More Than Med.

Browse roles you have never heard of

What could biology, chemistry and maths lead to?

Careers that build on what you're already studying.

Pick your degree

Choose a degree subject to see the careers it can lead to.

137 careers

Finance & risk

Accountant

Manages financial reporting, audit, or tax, a structured, chartered path that trains science graduates from scratch.

Any degree
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£24,000–£32,000 (while training)
Finance & risk

Actuary

Uses statistics and probability to assess financial risk in insurance and pensions, with a clear qualification path.

MathsStatisticsActuarial ScienceEconomics
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£30,000–£38,000 (while qualifying)
Healthcare & clinical practice

Adult nurse

Provides hands-on care for adults in hospitals, clinics and the community, one of the largest and most flexible NHS careers.

Adult Nursing
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£28,000–£32,000 (NHS Band 5)
Data, tech & analytics

AI/ML engineer in healthcare

Builds the machine learning models behind diagnostic tools, triage systems and predictive health technology.

Computer ScienceData ScienceBiomedical Engineering
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£35,000–£45,000
Science & society

Animal behaviourist

Studies why animals behave the way they do, working in research, welfare, conservation or pet behaviour consultancy.

Animal BehaviourZoologyBiologyPsychology
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£20,000–£26,000
Allied health professions

Art therapist / music therapist

Uses creative arts or music to support people with mental health, trauma, disability or neurological conditions.

Fine ArtMusicMusic Therapy
Route in
An art or music degree plus a portfolio, then an HCPC-approved arts therapies MA.
Starting salary (UK)
£25,000–£32,000
Communication & education

Assistive technology specialist

Designs or advises on technology that helps people with disabilities or chronic conditions live independently.

Biomedical EngineeringOccupational TherapyDesign
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£26,000–£32,000
Allied health professions

Audiologist

Diagnoses and manages hearing and balance disorders, a smaller allied health field with strong NHS demand.

Audiology
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£26,000–£32,000
Research & laboratory science

Biochemist

Studies the chemistry of living organisms, from enzymes to metabolism, in research, pharma or diagnostics.

BiochemistryChemistryBiomedical Science
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£26,000–£32,000
Policy, law & advocacy

Bioethicist

Advises on the ethical implications of medical research, AI in healthcare, or genetic technology.

PhilosophyLife Sciences
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£28,000–£35,000
Data, tech & analytics

Biomedical data scientist

Applies statistics and machine learning to biological and clinical data, bridging lab research and computation.

Biomedical ScienceData ScienceBioinformatics
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£30,000–£38,000
Engineering

Biomedical engineer

Designs medical devices, prosthetics and diagnostic equipment, the most direct engineering-meets-health career.

Biomedical EngineeringMechanical Engineering
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£28,000–£34,000
Public & global health

Biostatistician

Designs the statistical methods behind clinical trials and public health studies, highly specialised and in demand.

StatisticsMaths
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£30,000–£38,000
Commercial

Biotech/medtech business development

Helps health startups and biotech firms grow, license technology, or find investment.

Life SciencesBusinessBiotechnology
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£30,000–£38,000
Engineering

Chemical engineer

Designs the processes used to manufacture chemicals, pharmaceuticals and materials at scale.

Chemical Engineering
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£30,000–£35,000
Healthcare & clinical practice

Children's nurse

Specialises in nursing babies, children and young people in hospitals, neonatal units and community settings.

Children's Nursing
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£28,000–£32,000 (NHS Band 5)
Engineering

Civil engineer

Plans and builds infrastructure, roads, bridges, water systems, with real-world, visible impact.

Civil Engineering
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£27,000–£33,000
Operations, quality & compliance

Clinical audit and quality improvement lead

Measures whether hospitals are meeting standards and drives improvement, without direct patient care.

Public HealthNursingLife Sciences
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£28,000–£35,000
Operations, quality & compliance

Clinical coding specialist

Translates medical records into standardised codes used for billing, funding and national statistics.

Any degreeLife SciencesComputer Science
Route in
No specific degree needed. Entry is via NHS trainee coder posts and the National Clinical Coding Qualification.
Starting salary (UK)
£24,000–£30,000
Engineering

Clinical engineer

Manages and maintains medical equipment within hospitals, ensuring it's safe and functioning.

