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40 ONLINE EVENTS - Chemistry University events

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Supporting teachers booking events for school groups and direct bookings from students and parents. (ONLINE EVENT)

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A qualification in biochemistry or molecular biology can lead to a multitude of careers in different fields. There are many options to choose from: you could work at a university, in industry, become a science teacher or even a patent law attorney, just to name a few. You can use the resources on this page to find out what you're interested in and how to get your dream job.

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A qualification in biochemistry or molecular biology can lead to a multitude of careers in different fields. There are many options to choose from: you could work at a university, in industry, become a science teacher or even a patent law attorney, just to name a few.

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Taster courses are provided by some universities and colleges to let you experience academic and social life on campus, before applying for a place.

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Biological Sciences, Psychology and Sport University events (Taster Event)

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Supporting teachers booking events for school groups and direct bookings from students and parents. Biological Sciences, Psychology and Sport University events (Taster Event)

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Advancing excellence, connecting chemical scientists and shaping the future of the chemical sciences for the benefit of humanity.

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The leading professional body representing many of the learned societies and other organisations making up the diverse landscape of the biological sciences, as well as thousands of individuals

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Promoting physics and bringing physicists together for the benefit of all

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Whether you're sure you want to be an astronomer or you're thinking you might make a brilliant biologist, getting yourself some science work experience is a must.
Work experience lets you see what a real working environment is like. You get to test out your skills in real-life situations. If you think you'd like to pursue a career in science, it's an excellent way to develop your abilities and makes a strong addition to your CV. And if you're not sure whether a science job is right for you, doing a placement is the way to find out. If you then decide you want to follow a totally different career, that's absolutely fine: the work experience will still be really valuable.

Here we'll take a look at different kinds of placements, including chemistry work experience and physics work experience, and exactly where you can apply for one.

Where to find... general science work experience

Many schools set aside a week or two during for Year 10 students to complete work experience. Then the summer holidays after Year 12 or Year 13 are a good time to organise your own work experience.

The best approach is to contact local organisations in your area and ask if they might be able to offer you some work experience - plenty will do so even if they're not offering a formal placement. Start your search at least six months before you want to start your placement. We won't sugarcoat it: it can be difficult to find lab work experience if you're in year 10 but if you can get work experience in the office of a science company, this will still be extremely valuable for your CV.

You could also apply for a Nuffield Research Placement. This organisation gives more than 1,000 students each year the chance to work alongside professional scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians. You're eligible to apply if you're over 16 and are studying science, technology, engineering of maths course at a school or college in the UK - and most of these placements go to students from low-income households. The placements might focus on data science, engineering or computer science - and you might find yourself in an office, lab or out in the field. Check out these stories to see where previous students have had their placements.

Another option is to contact the British Science Association - they sometimes offer placements to over 16s. Send an email here to see what they have available. You can also try the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, which offers a few placements for years 10-13.

Where to find... physics work experience

Start by Googling physics companies - this will include manufacturers, research organisations and pharmaceutical companies. Search and apply as soon as possible; placements are usually competitive.

Don't forget to also check out the physics departments of universities. University College London, University of Oxford and Sheffield University are among those that offer a range of physics work experience placements for 16-18 year olds. The University of York has placements for Year 12s.

The Particle Physics Masterclass Programme gives you a taster of the world of physics through one-day events at universities and labs across the UK. They are aimed at students taking particle physics modules at AS or A-level. Some universities will run days specifically for GCSE students. The events include hands-on workshops, lectures and lab tours. Learn more and apply here .

Where to find... biology work experience

Again your first port of call should be to reach out to organisations in your local area. Consider natural history museums, science museums, wildlife conservation organisations, the biology departments of universities, zoos, laboratories, pharmaceutical companies and vets' practices. Many placements are not advertised so make sure to be proactive and contact them.

The Met Office offers a week's work experience in the summer term for students aged between 14 and 17, giving an opportunity to take part in group projects.

The major healthcare company GlaxoSmithKline offer work experience in labs at three locations across the UK. There are different programmes for A-level and GCSE students, and you'll get to see what working at GSK and in the pharmaceutical industry is like. Depending on the specific scheme, you might develop your employability skills by taking part in presentations and shadowing GSK staff.

The Wellcome Sanger Institute (a genome science research institute) offers two-week placements for year 10 students based in the Cambridge area. You'll see what the institute does and get an insight into a specific area of research.

Where to find... chemistry work experience

Make a list of manufacturing companies, local science parks, local hospitals and research institutes. Ask if they can offer a work placement or shadowing, ensuring that you give them plenty of notice.

Companies that make food, cosmetic products or even clothing, as well as pharmaceutical companies and chemists like Boots, are a good option for chemistry students, while university chemistry departments may also offer you a placement. Again it can be tricky to get a placement in a lab, but any experience will be useful, and shows future employers your dedication and resourcefulness.

You might also want to explore doing work experience in healthcare. We've got a dedicated guide to NHS work experience here .

If you're struggling to get yourself a placement in a lab or similar environment, a good alternative is to volunteer in a related area. Look out for opportunities at science festivals, and local science museums or centres.

Main image by Vectorpocket via Freepik; lab scientist by zaozaa09 via Freepik.

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These are the employers offering science work experience

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Whether you're sure you want to be an astronomer or you're thinking you might make a brilliant biologist, getting yourself some science work experience is a must. Work experience lets you see what a real working environment is like. You get to test out your skills in real-life situations.

