Genetics with Industrial Placement

Genetics is the science of heredity and variation, asking how traits are transmitted from one generation to the next, how the information encoded in DNA gives rise to the complex structures and behaviours of living organisms, and how mutations and epigenetic changes lead to disease and evolution. It is a field at the heart of modern biology, underpinning our understanding of development, cancer, evolution, infectious disease, and the enormous promise and challenge of genetic medicine, from gene therapy and personalised medicine to the ethics of genome editing.

At the University of Aberdeen, this five-year, full-time programme includes a year abroad and an industrial placement year, giving you substantial international and professional experience alongside a rigorous scientific education. You will develop expertise in molecular genetics, genomics, cell biology, developmental genetics, population genetics, bioinformatics, and the cutting-edge methods used in genetic research, alongside the scientific literacy needed to evaluate evidence critically and communicate your findings. The industrial placement gives you direct experience of applying genetic knowledge in a professional research or commercial context, which is highly valued by employers in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and agricultural sectors.

A typical entry tariff of 184 points reflects the demanding scientific nature of the programme.

Graduates from genetics programmes go on to careers in biomedical research, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, clinical genetics services, agricultural and crop science, forensic science, public health genomics, bioinformatics, and science communication. Many graduates continue to doctoral research in genetics, genomics, molecular biology, or related fields, where the combination of strong foundational knowledge and practical research experience from Aberdeen's programme provides an excellent springboard. The broad applications of genetic knowledge mean that career opportunities span a wide range of scientific, clinical, and industrial contexts.