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Biology Careers

Biology is the study of all living things – including animals, plants, fungi and bacteria. There are hundreds of degree programmes that involve biological elements. These range from broad degrees like Biology and Biomedical Sciences, to more specific degrees like Applied Plant Science. The following resources will hopefully provide an insight into the wide-ranging career opportunities that lie beyond Biology. 

Where Could Biology Take You?

Use our interactive resource to explore the university courses and careers that studying Biology at A Level or equivalent could lead to. Click here to download the full resource (PPT, 144mb) or explore the text version below. 

Animal Biology

Biology at Newcastle covers a range of topics from all forms of life, from cells to whole organisms and ecosystems.

– This course shares a first year with Zoology
– Opportunity to do a year abroad or a year in industry

Careers

96% of Biology graduates were in work or further study 6 months from graduating. Some of their destinations were:

– Animal Technician
– Research & Development Assistant
– Researcher
– Environmental Monitoring Officer
– Scientific Officer
– Biotechnology
– Ecological Consultant
– Environmental Technology

Find out More

Uncover secrets of the human past with an Archaeology BA Honours degree, and develop the analytical and critical-thinking skills vital in a range of careers. BSc Archaeology emphasises the use of sciences in field and lab work. BA Archaeology explores the social, historical and cultural contexts in which past societies developed.

Archaeology can also be studied as part of a joint honours along side History or Ancient History.

– Opportunity to do a year abroad or a year in industry

Careers

89% of Archaeology graduates were in work or further study 6 months from graduating. Some of their destinations were:

– Archaeologist
– Editorial Assistant
– Business Account Executive
– Museum Education Officer
– Further Study in Urban Planning

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Agriculture is a diverse area to study with topics spanning spanning plant biology, soil science, nutrition, management, accounting and law.

You can also choose to specialise with in: Agriculture with Agronomy, Agriculture with Animal Production Science, or Agriculture with Farm Business Management

– Opportunity to do a year abroad or a year in industry

Careers

95% of Geography graduates were in work or further study 6 months from graduating. Some of their destinations were:

– Agronomist
– Farm Manager
– Trainee Seed Manager
– Arable Specialist
– Journalist
– Specialist Breeding Adviser
– Agricultural Consultant

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Animal Science focuses on the study of livestock and companion animals. Topics covered include health, nutrition and welfare.

– Opportunity to do a year abroad or a year in industry

Careers

93% of Animal Science graduates were in work or further study 6 months from graduating. Some of their destinations were:

– Animal Nutrition Adviser
– Research and Development Scientist
– Trainee Duck Geneticist
– Animal Carer
– Animal Behaviour
– Further study in Veterinary Medicine

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Marine Zoology explores animals in the marine environment from single-celled organisms to the blue whale. Topics include genetics, cellular processes and conservation.

– This course is accredited by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST)
– Opportunity to do a year abroad or a year in industry

Careers

100% of Marine Zoology graduates were in work or further study 6 months from graduating. Some of their destinations were:

– Animal Collection Officer
– Scientific Intern
– Outreach Co-ordinator
– Radiation Protection Support Scientist
– Marketing Assistant
– Ecological Consultant

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Zoology is the study of animals, including their physiology, behaviour and genetics.

– This course shares a first year with Biology
– Opportunity to do a year abroad or a year in industry

Careers

92% of Biology graduates were in work or further study 6 months from graduating. Some of their destinations were:

– Conservation Intern
– Expedition Staff
– Clinical Research Technician 
– Zookeeper
– Museum Curator
– Wildlife Manager

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Environmental Biology

Biology at Newcastle covers a range of topics from all forms of life, from cells to whole organisms and ecosystems.

– This course shares a first year with Zoology
– Opportunity to do a year abroad or a year in industry

Careers

96% of Biology graduates were in work or further study 6 months from graduating. Some of their destinations were:

– Animal Technician
– Research & Development Assistant
– Researcher
– Environmental Monitoring Officer
– Scientific Officer
– Biotechnology
– Ecological Consultant
– Environmental Technology

Find out More

Agriculture is a diverse area to study with topics spanning spanning plant biology, soil science, nutrition, management, accounting and law.

You can also choose to specialise with in: Agriculture with Agronomy, Agriculture with Animal Production Science, or Agriculture with Farm Business Management

– Opportunity to do a year abroad or a year in industry

Careers

95% of Geography graduates were in work or further study 6 months from graduating. Some of their destinations were:

– Agronomist
– Farm Manager
– Trainee Seed Manager
– Arable Specialist
– Journalist
– Specialist Breeding Adviser
– Agricultural Consultant

Find out More

Applied Plant Science involves studies into how plant species interact as well as our use of plants in food production and ecosystems management.

– Opportunity to do a year abroad or a year in industry

Careers

96% of Newcastle University graduates were in work or further study 6 months from graduating. Some of the industries Plant Science graduates work in are:

– Agriculture
– Genetics
– Crop Management
– Pesticides and Biological Controls
– Conservation

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Environmental Science covers a wide range of topics including biological organisms, the physical environment and the interactions between them.

On the four-year MEnviSci course you can specialize in: Agricultural & Environmental Sciences, Clean Technology, Ecosystems Management, or Environmental Geochemistry

– Opportunity to do a year abroad or a year in industry

Careers

94% of Environmental Science graduates were in work or further study 6 months from graduating. Some of their destinations were:

– Environmental Adviser
– Environmental Consultant
– Making Assistant
– Statistical Officer
– Researcher 

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Marine Biology provides an understanding of human interactions with the marine environment. Areas of study include ecology, oceanography and zoology.