Biomedical Engineering
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£29,000–£35,000 (NHS Band 6)
Policy, law & advocacy

Clinical negligence claims analyst

Assesses medical malpractice claims for insurers or law firms, needing clinical literacy without clinical training.

LawBiomedical ScienceNursing
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£24,000–£30,000
Allied health professions

Clinical perfusionist

Operates the heart-lung machine during cardiac surgery, a niche, highly technical operating theatre role.

Biomedical ScienceBiologyPhysiologyAdult Nursing
Route in
Science or nursing degree, then the NHS Clinical Perfusion Science MSc training post.
Starting salary (UK)
£30,000–£38,000 (trainee)
Healthcare & clinical practice

Clinical psychologist

Assesses and treats mental health conditions using evidence-based therapies, a doctoral-level profession with strong science roots.

Psychology
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£32,000–£38,000
Pharma & life sciences

Clinical research associate

Monitors clinical trial sites to ensure they're run properly and ethically, a common entry point into pharma.

Life SciencesBiomedical ScienceNursing
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£28,000–£35,000
Communication & education

Clinical skills trainer

Designs and delivers training for healthcare organisations without necessarily being a clinician.

NursingLife SciencesEducation
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£28,000–£35,000
Pharma & life sciences

Clinical trial coordinator

Runs the day-to-day logistics of clinical studies, ensuring patient safety, data quality and regulatory compliance.

Any science degreeBiomedical SciencePharmacy
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£24,000–£30,000
Pharma & life sciences

Clinical trial project manager

Runs the operational side of trials: timelines, sites, budgets and regulatory milestones.

Life SciencesBiomedical ScienceBusiness
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£30,000–£38,000
Commercial

Commercial analyst (pharma)

Analyses sales data and market trends to guide pricing and launch strategy for new drugs.

Life SciencesBusinessEconomics
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£28,000–£35,000
Consulting & strategy

Competitive intelligence analyst

Tracks competitor drug pipelines and market movements to inform pharma company strategy.

Life SciencesBusinessStatistics
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£28,000–£36,000
Science & society

Cosmetic / formulation scientist

Formulates skincare, makeup and personal care products, a chemistry-heavy industry that rarely gets talked about at school.

Cosmetic ScienceChemistryBiology
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£24,000–£30,000
Healthcare & clinical practice

Counselling psychologist

Uses talking therapies to help people with mental health difficulties, working in NHS, private or charity settings.

Psychology
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£32,000–£38,000
Data, tech & analytics

Cybersecurity analyst (healthcare)

Protects hospital and patient data systems, a critical, understaffed niche given how often health data is targeted.

Computer ScienceCybersecurityInformation Systems
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£28,000–£35,000
Data, tech & analytics

Data scientist

Builds models and analyses large datasets to solve problems across any industry, one of the most in-demand roles for numerate graduates.

Data ScienceComputer ScienceMathsStatistics
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£30,000–£40,000
Allied health professions

Dental hygienist / therapist

Works alongside dentists doing preventative care, cleanings and some treatments, shorter training than dentistry.

Dental Hygiene and Therapy
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£25,000–£32,000
Allied health professions

Dental technician

Makes dentures, braces, crowns and other dental devices in a lab, a technical, hands-on role supporting dentists.

Dental Technology
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£24,000–£30,000
Healthcare & clinical practice

Dentist

Diagnoses and treats teeth, gums and mouth conditions, a degree-specific, well-paid clinical route that uses chemistry and biology heavily.

Dentistry
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£35,000–£45,000 (foundation training)
Allied health professions

Diagnostic radiographer

Operates X-ray, MRI and CT scanners to help diagnose conditions, a technology-heavy clinical role with clear progression.

Diagnostic Radiography
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£28,000–£32,000 (NHS Band 5)
Allied health professions

Dietitian

Uses nutrition science to manage medical conditions, distinct from unregulated nutritionists and highly respected.

DieteticsNutrition
Route in
An accredited Dietetics degree, or a Nutrition degree followed by a Dietetics MSc, both lead to HCPC registration.
Starting salary (UK)
£28,000–£32,000 (NHS Band 5)
Data, tech & analytics

Digital health product manager

Leads development of health apps, wearables, or diagnostic software, sitting between tech and clinical need.

