Don't know what course to choose, need some advice

I live in England, in y13 and do Biology, Chemistry, English.
I would love to do a degree apprenticeship, but seems to be very few out there with some not been updated for the upcoming year.

I'm thinking of doing either Biological science or Pharmacology at Uni.
Both really interest me. I've always loved animals, always trying to find little things at the beach when on holiday. Also for the past few years I have watched documentaries, movies etc on the pharmaceutical field making me curious about drugs.
I understand that both look at the mechanisms of organisms and cover similar subjects like immunology and cell biology, but one is more 'animal' related and a year shorter, and the other more on 'drugs'

I get that feeling that with pharmacology there would be more job opportunities, but at the end of the day different source say different things.
Also I would like to go up to management after some time in the labs.

Would love some advice on how to narrow down.
Thank you very much.

Reply 1

MindMax2000

Universities Forum Helper

21

Original post by sugaralwayssweet

I live in England, in y13 and do Biology, Chemistry, English.
I would love to do a degree apprenticeship, but seems to be very few out there with some not been updated for the upcoming year.

I'm thinking of doing either Biological science or Pharmacology at Uni.
Both really interest me. I've always loved animals, always trying to find little things at the beach when on holiday. Also for the past few years I have watched documentaries, movies etc on the pharmaceutical field making me curious about drugs.
I understand that both look at the mechanisms of organisms and cover similar subjects like immunology and cell biology, but one is more 'animal' related and a year shorter, and the other more on 'drugs'

I get that feeling that with pharmacology there would be more job opportunities, but at the end of the day different source say different things.
Also I would like to go up to management after some time in the labs.

Would love some advice on how to narrow down.
Thank you very much.

I'm trying to see which degrees would maximise your options.

From what I can tell from a handful of degrees, you can do a biological science undergrad and do an MSc in pharmacology at some universities, but it's not likely that you would be able to do it the other way round (do check it yourself).

I was also looking at the requirements to become a pharmacologist and they do accept a range of biology related degrees: https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/pharmacologist, https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/pharmacologist.
Although it's mostly concentrated on cell level biology. I think this is something you need to confirm with a pharmacologist yourself.

Interestingly you can specialise in vetinary pharmacology, so if you like drugging animals you're good.

I'm also not entirely sure what you want to do with a degree in biological sciences. Typically, those who do biological sciences go into research in biology related matter in academia or go for jobs that ask for pretty much any degree.

If you like animals, I also wondered why you don't do something more closely related to zoology or vetinary science.

Both lines of work would allow you to move up into management, but do note that once you get into management, your job is then more about people than actual science. To move up, you normally have to rub shoulders with the right people i.e. office politics. If you want to specialise in research, then it's just a long road of 20+ years of low pay and long hours inching up a position.

Reply 2

Lou-ise

Original post by sugaralwayssweet

I live in England, in y13 and do Biology, Chemistry, English.
I would love to do a degree apprenticeship, but seems to be very few out there with some not been updated for the upcoming year.

I'm thinking of doing either Biological science or Pharmacology at Uni.
Both really interest me. I've always loved animals, always trying to find little things at the beach when on holiday. Also for the past few years I have watched documentaries, movies etc on the pharmaceutical field making me curious about drugs.
I understand that both look at the mechanisms of organisms and cover similar subjects like immunology and cell biology, but one is more 'animal' related and a year shorter, and the other more on 'drugs'

I get that feeling that with pharmacology there would be more job opportunities, but at the end of the day different source say different things.
Also I would like to go up to management after some time in the labs.

Would love some advice on how to narrow down.
Thank you very much.

Have you thought about a biomedical science degree/apprenticeship? At my university, many biological science students opted for biomedical science modules as they thought they were more interesting. Biomedical science opens you up for any health science further study to become a Doctor, Dentist, Nurse, Physiologist, physiotherapist etc...as well as qualifying you as a biomedical scientist. Biomed includes pharmacology but will not qualify you as a pharmacist, but you could do a masters. You could try writing/visiting the laboratories at your local large hospital to ask about biomedical science apprenticeships. There is nothing to stop you ringing up and asking to view the laboratories (to see if you are interested in lab work) and ask about apprenticeships from there. With A levels you can go for a job as a medical laboratory assistant and then with your foot in the door, work your way up with training to become a biomedical scientist without the cost of a degree. Similarly, I'm sure you can get veterinary nurse apprenticeships too, but competition is fierce! With Chemistry and Biology, you'd find biomedical/vetinary not too difficult.