– This course is accredited by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST)
– Opportunity to do a year abroad or a year in industry

Careers

90% of Marine Biology graduates were in work or further study 6 months from graduating. Some of their destinations were:

– Dive Master
– Field Assistant
– Environmental Scientist
– Marine Ecologist
– Junior Researcher

Find out More

Human Biology

Biomedical Sciences explores the human body’s function in health and disease. Biomedical Sciences includes several specialisms which all share a first year: Physiological Sciences, Biomedical Genetics, Biochemistry and Pharmacology.

– Opportunity to do a year abroad or a year in industry
– Accredited by the Royal Society of Biology (RSB)

Careers

98% of Biomed graduates were in work or further study 6 months from graduating. Some of their destinations were:

– Analytical Chemist
– Clinical Research Assistant
– Finacial Co-ordinator
– Medical Auditor
– Research Assistant
– Science Education Officer

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Dentistry involves the treatment and prevention of a wide range of diseases of the mouth – from tooth decay to oral cancer. The course involves clinical visits and placements throughout

Newcastle also offers a related 3-year course: Oral and Dental Health Sciences (Dental Hygiene and Therapy)

– Clinical placements included
– Semester abroad & 8-week elective opportunity
– Accredited by the General Dental Council

Careers

100% of Dental graduates were in work or further study 6 months from graduating. Some of their destinations were:

– General Dental Practice
– Hospital Dentistry
– Community Dental Service
– Armed Forces
– University Teaching and Research

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Dietetics focuses on the effect of nutrition on the functioning of the human body in health and disease. With state-of-the-art facilities and world-class research, this degree equips students with the skills they need to become effective dieticians.

– Placements are included
– Accredited by the Health and Care Professions Council and the British Dietetics Association

Careers

96% of Newcastle University graduates were in work or further study 6 months from graduating. Some of their destinations were:

– Paediatric Dietician
– Critical Care Dietician
– Food and Public Health Policymaker
– Educational Dietician

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Food and Human Nutrition explores the links between diet and health. The course equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to make an impact through a career in nutrition,

Nutrition can also be studies alongside components of other degrees: Psychology and Nutrition or Nutrition with Food Marketing.

– Opportunity to do a year in industry
– Accredited by the Association for Nutrition 

Careers

100% of Nutrition graduates were in work or further study 6 months from graduating. Some of their destinations were:

– Buying Assistant
– Product Development Technologist
– Dietetic Assistant
– Food Developer
– Food Safety & Quality Officer
– Research Assistant
– Sales and Marketing Executive

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Newcastle University’s Medicine programme prepares students for a career as a compassionate, skilled doctor. The course uses modern, innovative integrated case-led teaching with visits to hospitals from year 1 and longer clinical placements from year 3 onwards.

– Opportunity to do a semester abroad & an 8-week elective
– Clinical placements included
– Accredited by the General Medical Council

Careers

100% of Medicine graduates were in work or further study 6 months from graduating. Some of their destinations were:

– Foundation Doctor
– Pediatrician
– Surgeon
– GP
– A&E Doctor
– Consultant 

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Pharmacy focuses on developing your scientific, technical and communication skills to prepare students for a career at the forefront of healthcare and medicine.

– A clinical placement is included in this 4 year degree
– The degree is accredited by the General Pharmaceutical Council

Careers

96% of Newcastle University graduates were in work or further study 6 months from graduating. Some of their destinations were:

– Community Pharmacist
– Hospital Pharmacist
– Industrial Pharmacist
– Process Development Scientist
– Research Scientist
– Toxicologist

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Studying Psychology will equip you with an in-depth understanding of the fascinating field of psychology, and how to apply your knowledge in a real-world setting

Psychology is also available as part of a joint honours degree, where you do half of the modules from each subject. It can be combined with: Biology, Mathematics, Nutrition or Sport and Exercise Science.

– The degree is accredited by the British Psychological Society
– Opportunity to do a year in industry

Careers

94% of Psychology graduates were in work or further study 6 months from graduating. Some of their destinations were:

– Analyst
– Educational Psychologist
– Learning Support Assistant
– Marketing Executive
– Research Assistant
– Support Worker
– Forensic Psychology
– Neuroscience

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Speech and Language Therapists impact the lives of a range of people, from children with speech difficulties as a result of neck or throat cancer, to elderly stroke and dementia patients, and a broad range in between. You will study core modules in speech and language pathology. These include causes, diagnosis, assessment and treatment of a range of speech, language, communication and swallowing disorders in adults and children. Clinical experience during every year of the course will allow you to put this theory into practice.

– The degree is accredited by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
– Includes a work placement

Careers

94% of Speech graduates were in work or further study 6 months from graduating. Some of their destinations were:

– Speech and Language Therapist
– Communication Support Co-ordinator
– Special Educational Needs Assistant
– Activity Support Co-ordinator

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Sports and Exercise Science at Newcastle University provides a firm foundation knowledge in physiology, nutrition, psychology and biomechanics. Students also have the opportunity to gain practical experience by working with professional athletes.

Sports and Exercise Science can also be studied alongside Psychology in a joint honours degree.

– Opportunity to do a year abroad or a year in industry

Careers

96% of Newcastle University graduates were in work or further study 6 months from graduating. Some of their destinations were:

– Sports Psychologist
– Sports Science Researcher
– Performance Analyst
– Exercise Physiologist
– Dietician
– Lecturer
– Sports Therapist
– Sports Medicine

Find out More

Watch More about Biology Careers

Read More about Biology Careers

More Biology-related Careers

The Medical Sciences are another vast field of careers that involve a lot of Biology. If you are interested in Human Biology and working in a medical profession, these may also be of interest to you.