Medical & healthcare graduate jobs & schemes 2025

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The medical field offers a variety of career paths for graduates, depending on their qualifications and interests. These include:

Clinical Roles (Patient-Facing)

  • Doctor (NHS Foundation Programme for medical school graduates)
  • Nurse (Nursing graduate schemes, NHS training programmes)
  • Paramedic (Ambulance services, emergency response)
  • Allied Health Professional (e.g., physiotherapy, occupational therapy, radiography, speech therapy)
  • Pharmacist (NHS, community pharmacy, pharmaceutical industry)

Non-Clinical Roles (Healthcare Management & Research)

  • Medical Research (biomedical science, clinical trials)
  • Public Health & Epidemiology
  • Healthcare Consulting
  • Medical Technology & Innovation (digital health, AI in medicine)
  • Medical Sales & Pharmaceuticals
  • Health Policy & NHS Management (NHS Graduate Management Scheme)

Some roles require further study, training, or professional registration , while others allow entry directly after graduation.

Yes, but they vary depending on whether the role is clinical or non-clinical. Some key programmes include:

  • NHS Foundation Programme (for medical graduates to train as doctors)
  • NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP) (for biomedical and healthcare scientists)
  • NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme (for healthcare leadership & administration)
  • Pharmaceutical Graduate Schemes (offered by companies like GSK, AstraZeneca, Pfizer)
  • Medical Device & Healthcare Tech Schemes (e.g., Johnson & Johnson, Siemens Healthineers, Medtronic)

Not necessarily. While doctors, nurses, and pharmacists require specific degrees, many roles in medical research, health policy, and healthcare technology accept a variety of backgrounds, including:

  • Biology, Biochemistry, and Biomedical Science → Research & lab-based roles
  • Psychology → Mental health services, clinical psychology (with further training)
  • Business & Management → Healthcare management, pharmaceutical sales
  • IT & Engineering → Medical technology, health informatics

For non-medical roles, experience in healthcare settings, internships, or additional certifications can be beneficial.

  • Clinical knowledge & problem-solving – Essential for doctors, nurses, and healthcare professionals.
  • Communication & empathy – Crucial in patient care and medical research.
  • Scientific & analytical skills – Important for medical research, lab work, and public health.
  • Attention to detail – Vital in diagnosing, prescribing, and research.
  • Teamwork & leadership – Medical professionals work in multidisciplinary teams.
  • Adaptability & resilience – The medical field is demanding and constantly evolving.

Salaries vary depending on the role and location:

  • NHS Junior Doctor (Foundation Year 1) – £32,398+
  • Newly Qualified Nurse (NHS Band 5) – £28,407 – £34,581
  • Biomedical Scientist (NHS Band 5-6) – £28,407 – £42,618
  • Pharmaceutical & Medical Sales – £25,000 – £40,000 (with commission potential)
  • Healthcare Management (NHS Grad Scheme) – £27,701 – £31,825

Private sector roles, such as in pharmaceuticals, biotech, or medical technology , often offer higher starting salaries .

  • Clinical roles (doctors, nurses, pharmacists) have clear training pathways but require years of study and training .
  • Medical research & public health roles are highly competitive , with many requiring postgraduate degrees (e.g., MSc, PhD).
  • Healthcare management & consulting roles have fewer structured routes but value experience in healthcare settings.
  • Pharmaceutical & medical sales roles are competitive but open to STEM and business graduates with strong communication skills.

✔ Gain healthcare experience – Volunteering, internships, or shadowing in hospitals, labs, or research institutions.
✔ Consider postgraduate study – Especially for research, public health, and clinical psychology roles.
✔ Learn relevant technical skills – Data analysis, lab techniques, medical software.
✔ Network with industry professionals – Attend healthcare conferences, medical careers fairs, and connect on LinkedIn.
✔ Get additional certifications – First aid, healthcare analytics, or specific clinical qualifications.