Reply 3

aneesa.y_

2

Original post by Lou-ise

Have you thought about a biomedical science degree/apprenticeship? At my university, many biological science students opted for biomedical science modules as they thought they were more interesting. Biomedical science opens you up for any health science further study to become a Doctor, Dentist, Nurse, Physiologist, physiotherapist etc...as well as qualifying you as a biomedical scientist. Biomed includes pharmacology but will not qualify you as a pharmacist, but you could do a masters. You could try writing/visiting the laboratories at your local large hospital to ask about biomedical science apprenticeships. There is nothing to stop you ringing up and asking to view the laboratories (to see if you are interested in lab work) and ask about apprenticeships from there. With A levels you can go for a job as a medical laboratory assistant and then with your foot in the door, work your way up with training to become a biomedical scientist without the cost of a degree. Similarly, I'm sure you can get veterinary nurse apprenticeships too, but competition is fierce! With Chemistry and Biology, you'd find biomedical/vetinary not too difficult.

Do you know any companies that offer biomedical science apprenticeships?

Reply 4

Lou-ise

Apprenticeships are all run by the NHS. Write/telephone the larger hospitals and speak to the laboratory director to ask about any upcoming apprenticeships. It may be that you need to apply for a Grade 1/2 medical laboratory assistant position and then you'll be trained from there to be a biomedical scientist. Look for these positions on jobs.nhs.uk. Hope this helps.

Reply 5

Lou-ise

For veterinary you just need to google. They are few and far between. For example https://www.caw.ac.uk/course/advanced-apprenticeship-in-veterinary-nursing/

Reply 6

Biosci_JAE

4

Hiya,
Have you looked into biological science courses? Some universities have a common first year for a lot of biological degrees including pharmacology, ecology and biomedicine. It may help you choose where to go when you have done a bit of each.
Hope this helps!

Reply 7

Lancaster Student Ambassador

Official Rep

15

Original post by sugaralwayssweet

I live in England, in y13 and do Biology, Chemistry, English.
I would love to do a degree apprenticeship, but seems to be very few out there with some not been updated for the upcoming year.

I'm thinking of doing either Biological science or Pharmacology at Uni.
Both really interest me. I've always loved animals, always trying to find little things at the beach when on holiday. Also for the past few years I have watched documentaries, movies etc on the pharmaceutical field making me curious about drugs.
I understand that both look at the mechanisms of organisms and cover similar subjects like immunology and cell biology, but one is more 'animal' related and a year shorter, and the other more on 'drugs'

I get that feeling that with pharmacology there would be more job opportunities, but at the end of the day different source say different things.
Also I would like to go up to management after some time in the labs.

Would love some advice on how to narrow down.
Thank you very much.

Hey!

I’m Oliver and am currently a fourth year in natural sciences studying synthetic chemistry and biochemistry pathways. I thought I’d share a bit about my degree as I remember being in a similar dilemma when I was doing A-levels and found natural sciences to be a very flexible degree and a great way for me to follow multiple interests.

In natural sciences you can study pathways across two or three different departments. At Lancaster there are so many different pathways to choose from across all branches of chemistry, physics, biology, geography, environmental science and psychology, just to name a few. Each university will do pathways slightly differently and a have a varied range of possible combinations so definitely check that out on the relevant websites. The full list of pathways and entry requirements for Lancaster can be found here: https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/natural-sciences/

I know there is also there is also the option to take a non science subject as your third pathway and throughout your degree 25% of your credits can be in a non science subject so you could even continue with English as well if you wanted.

There is also the option to alter you pathway choices as you progress through your degree. For me this was extremely valuable as I was able to drop my physical chemistry pathway after first year to allow for a greater focus on biochemistry.
One of the best things about natural sciences is the vast range of experiences you get and people you meet. Since you study alongside the single honours students across multiple departments, you get to see so many more faces and there is never a lonely lecture. It’s also great to see how all the different sciences interlink and you can often apply something you learnt in one subject to one of your other pathways which is fascinating!

Hope that is helpful and best of luck with your decision 😊 Feel free to ask me any other questions if you have any
*
Oliver (Student Ambassador)

Don't know what course to choose, need some advice

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