Uni Course

I am planning to go to the University of East Anglia. Between the degrees of " Molecular Biology and Genetics ", " Biological Sciences " and " Microbiology " Which one of them is the best for me to go the route of Clinical Scientist in the NHS?

Reply 1

UEA Rep Daniel

Official Rep

Original post by Deniz Ekin Boran

Hi there,

I studied Biomedical Science (BSc) and then did my PhD at UEA. I regularly teach students from the Molecular Biology and Genetics, Biological Sciences, and Microbiology courses at UEA, and I can tell you there’s a lot of overlap between these subjects.

When it comes to becoming a Clinical Scientist in the NHS, the best degree for you really depends on the speciality you want to pursue. Molecular Biology and Genetics can open up opportunities in clinical genetics, while Microbiology is more focused on the niche field of microbiology. Biological Sciences is a very broad degree, exposing you to a wide range of topics within the field, which can be useful if you’re not yet sure about your specific interest.

However, for a career as a Clinical Scientist, a more specialised degree like Molecular Biology and Genetics or Microbiology might be more directly relevant than Biological Sciences. Or even Biomedicine (https://www.uea.ac.uk/course/undergraduate/bsc-biomedicine) as it teaches you everything about the different routes (microbiology/ hematology/ pathology etc).

Ultimately, it comes down to what you enjoy most. If you have a strong interest in genetics or microbiology, choosing one of those degrees could be more beneficial. But if you’re looking for a broad foundation with exposure to various areas of biology, then Biological Sciences or Biomedicine is a great choice.

Good luck with your decision! Feel free to reach out if you have any more questions about UEA or the courses.

Best,
Daniel
PhD Biomolecular Science