Degrees leading into cancer research

[Watsername]

DS is taking his GCSEs this year and is hoping to do ALevels in Biology, Chemistry and Maths next year.

He wants to do some kind of lab-based research in the future (cancer research is the field he has mentioned the most). What degrees would be best? Is Biomedical science the right kind of thing? He's academic and aiming as high as possible.

Would he consider medicine? Quite a few doctors move onto research.

What a brilliant ambition OP. I’m not sure about degrees but I do know that The Azaylia Foundation (set up after Ashley Cain’s daughter died from cancer) funds PhDs researching into children’s cancer treatment.

This is what DS is interested in - he started off doing a general biomedical science degree involving microbiology, pharmacology, biochemistry and immunology, and is now specialising and just doing pharmacology and immunology. Would advise looking for a uni with strong industry links.

I am just a mum of med students but I believe either Biomedical science plus postgrad studies or Medicine degree then research medicine pathway. If he decides to go the Medicine route, maybe better to go for one of the more academic Med courses. They all have the same accreditation but some courses are heavier on the sciences and others on earlier patient contact.

He may find this page on Clinical Science careers useful: https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/career-planning/study-and-training/graduate-training-opportunities/nhs-scientist-training-programme

Clinical scientists work in a wide range of fields including cancer research and there are other degrees besides biomedical science that can lead into these roles.

Biology, biomedical science, biochemistry will all offer a broad range of relevant skills and knowledge, and crucially exposure to a range of topics - cancer research isn't one thing, there are so many different projects with many many different specialisms. Then MSc, then a PhD.

Loads - biomed, biology, chemistry, genetics, pharmacology, also medicine (although would not recommend that one unless he would want to work as a clinician alongside research). Also biomedical engineering would allow this

A chemistry degree - one with some medicinal chemistry modules would be a good start. Off the top of my head Exeter and Birmingham do this.

Friends who read (biological) natural sciences at Cambridge work in different fields of cancer research

Wow! Thanks for the speedy replies!!!

He doesn't want to medicine itself.

Lots to look into here...

It might be worth him looking at degree apprenticeships. He might be able to get an apprenticeship in Medical Physics specialising in radiotherapy which is another area where there is research into cancer treatment.

Ds has done pharmacology and his masters project is research based on diabetes drugs. He has really enjoyed his degree and the research side.

Depending on his strengths and interests, anything in the fields of chemistry or biological sciences. Don't assume it has to be biomedical sciences. If he ends up in this field to an extent its doesn't really matter what he does. It's more important that he chooses a course that interests him and maybe has some flexibility over the actual final degree and at the end of it. Any opportunity to build in and industrial placement would also be a massive asset.

Some forms of engineering can lead to biomed research.

DH works in cancer research, his undergrad was in physics and then he did a PhD on nanoparticles before moving fully into cancer research as a post doc. He works with radiotherapy treatments.

His colleagues have undergrads in a range of biological and biomedical sciences including pharmacy and yes many oncologists have research profiles.

Cancer research feels somehow both too broad (which bit - radiotherapy, genetics, targeted therapies, immunotherapy, new chemo, better treatment plans with existing drugs etc etc etc) and far too specific (why not neuroscience or pharmacy or cardiac research etc) for this stage of his career tbh.

A good science degree will open loads of doors, many of which he would probably struggle to understand now.

I work in cancer research.

he’ll need a science based degree. I would advise against general degrees like “biomedical science” and go for something like biochemistry, microbiology, pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, physiology etc. it depends what his strengths are- ie. Maths will get him into cancer research for the stats and data manipulation. Chemistry/pharmacology for drug development, biology based for the actual cells in labs. If he’s undecided biochem is always a good choice. Pharmacy is a good option as it’s a vocational degree, plus a good grounding in the general science.

mainly he needs to choose a good uni with a sound research base. Don’t get caught up with Russel Group- Dundee for example is one of the leading cancer research facilities. Get a good degree from there and doors open. An important marker is proximity to a research hospital- Manchester and Christie, for example.

get him to do some research and read some papers on the general field, take a note of authors and where they work.

he’ll need a PhD after so plan for that.

good luck!

Hi @Watsername.

Your son might want to have a look at the Association of British Pharmaceutical Industries (ABPI) web site's careers pages: https://www.abpi.org.uk/careers/.

The site includes a useful page on choices at 14 (i.e. GCSE choices), 16 (A-Level, BTEC, etc.) and 18 (university, apprenticeship, etc.): https://www.abpi.org.uk/careers/school-college-studies/.

There are loads of case studies of individuals working in the industry who have entered via different routes: https://www.abpi.org.uk/careers/job-case-studies/. Make sure he scrolls down to the bottom for links on specific roles.

I would advise against general degrees like “biomedical science” and go for something like biochemistry, microbiology, pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, physiology etc

My advice is the opposite of that! A broad undergrad means they get to learn about all sorts and can then go onto specialise at post grad - dd for example would never have thought she'd enjoy molecular bio until she'd actually studied it at UG, and now she's doing a PhD in it.9

What a useful resource - thank you!

I would say a biology degree like pharmacology, immunology, microbiology or biochemistry would be a good starting point if he is interested in the biology side of things. Often there is scope to switch between different types of biology degrees in your first year, as the first year has a a lot of common foundational courses and you tend specialise in your second year. Somewhere offering a year in industry would be helpful to get a lab experience. Finally he is likely to need to a post gard....

Just another suggestion…he could look at studying in Ireland. We have a very well established pharmaceutical industry and the opportunities are vast. Any of the degrees the other pp’s gave mentioned would be great. He would have placements in the industry too, in which he would gain great experience. I’m a microbiologist working in a well known pharmaceutical company. The opportunities are literally endless if he’s driven enough!

I didn't know that about Ireland! Located where if you don't mind me asking? Dublin?

Literally all over @titchy (see the map!) we have spent over 25 years building this infrastructure…from schools, to university courses all the way up to the jobs. It’s thriving…

Interesting that there's more jobs in Munster than Leinster @Brainded ! I knew it was all over but the distribution is interesting, thanks for the graphic.

Thanks - really interesting! I had no idea.