Help me choose a degree!

3

Hello! I am in year 12 currently studying biology, chemistry and Italian, I am really keen on stem but the thought of doing medicine at university is unappealing and a large factor is that it isn't as financially rewarding as I had otherwise expected. Does anyone have any ideas for stem related degrees that would be as fulfilling as medicine but ensures a better future salary?

Reply 1

username5880381

12

Of the top of my head with biology and chemistry can lead to Optometry and pharmacy degrees, I think they are well paid careers just do some further research on them

Reply 2

McGinger

20

Why do you assume you could only do Medicine.

There are a hundred different degree options open to you, take a look at some of these :
Undergraduate | School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine | University of Bristol (scroll down for courses)
Choosing between Pharmacy and Pharmacology (bath.ac.uk)
Natural Sciences - Lancaster University
Ocean and Earth science | University of Southampton
BSc Life Sciences with a Modern Language (2025 entry) | The University of Manchester
Law with a Year Abroad LLB (Hons) - 2025/26 entry - Courses - University of Liverpool

Reply 3

Wired_1800

20

Original post by Juliana.1212

Hello! I am in year 12 currently studying biology, chemistry and Italian, I am really keen on stem but the thought of doing medicine at university is unappealing and a large factor is that it isn't as financially rewarding as I had otherwise expected. Does anyone have any ideas for stem related degrees that would be as fulfilling as medicine but ensures a better future salary?

There is a tool that can help with that https://www.theuniguide.co.uk/a-level-explorer

Put in your subjects and it would pop out suggested careers

Reply 4

Lancaster Student Ambassador

Official Rep

18

Original post by Juliana.1212

Hello! I am in year 12 currently studying biology, chemistry and Italian, I am really keen on stem but the thought of doing medicine at university is unappealing and a large factor is that it isn't as financially rewarding as I had otherwise expected. Does anyone have any ideas for stem related degrees that would be as fulfilling as medicine but ensures a better future salary?

Hi @Juliana.1212
Have you considered a natural sciences course, as these are stem focused but allow you mix different aspects of subject together so you could continue with chemistry and biology. I've attached the page for Lancaster uni's natural sciences course, just to give you a general idea of what you could study as part of a natural sciences degree. Natural Sciences BSc Hons (GFC0) - Lancaster University
As this course is quite broad the career opportunities would depend on which subjects you choose to specialize in.
Hope this helps!
-Jasmine (Lancaster Student Ambassador)

Reply 5

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

21

Original post by Juliana.1212

Hello! I am in year 12 currently studying biology, chemistry and Italian, I am really keen on stem but the thought of doing medicine at university is unappealing and a large factor is that it isn't as financially rewarding as I had otherwise expected. Does anyone have any ideas for stem related degrees that would be as fulfilling as medicine but ensures a better future salary?

If you think medicine won't give you a good income in the UK then the only jobs which you will find in an acceptable income range will be investment banking roles and high powered legal roles in select London firms.

The reality is that medicine is, in the long run, still one of the best and most consistent salary/career options. While doctors are certainly paid rather poorly near the start of their training consultants have excellent salaries relative to UK averages and unlike most other careers medicine has guaranteed pay progression if you continue in a single training programme (i.e. you don't start one then change to another, as then you go back to the lower pay grades until you get to the same point).

Of course there are lots of other very good reasons not to pursue medicine. But while there are very real concerns about pay for doctors it's not because they aren't able to live a comfortable middle class life in most areas of the UK, it's because they are underpaid relative to their skills and experience.

Help me choose a degree!

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