This course enables you to develop your knowledge of biology around your specific interests, whilst gaining valuable industry experience. Your third year will consist of a work placement, which you can choose based on your career goals. You will spend your third year in an industrial business, a research institute or an environmental organisation. Most opportunities are available within the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. In recent years students have carried out placements at Diamond Light Source, Kew Gardens, Public Health England, and GlaxoSmithKline. You can also choose to spend the year abroad, typically carrying out research in an academic laboratory. There is also the opportunity to undertake paid vacation studentships funded by organisations such as the Welcome Trust and the Nuffield Foundation. These can take place over six weeks during the summer break, or be carried out part-time over a longer period. During studentships you will typically work on a set project and benefit from valuable training in techniques, experimental design and the interpretation of data. During the course, emphasis is placed on developing transferable skills such as computer literacy, information retrieval, data handling and communication skills. You could find employment in a wide range of roles across sectors including healthcare, agriculture, commercial manufacturing, environmental management and publishing. You may also decide to take up a research career or move into further study.