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Biomedical Sciences

These statistics relate to graduates from a number of different pathways – Biomedical Sciences, Biochemistry, Forensics, Genetics, Human Health, Immunology.

Graduates from these subjects tend to fall broadly into two groups – those who wish to work in life science professions and those who use their degree as a route into careers that are not directly related to the subject studied.

In 2010/11, six months after graduating:

57.4% of graduates with a first degree were in employment

29.4% were in full-time further study

2.9% were combining work and study

Many of the graduates from these subjects are working in laboratories in research environments; others are working in non-lab areas such as regulatory affairs, medical sales, scientific recruitment or hospital administration. Pharmaceutical companies, contract research organisations, research institutes, food and drink manufacturers and the NHS are all big recruiters of Biomedical Sciences graduates.

Biomedical Sciences degrees develop many of the transferable skills which all graduate employers require and around 60% of graduate positions are open to graduates from all disciplines.

In 2010/11 Biomedical Sciences graduates were employed in the following positions:

• Biochem Technician
• Clinical Support Associate
• Clinical Trial Specialist
• Healthcare Assistant
• Laboratory Research Assistant
• Medical Laboratory Assistant
• Pharmacy Assistant
• Research Assistant

In 2010/11 Biomedical Sciences graduates entered further study courses such as:

• BDS Dentistry
• MRes Biomedical
• MSc Audiology
• MSc Biochemical Engineering
• MSc Biomedical Sciences
• MSc Clinical and Public Health Nutrition
• MSc Molecular Medicine in Cancer Research
• MSc Pharmacogenetics and Stratified Medicine
• PhD Biology/Biochemistry
• PGCE Secondary Science

The positive impact of a sandwich placement on graduate employment outcomes across Brunel is considerable. Those who have done placements are also much more likely to be in employment for which their degree was a formal requirement or where they believe their degree gave them a competitive advantage in recruitment.  

Outcomes for placement leavers from Biomedical Sciences courses included: 

• 100.0% progressed into employment or further study
• 80.0% were engaged in a graduate-level activity (employment or further study)
• 66.6% of employed graduates were working in the top three categories of graduate employment
• The average starting salary was £20,200. 

The graduate labour market (and the pharmaceutical sector in particular) remains competitive and relevant experience is increasingly required for graduate level jobs. For those without related experience job search strategy is often about getting a ‘foot in the door’ in order to compete for graduate positions later.

A growing national trend is for many students to delay their job applications until completing their studies, preferring to focus on achieving the highest grade possible. This can result in some graduates initially continuing with their part-time job while they explore their options after graduating. As a result some Biomedical Sciences graduates were working in non-graduate level positions including sales, customer service and administrative occupations.

The DLHE survey provides a snapshot of a very short amount of time (six months) after graduating and while many have progressed into relevant graduate jobs others are taking time out, travelling, waiting to start a course or continuing with their part-time job while they explore their options after graduating. Many graduates have moved on in their careers since completing the questionnaire.