Where will a degree from the School of Life and Health Sciences take you?

Graduates from the School of Life and Health Sciences have built meaningful and rewarding careers supporting health, wellbeing and scientific advancement. From roles in healthcare, psychology and nutrition to careers in research, public health and clinical settings, they are making a real impact across a range of professions.

The example job roles listed below represent the diverse journeys of our alumni. Rather than training you for just one role, your degree provides a flexible set of valuable skills. The practical experiences you gain at university will open doors to exciting opportunities across the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors.

Read our alumni career stories

Careers in clinical, medical and allied health

• Biomedical Scientist (Trainee/Support): Works in hospital labs to analyse samples (blood, tissue) to help diagnose and monitor diseases
• Physician Associate Trainee: A clinical role where you work under the supervision of a doctor to perform physical exams, order tests, and help manage patients
• Diabetic Eye Screener: Performs specialised retinal imaging to detect early signs of sight loss in diabetic patients
• Occupational Health Technician: Conducts health screenings (like hearing or lung function tests) to ensure employees are fit for work and protected from workplace hazards
• Dietician: Uses the science of nutrition to treat medical conditions and promote healthy eating habits in clinical settings
• Ergonomic Adviser: Working in heavy industries (construction, oil/gas) to reduce staff "musculoskeletal" injuries through physical training, or large corporations (like Google or Amazon) to design healthy office setups and prevent workplace injuries
• Student Veterinary Nurse: Provides professional nursing care for animals, supporting veterinarians in medical and surgical procedures
• Speech & Language Therapist: Supports people who have difficulties with communication or eating and drinking
• Occupational Therapist: Helps people overcome physical or mental barriers to perform the "occupations" of daily life
• Sports Therapist: Focuses on the prevention and treatment of injuries within a sporting context
• Physiotherapist: Restores movement and function through manual therapy, exercise, and education. With additional training, an Animal Physiotherapist can treat horses (equine) or dogs (canine) for mobility issues and post-surgery.

Careers in laboratory, research and forensic science

• Forensic Scientist/Detective: Applies biological and chemical techniques to analyse evidence from crime scenes for use in legal proceedings
• Clinical Trials Associate: Coordinates the day-to-day operations of medical research studies to test the safety and efficacy of new drugs
• Scientific Officer (Nutrition): Conducts research or manages projects focused on food safety, nutritional standards, and public health data
• Laboratory Assistant: Provides essential support in a lab, including preparing samples, maintaining equipment, and recording data
• Biotechnologist: Uses biological organisms or systems to create products, such as vaccines, sustainable fuels, or medicines.

Careers in sports, fitness and holistic wellness

• Fitness Instructor & Personal Trainer: Designs and leads exercise programs to help individuals or groups improve their physical health and reach athletic goals
• Sports Psychology Consultant: Helps athletes improve their performance by teaching mental skills like focus, motivation, and anxiety management
• Health Coach: Works with individuals to make sustainable lifestyle changes to prevent chronic diseases like obesity or hypertension
• Gym/Leisure Manager: Moving into the business side of fitness, managing large facilities, staff, and health programs
• Nutritionist: Provides evidence-based information and guidance to help individuals, groups, or the general public improve their health and wellbeing through diet and lifestyle choices
• Performance Analyst: Uses video and data software to track athlete performance and provide feedback to coaches and teams.

Careers in data, education and communication

• Data Scientist / Health Data Officer: Uses statistical models to analyse large sets of health data, helping to predict disease trends or improve hospital efficiency
• Medical Sales Representative: Uses scientific knowledge to sell pharmaceuticals or medical equipment to doctors and hospitals
• Science Communicator & Journalist: Translates complex scientific discoveries into engaging articles, videos, or other media
• Medical Science E-learning Developer: Develops digital training materials and platforms to help medical professionals stay up-to-date with new research and technology
• Biology / Science Teacher: Educates the next generation by delivering the science curriculum in secondary schools
• Social Media Co-ordinator: Manages digital platforms for health or science organisations to share information and engage with audiences.

Careers in specialised operations and public service

• Graduate Tax Adviser: Uses high-level data analysis and attention to detail to navigate complex tax laws
• Health Policy Researcher: Working for think tanks or the government to analyse how physical activity and rehab can save the healthcare system money
• Pastoral Behaviour Officer: Works in schools or youth settings to support students' emotional and social development
• Public Health Officer: Works for local government or the NHS to create campaigns that address health issues like smoking, vaccinations, or pollution.