Careers from biomedical science: What Can You Do With a Major in Biomedical Sciences? // Undergraduate Admissions // Marquette University

What can I do with a biomedical sciences degree?

From discovering vital medical developments to improving the lives of others, your skills from a biomedical sciences degree can be applied to a range of medical, scientific and research careers

Job options

Jobs directly related to your degree include:

• Biomedical scientist
• Biotechnologist
• Clinical research associate
• Clinical scientist, biochemistry
• Clinical scientist, haematology
• Clinical scientist, immunology
• Forensic scientist
• Microbiologist
• Operating department practitioner
• Physician associate
• Research scientist (life sciences)
• Research scientist (medical)
• Scientific laboratory technician
• Toxicologist

Jobs where your degree would be useful include:

• Crime scene investigator
• Genetic counsellor
• Medical sales representative
• Medical science liaison
• Occupational hygienist
• Neuroscientist
• Science writer
• Teaching laboratory technician

Remember that many employers accept applications from graduates with any degree subject, so don’t restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here.

Take a few minutes to answer the Job Match quiz and find out what careers would suit you

Try Job Match

Work experience

This is a competitive employment sector and a period of relevant work experience can be extremely useful in increasing your chances of getting onto further training courses or of finding employment.

Some degrees include a placement year which can provide experience in laboratory work or scientific research. You can also try sending out speculative applications for work experience opportunities as they’re often not advertised. Think about the area in which you’d like to work and focus on those employers. Some are willing to take on volunteers and may allow individuals to work-shadow or even just speak to members of staff working within the profession.

Getting working practice of laboratory techniques and being able to evidence your specific medical/scientific interest is useful.

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

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Typical employers

Common employers of biomedical sciences graduates include:

• Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
• Medical Research Council (MRC)
• NHS, including NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT)
• UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)

You can also work in pathology and research laboratories in private sector hospitals.

You may also look for opportunities with academic departments at universities, forensic, charity or government-funded laboratories, veterinary services, the armed forces or private pathology laboratories.

The food and drink, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries employ graduates in areas such as research and development, quality assurance and sales. Publishing companies and the specialist press may also employ biomedical sciences graduates as writers or editors.

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

Skills for your CV

You will gain experience in laboratory work during your degree and this will equip you with the skills you need to plan, conduct and evaluate experiments. It will also enable you to comply with health and safety regulations, and to research and interpret scientific literature.

Transferable skills gained on your course include:

• analytical and problem-solving skills
• computing and the use of statistics
• data analysis, evaluation and interpretation
• project management
• numeracy
• organisation and time management
• oral and written communication
• teamworking – from laboratory work or activities such as sport, societies or voluntary work.

Further study

Undertaking further study is increasingly common and a number of careers in the science sector require you to have a specific postgraduate qualification. By studying at postgraduate level, you will further develop your specialist knowledge, research skills and communication skills.

If you have a good degree in biomedical science it’s also possible for you to enter other courses to train for a different career. For example, you may be able to obtain a place on a four-year, fast-track, graduate entry course to study medicine.

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

What do biomedical sciences graduates do?

The top three medical professional jobs include natural and social science professionals (21%), science, engineering and production technicians (16%) and care workers (7%).

Graduate destinations for biomedical sciences

Type of work	Percentage
Science	45. 9
Childcare, health and education	10.2
Retail, catering and customer service	7.4
Business, HR and finance	6.2
Other	30.3

Types of work entered in the UK

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

Graduate destinations data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

Find out more

• Health in Wales
• HSC Recruit – health and social care jobs in Northern Ireland
• NHS Jobs
• NHS Scotland Recruitment

Written by AGCAS editors

January 2022

© Copyright AGCAS & Graduate Prospects Ltd · Disclaimer

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Biomedical scientist job profile | Prospects.

ac.uk

Biomedical scientists carry out tests on samples taken by doctors and nurses in order to diagnose a range of illnesses and diseases

As a biomedical scientist, you’ll carry out a range of laboratory and scientific tests on tissue samples and fluids to help clinicians diagnose and treat diseases. You’ll also evaluate the effectiveness of treatments.

Your work is extremely important to many hospital departments, such as operating theatres and A&E, and the functions you carry out are wide ranging. For example, you may work on medical conditions such as cancer, diabetes or AIDS, screen for and monitor a range of diseases, or carry out tests for emergency blood transfusions.

