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Biological Sciences Summer Placements

There are a number of things one can do after a bioscience degree.
Education
One might choose to do PhD or Masters to explore a particular research interest.
Or someone might take a PGCE in order to enter teaching or some other type of post graduate diploma.

Masters and diploma courses can be found here

For information on PHD studentships and where there's availability

Employment
Alternatively, you may want to enter the world of work immediately - either in science or an unrelated industry.

Some places to look for jobs are

With 20% of graduates achieving a first and 51% achieving a 2.1, one might wonder how to differentiate themselves from the fold in the saturated job market. There are things you can do such as improving the quality of your CV or application (speak to your Uni's Career service), writing a good speculative cover letter to the academic supervisor you wish to work under if research is your goal or working at your Interview skills.

Placements
But one of the most important things one can do is trying to get a studentship or placement in the summer between the 2nd and 3rd years of the degree of 3rd and 4th years for those on a 4 year integrated masters course*. Even if you're not sure whether you want to work in science, it is worth thinking about. It shows initiative and during the placement, you'll be able to acquire transferable skills you can list on your CV and will aid you in your search for graduate opportunities.

There are generally 3 ways in which bioscience gain experience in the summer. 1) They organise a summer project with a University researcher (this does not have to be your University!) and then they or the researcher applies for funding through a learned society or another type of (charitable) organisation. They usually have to be a member of the organisation which they're applying for funding from. While the applicant doesn't have to be a student/affiliate member, it can be advantageous. If successful, the student receives a stipend during their time undertaking the undergraduate research project**. 2) The student attends a summer school or 3) The student applies for a scheme at a science company.

Below I've included a list with information on the placement type as well deadline

*while it's possible to find things during the summer after the first year of undergraduate study, many organisations and companies will not provide funding or the placement due to the lack of knowledge of lab experience
**it's perfectly possible to volunteer at a lab if that is affordable or your chosen supervisor is not affiliated with a suitable organisation