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Volunteer to help wildlife in your local area. Volunteering opportunities range from community gardening, species surveying, caring for nature reserves, dry stone walling, hedge laying, habitat management, to running Wildlife Watch groups. You could volunteer organisational, IT, administrative or financial skills too. Both regular and casual volunteers are needed.

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Top Opportunities in August

Posted by Lisa Harvey

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Posted by Sarah Troop

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A charity are looking for a Treasurer to provide sound financial administration, support and information to the Exe... https://t.co/Wuo0lTKk8Z

Copyright 2022 Volunteer Essex. All rights reserved. Website by PipeMedia

Tips for searching on Volunteer Essex

Volunteer Essex has thousands of live volunteering roles to choose from, below are some top tips to help you to narrow these down to help find the right one for you.

When entering a postcode the database will recognise which part of Essex you live in and return results for that district. This will include local charities as well as countywide and national charities active in your area.

You can choose to search by activities and interests or by keyword, or a mixture of both

If you know the name of the organisation you would like to volunteer try putting their name into the keyword search

If you know who you would like to benefit try putting that into a keyword search e.g. older people

If you are not sure of a spelling then you can put part of the word in e.g type "Alz" instead of "Alzheimers"

If you would like to find something specifically in your town or village try adding that in as your keyword to help narrow the search

If you know what you would like to do as an activity e.g. Admin but don't mind which kind of organisation you volunteer for you can select "No specific interest" in the interest field, this will act as a catch all allowing you to search all roles of that type.

We recommend that you do not apply for more that 3-4 roles at any one time, if you are having trouble choosing consider talking to you local Volunteer Centre who can meet you for a chat and give you some bespoke advice. Find there contact details here.

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Volunteer Essex - Volunteering opportunities throughout Essex

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Top Opportunities in August Posted by Lisa Harvey Read More Posted by Sarah Troop Read More A charity are looking for a Treasurer to provide sound financial administration, support and information to the Exe... https://t.co/Wuo0lTKk8Z Copyright 2022 Volunteer Essex. All rights reserved.

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Every pupil who has taken part in the scheme has benefited from increased confidence and general experience. It has usually improved motivation during their final year at school and they have all achieved admission to their preferred University courses. Lynn Friedrichsen, Principal Teacher Faculty, Dumfries Academy

For more information, to check your eligibility and apply for a Nuffield Research Placement, visit STEM Learning.

Once you've completed your Nuffield Research Placement, you are eligible to join the Nuffield Alumni Network.

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Nuffield Research Placements | Student Programmes | Nuffield Foundation

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Nuffield Research Placements offer students work experience with scientists, technologists, engineers & mathematicians. Discover how to get involved today.

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Healthcare work experience is crucial if you'd like to work in medicine or healthcare . However, getting GP clinic or hospital work experience is also extremely valuable for other job roles too, as it gives you plenty of transferable skills that you can put to use in your future career.
In this guide we'll look at the benefits of healthcare placements, what they involve and where you can find opportunities.

Why should I apply for healthcare work experience?

Let's firstly take a look at the benefits of doing work experience in hospitals or other healthcare settings.

Work experience is crucial if you want to become a doctor

1. It lets you try out a particular job role to see if it's the right fit for you. Work experience helps you choose the right career . You'll see what roles in healthcare there are.

2. If you do have a specific healthcare role in mind , then the placement may be crucial for entry to training in that role, or for a university course.

3. It gives you an insight into a real-life working environment (specifically you'll see how a hospital or clinic is run).

4. You'll get a chance to develop your key skills that can be applied in all jobs, for example: teamwork , communication , people skills , taking the initiative , and plenty more.

5. It's a fantastic addition to your CV, allowing you to show employers not only these transferable skills, but also your commitment and motivation.

6. You'll gain experience of caring for people, will will develop your compassion and empathy.

7. You'll gain confidence and self-esteem.

Where can I get healthcare work experience?

There are three broad options open to you:

Placements or volunteering at a charity

The British Red Cross offers one-week placements in the summer for 15 to 18-year-olds, taking place at its headquarters in London. For July and August 2019, you can apply between 1 April and 4 June 2019. It also have volunteering and internship opportunities.

You can also search online for other healthcare and medical charities, to see if they offer work experience placements. You could also explore volunteering as a way to gain work experience - start with St John Ambulance.

Work experience at residential care home or day care centre

Search online for available placements or volunteering opportunities with day care, care homes or nursing homes.

NHS work experience

The UK's National Health Service offers the most healthcare work placements, so the rest of this article will fill you in on those.

What work experience does the NHS offer?

There are over 350 different careers in the NHS . The NHS is made up of over 300 organisations across England. Your local 'NHS trust' (that's the organisation that oversees the hospitals and clinics in a particular area) is responsible for providing work experience.

The kind of work, the department, the length of placement and the age requirements will depend on where (ie which trust) your NHS work placement is.

So your starting point should be to search for your local trust and see what work experience options they have available. For example, the Oxford University Hospitals Trust provides three-day placements in physiotherapy, occupational therapy, or life sciences.

The University Hospitals of Leicester trust offers five-day placements for students who are applying for university and require work experience in hospitals related to that degree, eg medicine, nursing, physiotherapy, radiography etc.

If possible, you should try to gain experience in the area that interests you.