Types of biomedical scientist

Biomedical scientists usually specialise in one of four areas: infection sciences, blood sciences, cell sciences or genetics and molecular pathology.

Infection sciences includes:

• medical microbiology – identification of micro-organisms causing disease and their antibiotic treatment
• virology – identification of viruses, associated diseases and monitoring the effectiveness of vaccines.

Blood sciences includes:

• clinical chemistry – analysis of blood and body fluids to help with diagnoses, and toxicology studies
• transfusion science – determination of donor/recipient blood compatibility, ensuring blood banks are sufficient
• haematology – form and functions of diseases of the blood
• immunology – understanding the immune system and its role in combating disease.

Cell sciences includes:

• histopathology (also known as cellular pathology) – microscopic examination of diseased tissue samples to establish the cause of the disease
• cytology – best known for cervical smear screening, but also covers other cellular analysis.

Genetics and molecular pathology includes:

• genetics – study of genes and hereditary variations in genes
• molecular pathology – study and diagnosis of disease through examination of tissues and fluids at molecular level.

For more information on the four laboratory disciplines, see the IBMS What is biomedical science?.

Responsibilities

As a biomedical scientist you’ll need to:

• perform routine and specialist analytical testing on a range of biological samples
• give test results to medical staff, who use the information to diagnose and treat the patient’s illness
• process patient samples in good time and make sure that turnaround times for reporting results are achieved
• prioritise your workload and perform urgent analytical testing as required
• identify abnormal or unexpected results and report back and follow up with requesting clinicians
• maintain and run specialist lab equipment
• maintain and order stocks of materials
• answer telephone enquiries about test results and other general lab issues
• accurately record data, write reports and share results
• develop new methods of investigation and keep up to date with diagnostic innovations
• support the lab’s quality management system and observe all relevant health and safety regulations
• supervise, mentor and support trainee biomedical scientists and other support staff
• keep your professional knowledge up to date and take responsibility for your continuing professional development (CPD).

Salary

• Starting salaries in the NHS range from £25,655 to £31,534 (Band 5).
• With experience and/or specialist knowledge, you can earn a salary of £32,306 to £39,027 (Band 6).
• As a senior biomedical scientist, you can expect to earn £40,057 to £53,219 (Band 7/8a). Salaries for consultant biomedical scientists, who have reached the top of their profession, are higher.

If you’re working in London and the surrounding areas you may receive a high-cost area supplement of between 5% and 20% of your basic salary.

Salary levels for biomedical scientists working for private companies, universities, government bodies and other organisations may vary.

Income data for NHS salaries from pay bands agreed under the Agenda for change pay rates.

Figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

If you’re employed by the NHS, you’ll generally work a standard 37.5 hour week. A flexible approach to work is essential to cover day, evening, night and weekend working.

Some opportunities exist for part-time work or job sharing. Self-employment is unlikely as it’s rarely possible to set up an independent laboratory.

What to expect

• You will usually work in a laboratory using computers and hi-tech automated lab equipment.
• You’ll work as part of a team that includes healthcare science staff, doctors (particularly those specialising in pathology) and nurses.
• Vacancies are available across the UK in hospitals and private sector laboratories.
• It’s also possible to follow a career in research or forensic science.
• Although you won’t usually need to travel during the working day or spend time away from home, travel between sites may be necessary.

£10,000 scholarship available

Study Online Bioinformatics at the University of Birmingham. Apply now to discover your potential

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Qualifications

You’ll need to be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) to work as a biomedical scientist in the UK.

To achieve this you need to complete a BSc (Hons) degree in biomedical science accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) or approved by the HCPC. You will also need to successfully complete a period of clinical laboratory training in an IBMS-approved laboratory, where you’ll complete the IBMS Registration Training Portfolio.

IBMS-accredited undergraduate biomedical science degrees are offered by universities on a full-time, part-time, sandwich and integrated basis.

Integrated degrees will include a laboratory placement in an IBMS-approved laboratory, during which you’ll complete the IBMS Registration Training Portfolio. On successful completion of your degree, you will be awarded an IBMS Certificate of Competence to show you’re eligible to apply to the HCPC for registration as a biomedical scientist.

If your IBMS-accredited degree doesn’t have an integrated placement, you’ll need to arrange a laboratory placement and complete the IBMS Registration Training Portfolio either during a sandwich year or once you’ve finished your degree.

