A Biochemistry degree provides graduates with skills applicable to a broad range of careers, especially where their analytical, problem-solving, research and IT skills are highly valued.

Data obtained from

• Single and joint honours Biochemistry courses (BSc and MSci), including courses with industrial experience
• Graduates from the UK 

Responses were received from 57 UK graduates from 2019/20; this is a response rate of 68.7%

Destinations

Most important activity	Percentage of graduates
Paid work for an employer	56.1%
Self-employment/freelancing	0%
Running my own business	0%
Developing a creative, artistic or professional portfolio	1.8%
Voluntary/unpaid work for an employer	0%
Engaged in a course of study, training or research	38.6%
Taking time out to travel	0%
Caring for someone	0%
Retired	0%
Unemployed and looking for work	1.8%
Doing something else	1.8%

Sector information

Biochemists sometimes enter careers not directly related to the content of their studies. Large numbers of graduate vacancies (currently around 70%) are open to graduates of any degree discipline, and areas where Biochemists have found work include manufacturing, finance, IT and careers within the public sector.

Employment sector	Number of graduates
Manufacture of basic pharmaceutical products	4
Accounting, bookkeeping and auditing activities; tax consultancy	4
Public relation and communication activities	3
Other human health activities	2
Other social work activities without accommodation n.e.c.	2
Other sectors (11 sectors)	12

Employers and occupations

Examples of employers

• Barclays Bank plc
• Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
• Cancer Research UK
• Lonza Biologics plc
• University of Oxford

Examples of occupations

• Actuarial Consultant
• Associate Medical Writer
• Graduate Analyst
• Laboratory Technician
• PhD Researcher

Further study

25 graduates entered further study in the first six months after graduation. Of these, the majority were undertaking higher degrees by research (e.g. Biological Sciences (PhD), Molecular Microbiology (PhD)). Some graduates were undertaking taught Master's programmes, e.g. Genomic Medicine (MSc), Genetics of Human Disease (MSc), and two were undertaking a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE).

Qualification type	Percentage of graduates
Higher degree, mainly by research (e.g. PhD, DPhil, MPhil, MRes)	60%
Higher degree, mainly by taught course (e.g. MA, MSc, MBA)	8%
Postgraduate diploma or certificate (including PGCE/PGDE)	4%
Professional qualification	4%
Undergraduate degree (including integrated master’s degrees) (e.g. BA, BSc, MBChB, MEng)	20%
Other undergraduate diploma or certificate not specified above	0%
Other qualification	4%
Not aiming for a formal qualification	0%