FHM
Careers information and resources for health and medicine students.
Careers advice for medical students
Medical students can book a one-to-one appointment directly with the Careers Consultant for the Medical School, Amanda Potts, by contacting her via e-mail.
Appointments can be in person, on the phone, or via skype (and enquiries can also be discussed via email). Amanda is available to discuss any careers-related aspect from exploring specialties, medical CVs, intercalation options, applying for electives, career progression after medical school, or careers outside of medicine.
Biosciences
Including Biochemistry, Biology, Biomedical Science, and Biomedicine,
Accordion
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Skills
A Lancaster graduate in Biosciences typically will have the ability to:
- Analyse critically and assess information and data, and their setting within a theoretical framework.
- Demonstrate a wide knowledge of essential facts, major concepts, principles and theories associated with the chosen discipline.
- Deploy appropriate practical and presentational techniques and methodologies including data analysis and the use of statistics to communicate results.
- Engage with current developments in the biosciences and their applications, and the philosophical and ethical issues involved.
- Exercise intellectual skills including applying subject knowledge and understanding to address familiar and unfamiliar problems and appreciating the need for ethical standards and professional codes of conduct.
- Apply practical skills including designing, planning, conducting and reporting on investigations through individual or group projects, paying due attention to risk assessment, relevant health and safety regulations, and procedures for obtaining informed consent.
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Career options
- Biomedical scientist
- Biotechnologist
- Forensic scientist
- Healthcare scientist, clinical biochemistry
- Healthcare scientist, genomics
- Healthcare scientist, haematology
- Healthcare scientist, immunology
- Medicinal chemist
- Microbiologist
- Physician associate
- Research scientist (medical)
- Toxicologist
- Environmental engineer
- Genetic counsellor
- Higher education lecturer
- Medical sales representative
- Nanotechnologist
- Science writer
For more information visit the Prospects pages on Biomedical Sciences.
- Further study
- Specialist vacancy sources
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Professional bodies
- Association for Clinical Biochemistry
- Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry
- Biochemical Society
- British Medical Association
- British Neuroscience Association
- British Pharmacological Society
- General Medical Council
- Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC)
- Institute of Biomedical Science
- Physiological Society
- Society for General Microbiology
- Society of Biology
- The Genetics Society
- The Royal Society
- The Science Council
- The Zoological Society of London
Medicine
Medicine accordion Accordion
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Skills
Specific skills developed through studying Medicine:
- Written communication – completing assignments, taking patient histories and completing medical reports.
- Oral communication – developing listening as well as talking skills; discussions with other medical staff about patient treatment, being able to explain diagnosis and prognosis to patients and relatives can understand, developing an approachable and empathic style.
- Teamwork - working with others to complete a task, to understand your role and the roles of others within a multi-disciplinary health care team.
- Leadership - providing guidance to others, gradually gaining more responsibility throughout your course.
- Computer literacy and information handling - through projects and assignments.
- Self-study techniques – developed through educational processes such as problem based learning (PBL) or when students under student selected components or modules (SSMs), Around 25% of the curriculum is allocated for students to pursue SSMs, individualised areas of study undertaken in a variety of areas.
- Time management.
- Working under pressure.
- Personal development planning - self-appraisal, teaching others, presentation skills and managing your work-life balance.
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Career options
Jobs directly related to your degree include:
- Anaesthetist
- Cardiologist
- Clinical radiologist
- General practice doctor
- Hospital doctor
- Neurologist
- Ophthalmologist
- Pathologist
- Psychiatrist
- Surgeon
Jobs where your degree would be useful include:
- Adult nurse
- Children's nurse
- Healthcare scientist, genomics
- Higher education lecturer
- International aid/development worker
- Medical sales representative
- Mental health nurse
- Midwife
- Paramedic
- Physician associate
- Research scientist (life sciences)
- Science writer
For more information visit the Prospects pages on Medicine.
