months after finishing their degrees in What do graduates do?

Graduate Outcomes survey data from HESA.