Here are a few tasks that you might be doing on NHS work experience placements:

survey patients in a ward to find out what leads to a positive experience (16+)

update communication materials such as the pages of the website, leaflets or noticeboards

reverse mentoring: get a student to help senior colleagues get to grips with social media

analysing calls to see which issues generate complaints.

helping to make the beds

distribute leaflets or information to new patients

helping patient orientation in the hospital ward

shadowing a nurse or healthcare assistant as they take and record a patient's blood pressure, temperature and heart rate and completing fluid charts under direct supervision (16+)

observing routine procedures or investigations or minor surgical procedures (16+)

assisting with meals (preparing over-tables, cutting food, encouraging the patient to eat and drink) and patient feeding (16+)

delivering and collecting items from other departments (16+)

talking to the patients (16+)

attending team meetings (16+).

How can I make the most of NHS work experience?

Before your hospital work experience begins, think about what you want to learn and the questions you might want to ask. Find out if there is a dress code and make sure to turn up on time.

You'll need to act maturely and responsibly, showing respect for patients and staff. If you feel uncomfortable in any way, speak up and ask questions about anything you feel unsure of. You should follow health and safety procedures (which will be explained to you) and offer to help out. Ask the staff questions about their job roles (when they have time to chat).

Take some notes during your placement. When it comes to job applications and interviews, you'll need to reference:

Which job role you did and the tasks you carried out.

What you learned from the experience.

The skills you developed.

How the placement affected your decision to pursue a particular career.

Keep track of the skills and experience you gained during
your placement

How can I find a work experience placement in the NHS?

As we mentioned, you need to search for your local NHS trust and see what placements they have. Usually the website will have instructions on how to apply. You can also contact the human resources or training departments of the trust. Make contact during the academic year you want the placement to begin.

You do not need a DBS (criminal record check) in order to apply for an NHS work experience placement.

There's usually a high demand for NHS placements, so be patient and realistic. You'll usually need good grades.

Main image and diary via Freepik, doctor via Flickr.

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Everything you need to know about healthcare work experience

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Healthcare work experience is crucial if you'd like to work in medicine or healthcare . However, getting GP clinic or hospital work experience is also extremely valuable for other job roles too, as it gives you plenty of transferable skills that you can put to use in your future career.

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Next, you'll need to write about your personal skills and achievements. Universities like to know the abilities you have that'll help you on the course, or generally with life at university.
Don't forget to include evidence to back up why you're so excited about the course(s) you've chosen.

Be bold and talk about the achievements you're proud of.

Include positions of responsibility you hold, or have held, both in and out of school.

What are the things that make you interesting, special, or unique?

Your work experience and future plans are important to include. You should share details of jobs, placements, work experience, or voluntary work, particularly if it's relevant to your course.

Try to link any experience to skills or qualities that'll make you successful.

If you know what you'd like to do after as a career, explain how you plan to use the knowledge and experience that you'll gain to launch your career.

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How To Write Your Undergraduate Personal Statement

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Stand out from the crowd by showcasing who you are and what you can bring to a university as you begin your undergraduate journey.

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Next, you'll need to write about your personal skills and achievements. Universities like to know the abilities you have that'll help you on the course, or generally with life at university.
Don't forget to include evidence to back up why you're so excited about the course(s) you've chosen.

Be bold and talk about the achievements you're proud of.

Include positions of responsibility you hold, or have held, both in and out of school.

What are the things that make you interesting, special, or unique?

Your work experience and future plans are important to include. You should share details of jobs, placements, work experience, or voluntary work, particularly if it's relevant to your course.

Try to link any experience to skills or qualities that'll make you successful.

If you know what you'd like to do after as a career, explain how you plan to use the knowledge and experience that you'll gain to launch your career.

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How To Write Your Undergraduate Personal Statement

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Stand out from the crowd by showcasing who you are and what you can bring to a university as you begin your undergraduate journey.

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There isn't a clearly defined personal statement template for you to use as each person's statement is different.

When it comes to writing a personal statement for universities, your personal statement should touch on your passions, your interest in the course, why you're applying for the course and why you would be an asset to the university you're applying to.

Talk about the clubs and societies that you belong to, any work experience you may have and any awards you might have won.

If you're still looking for information check out our article on how to write a personal statement.

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500+ Personal Statement Examples | by Subject | Uni Compare

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There isn't a clearly defined personal statement template for you to use as each person's statement is different. When it comes to writing a personal statement for universities, your personal statement should touch on your passions, your interest in the course, why you're applying for the course and why you would be an asset to the university you're applying to.

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Make sure Medicine is for you

It's very difficult to really know what you'll want to do, but there are some aspects of a medical career you should be aware of:

Long hours - both while studying and on the job

Unusual shift patterns - it certainly isn't 9-to-5, and you won't be immune to this while studying either as students have their fair share of night shifts too

Responsibility - bear in mind that you'll be responsible for people's lives

Choose the right A Levels

The entry requirements for Medicine are fairly strict so make sure you maximise your chances of admittance via subject selection. Use our course chooser to find out entry requirements. Most, if not all, courses specify at least two sciences. One must be chemistry and either physics or maths. You should only apply if you meet the specified entry requirements.

If you're too far down the road and won't meet the entry requirements, there are other options. For example, Medicine with a foundation year is a six-year course specifically designed to bring students up to speed with their science, before embarking on a normal degree.

Think about Medicine admissions tests

Medical school applicants have to take one of a number of admissions tests.

Make sure you're prepared and that you've done the correct test for the right university. Note that an increasing number of universities consider the BMAT in place of the UCAT, despite this traditionally being just Cambridge and Oxford.