Alternatively, you can take a BSc (Hons) degree in healthcare science (life sciences) through the NHS Practitioner Training Programme (PTP), which must be accredited by the IBMS or approved by the HCPC if you want to be eligible to apply for registration as a biomedical scientist when you graduate. The degree takes three years, full time and combines academic and work-based learning. Completion of the IBMS Registration Training Portfolio is integral to this programme.

If you’re already working in an NHS pathology department and have A-levels or equivalent that include a life science, your employer may support you to complete an accredited degree on a part-time basis or as part of an IBMS-accredited degree apprenticeship programme.

If your degree isn’t accredited by the IBMS, contact them to have your degree assessed and they’ll advise on whether or not you need additional academic education. See the IBMS website for a list of accredited degree courses.

Skills

You will need to have:

• practical laboratory skills and manual dexterity
• analytical skills and the ability to present data in a meaningful way
• communication and teamwork skills
• the ability to work alone or under instruction
• patience and the ability to work accurately and efficiently
• the ability to prioritise tasks and meet deadlines
• a willingness to accept responsibility and use common sense
• flexibility and the ability to work with a range of equipment and techniques
• the ability to work under pressure while maintaining standards of service
• attention to detail
• IT skills.

Work experience

It’s worth arranging a visit to a local hospital diagnostic/medical laboratory before applying for degree courses to get a feel for the type of work carried out. A placement or other work experience in a laboratory and evidence of medical interest is useful.

Unless you have taken an integrated biomedical sciences degree, you’ll need to arrange a laboratory placement and complete the IBMS Registration Training Portfolio. You can do this either during a sandwich year or once you’ve finished your degree. Many IBMS-accredited courses will offer a placement or sandwich year as part of their degree course.

The NHS advertises pre-registration roles such as medical laboratory assistant or laboratory technician or you could try to set up your own placement.

Competition for trainee positions is fierce as there are limited opportunities, so check job adverts regularly and contact hospitals directly. Most hospitals will have an approved training laboratory, although this doesn’t automatically mean that they will take on a trainee.

You should check with the employer whether their laboratory is approved for training and if you are able to complete the Registration Training Portfolio as part of the job role.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

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Employers

The NHS is one of the main employers of biomedical scientists. Work is generally carried out in clinical pathology laboratories and regional laboratories. You could also work for NHS Blood and Transplant or the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), or in pathology and research laboratories in private sector hospitals.

Other employers include:

• Food Standards Agency
• forensic laboratories
• government departments
• Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
• HM armed forces
• Medical Research Council (MRC)
• some manufacturing firms, especially those producing pharmaceutical products
• universities
• veterinary services.

There are also opportunities to work on healthcare projects worldwide with international non-governmental and voluntary organisations such as:

• Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO)
• World Health Organization (WHO)

Look for jobs vacancies at:

• The Biomedical Scientist Jobs
• Careerscene – the biomedical science career network
• New Scientist Jobs
• NHS Jobs and NHSScotland Jobs

Vacancies are also advertised in the local, national and specialist press.

Specialist recruitment agencies such as Globe Locums, Maxxima and Mediplacements also advertise vacancies.

Professional development

In the first two years after registering with the HCPC, you’ll normally continue your professional development by taking the IBMS Specialist Diploma, a specialised professional qualification. The Diploma is offered in a range of disciplines:

• cellular pathology
• cervical cytology
• clinical biochemistry
• clinical immunology
• cytopathology
• diagnostic cytopathology
• haematology with hospital transfusion practice
• histocompatibility and immunogenetics
• medical microbiology
• transfusion science
• virology.

It’s also possible to take the IBMS Specialist Diploma in Blood Sciences or the Diploma of Specialist Practice.

You’ll need to provide evidence of your training, specialist knowledge, practical skills and competency via a portfolio, presentation, laboratory tour and oral examination.

On completion of the IBMS Specialist Diploma or Diploma of Specialist Practice, you’re eligible to become a member of the IBMS (MIBMS).

As your career develops, there are opportunities to take IBMS higher and expert qualifications. These are aimed at biomedical scientists looking to move into management or who want to show advanced skills in their specialist area. At the highest level, you can work towards IBMS Advanced Specialist Diplomas. For details of post-registration professional development opportunities, see IBMS Education.

It’s also possible to further your knowledge and expertise via an MSc or PhD.

Members with the highest levels of specialist knowledge, achievement and professional standards are eligible to apply for IBMS Fellowship (FIBMS).