Any science degreeComputer ScienceBusiness
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£32,000–£42,000
Science & society

Ecologist / conservation scientist

Studies habitats, wildlife and ecosystems to protect biodiversity and advise on planning, land use and conservation projects.

EcologyConservation BiologyEnvironmental ScienceBiology
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£22,000–£28,000
Healthcare & clinical practice

Educational psychologist

Helps children and young people overcome learning and emotional barriers in schools and education settings.

Psychology
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£32,000–£38,000
Engineering

Electrical/electronics engineer

Builds the hardware inside medical imaging equipment, monitors and diagnostic tools, or works entirely outside health.

Electrical EngineeringElectronics Engineering
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£29,000–£35,000
Science & society

Environmental consultant

Advises organisations on environmental regulations, impact assessments and pollution control, a practical science career with policy teeth.

Environmental ScienceChemistryBiologyGeography
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£25,000–£32,000
Engineering

Environmental engineer

Designs systems addressing water quality, pollution and public health-adjacent infrastructure.

Environmental EngineeringCivil Engineering
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£26,000–£32,000
Public & global health

Environmental health scientist

Studies how environmental factors affect population health, often for local government.

Environmental HealthEnvironmental ScienceBiology
Route in
A CIEH/EHRB-accredited Environmental Health degree, or a science degree plus an accredited MSc.
Starting salary (UK)
£27,000–£33,000
Public & global health

Epidemiological modeller

Builds disease-spread and outbreak models, the people behind projections like those seen during COVID.

Public HealthStatisticsMaths
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£32,000–£40,000
Science & society

Food scientist

Develops and tests food products, ensuring safety, nutrition and shelf life, common in big food brands and retailers.

Food ScienceChemistryBiology
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£24,000–£30,000
Healthcare & clinical practice

Forensic psychologist

Applies psychology to criminal justice, offender behaviour, risk assessment and rehabilitation in prisons or secure services.

Psychology
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£32,000–£38,000
Science & society

Forensic scientist

Analyses evidence from crime scenes in labs, often chemistry or biology focused and much more lab work than TV suggests.

Forensic ScienceChemistryBiology
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£22,000–£28,000
Science & society

Forensic toxicologist

Analyses bodily fluids and substances for drugs, alcohol and poisons in criminal, coronial and workplace cases.

Forensic ScienceToxicologyChemistryBiology
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£24,000–£30,000
Healthcare & clinical practice

Genetic counsellor

Helps patients understand inherited conditions and genetic test results, blending biology, psychology and patient support.

GeneticsBiologyBiomedical SciencePsychology
Route in
Relevant degree, then the Genomic Counselling MSc or the NHS Scientist Training Programme.
Starting salary (UK)
£26,000–£32,000
Engineering

Genetic/biosystems engineer

Designs biological systems or processes, increasingly overlapping with synthetic biology and genetic engineering.

Biomedical EngineeringGeneticsBiotechnology
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£29,000–£35,000
Research & laboratory science

Geneticist / genomic scientist

Studies genes and inherited conditions, increasingly in NHS genomic medicine labs and research.

GeneticsBiomedical Science
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£28,000–£35,000
Data, tech & analytics

Genomics data analyst

Works with genetic sequencing data for diagnostics or research, a fast-growing field as genomic medicine expands.

GeneticsBioinformaticsBiomedical Science
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£28,000–£35,000
Public & global health

Global health programme officer

Works for NGOs or international bodies designing health interventions in low-resource settings.

Public HealthInternational Development
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£26,000–£33,000
Communication & education

Grant writer / research funding officer

Writes and manages funding applications for research institutions or health charities.

Any science degreeEnglish
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£25,000–£31,000
Policy, law & advocacy

Health and life sciences lawyer

Advises on regulatory compliance, IP for new drugs/devices, or NHS contracts, many firms offer conversion routes.

Law
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£45,000–£90,000+ (City trainee/NQ)
Operations, quality & compliance

Health and safety consultant (clinical settings)

Assesses risk and compliance in hospitals and labs, distinct from clinical roles entirely.

Environmental HealthLife Sciences
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£26,000–£33,000
Data, tech & analytics

Health app UX researcher

Studies how patients and clinicians actually use digital health tools, shaping design before engineers build it.

PsychologyDesignCognitive Science
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£27,000–£35,000
Communication & education

Health behavior change specialist

Designs interventions that get people to actually change health habits, drawing on psychology as much as science.

PsychologyPublic HealthBehavioural Science
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£25,000–£31,000
Data, tech & analytics

Health data analyst

Turns NHS and public health data into insight that shapes policy and services, no clinical training required.

Data ScienceStatisticsPublic HealthBiomedical Science
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£25,000–£32,000
Consulting & strategy

Health economist

Models cost-effectiveness of treatments and NHS interventions, decides which drugs and technologies get funded.

EconomicsStatistics
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£30,000–£38,000
Data, tech & analytics

Health informatics specialist

Designs and manages the digital systems hospitals run on, patient records, data interoperability, system safety.

Computer SciencePublic Health
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£28,000–£35,000
Consulting & strategy

Health innovation manager

Helps hospitals or health systems adopt new technologies and treatments, bridging research and real-world use.

Any science degreeComputer ScienceBusiness
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£30,000–£38,000
Finance & risk

Health insurance underwriter

Assesses risk for health insurance products, often overlapping with actuarial work but more health-specific.

MathsStatisticsEconomicsBiomedical Science
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£25,000–£32,000
Consulting & strategy

Health market access strategist

Works out how a new drug or device actually gets adopted and paid for once approved.

EconomicsLife SciencesBusiness
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£32,000–£40,000
Commercial

Health tech account manager

Manages relationships between health tech companies and the hospitals/clinics using their products.

Any degreeBusinessLife Sciences
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£28,000–£35,000 (plus commission)
Consulting & strategy

Health technology assessment analyst

Evaluates whether new treatments are worth the NHS adopting, closely tied to health economics.

EconomicsPublic HealthStatistics
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£30,000–£36,000
Engineering

Healthcare architect

Designs hospitals, clinics and medical facilities so they are safe, efficient and supportive for patients, staff and visitors.

Architecture
Route in
RIBA-accredited Architecture degree, then Part 2 and Part 3 qualification.
Starting salary (UK)
£28,000–£38,000
Consulting & strategy

Healthcare consultant

Works with hospitals, pharma and government to solve operational and strategic problems in health systems.

Any science degreeEconomicsBiomedical Science
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£32,000–£45,000
Operations, quality & compliance

Hospital operations analyst

Uses data to reduce waiting times, improve bed management and cut inefficiencies.

Public HealthBusinessData Science
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£25,000–£32,000
Engineering

Human factors engineer

Makes sure medical devices and hospital equipment are actually safe and intuitive for real humans to use under pressure.

PsychologyBiomedical Engineering
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£30,000–£36,000
Research & laboratory science

Immunologist

Studies the immune system, from vaccine development to autoimmune disease research.

ImmunologyBiomedical ScienceBiology
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£26,000–£32,000
Finance & risk

Investment banking analyst

Advises companies on raising capital and mergers, recruits heavily from science degrees for their analytical rigour.

Any numerate degree, e.g. Economics, Maths, Statistics, Finance
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£50,000–£65,000 (plus bonus)
Commercial

Licensing and partnerships manager (biotech)

Negotiates deals between biotech firms and larger pharma companies to bring products to market.

Life SciencesBusinessLaw
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£32,000–£40,000
Research & laboratory science

Life sciences research scientist

Designs and runs experiments to answer biological questions in universities, institutes or industry.

BiologyBiomedical ScienceBiochemistry
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£26,000–£32,000
Consulting & strategy

Management consultant

Solves strategic and operational problems for organisations across every sector, not just healthcare.

Any degree
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£35,000–£50,000
Research & laboratory science

Marine biologist

Studies ocean life, ecosystems and conservation, often combining fieldwork, research and environmental policy.

Marine BiologyBiologyOceanographyZoology
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£24,000–£30,000
Engineering

Materials engineer

Develops new materials, including biomaterials used in implants and devices.

