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Alternative Professions in the Medical Sector

Two students working together in Blizard laboratory

Explore the variety of roles available in the health and life sciences sector

Did you know that there are more than 350 professions in the NHS beyond the traditional roles of doctor, dentist or nurse? Study a degree with us and step up to a career that makes a real difference to people's lives.
Discover our subjects Request an alternative programme

Why study an alternative to medicine programme at Queen Mary?

The wider life sciences sector employs 250,000 people in roles such as drug discovery, trials and development, medical devices manufacturing and more.

From biomedical engineers and scientists to geneticists, chemists to pharmacologists, neuroscientists to psychologists, watch our video to find out how these roles are contributing to major challenges such as the Covid-19 pandemic.

Find out more about our subjects below, which will allow you to pursue your interest in science and develop a career with applications to healthcare and medicine. When you finish your degree, you could choose to follow in the footsteps of many of our graduates and continue into medicine either here or elsewhere.

Next steps

Request an alternative

If you know which alternative programme you’re interested in studying

Enquire now

We’re here to help you

If you’re not sure which alternative option is right for you, we can help

Find out more

Explore your subject options

Find out about our subject areas and discover your best match

Discover more

Our subject areas

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Choose from biochemistry, biology and biomedical science to medical genetics, neuroscience, pharmacology and zoology
Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Chemical Sciences

Queen Mary's Chemistry and Pharmaceutical programmes are accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry, and students are taught by world-class experts.
Chemical Sciences

Engineering and Materials Science

Bring technological innovation to medicine and healthcare with our biomedical engineering and engineering and materials science degrees.
Engineering and Materials Science

Medicine MBBS Malta

Study at our medical school on the Maltese island of Gozo for an alternative route to becoming a doctor.
Medicine MBBS Malta

Explore your options

Find out more about all our subject areas related to medicine and discover the best match for you.
Explore your options
I recommend exploring other healthcare related careers that might also appeal to you. I am so glad that I studied biochemistry first, it gave me an appreciation for research, as well as a pathway into my medical degree. It also gave me a very different university experience.
— Dr Samerah Saeed (Surgical Trainee) , Biochemistry BSc, then Medicine MBBS

If you're not sure which subject area might be the right one for you, our short online course will help you research your options and find the best match. You can also chat online to our students who are studying science programmes related to medicine and dentistry anytime.

Graduate careers

Our graduates have gone on to amazing careers in the health sector and beyond.

Tasqeen Ahmed studied Biochemistry and now works for the Department of Health. Watch her story below or explore more alumni stories.

Find out more 

If you're not sure which alternative option is right for you, we're here to help:

Chat to our students

You can chat to our students online anytime to find out more about life as a Queen Mary student.

Request a call

If you'd like to chat about your study options with one of our outreach team, you can request a call back.

Discover more information 

Our Alternatives to Medicine and Dentistry hub has lots of information and resources for you to find out more about the different options available.

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