With the right combination of experience, knowledge and skills, you may be eligible for registered scientist (RSci) or chartered scientist (CSci) status through the Science Council. For full registration criteria, see the Science Council professional registers.

Career prospects

Opportunities for career development are generally good. There’s a set career structure in place in the NHS and you’ll need to show you have the required skills, qualifications, experience and knowledge to progress through the pay bands.

Upon qualification, many biomedical scientists choose to specialise in a particular area of biomedical science and progress to senior and specialist roles. To progress to a grade 6 in the NHS, you’ll usually need an IBMS Specialist Diploma. Progression to grade 7 usually requires an MSc or the IBMS Higher Specialist Diploma.

With further experience and qualifications, it’s possible to reach the top of the profession by becoming a consultant biomedical scientist. For more information, see IBMS Career Pathways.

Senior roles often involve managing a team or department within a laboratory, or managing a particular area of service provision such as health and safety, quality management or service delivery. You may also become involved in advanced specialist scientific work, clinical research or training and education. For information about careers in biomedical research, see The Academy of Medical Sciences.

Some biomedical scientists choose a postgraduate route to other clinical roles, such as endocrinology, or you may wish to move into health promotion or the commercial sector in product development or scientific sales and marketing.

Written by AGCAS editors

February 2022

© Copyright AGCAS & Graduate Prospects Ltd · Disclaimer

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Management in biomedicine

Profile

Entrepreneur in biomedicine (the program is implemented jointly with the National Research Tomsk State University)

Degree or qualification

Master

Level

9000 2 Master’s degree

Language of instruction

Russian

Subject

Management

Form of study

Correspondence

Direction code

38.04. 02

Study period

2.5 years

Who are we preparing?

Highly qualified professionals who are ready to successfully conduct business in the field of biomedicine and medical technologies. The program will be useful for those who are planning their own healthcare business or work in start-ups and innovative projects in this area, as well as business development within existing companies.

It provides for the study of compulsory disciplines and a package of knowledge necessary for launching and managing (including risk and financial management, marketing) and a medical start-up or business in the field of biomedical technologies and innovations. During the training, you will be able to work on your own project in the startup workshop and during the passage of accelerators.

** There is an opportunity to receive a grant in case of enrollment on a commercial basis.

Expert international community and industrial partners

Opportunity to communicate with experts in their field and participate in biomedical research

Unique infrastructure and clinical base

Vivarium, laboratories with high-tech production and analytical equipment, own clinics based on Moscow hospitals

Each program includes basic and elective disciplines, as well as:

Laboratory workshops, clinical and practical classes, work on simulators, practical classes, lectures and seminars

Modern approach to teaching and practice

Interdisciplinary approach and development of new competencies

Apply

More about the university

You will master

Economy and entrepreneurial ecosystems

Entrepreneurship in biomedicine

Entrepreneurial thinking (gaming technology)

Marketing in biomedicine

Production and process management in biomedicine

Global markets

Innovation management in biomedicine

Fundamentals of medical technology and digital medicine

Registration procedures in biomedicine

Risk management and compliance

Business development

Corporate finance

some disciplines are indicated

How to proceed

Create an applicant’s personal account online

Register online from 06/20/2023 and submit documents by 07/31/2023. If you have any questions, here you can read the instructions

Pass the entrance examinations

From 08/01/2023 to 08/11/2023 pass the tests in the form of testing (60 minutes) in person or online in Russian or English. You can see the programs of entrance examinations on the website of the University

03

Go ahead!

Start studying

08/14/2023 on the University website, find yourself in the lists of those enrolled, bring the original documents, sign an agreement, and after paying for the tuition, start studying!

Career after graduation

Head of a biomedical startup

Manager in a biotech company

Business strategy consultant in the biomedical industry

Product manager in a medical company

Analyst in a biomedical business

Pharmaceutical Business Development Manager

Biomedical Marketing Manager

Technology Startup

Entrepreneurship

Business Management

Innovation Management

Biomed qing technology

Elizaveta Nikolaevna Bandurina

In 2021 she graduated from the Master’s program “Public Health and Health Care” in the profile “Nursing Management” (now – the program “Nursing Management”).

“Attitude towards nurses, salaries and growth opportunities do not attract young professionals. Higher education and scientific activity are not very common among nurses, so I was met with some bewilderment at interviews. However, it is thanks to the magistracy that I understand my value as an independent, competent and conscientious employee, and I also realize that I am not only “the hands of a doctor”, for which I am encouraged by a salary or help in my research.”

Read more

Tatyana Ivanovna Bashkirova

In 2022 she graduated from the Master’s program “Special (defectological) education” and continued her studies at the postgraduate course of Sechenov University.

“Studying at Sechenov University opens up new opportunities for career development and new horizons of knowledge. I did internships at 4 institutions at once. Already during the internship, you will be able to see the result of training – in real working conditions.

Read more

Angelina Igorevna Nikitkina

In 2021 she graduated from the master’s program “Materials Science and Technology”, works in a private laboratory in the mass spectrometry department.

“After graduating from Sechenov University, I have a strong portfolio. Thanks to the master’s program, I have the skills and knowledge necessary to get a job in a chemical or biotechnology laboratory with a competitive salary.

Read more

Evgeny Vladimirovich Mashkovsky

In 2016 he graduated from the master’s program “Linguistics”. He worked at Sechenov University, in the Government of Moscow. Currently engaged in consulting in the field of education and talent management.

“Studying a master’s degree helps a lot in the job, as it gives you tools that you can immediately use in practice.”

Read more

Elena Vladimirovna Savinkova

In 2022 she graduated from the master’s program “Biology” with a specialization in “Innovative medicines”, which is implemented jointly with the Franche-Comté University France. She spent one year in Russia and the second year of study in France at the University of Burgundy.

“I was highly motivated: this double degree program gave me the opportunity to learn from the best teachers, use the experience and resources of two universities at once, and do internships in two laboratories – in Russia and France.”

Read more

Alexey Aleksandrovich Mikhailov

In 2022, he graduated with honors from the Master’s program “Industrial Pharmacy”. Alexey manages the production laboratory at the veterinary pharmaceutical company Mosagrogen JSC and is also an authorized person for the quality of medicines.

“When I entered the master’s program at Sechenov University, I understood perfectly well that it would be difficult to study in parallel with work. But I had no idea how interesting everything would be! After graduating, I began to look at some issues differently, I saw new ways to solve industry problems.”

Read more

Sergei Vladimirovich Reshetnikov

A graduate with honors and a medal “Successful” of the master’s program “Management” in the profile “Management in health care”, has 4 higher medical education, including in universities in China and Bulgaria.

“Master’s programs are characterized by a high-quality, productive structure of the training program, which provides the most promising areas for improving the head of a medical organization.”

Read more

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Management

38.04.02

Management of nursing activities

34.04.01

Economics

38.04.01

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19.04.01

Question answer

Are there state-funded places in Sechenov University’s master’s program?

Yes, master’s studies at Sechenov University are possible both on a budgetary and contract basis. Read more here.

I have a specialist diploma. Can I apply for a budget place in a master’s program?

If you are a bachelor’s degree graduate and do not yet have a specialist or master’s degree, then you can apply for a state-funded place. If you have a diploma of a graduate (obtained before 2014), then you also have the right to apply for a budget place.
Graduates of a specialty and a master’s degree are not entitled to apply for state-funded places, since for them studying in a master’s program will be considered a second higher education, which can only be obtained on a contract basis.

Can I apply for a master’s program in a field of study other than my original one?

Yes, upon admission to a master’s program, you have the right to choose any direction, regardless of the initial profile.

How to apply for a master’s program at Sechenov University?

The Admissions Committee of the Master’s program accepts documents from June 20 to July 31. The list of required documents can be found here. You can submit documents through the student’s personal account on the Sechenov University website, in person through the admissions office, or in paper form by sending them by postal operator.

Can I apply for an unlimited number of master’s programs?

No, you can’t. You can apply for a maximum of five master’s programs.

What time do Master’s students study? Is it possible to combine studies in the magistracy with work?

Classes for full-time students are held in the evening, which allows you to combine study with work.

Is hostel available for master students?

Dormitories are available to students on request, on a first-come, first-served basis. Priority for accommodation in dormitories is given to students receiving a social scholarship, as well as foreign citizens studying in a budget place (within the quota).

Can I have an internship at work?

Yes, you can do an internship at your place of work if the profile of the company matches the master’s program.

How do I find out where the classes will take place?

Currently, Sechenov University has 476 buildings. For information about the location of the classes, contact the manager of your master’s program.

Contacts

Biomedical technologies, bachelor’s degree – Faculty of Natural Sciences of the State University of Education – Ucheba.

ru

Master’s Degree at Moscow State University M.V. Lomonosov

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College of Economic International Relations

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