Genetics degree prospects

As a Life Sciences graduate from this the University of Liverpool, in the Life Sciences, you will have a good set of career options ahead of you.

For those committed to a career as a research scientist, further study for a higher degree (MBiolSci, MSc, MRes, MPhil or PhD) at the University of Liverpool or elsewhere is the normal route. In the public sector, Life Sciences graduates are in demand in research institutes, government departments, the National Health Service, forensic science and the Environment Agency.

Commercial sectors that actively recruit graduates from the Life Sciences include the pharmaceutical, food, biotechnology, water and agriculture industries.

There is also an increasing demand for life scientists to contribute to the public understanding of science as journalists and information/liaison officers, in view of the ethical and environmental issues that arise, for example, by developments in molecular biology and biotechnology.

A postgraduate qualification (PGCE) for entry into the teaching profession is also an option, with significant financial inducements provided to meet the current demand for science teachers. In addition to all of the opportunities for graduates in general, including careers outside of biology (such as management, accountancy and human resources), where the skills you have obtained in our degree programmes will be of considerable benefit, our degree programmes are also popular routes to postgraduate Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Science.

Recent employers

• AstraZeneca
• Crown Prosecution Service
• Glaxo Smithkline
• United Utilities
• Chester Zoo
• RSPCA
• NHS
• BBC
• Ministry of Defence
• Eli-Lilly
• Unilever
• Vodafone
• Environment Agency
• Public Health England

Work experience opportunities

Students on our four-year MBiolSci programme have the opportunity to take elective internships abroad at our partner institutions. For example, while at universities in Thailand, students have worked on topics such as coral reef and mangrove ecology, genetics of shrimp development and new drugs for tuberculosis.

Students in their final year of the MBiolSci also have the opportunity to work in industry, either for six-week internships or for the entire final year.

Students will have the exciting option to undertake a foreign field course in western Uganda which is available when studying a number of our undergraduate degree programmes. The 12-day trip involves study at both the Kibale National (10 days) and Queen Elizabeth (two days) National Parks.

Topics covered whilst in Uganda include tropical forest and savannah ecology, biodiversity patterns, primate behaviour and ecology, subsistence versus commercial agricultural practices, and ecotourism.

In addition there are numerous opportunities for students to study or work abroad with one of our many worldwide partners. For more information, visit

Postgraduate opportunities

Many of our students decide to stay at Liverpool as postgraduate students. For further information on postgraduate study the prospectus is now online in two formats for either research degrees (MPhil/PhD) at: or for taught courses at: www.liv.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/taught/