Genetics

Undergraduate degrees

Genetics is an important, exciting and wide-ranging field to study and the application of genetics in healthcare and research means the prospects for graduates have never been better.

On our courses you study both genetics, at the level of a single gene or group of genes, and genomics, at the level of an organism’s entire genes – the genome. We focus on real-world applications, including medicine, biotechnology and genomics.

At Essex you will be part of a wide community of geneticists working in medical genetics, genomics, epigenetics and evolution, among other areas.

Career prospects

As the world's environmental problems increase, the demand for qualified biologists and geneticists continues to grow.

Our courses equip you with the analytical and computational skills that are in high demand by employers. The Life Sciences 2030 Skills Strategy predicts that the life sciences sector could expand by over 130,000 jobs between 2020 and 2030. You will also become skilled at report writing, data analysis and delivering presentations.

Our recent graduates have taken up a wide range of careers in research laboratories, consultancies, business and industry, conservation practice and environmental assessment.

Find out more about careers, employability and the support we can provide on our School of Life Sciences web pages.

Postgraduate study

Genome sequencing is revolutionising the field of medicine. Personalised medicine is becoming a priority for health providers and governmental agencies around the world. Studying genetics with us at postgraduate level will enable you to be a part of the next generation of healthcare providers, equipped with the necessary skills in health data analytics and genomics to make a real difference. Study at Essex and become an expert in the field of genetics.

Study topics such as:

• gene technologies,
• bioinformatics and computational biology,
• data analysis and computing programming.

We will train you to analyse genomic data in connection with health and disease. You will explore how genome sequences are analysed and you will receive hands-on experience in data analysis. You will also study gene and genome technologies, as well as have the opportunity to develop your professional skills.