Skills for career development
On completion of your biology diploma, you’ll be an adaptable graduate with a range of transferable skills that are highly valued in the wider jobs market. You’ll have developed analytical, numerical and problem-solving abilities and gained proficiency in data-handling, using computers as well as have team-working and communication skills. Employers may also look for evidence of practical laboratory or fieldwork experience to support the skills gained throughout the diploma. Even if your future job doesn’t involve practical work, your experiences of designing, carrying out, trouble shooting and persistence in online or home-based investigations demonstrate valuable employability requirements.
Career relevance
Employers of biology graduates include central and local government, the NHS, the water and horticultural industries, food and drink companies, media and communications, multinational oil companies, the pharmaceutical industry, conservation bodies, schools and universities – in roles such as:
- biotechnology and biomedical engineering
- data analysis, bioinformatics and diagnostics
- environmental management, protection and conservation
- exploration and extraction of natural resources
- health and healthcare-related professions
- product design and development
- research, investigation and laboratory work
- science information management
- science communication
- scientific and medical sales
- teaching (science is a shortage subject at secondary school level; there may be training incentives)
- waste management, recycling and sustainability.
Other careers
Biology graduates are well-placed to enter scientific and non-scientific jobs and those with good communication and interpersonal skills are in demand. The logical, reasoned approach developed from biological study is relevant to a range of financial, business and public sector employment. Keep your future options open with an OU biology diploma.
Exploring your options
Once you register with us (and for up to three years after you finish your studies), you’ll have full access to our careers service for a wide range of information and advice – including online forums, website, interview simulation, vacancy service as well as the option to email or speak to a careers adviser. Some areas of the careers service website are available for you to see now, including help with looking for and applying for jobs. You can also read more general information about how OU study enhances your career.
In the meantime if you want to do some research around this qualification and where it might take you, we’ve put together a list of relevant job titles as a starting point (note that some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree):
- analytical scientist
- bioinformatics data analyst
- botanist
- countryside manager
- laboratory technician
- industrial researcher
- research scientist
- science administrator or manager
- science communicator
- science teacher
- scientific journalist
- technical consultant
- technical writer
- toxicologist
- zoologist.
On to 'Entry requirements'
