Life sciences and biotechnology
research in British universities is booming, and
Britain is recognised to be one of the world's
leading nations in these fields. Studying biochemistry
in Britain gives an opportunity to learn in this
stimulating environment and to gain a qualification
whose quality is recognised world-wide.
Where to study?
Biochemistry courses are taught at BSc
level by about 100 universities in Great Britain.
Many courses have general titles such as Biological
Sciences or contain biochemistry combined with
another biological science. Some of these universities
offer MSc courses in specialised aspects of biochemistry,
and many offer PhD training. BSc courses nearly
all involve 3 years study, but can include an
additional, sought-after, year spent in industry;
the length of MSc courses is 1-2 years; and PhD
courses 3-4 years.
First-degree courses at different universities
have a range of objectives: some aim to train
high flying researchers of the future, others
to provide an excellent training in technical
skills to equip students for future careers in
industry, whilst many fall somewhere between these
extremes. When deciding where to apply you will
need to consider factors such as the entry qualifications
required, the amount of choice you will have to
select study options within the course, the amount
of practical work, whether the course is primarily
academic or primarily vocational, the opportunity
to spend a year working in industry, and the ability
to combine biochemistry with another subject if
desired.
The web site of Britain's Universities and Colleges
Admissions Service (http://www.ucas.ac.uk)
leads students to a Course Search facility that
lists 412 courses that include biochemistry as
the main subject. The site provides information
on entry requirements and on how to apply for
courses, and contains advice specifically for
international students. The following web site
provides some similar information and also gives
a profile of each university prepared by the British
Council for the benefit of international students:
http://scitsc.wlv.ac.uk/ukinfo/uk.map.html
Opportunities after graduating
The Biochemical Society conducts an annual
survey of initial employment of biochemistry graduates
at BSc, MSc and PhD level. Data for students who
graduated in 1998 are shown in the figure. Students
from overseas who complete a BSc degree have the
possibility to take a MSc or PhD degree either
within the same university or at another institution.
The largest group of first-degree graduates overall
consistently take this option but it is unclear
what proportion is from overseas. Many overseas
students return to their home country after graduating,
either to continue studying or to enter employment.
In 1998 these comprised 5% of total BSc graduates,
18% of MSc graduates, and 8% of PhDs. MSc courses,
which frequently specialise in particular biochemical
technologies, were thus relatively attractive
to international students.
Some idea of career opportunities for overseas
students can be obtained by considering the employment
of all graduates who remained in the UK. For BSc
graduates, after the grouping (34%) who continued
training for a higher degree, the next largest
grouping (23%) moved to employment that directly
utilised their biochemical training, whether in
research, working in public authority laboratories,
management in science-based industry, or science
teaching. Almost as large a grouping (22%) either
trained for, or entered, employment requiring
graduate-level skills but no specific biochemical
knowledge, such as accounting, financial services,
or retail management. It is widely recognised
that biochemistry training provides numerical
and analytical skills that are much sought after
by a broad range of employers.
For the more specialised MSc graduates 36% continued
biochemical training for a PhD; 32% entered biochemical
employment, particularly research in academia
or industry; and only 5% moved to training or
employment outside biochemistry. For PhD graduates
66% found employment within biochemistry, principally
in academic research; and 7% moved to positions
outside biochemistry. These may well have been
prestigious jobs with major financial institutions.
The Biochemical Society's surveys over the years
have consistently found a low level of unemployment
for biochemistry graduates, consistent with the
comments made above about their excellent employability.
In 1998 3% of biochemistry BSc graduates were
still looking for a job after 6 months, compared
to 6% of first-degree graduates of all disciplines.
None of the MSc graduates was unemployed, and
only 2% of biochemistry PhDs.
Summary
Governments are increasingly
recognising the potential that developments in
biochemistry and the life sciences have for contributing
to national prosperity and for improving the quality
of life of citizens. Funding for research in these
areas has been increasing dramatically in most
countries, and biotechnology industry is expanding
rapidly. Career opportunities for biochemistry
graduates look bright. Britain is at the forefront
of research, and British universities offer an
excellent training in biochemistry for students
of all levels.
| |
1st degree |
MSc |
PhD |
|
|
Biochemical training
Biochemical employment
Non-biochemical training
Non-science-based employment
Unplaced, seeking employment
Overseas students - returned home
Other
|
627
429
152
269
62
84
239
|
34
30
3
2
0
17
9
|
0
128
2
12
4
15
33
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
1862
|
95
|
194
|
2151
|
| |
1st degree
|
MSc |
PhD |
|
Biochemical
training
Biochemical employment
Non-biochemical training
Non-science-based employment Unplaced, seeking
employment
Overseas students - returned home
Other |
33.7%
23.0%
8.2%
14.4%
3.3%
4.5%
12.8%
|
35.8%
31.6%
3.2%
2.1%
0.0%
17.9%
9.5%
|
0.0%
66.0%
1.0%
6.2%
2.1%
7.7%
17.0%
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
1
|
1
|
1
|
|
Author
Dr Mike Withnall
Assistant Director for
Policy, Education and Professional Affairs
The Biochemical Society
|