Research universities and their attached hospitals

Each university and their attached hospitals will tend to have their own areas of strength, with some hospitals being specialist centres for specific diseases. It might be worth narrowing your choices to medical areas that interest you. If you look into the process closely, this will come across well down the line.

Try to get a variety of work experiences

You might shadow a doctor for a week or two, work at a care home, volunteer with St John Ambulance or even try a bit of medical research. All medical schools look for evidence of work experience when considering candidates - it shows a passion for your career as well as a high level of commitment, and exposes you to the realities of the profession.

Optimise your UCAS personal statement

Many universities make it clear what they'd like you to address in your personal statement. Have a good look through their selection criteria and make sure you address them. Keep your statement Medicine-relevant and team up with your referee to make sure their supporting statement also engages with the selection criteria.

Prepare for interviews

Give yourself the best chance of success at this stage of the process and do plenty of research into the kind of questions that are often asked, while coming up with some original answers. No admissions tutor wants to hear the standard "I want to save lives", noble though it is. Have a good idea of your future career path to demonstrate your knowledge of the profession. And remember: if in doubt, business dress!

Make good use of your time

Medicine generally has an earlier application deadline than other courses, so start preparing as early as possible to give yourself the best chance of success.

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It's very difficult to really know what you'll want to do, but there are some aspects of a medical career you should be aware of: Long hours - both while studying and on the job Unusual shift patterns - it certainly isn't 9-to-5, and you won't be immune to this while studying either as students have their fair share of night shifts too Responsibility - bear in mind that you'll be responsible for people's lives The entry requirements for Medicine are fairly strict so make sure you maximise your chances of admittance via subject selection.

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Get some information, advice and resources to support your medical school application.

Preparing to apply

Your application to medical school will include a number of stages:

Financial support at medical school

Read our section about Choosing your medical school.

There are a number of books and other resources that give general advice on applying to medical school. Some also include information on what to expect when you're there. Here is a selection, but make sure that any information you use is still up to date:

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Preparing to apply Your application to medical school will include a number of stages: you need to be aware of the different types of medical school courses available it's important to be aware of a range of factors when choosing your medical school your UCAS application will include writing a strong personal statement you need to be prepared for medical school interviews medical schools will expect you to have found out about the role of a doctor and what it's like working in healthcare.

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With over 350 different careers in the NHS, there's a role for everyone. Explore the range of opportunities available.

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Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust

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Mid and South Essex Hospitals Charity

Working to support the newly formed Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, we are now one charity fundraising on behalf of Southend, Basildon and Thurrock and Mid Essex Hospitals. We look forward to keeping you updated on further activities across all three sites.

Whether you wish to support the Charity as a group, an individual hospital or a ward or department we will happily assist you.

With your help we can make a real difference to patients, their families and the amazing staff that treat them. Our aim is to improve the hospital environment, fund ground breaking research, support the development and training of hospital staff and provide state-of-the-art equipment.

Donations (updated 30 December 2020)

We have been overwhelmed with the incredible support we have received from members of the public and businesses locally and nationally throughout this year. However, given the second surge of COVID-19, we politely request that our supporters do not visit us on the hospital sites at this present time. Your safety, and that of our patients and staff, is our priority. Unfortunately, we will also be temporarily unable to accept donations of knitting or used items such as toys, books, gifts, or artwork etc.

However, we are able to accept new unused items such as bottles of water and ambient foods by appointment only. We cannot accept any hot food items. All items will need to be quarantined for 72 hours before they are distributed to staff and used within the wellbeing hubs onsite.

To discuss making a donation or to find out more please contact the fundraising team on 01702 435555 ext. 6401 or 01268 524900 ext. 2897 or email msecharity@southend.nhs.uk

Contact us!

Call Us

01702 385 337

Email Us

Website
Thank you for your continued support.

Volunteering at Mid and South Essex Hospitals

We are lucky enough to be supported by around 850 volunteers based across our three hospitals. Volunteers carry out a range of tasks to help out staff and to support patients and their families. These include gardening, assisting with administration, helping out on reception/information desks and driving patients to and from their hospital appointments.

As well as helping the hospital, becoming a volunteer can be hugely rewarding, helping to build friendships, confidence, alleviating loneliness and helping with employability.

All applications are subject to interview, references and a police check.

Covid-19 means that at present there is a restriction on certain roles our volunteers can traditionally provide within our hospitals.

Why not drop our site-based voluntary services managers an email to find out more?

Southend

Jane O'Connell
jane.oconnell@southend.nhs.uk

Basildon

Dawn Haigh
Dawn.Haigh@btuh.nhs.uk

Broomfield

Melitta Scrutton
Melitta.Scrutton@meht.nhs.uk

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Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust

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Mid and South Essex Hospitals Charity Working to support the newly formed Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, we are now one charity fundraising on behalf of Southend, Basildon and Thurrock and Mid Essex Hospitals. We look forward to keeping you updated on further activities across all three sites.

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Guidance on work experience for medicine

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Guidance on work experience for medicine

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Training as a doctor opens up a range of career paths, with opportunities to undertake further training and specialise in an area of medicine that's of real interest to you.

When you graduate with your MBChB degree you'll be able to apply for the two-year Foundation Training programme. During this programme you combine work experience with further training - essentially it's your first paid job as a doctor.

Having studied with us you'll be in a good position to apply to the Essex, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire (EBH) Foundation School.

