Biologist
Biologists study living things, including people, animals and plants, along with the environments they live in.
- Potential salary
- £24,000 starter to £40,000 experienced per year
- Typical hours
- 38 to 40 a week. Working pattern: evenings / weekends / bank holidays occasionally.
- Career area
- Science and laboratory work
- Where they might work
- You could work in a laboratory, at a research facility or at a university. Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time. You may need to wear protective clothing.
- A typical task
- plan trials and analyse data, for example in crop production or medicine research
- Subjects that may help
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
- Typical route
- You'll usually need a relevant degree and often a postgraduate master's qualification in a life science subject like:
- Interest area used here
- Asking questions and research, Health and laboratory science
What you might do
- plan trials and analyse data, for example in crop production or medicine research
- study and protect endangered land and marine plants and animals
- develop new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat disease
- make observations, write reports and publish scientific papers
- teach students at a university or in a teaching hospital
- find new ways to clean up soil, air and water pollution
More tasks (2)
- research sustainable food production methods
- develop biofuels from non-food crops and waste biomass materials
Could this suit me?
Consider which of these skills and ways of working appeal to you.
- knowledge of biology
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- maths knowledge
- excellent written communication skills
- analytical thinking skills
- excellent verbal communication skills
More skills
- persistence and determination
- the ability to use your initiative
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
Routes into this career
University route
- You'll usually need a relevant degree and often a postgraduate master's qualification in a life science subject like:
- biology
- biological science
- ecology
- marine biology
- Employers may also want you to have experience in your area of interest and possibly a PhD.
- You'll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
- 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including biology for a degree
- a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study
- equivalent entry requirements
- student finance for fees and living costs
- university courses and entry requirements
University courses that could lead to this career
These are course families, not published offers. A link does not mean the degree is sufficient on its own.
- Biological sciences
Common route. A biology degree is a usual academic route. Many jobs also expect experience or postgraduate study.
- Biotechnology
Common route. Biotechnology is an applied biology route, not a licence for a regulated healthcare role.
- Ecology
Common route. A field-facing specialism within biology.
- Genetics
Common route. A specialist biology route.
- Marine biology
Common route. A specialist route. Experience alongside the degree matters for jobs.
- Microbiology
Common route. A specialist route within biology.
- Neuroscience
Common route. A neuroscience degree is one route into biological research. It does not by itself make you a clinical scientist.
- Zoology
Common route. Zoology is a common biology degree. Jobs still depend on experience and, often, further study.
Apprenticeship or vocational route
- You could begin by doing a degree apprenticeship.
- For example:
- Laboratory Scientist Level 6
- Research Scientist Level 7
- Bioinformatics Scientist Level 7
- The Level 6 apprenticeship takes around 5 years to complete.
- The Level 7 apprenticeships are likely to have a higher entry criteria and typically take 2 to 3 years.
- You'll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship
- equivalent entry requirements
- guide to apprenticeships
Career progression
- With experience you could:
- become a commercial research project manager
- teach in schools, colleges or universities
- work in science licensing, patent and trademark rights
- advise organisations on policy as a freelance scientific consultant
- go into science communication, such as media and scientific journalism
- If you work in academic research, you could also lead projects and become a senior research fellow or professor.
Subjects that may help
Subject guidance
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
- 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including biology for a degree
- a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship