Life sciences and biotechnology research in British universities is booming, and Britain is recognised to be one of the world's leading nations in these fields. Studying biochemistry in Britain gives an opportunity to learn in this stimulating environment and to gain a qualification whose quality is recognised world-wide.

Where to study?
Biochemistry is taught at BSc level by about 100 universities in Great Britain. Many courses have general titles such as Biological Sciences or contain biochemistry combined with another biological science. Some of these universities offer MSc courses in specialised aspects of biochemistry, and many offer PhD training. BSc courses nearly all involve 3 years study, but can include an additional, sought-after, year spent in industry; the length of MSc courses is 1-2 years; and PhD courses 3-4 years.

First-degree courses at different universities have a range of objectives: some aim to train high flying researchers of the future, others to provide an excellent training in technical skills to equip students for future careers in industry, whilst many fall somewhere between these extremes. When deciding where to apply you will need to consider factors such as the entry qualifications required, the amount of choice you will have to select study options within the course, the amount of practical work, whether the course is primarily academic or primarily vocational, the opportunity to spend a year working in industry, and the ability to combine biochemistry with another subject if desired.

The web site of Britain's Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (http://www.ucas.ac.uk) leads students to a Course Search facility that lists 412 courses that include biochemistry as the main subject. The site provides information on entry requirements and on how to apply for courses, and contains advice specifically for international students. The following web site provides some similar information and also gives a profile of each university prepared by the British Council for the benefit of international students: http://scitsc.wlv.ac.uk/ukinfo/uk.map.html

Opportunities after graduating
The Biochemical Society conducts an annual survey of initial employment of biochemistry graduates at BSc, MSc and PhD level. Data for students who graduated in 1998 are shown in the figure. Students from overseas who complete a BSc degree have the possibility to take a MSc or PhD degree either within the same university or at another institution. The largest group of first-degree graduates overall consistently take this option but it is unclear what proportion is from overseas. Many overseas students return to their home country after graduating, either to continue studying or to enter employment. In 1998 these comprised 5% of total BSc graduates, 18% of MSc graduates, and 8% of PhDs. MSc courses, which frequently specialise in particular biochemical technologies, were thus relatively attractive to international students.

Some idea of career opportunities for overseas students can be obtained by considering the employment of all graduates who remained in the UK. For BSc graduates, after the grouping (34%) who continued training for a higher degree, the next largest grouping (23%) moved to employment that directly utilised their biochemical training, whether in research, working in public authority laboratories, management in science-based industry, or science teaching. Almost as large a grouping (22%) either trained for, or entered, employment requiring graduate-level skills but no specific biochemical knowledge, such as accounting, financial services, or retail management. It is widely recognised that biochemistry training provides numerical and analytical skills that are much sought after by a broad range of employers.

For the more specialised MSc graduates 36% continued biochemical training for a PhD; 32% entered biochemical employment, particularly research in academia or industry; and only 5% moved to training or employment outside biochemistry. For PhD graduates 66% found employment within biochemistry, principally in academic research; and 7% moved to positions outside biochemistry. These may well have been prestigious jobs with major financial institutions.

The Biochemical Society's surveys over the years have consistently found a low level of unemployment for biochemistry graduates, consistent with the comments made above about their excellent employability. In 1998 3% of biochemistry BSc graduates were still looking for a job after 6 months, compared to 6% of first-degree graduates of all disciplines. None of the MSc graduates was unemployed, and only 2% of biochemistry PhDs.

Summary
Governments are increasingly recognising the potential that developments in biochemistry and the life sciences have for contributing to national prosperity and for improving the quality of life of citizens. Funding for research in these areas has been increasing dramatically in most countries, and biotechnology industry is expanding rapidly. Career opportunities for biochemistry graduates look bright. Britain is at the forefront of research, and British universities offer an excellent training in biochemistry for students of all levels.

Figure 1

 

 

 

Figure 3
These figures are updated automatically from figure 1

	1st degree	MSc	PhD
Biochemical trainingBiochemical employment Non-biochemical training Non-science-based employment Unplaced, seeking employmentOverseas students - returned homeOther	627 429 152 269 62 84 239	34 30 3 2 0 17 9	0 128 2 12 4 15 33
	1862	95	194	2151

	1st degree	MSc	PhD
Biochemical trainingBiochemical employment Non-biochemical training Non-science-based employment Unplaced, seeking employmentOverseas students - returned homeOther	33.7% 23.0% 8.2% 14.4% 3.3% 4.5% 12.8%	35.8% 31.6% 3.2% 2.1% 0.0% 17.9% 9.5%	0.0% 66.0% 1.0% 6.2% 2.1% 7.7% 17.0%
	1	1	1

Author
Dr Mike Withnall
Assistant Director for Policy, Education and Professional Affairs
The Biochemical Society