Once you complete foundation training, you can choose to work as a doctor, or to apply for further study in a particular medical specialism. There are around 60 specialisms you could follow, with options including GP training, surgery, paediatrics, emergency medicine and pathology.

With an ageing population and a shortage of GPs and healthcare professionals, career opportunities abound in Essex. As a qualified doctor here, you will find that you have a genuine opportunity to change people's lives.

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Training as a doctor opens up a range of career paths, with opportunities to undertake further training and specialise in an area of medicine that's of real interest to you. When you graduate with your MBChB degree you'll be able to apply for the two-year Foundation Training programme.

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Volunteering

Why volunteer in health and care?

Many NHS organisations and charities need help from volunteers. This is a great way to support the NHS and get involved in your community. Local NHS Trust websites usually include details of how to get involved.

Volunteers are crucial to the NHS's vision for the future of health and social care, as partners with our skilled staff, not as substitutes for them. There are more than 300 types of role in the NHS alone, providing challenging and rewarding opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds. Some can be a one-off, like a hospital garden makeovers or fundraising. Others can last for months or even years, like running a hospital radio show, helping with administration in a hospice or taking part in advisory groups.

Youth Volunteering

Many NHS organisations are opening up volunteer roles for young people from the age of 16, and some now offer youth volunteering programmes for 16 and 17-year-olds. Young volunteers not only have a positive impact within the NHS, the experience they gain is often beneficial for them. For example by developing skills such as team working and problem-solving which are crucial for future success in education and the workplace.

NHS Cadets

NHS Cadets is an exciting programme being rolled out across England in partnership with St John Ambulance. It supports 14-18-year-olds from communities with less access to volunteering to find out what it is like to work in health and care, and to consider this as a future career choice. NHS Cadets learn first aid, develop their leadership and practical skills, and are offered rewarding healthcare volunteering opportunities. Further details are available on the St John Ambulance website.

How to get involved

There are different ways to support the NHS depending on the type of volunteering role that you are looking for. Examples and sources of information are given below.

1. Regular volunteering for your local hospital or ambulance trust
There are many volunteering options in hospital settings such as ward and department volunteers, administrative support, fundraising, patient participation groups or Foundation Trust governors. Each hospital is likely to have a choice of volunteering options, coordinated by a Volunteer Service Manager. Ambulance Trusts also have a range of volunteering roles from providing patient transport to being a Community First Responder who supports and reassures patients while an ambulance is on the way. Information about how to get involved will be on NHS organisation websites and you can find contact details here for your local NHS organisations.
Some voluntary roles may also be advertised on NHS Jobs.

2. Regular volunteering for an organisation that works with the NHS
Voluntary organisations support the NHS in a wide range of ways which give extra help and comfort to patients and reduce pressure on our staff. The following websites include useful information.

NCVO (National Council for Voluntary organisations) web page 'I want to volunteer' for everything you need to know to get started.
Volunteering Matters for volunteering opportunities in your local area.

3. Support the NHS and people in your local community with specific tasks, fitted around other commitments
If you would like to vary the amount of time you give and fit short spells of volunteering around work or other commitments the NHS Volunteer Responders is the ideal way to get involved. Visit the NHS Volunteer Responders website for details about the roles available and how tasks or shifts are offered through a smartphone app.

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Many NHS organisations and charities need help from volunteers. This is a great way to support the NHS and get involved in your community. Local NHS Trust websites usually include details of how to get involved. Volunteers are crucial to the NHS's vision for the future of health and social care, as partners with our skilled staff, not as substitutes for them.

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Coronavirus (COVID-19): how to stay safe and help prevent the spread

Update 27 January 2022: England has returned to Plan A. Check the guidance on GOV.UK for what this means for you.

If you're struggling to get to your vaccine appointment, we can help organise transport for you. For more information, go to our vaccine page.

For information on getting tested, vaccines, coronavirus news and data, and support for businesses and residents, go to the Coronavirus hub.

Hide this message

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Coronavirus (COVID-19): how to stay safe and help prevent the spread Update 27 January 2022: England has returned to Plan A. Check the guidance on GOV.UK for what this means for you. If you're struggling to get to your vaccine appointment, we can help organise transport for you.

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Biology offers a wide range of career options and opportunities for school-leavers, graduates, postgraduates.

Whichever stage of your career you're at - from deciding whether to study biology at school, college or university, to working out what to do after you graduate - the Royal Society of Biology is here to help.

Working as a biologist

First of all, there's no such thing as a typical biologist. Entering a career in biology could take you in almost any direction you can think of, and to anywhere in the world.

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Biology offers a wide range of career options and opportunities for school-leavers, graduates, postgraduates. Whichever stage of your career you're at - from deciding whether to study biology at school, college or university, to working out what to do after you graduate - the Royal Society of Biology is here to help.

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Stem News, Articles | The Scientist Magazine®

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The Scientist's articles tagged with: STEM

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Cannabis use, even for medical purposes, could make some people sick due to harmful fungi that contaminate the plants. That is the finding of a recently published peer-reviewed journal article, whose ...

In the largest-ever review of faculty retention in the United States, researchers reveal how harassment, a sense of not belonging and other factors contribute to a lack of gender diversity among ...

Stimulating muscle fibers with magnets causes them to grow in the same direction, aligning muscle cells within tissue. The findings offer a simpler, less time-consuming way for medical researchers to ...

Being suspended from school or sent to the office is tied to a big drop in grade point average (GPA), especially for Black and Latinx children, according to ...

