Employability

Degrees from Warwick Life Sciences teach you a wide variety of transferable and personal skills that enable you to enter many professions. Some of these skills are specific to biology degrees such as the ability to work in a laboratory; others are more general such as numeracy, literacy, research, team working and oral skills.

  • After graduation about 35% of graduates from the School enter further training. The largest component of these go on to PhD or medical training at Warwick and at other Universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College and other prestigious establishments. A smaller number enter PGCE training to become schoolteachers and a few go to Masters courses in subjects such as Business and Management.
  • About 35% of graduates enter careers in science. These include working in research and development for pharmaceutical companies, becoming a research assistant or laboratory technician in academia, schools, industry or hospitals. Others enter careers in conservation, science publishing, science management, scientific sales and patent law.
  • About 30% of graduates go on to a wide range of careers outside science. These include the civil service, health service management, finance, accounting etc. You name it and someone somewhere will be doing it!

During your time in the School of Life Sciences there are a number of ways that we will work with you to encourage you to explore a range of careers and develop your employability.

Student Careers and Skills Service

The Student Careers and Skills Service provides careers guidance and support throughout your time at the University through lectures, skills workshops and one to one sessions. Sessions cover topics such as writing a successful job application, work experience and interview techniques. The Careers and Skills Service work closely with a range of employers and organise regular careers fairs and events.

Work experience, placements and the intercalated year

Many of our students complete some form of work experience during their time in the School of Life Sciences. There are a number of different opportunities which our students undertake:

  • The Intercalated Year - students spend a year on a placement in industry at organisations such as GSK, Astra Zeneca and Kew
  • Summer Studentship Placements - students complete a shorter summer placement with an external company or organisation such as the John Innes Centre
  • The Undergraduate Research Scholarship Scheme (URSS) – provides an opportunity to gain first-hand experience of research, providing funding for students to complete a paid research placement within the University.

Volunteering

Warwick Volunteers provides opportunities for students to volunteer in a variety of roles within the local community. We encourage all of our students to think about volunteering as it is a great way to gain valuable experience and develop transferable skills in leadership, listening and communication, creativity and problem solving.