Materials Science
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£27,000–£33,000
Engineering

Mechanical engineer

Designs physical systems and machinery across almost any industry.

Mechanical Engineering
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£28,000–£34,000
Commercial

Medical device sales specialist

Combines technical product knowledge with client-facing sales, less saturated than pharma sales.

Any science degree
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£28,000–£35,000 (plus commission)
Communication & education

Medical education technologist

Builds simulation tools, e-learning, or VR training used to teach medical students and professionals.

Computer ScienceEducationLife Sciences
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£26,000–£32,000
Science & society

Medical illustrator

Creates accurate visualisations of anatomy, surgery and medical education materials, a rare science-meets-art career.

IllustrationAnatomical ScienceBiomedical Science
Route in
An art or bioscience degree, then a Medical Art / Medical Illustration MSc.
Starting salary (UK)
£24,000–£30,000
Policy, law & advocacy

Medical lawyer

Represents patients or healthcare providers in negligence, consent, or malpractice cases.

Law
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£35,000–£60,000
Research & laboratory science

Medical physicist

Applies physics to healthcare, especially imaging and radiotherapy, a hospital-based scientist role, not a doctor.

PhysicsMathsEngineering
Route in
Physics-based degree, then the NHS Scientist Training Programme in medical physics.
Starting salary (UK)
£30,000–£38,000 (trainee)
Finance & risk

Medical risk assessor

Evaluates health-related risk for life and critical illness insurance, more clinically grounded than general actuarial work.

Biomedical ScienceStatisticsActuarial Science
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£26,000–£33,000
Pharma & life sciences

Medical science liaison

Bridges pharma companies and doctors, translating research into clinical relevance, well-paid and little-known.

PharmacyPharmacologyBiomedical ScienceLife Sciences
Route in
A science degree plus strong therapy-area knowledge; many enter after a PhD, PharmD or clinical role.
Starting salary (UK)
£45,000–£55,000 (post-PhD/experience)
Pharma & life sciences

Medical writer

Turns clinical trial data into regulatory documents, journal articles, or patient materials for pharma companies.

Life SciencesBiomedical ScienceEnglish
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£28,000–£35,000
Healthcare & clinical practice

Mental health nurse

Supports people with mental health conditions, a distinct nursing degree with growing demand and strong job security.

Mental Health Nursing
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£28,000–£32,000 (NHS Band 5)
Research & laboratory science

Microbiologist

Investigates bacteria, viruses and fungi in labs, hospitals, public health and food safety.

MicrobiologyBiomedical ScienceBiology
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£26,000–£32,000
Healthcare & clinical practice

Midwife

Provides care through pregnancy, birth and postnatal recovery, a vocational degree with a clear, respected career path.

Midwifery
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£28,000–£32,000 (NHS Band 5)
Research & laboratory science

Neuroscientist

Researches the brain and nervous system, spanning academia, pharmaceuticals and medical technology.

NeuroscienceBiologyPsychology
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£26,000–£32,000
Policy, law & advocacy

NHS/health charity policy officer

Shapes internal strategy and external advocacy for health organisations.

Public HealthPoliticsHealth Sciences
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£25,000–£32,000
Commercial

NHS/healthcare procurement specialist

Manages how hospitals and health systems buy equipment, drugs and services at scale.

BusinessLife SciencesSupply Chain Management
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£26,000–£33,000
Allied health professions

Occupational therapist

Enables people to do everyday activities despite illness, disability or injury, practical, creative and deeply human.

Occupational Therapy
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£28,000–£32,000 (NHS Band 5)
Public & global health

One Health specialist

An emerging field looking at the links between human, animal and environmental health.

Veterinary MedicinePublic HealthBiology
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£28,000–£35,000
Healthcare & clinical practice

Operating department practitioner

Supports patients through every stage of surgery, anaesthesia, surgery and recovery, as a core part of the theatre team.

Operating Department Practice
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£28,000–£32,000 (NHS Band 5)
Allied health professions

Optometrist

Examines eyes, diagnoses vision problems and manages eye health, a clinical degree with high street and hospital options.

Optometry
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£30,000–£35,000 (pre-registration)
Pharma & life sciences

Packaging & labelling compliance specialist

Ensures medicines are legally and safely labelled across different countries, niche but well paid.