Anthropologists challenge the traditional view of men as hunters and women as gatherers in prehistoric times. Their research reveals evidence of gender equality in roles and suggests that women were ...

A huge step forward in the evolution of perovskite solar cells will have significant implications for renewable energy ...

Turning unused waste from food production into clean energy: Researchers are using chicken feathers to make fuel cells more cost-effective and ...

Married couples and long-term romantic partners typically engage in a variety of behaviors that sustain and nourish the relationship. These actions promote higher levels of commitment, which benefits ...

A new study reveals the pitfalls of deep generative models when they are tasked with solving engineering design problems. The researchers say if mechanical engineers want help from AI for novel ideas ...

Increasingly used in medicine, AI raises both hopes and concerns. An international task force has laid out recommendations to ensure AI medical devices help patients and avoid worsening health ...

A new kind of hormone replacement therapy that more closely replicates the natural circadian and ultradian rhythms of our hormones has shown to improve symptoms in patients with adrenal ...

The study analyzed data from people with an average age of 65 and found short sleep was associated with the onset of depressive ...

New perspective argues pursuing fair AI for healthcare requires cross-disciplinary collaboration to translate methods into real-world ...

A research team recently published findings on adding an anti-inflammatory painkiller used for arthritis pain to an oral emergency contraceptive pill (also known as the morning-after pill) to ...

Researchers have pinpointed a particular peptide's role in activating atopic dermatitis, or eczema. The work could lead to more effective treatments for the ...

Researchers have conducted a large-scale meta-analyses of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to investigate the genetic architecture of ...

The focus of new research was to determine how deep, how much and how frequently water in the stratosphere was being increased by ...

Researchers have found a gene associated with longevity in golden retrievers, one of the most popular breeds of ...

Two recent scientific studies provide new insights into Earth's climate dynamics, with a particular focus on the El Niño phenomenon. The results show how El Niño responds to natural factors ...

In an unusual trial, researchers found that a patient's belief that they had received ketamine, even if they didn't, could improve their ...

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Breaking science news and articles on global warming, extrasolar planets, stem cells, bird flu, autism, nanotechnology, dinosaurs, evolution -- the latest discoveries in astronomy, anthropology, biology, chemistry, climate & environment, computers, engineering, health & medicine, math, physics, psychology, technology, and more -- from the world's leading universities and research organizations.

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Books that every future medical student should read

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Books that every future medical student should read

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11 books every aspiring or current medical student should read

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Lucy Medicine DoS, Christopher Fowell and Dr Chloë Gamlin, graduate student provide an inspiring book-list

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Medicine recommendations from Oxford university

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Medicine recommendations from Oxford university

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Students often ask for reading suggestions, in order to get their minds tuned into some of the topics that will be covered, or to simply provide a more general foundation for University. This list of suggested reading is not an exhaustive one, nor is it a list of material you must read. There are countless good general texts, so do explore: as well as books, read the local and national press, and look for relevant podcasts, websites, lectures, events and museums or exhibitions in your local area. This is not a list of books you should rush out and buy:

First and foremost, read what interests you the most. Each student should, from early on, begin to develop their own particular area of expertise.

Second, consider what subjects or topics relevant to Medicine you may not cover in your A-level studies (or equivalent).

General

Ashcroft, F. Life at the Extremes. Univ California Press, 2002.

Black, J., Boyd, C.A.R. and Noble, D. (editors). The Logic of Life. Oxford University Press, 1993.

Calvin, W. H., and Ojamann, G. A. Conversations with Neil's Brain: The Natural Nature of Thought and Language. Basic Books, 1995. (Conversations with Neil's Brain is also available free of charge)

Clarke, R. Your Life in my Hands: a Junior Doctor's Story. Metro Publishing, 2017.

De Kruif, P. Microbe Hunters. Kessinger Publishing Co, 2005.

Glynn, I. Elegance in Science. Oxford University Press, 2010.

Goldacre, B. Bad Science. Harper Perennial, 2009. (also see Ben Goldacre's columns for the Guardian)

Kalanithi, P. When Breath Becomes Air. Random House, 2016.

Kay, A. This is Going to Hurt: Secret Diaries of a Junior Doctor. Picador, 2018.

Marsh, H. Do no Harm: Stories of Life, Death and Brain Surgery. W&N, 2014.

Mukherjee, S. The Emperor of all Maladies: a Biography of Cancer. Fourth Estate, 2011.

Sacks, O. The Man who mistook his Wife for a Hat. Pan Macmillan Picador, 1986.

Sykes, B. Blood of the Isles. Corgi Books, 2007.

Westaby, S. The Knife's Edge. Mudlark, 2019.

Williams, I. The Lady Doctor. Myriad Editions, 2019.

Williams, I. The Bad Doctor. Myriad Editions, 2014.

Wishart, A. One in Three. Profile Books, 2007.

Yong, E. I Contain Multitudes: the Microbes Within Us and a Grander View of Life. Vintage, 2017

You could also consider reading some of the Medicine and Health-related volumes in Oxford University Press' Very Short Introductions series.

Online resources

Start by looking for websites providing information on topics you might be interested in, or read the science sections of newspapers. There are plenty of useful resources out there so do explore.

Here is a list of websites offering podcasts and videos relevant to medical sciences:

Oxford Podcasts
iTunesU > Oxford University > Medical Sciences or University of Oxford Podcasts site
BBC Science

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Students often ask for reading suggestions, in order to get their minds tuned into some of the topics that will be covered, or to simply provide a more general foundation for University. This list of suggested reading is not an exhaustive one, nor is it a list of material you must read.

