The Student Room Group

Pharmacy vs biomedical science

Hi
I just did my highers and now I am thinking about uni courses and stuff. I can not decide if I want to do biomedical science or pharmacy. I kinda like them both equally but I am not sure what to do. So I was wondering if someone could help me out. Which is a better career choice in terms of getting employed and although money is not my main focus, which career gets paid better. And when i say pharmacy I would like to be a hospital pharmacist and a nhs biomedical scientist.
Biomedical science involves HUMAN disection which sounds pretty gross to me
Don't do a career just for the pay, you won't enjoy it. Also I you should pick a course before confirming what you want to specialise in. I do pharmacy, I highly recommend it, its tough but very rewarding. I think it ultimately depends on whether you want to become a pharmacist or do biomed which leads to a broader range of job prospects.
Reply 3
Original post by StarryEyed4
Don't do a career just for the pay, you won't enjoy it. Also I you should pick a course before confirming what you want to specialise in. I do pharmacy, I highly recommend it, its tough but very rewarding. I think it ultimately depends on whether you want to become a pharmacist or do biomed which leads to a broader range of job prospects.


Well money is not my top priority getting employed is. But I've heard people say you won't get employed easily.
Reply 4
Original post by rosieridleyx
Biomedical science involves HUMAN disection which sounds pretty gross to me


Fair enough
Reply 5
Original post by StarryEyed4
Don't do a career just for the pay, you won't enjoy it. Also I you should pick a course before confirming what you want to specialise in. I do pharmacy, I highly recommend it, its tough but very rewarding. I think it ultimately depends on whether you want to become a pharmacist or do biomed which leads to a broader range of job prospects.

Do you have to do placements and stuff and are they easy to find? And did you do work experience before applying?
Original post by Potatoo
Do you have to do placements and stuff and are they easy to find? And did you do work experience before applying?


Regarding your first question - Well there's generally been more supply than demand but with the proposed NHS funding cuts, the situation is looking even less promising. Saying that, if you're good at what you do then you'll have no problem.

Yeah you do have do placements and they encourage you to find experience over the summer because it helps a lot (with your degree alongside your CV). I did do a community pharmacy placement before starting uni but I didn't really do much clinical work so it was pointless to me
i have done biomedical sciences and just to confirm VERY few BMS courses offer human dissection. I would consider BMS if you want to have a greater choice of careers after uni and a broader knowledge base of the human body. Good Luck!
Reply 8
Original post by StarryEyed4
Regarding your first question - Well there's generally been more supply than demand but with the proposed NHS funding cuts, the situation is looking even less promising. Saying that, if you're good at what you do then you'll have no problem.

Yeah you do have do placements and they encourage you to find experience over the summer because it helps a lot (with your degree alongside your CV). I did do a community pharmacy placement before starting uni but I didn't really do much clinical work so it was pointless to me


Thanks man. Just last question. Do you apply to placements through uni or do you have to do it on your own?
Reply 9
Original post by cntblue
i have done biomedical sciences and just to confirm VERY few BMS courses offer human dissection. I would consider BMS if you want to have a greater choice of careers after uni and a broader knowledge base of the human body. Good Luck!

Thank you
Original post by Potatoo
Thanks man. Just last question. Do you apply to placements through uni or do you have to do it on your own?


You have to do it on your own. It's also about whether the placement suits your needs as much as it is about if you suit the role :smile:
Reply 11
Original post by StarryEyed4
You have to do it on your own. It's also about whether the placement suits your needs as much as it is about if you suit the role :smile:


Thanks man. My biggest fear is not getting placements and stuff and also not getting employed after finishing the actual degree
Original post by Potatoo
Thanks man. My biggest fear is not getting placements and stuff and also not getting employed after finishing the actual degree


No worries. Well you'll get loads of rejections at first, but it's normal. You just don't give up. If you're worried about that then biomed may be better - you have a broader range of job options.
Reply 13
Original post by StarryEyed4
No worries. Well you'll get loads of rejections at first, but it's normal. You just don't give up. If you're worried about that then biomed may be better - you have a broader range of job options.

Tough choice man. I've got work experience in hospital. Haven't got anything in pharmacy or biomed labs. so first challenge will be getting into uni.
Thank you for the advise
Original post by Potatoo
Tough choice man. I've got work experience in hospital. Haven't got anything in pharmacy or biomed labs. so first challenge will be getting into uni.
Thank you for the advise


No worries. A hospital placement is great. Whereabouts? What are your grades? I hope all goes well :smile:
Reply 15
Original post by StarryEyed4
No worries. A hospital placement is great. Whereabouts? What are your grades? I hope all goes well :smile:


Well i did 6 days in east kilbride. Ward rounds, hip replacement surgeries, eye surgeries, more ward rounds, respiratory linic and podiatry. I actually have been accepted for another hospital work experience starting in june. For grades i just done my highers and I have no idea what I'll get hopefully 4A's and a B. I've picked adv higher maths, chemistry and biology.
(edited 7 years ago)

Quick Reply

Latest