Life SciencesChemistryPharmacology
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£24,000–£30,000
Healthcare & clinical practice

Paramedic

Delivers emergency medical care in ambulances and urgent settings, fast-paced, practical and directly clinical.

Paramedic Science
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£28,000–£32,000 (NHS Band 5)
Science & society

Patent attorney

Helps inventors protect new technology and drugs through intellectual property law, a well-paid blend of science and law.

Any science degree
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£30,000–£40,000 (trainee)
Policy, law & advocacy

Patient advocacy manager

Works for pharma or charities representing patient interests in drug development and access decisions.

Life SciencesPublic HealthScience Communication
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£26,000–£33,000
Pharma & life sciences

Pharmacist

Dispenses and advises on medicines in hospitals, community pharmacies, or industry, its own separate degree route.

Pharmacy
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£29,000–£35,000 (NHS Band 6 after pre-reg)
Pharma & life sciences

Pharmacologist

Researches how drugs interact with the body, developing and testing new treatments before they reach patients.

PharmacologyBiomedical ScienceBiochemistry
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£26,000–£33,000
Pharma & life sciences

Pharmacovigilance officer

Monitors drug safety after a medicine reaches market, flagging side effects and adverse events to regulators.

PharmacyPharmacologyLife SciencesNursing
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£25,000–£32,000
Allied health professions

Pharmacy technician

Prepares and dispenses medicines under pharmacist supervision in hospitals, community pharmacies and GP practices.

Pharmaceutical Science
Route in
Usually a Level 3 apprenticeship or diploma in a pharmacy, a degree is optional, not required.
Starting salary (UK)
£22,000–£28,000
Healthcare & clinical practice

Physician associate

Works alongside doctors to diagnose, manage and treat patients, a rapidly growing clinical role that does not require medical school.

Biomedical ScienceBiologyPhysiologyAdult Nursing
Route in
A bioscience or health degree, then the 2-year Physician Associate Studies MSc/PGDip.
Starting salary (UK)
£34,000–£41,000
Allied health professions

Physiotherapist

Helps people recover movement and manage pain after injury, surgery or illness, hands-on, patient-facing and in demand.

Physiotherapy
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£28,000–£32,000 (NHS Band 5)
Operations, quality & compliance

Process and operations analyst

Uses data and process mapping to improve how organisations, including hospitals, run day to day.

Any numerate degree, e.g. Economics, Maths, Statistics, Finance
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£26,000–£32,000
Engineering

Process engineer

Closely related to chemical engineering, focused on optimizing manufacturing processes, common in pharma.

Chemical Engineering
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£29,000–£35,000
Commercial

Product manager (general tech)

Leads development of a product from concept to launch, valued for structured problem-solving over a specific degree.

Any degree
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£32,000–£42,000
Allied health professions

Prosthetist and orthotist

Designs and fits artificial limbs and supportive braces, a blend of engineering, healthcare and patient care.

Prosthetics and Orthotics
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£28,000–£34,000
Allied health professions

Psychological wellbeing practitioner

Delivers low-intensity cognitive behavioural therapy in NHS talking therapies services, a structured, in-demand mental health role.

Psychology
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£25,000–£32,000
Communication & education

Public engagement officer

Designs events, exhibitions and campaigns that help the public understand and connect with scientific research.

Any science degreeScience Communication
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£22,000–£28,000
Public & global health

Public health officer

Designs and runs programmes that improve population-level health outcomes.

Public HealthBiomedical Science
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£28,000–£35,000 (NHS Band 6)
Policy, law & advocacy

Public policy analyst

Researches and shapes government policy, often on health, environment, or science topics.

Philosophy, Politics and EconomicsPoliticsPublic HealthLife Sciences
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£28,000–£35,000
Pharma & life sciences

Quality assurance manager

Ensures pharma/medtech manufacturing meets regulatory standards before products reach patients.

Life SciencesChemistryChemical Engineering
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£30,000–£38,000
Public & global health

Real-world evidence analyst

Studies how treatments perform outside controlled trials, using real patient data at scale.

StatisticsPublic HealthData Science
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£30,000–£38,000
Pharma & life sciences

Regulatory affairs officer

Gets new drugs and medical devices legally approved for market, a huge, quietly essential industry.