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Oxford Summer School 2022 | Oxford Scholastica Academy

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1. Clinical Experience

This might seem pretty obvious, but getting any kind of clinical experience before applying to study medicine will give you a huge advantage. Not only do most universities look for this on your application, it also gives you a chance to see whether the medical world really is for you. Looking after your sick relative is one thing, but it can be a different story when it's someone that you don't know. Therefore, having some clinical experience with patient exposure shows that you've done your homework. It will help you be certain that you really want to apply to study medicine.

There are two easy ways to get clinical experience, one of the most useful extracurricular activities for medicine:

- Shadow a doctor

If you personally know a doctor, this will be easier. Just ask if you can shadow them, and make sure stick to schedule to get the most out of it. If you don't know any doctors, most teaching (university) hospitals will offer shadowing programs that you can apply for.

- Work in an assisted-living facility, voluntarily or on a paid basis

Volunteer work is easier to find, especially when you don't have much experience yet. In care homes and nursing homes you will assist with the daily needs and activities of people living there, but the difference lies in how much care the residents require. A nursing home is closer to a clinical setting, and you'll get to observe how the nurse monitors residents and provides treatment. In both, you will experience what it's like to provide care for a number of people, while learning how to engage with patients in a personalised way. This can be one of the biggest challenges as a doctor!

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Useful Extracurricular Activities If You Want to Study Medicine

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This might seem pretty obvious, but getting any kind of clinical experience before applying to study medicine will give you a huge advantage. Not only do most universities look for this on your application, it also gives you a chance to see whether the medical world really is for you.

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Oxford Summer School 2022 | Oxford Scholastica Academy

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Medicine summer school held on the prestigious Oxford University campus, and online, for ambitious 12-18 year olds looking for high school medicine courses.

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When choosing your science degree you'll need to decide whether you want to study a broad subject, such as biology, chemistry or physics, or a more specialist subject. If you've got a specific career in mind, think about which degree will give you the best grounding for this job. Some science careers will require you to have a postgraduate degree so think about whether you want or need to complete a masters or PhD.

What jobs do different science degrees lead to?

Many science degrees will open up a variety of jobs for you. For example, whatever subject you've studied, you can become a research scientist in your specialist area.

A chemistry or chemistry-related degree can lead to a graduate career in industries such as manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals and healthcare. Specific job roles include analytical scientist, chemist, medical scientist, forensic scientist, pharmacologist and toxicologist.

A biology or biology-related degree can lead to a graduate career in areas such as agriculture, biomedicine, environmental conservation, food and drink, genetics, horticulture and marine biology. Specific job roles include biologist, microbiologist, marine biologist, biochemist, biotechnologist, geneticist and zoologist.

A physics or physics-related degree can lead to a graduate career in several career sectors, including aerospace and defence, automotive, computing, healthcare and telecommunications. Specific job roles include physicist, geophysicist, nanotechnologist, astrophysicist, medical physicist and meteorologist.

If you decide that you don't want to become a scientist, science degrees open up plenty of alternative career routes. You could become a science journalist, work in technical sales, or try your hand at teaching or lecturing. Or, if you'd like to work on the legal side of science, you could become a patent attorney. Science graduates also often find work in business and finance.

You'll need further qualifications to do some of the jobs above. See our section on science postgraduate study further down to find out more.

Types of science degrees available

The science degrees you are likely to be most familiar with are biology, chemistry and physics. These are the broad, traditional science subjects you'll have studied at school but they aren't the only science degree options out there. You can choose to study a more specialist degree.

If you want a chemistry-based degree, other options include:

If you want a biology-based degree, other options include:

If you want a physics-based degree, other options include:

Is it better to study a broad science degree or a specialist science degree?

Whether a broad or a more specialist degree is best for you will depend on how certain you are on what career you want. If you know you want to become a geophysicist, for example, a degree specifically in geophysics might be best for you. Or, if you know you want to go into forensic science, you will probably want to find a degree that focuses on this side of things.

A broad subject can be a good option if you know you want a career in science but you're not sure on the exact job you want, are keen to explore a few different areas and would like to keep some flexibility in the modules you study. A general physics, biology or chemistry degree usually offers a broad overview of the subject at first and then you can specialise later on in the course. Or, if you're interested in a particular area but you still want to keep your options open, you can often study a broad subject alongside a specialism, such as physics with medical physics. You could also opt to complete a broad bachelors degree and go on to study a specialist postgraduate degree. See the section below on science postgraduate study for more information.

One way to distinguish which degree is the right one for you is to compare the degree content and the modules available. Your first year will largely consist of compulsory modules to give you a strong foundation but in the following years you'll be able to choose some of your modules from a list of options. Make sure the university offers modules that are of interest to you and, if you have a specific career route in mind, are relevant to this career.

Other considerations when choosing a science degree

Science industry placements and internships

An industry placement is a good way to sample the world of work and gain some valuable experience. It might even help you get your foot in the door with a company; lots of graduates end up working for the employer they interned with and some employers will fast-track interns through the graduate recruitment process.

Several universities offer four-year science degrees that include industrial experience, this typically involves spending your third year on a placement with one of the universities' partner organisations in the UK or further afield.

If a work placement isn't built into your degree as a compulsory element, this doesn't mean you can't do one. You could still choose to apply to companies for industry placements and take a year off from your degree to do this. You can find placements with large and smaller companies across the UK. If you choose to complete a placement year, you may still need to pay partial tuition fees to your university for the year.

If you're not sure you want to spend a year out from your degree a good alternative is to look for shorter stints of work experience, such as summer internships.

Science postgraduate study

For some science careers, you'll find it useful to have a masters or PhD under your belt. Postgraduate study will help you develop your specialist knowledge and can be useful if you have a general degree, such as biology, and want to move into a specialist area, for example, molecular biotechnology. In some cases, particularly for jobs in research or academia, a PhD will be necessary.

If you know you want to study for a masters, some universities offer an integrated masters degree. In England and Wales, this is a four-year course that combines a bachelors degree with a masters. In Scotland, these courses will typically last for five years. These include the master of chemistry (MChem), master of physics (MPhys) and master of biology (MBio).The final year typically allows you to specialise in a research theme, such as quantum physics, and naturally leads on to a PhD if you decide you want to do so.

If you go for a three-year BSc degree and decide you want to get a masters degree, you can then apply to study a masters such as an MSc. Alternatively, if your university offers a four-year programme, it might be possible to transfer over to this programme.

Professional accreditation for science degrees

It's also worth looking at whether your degree is accredited by a relevant professional body. A professional body promotes and furthers a career area and the people who practise in it. If your degree is accredited, this means it meets the standard the relevant professional body has set.

In the science industry, these professional bodies include:

They accredit both bachelors and integrated masters degrees. You can find lists of accredited degrees on their websites, and the course description on the university website will usually flag up if it has been accredited.

Studying an accredited degree can increase your employability and will show employers that you have been educated to a high standard. You will also have an advantage when applying for professional qualifications, such as chartered status.

Beware: you might need to have an accredited degree for certain science careers. A biomedical scientist, for example, is legally required to be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). An IBMS accredited or HCPC approved degree will ensure you meet the HCPS's academic requirements.

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Choosing a degree and university for your science career

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When choosing your science degree you'll need to decide whether you want to study a broad subject, such as biology, chemistry or physics, or a more specialist subject. If you've got a specific career in mind, think about which degree will give you the best grounding for this job.

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Where physics could take you: Career paths | Institute of Physics

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Where physics could take you: Career paths

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What sort of jobs can physics qualifications lead to? Hear from people across a wide range of industries about where its taken them - and why they love it.

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FutureLearn's selection of science, engineering, and maths courses covers a wide and fascinating range of subjects.

As some of the most popular and rapidly developing areas of knowledge, there's never a bad time to brush up on the basics or explore some specialist areas.

The benefits of STEM courses

People with knowledge of STEM subjects are in high demand right now.

Many of the frontiers of technology require at least some understanding of science, engineering and mathematical principles. So, if you're a relative newcomer to this field of knowledge, taking an online course can set you on the right track.

If you've always wanted to explore these interesting areas, studying online allows you to take things at your own pace. With relatively short courses, often requiring just a few hours of study each week, you can soon master some of the principles of these STEM subjects.

For those who already work in the industry, keeping up-to-date with current trends requires some effort. With our online science, engineering and maths courses, you can continue to develop your knowledge in a structured way.

Learning science, engineering, and maths

To give our learners a comprehensive choice of study areas, we've gathered courses across many different topics. This includes broad fields such as maths, physics, chemistry and engineering. There are also subjects within more specialised areas such as data science and earth science.

As you can see, there are so many areas of interest to explore. Whether it's you're looking for an introduction to maths or a more detailed look at biology and biotechnology, you can find study materials to suit your level and needs.

Choose a course format to suit you

As well as plenty of short online courses, we also offer several more detailed options. So, if you've already got an understanding of some of the basics, you can progress that knowledge even further.

With our programs, you can take several courses on a specialist subject. With this detailed look, you can enhance your understanding and even gain academic accreditation.

You'll also find microcredentials. These learning opportunities give you the chance to upskill in an emerging field while gaining academic credit for doing so.

Finally, you can also explore our science, engineering & maths online degrees. These courses, offered by leading universities, can be taken as part-time or full-time qualifications.

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Free Online Maths, Science and Engineering Courses - FutureLearn

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FutureLearn's selection of science, engineering, and maths courses covers a wide and fascinating range of subjects. As some of the most popular and rapidly developing areas of knowledge, there's never a bad time to brush up on the basics or explore some specialist areas. People with knowledge of STEM subjects are in high demand right now.

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How is our need for energy and resources shaping the environmental challenges for tomorrow? Explore the natural world, and understand the causes and impact of climate change, with our online environment and biology courses.

Our online nature and environment courses can help you to explore the natural world, and the ecological challenges it faces.

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Free Online Environment & Nature Courses - FutureLearn

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Join our nature and environment courses to learn more about the world's ecosystems and environmental issues from renowned universities and experts in the field.

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Start or build a well-paid career in fields like coding, cyber security, data science or digital marketing with a short online course, an in-depth program or full postgraduate degree. Start learning for free, on desktop, tablet or mobile.

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Free IT and Computer Science Courses - FutureLearn

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Start or build a well-paid career in fields like coding, cyber security, data science or digital marketing with a short online course, an in-depth program or full postgraduate degree. Start learning for free, on desktop, tablet or mobile.

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Jobs that use Science - Careers - BBC Bitesize

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Discover all the career options open to you if your favourite school subject is Science.