Next steps: career options

Studying pharmacology can start you on a broad range of career paths.

Academia

To work in academia you will need to study for a PhD, where you develop expertise in a given area of research.

To help you in an academic career you can take part in:

• vacation scholarships
• placements or work experience in a lab
• workshop or laboratory practical teaching
• public engagement activities

Organisations with active laboratories offer mixed opportunities in lab work, teaching or public engagement. These can include:

• education institutes
• biotechnology companies
• clinical laboratories

Drug discovery

To work in drug discovery you will need to have at least a BSc. Further qualifications in relevant areas can help your progression. Depending on your interests you can develop a career in:

• target identification
• high throughput screening
• clinical trial design
• management

To help you in a drug discovery career you can:

• take part in lab work

Organisations offering drug discovery roles include:

• higher education institutions

• biotechnology companies
• pharmaceutical companies
• hospitals
• clinical laboratories

Patent law

To work in patent law you will need to have at least a BSc. Postgraduate training in a STEM subject is desirable in this competitive field. Once employed you will study alongside your work towards professional accreditation.

To help you in a patent law career you can:

• take a placement in a law firm, specialising in intellectual property rights

Organisations offering patent law roles:

• large industrial companies

• private partnerships, many of which specialise in patenting products in a particular sector
• government bodies

Pharmacovigilance

To work in pharmacovigilance you will need to have at least a BSc. Further qualifications in relevant areas can help your progression.

To help you in a pharmacovigilance career you can:

• take part in clinical placements
• engage with pharmacovigilance departments
• develop knowledge on the regulations and regulatory bodies

Organisations offering pharmacovigilance roles include:

• hospitals

• pharmaceutical companies
• specialist pharmacovigilance contractors
• government regulatory agencies

Regulatory affairs

To work in regulatory affairs you will need to have at least a BSc. An MSc in regulatory affairs (or similar) useful. As your career progresses there is generally less and less laboratory work involved. But any lab experience will help you with a holistic view of chemicals and how they fit within existing regulations.

To help you in a regulatory affairs career you can:

• shadow or volunteer in a regulatory affairs role

• take part in lab work

Organisations offering roles in regulatory affairs:

• higher education institutions

• biotechnology companies
• pharmaceutical companies
• cosmetics companies
• agricultural chemicals companies
• oil companies
• clinical laboratories
• regulatory bodies

Science journalism

Science journalists communicate complex scientific subjects to enable greater public understanding.

To work in science journalism you will need to have at least a BSc. You'll also need to be able to write well.

To help you in a science journalism career you can:

• write a science based blog

• contribute to science magazines, such as Pharmacology Matters
• contribute to local or national press

A portfolio of your publications will showcase your work to potential employers.

Organisations offering roles in science journalism:

• learned societies

• scientific magazines
• local or national newspaper or media groups

Science policy

Policy advisors collect information, evidence and opinions from different parties. This is used to influence the government in health, science and research regulation.

To work in science policy you will need to have at least a BSc. An MSc in science policy or communication is desirable.

To help you in a science policy career you can:

• take part in public engagement activities

• intern in science policy

Organisations offering roles in science policy:

• learned societies

• scientific publishers
• science and health-oriented charities
• local government
• international governing bodies

Teaching

To become a teacher you will need to have at least a BSc. You will also need a postgraduate qualification such as a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE).

To help you in a teaching career you can:

• work with children or teenagers

• take part in public engagement activities

Find out more about training to become a teacher on UCAS.com.