Life SciencesPharmacyPharmacology
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£26,000–£34,000
Engineering

Rehabilitation engineer

Designs prosthetics, mobility aids and assistive devices tailored to individual patients.

Biomedical EngineeringMechanical Engineering
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£28,000–£34,000
Finance & risk

Risk manager

Identifies and manages financial, operational, or regulatory risk for an organisation, a broad, structured path that welcomes analytical science graduates.

Any numerate degree, e.g. Economics, Maths, Statistics, Finance
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£30,000–£38,000
Engineering

Robotics engineer

Increasingly relevant to healthcare through surgical robotics and automation.

RoboticsMechanical EngineeringComputer Science
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£30,000–£38,000
Communication & education

Science communicator / health journalist

Translates complex health research for the public, through outlets, charities, or government bodies.

Any science degreeScience CommunicationJournalism
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£22,000–£28,000
Communication & education

Science journalist / editor

Reports, edits or commissions science stories for newspapers, magazines, broadcasters, websites and publishers.

Any science degreeJournalismScience Communication
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£22,000–£28,000
Communication & education

Science teacher / lecturer

Inspires the next generation of scientists in schools, colleges or universities, a route that keeps you close to the subject.

Any science degreeEducation
Route in
Science degree plus a PGCE or salaried teacher training route; lecturing usually needs a PhD.
Starting salary (UK)
£28,000–£34,000
Data, tech & analytics

Software engineer

Designs and builds the systems and applications behind most modern products, increasingly open to science grads who've picked up coding.

Computer ScienceSoftware EngineeringMaths
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£30,000–£40,000
Allied health professions

Speech and language therapist

Assesses and treats communication and swallowing difficulties in children and adults, a small, specialist profession.

Speech and Language Therapy
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£28,000–£32,000 (NHS Band 5)
Allied health professions

Sports scientist / exercise physiologist

Uses physiology and biomechanics to improve athletic performance, rehabilitation or clinical exercise prescription.

Sport and Exercise SciencePhysiologyBiology
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£24,000–£30,000
Engineering

Structural engineer

Calculates the strength and stability of buildings, bridges and other structures so they stand up safely under load.

Civil EngineeringStructural EngineeringMechanical Engineering
Route in
Accredited engineering degree, then chartership with IStructE or ICE.
Starting salary (UK)
£28,000–£35,000
Operations, quality & compliance

Supply chain analyst (pharma/medical devices)

Manages how medicines and equipment get from manufacturer to hospital, critical during shortages.

Supply Chain ManagementBusinessLife Sciences
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£26,000–£33,000
Science & society

Sustainability consultant

Advises organisations on reducing environmental impact, a growing area for science grads who care about climate.

Environmental ScienceChemistryBiology
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£25,000–£32,000
Allied health professions

Therapeutic radiographer

Delivers precise radiation treatment to cancer patients, combining care with advanced technology.

Radiotherapy and Oncology
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£28,000–£32,000 (NHS Band 5)
Engineering

Tissue engineer

Works on growing or engineering biological tissue for research or regenerative medicine.

Biomedical EngineeringBiotechnologyBiomedical Science
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£28,000–£34,000
Pharma & life sciences

Translational scientist

Works on moving lab research toward real clinical application, between pure research and product development.

Biomedical ScienceBiochemistryBiologyPharmacology
Route in
Science degree, then research experience or a PhD.
Starting salary (UK)
£30,000–£38,000
Pharma & life sciences

Validation engineer

Verifies that pharmaceutical equipment and processes work as intended before use in production.

Chemical EngineeringLife SciencesMechanical Engineering
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£28,000–£35,000
Allied health professions

Veterinary nurse

Provides clinical care, anaesthesia support and rehabilitation for animals, a hands-on healthcare role outside the NHS.

Veterinary Nursing
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£18,000–£24,000
Healthcare & clinical practice

Veterinary surgeon

Diagnoses and treats animals in clinical practice, research, public health or conservation, a demanding but popular science path.

Veterinary Medicine
Route in
Degree routes listed above; entry paths vary by employer.
Starting salary (UK)
£28,000–£33,000