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Further study
- MSc Medical Sciences (By Research)
Undergraduate medical students intercalating between 4th and 5th years of study require a top quartile outcome in MBChB finals. Other applicants must hold an upper second class honours degree, or its equivalent, in a relevant subject area. Candidates with a lower second class degree may be invited to interview to assess suitability. - MSc/PgCert/PgDip Clinical Research
The Clinical Research programme is designed for professionals working in healthcare settings who are interested in building a research career. The programme offers a flexible pathway through study, with a tiered exit structure allowing students to exit with a PG Certificate (12 months, part-time), PG Diploma (24 months, part-time), or MSc (36 months, part time). The MSc can also be studied full time over 12 months, or part time over 24 months. - MSc/PgCert/PgDip Medical Education
Applicants should be working in roles involved in the education and training of medical students and staff. For the PgDip/MSc a PgCert in Medical Education or equivalent is required. You may also make a claim (APL) to gain credits for exemption from some modules. - M.D Medicine
Applicants must (i) hold a medical or dental qualification recognised by the UK General Medical/Dental Council, (ii) must have held this qualification for at least three years by the date of submission, and (iii) must be employed during their period of registration in appropriate clinical or scientific work in hospitals or institutions (associated with the University) within the local NHS region. - PhD Medicine
- MSc Medical Sciences (By Research)
- Specialist vacancy sources
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Professional bodies
- British Medical Association
- The General Medical Council
- Royal College of General Practitioners
- Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association
- Royal College of Anaesthetists
- Royal College of Ophthalmologists
- Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
- Royal College of Physicians
- Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
- Royal College of Surgeons of England
- The Association for Perioperative Practice
Biological Sciences
Biological Sciences Accordion Accordion
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Skills
A Lancaster graduate in Biological Sciences typically will have the ability to:
- Analyse critically and assess information and data, and their setting within a theoretical framework.
- Demonstrate a wide knowledge of essential facts, major concepts, principles and theories associated with the chosen discipline.
- Deploy appropriate practical and presentational techniques and methodologies including data analysis and the use of statistics to communicate results.
- Engage with current developments in the biosciences and their applications, and the philosophical and ethical issues involved.
- Exercise intellectual skills including applying subject knowledge and understanding to address familiar and unfamiliar problems and appreciating the need for ethical standards and professional codes of conduct.
- Apply practical skills including designing, planning, conducting and reporting on investigations through individual or group projects, paying due attention to risk assessment, relevant health and safety regulations, and procedures for obtaining informed consent.
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Career options
- Biotechnologist
- Higher education lecturer
- Marine biologist
- Microbiologist
- Nanotechnologist
- Nature conservation officer
- Pharmacologist
- Research scientist (life sciences)
- Scientific laboratory technician
- Secondary school teacher
- Soil scientist
- Teaching laboratory technician
For more information visit the Prospects pages on Biomedical Sciences and Biology.
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Further study
- MSc (Research) Biomedical Science
- MSc Biomedicine
- MSc (Research) Ecology
- MSc Conservation & Biodiversity
- MSc Sustainable Water Management
- MSc Environmental Management
- MSc (Research) Environmental Science
- MSc Environment & Development
- MA Environment & Development
- MSc (Research) Natural Sciences
- MSc (Research) Plant Sciences
- MPhil/PhD Biomedical and Life Sciences
- MPhil/PhD Biological Science
- PhD Environmental Science
- PhD Natural Sciences
Find out more about the Graduate School for the Environment at Lancaster University.
- Specialist vacancy sources
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Professional bodies
- Association for Clinical Biochemistry
- Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry
- Biochemical Society
- British Medical Association
- British Neuroscience Association
- British Pharmacological Society
- General Medical Council
- Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC)
- Institute of Biomedical Science
- Physiological Society
- Society for General Microbiology
- Society of Biology
- The Genetics Society
- The Royal Society
- The Science Council
- The Zoological Society of London