The University of Sheffield
Careers Service

Physics and Astronomy - Introduction

Science

Potential careers

Many Physics and Astronomy graduates enter employment that makes use of their discipline, either directly, or indirectly, by using their numerical, analytical, and problem solving skills. Typical jobs include Software Engineer, Trainee Clinical Scientist (NHS), Scientist in the Nuclear Industry, Physics Technician, Web Developer, Sound Engineer, Acoustics Engineer, and Auditor. Teaching has recently become a popular option. Some graduates choose employment in areas outside of their discipline – examples are as diverse as charity fundraising, sales, marketing, general management, and working with the homeless.

A high proportion of Physics and Astronomy students continue into further study, with many embarking on a PhD / MPhil, perhaps with a view to a career in academia or research institute. Masters programmes relating to their subject are also popular. Some of these graduates may then move on to a PhD, or enter research-related employment. A small number of those completing PG courses choose alternatives which require a high level of scientific knowledge, such as Patent Attorney or Science Communication.

  • What graduates do
  • Understanding yourself
  • Your options
  • Vacancies

Short term and longer term career paths

Understanding what recent graduates from your subject have gone on to do can be a valuable source of information to help in career planning, but bear in mind that what you choose to do will be a personal decision based on many other factors, such as what you are good at, what you enjoy, and what you want from work.

Physics and Astronomy - what University of Sheffield graduates do six months after graduation

This data was collected six months after graduation, so although useful, it doesn't provide a reliable indicator of longer term career paths. Some graduates are still in transition and may be in short term jobs, mainly in administrative, retail and customer service roles, developing further skills and experience while at the same time job hunting, travelling or taking time out.

Graduate case studies

Read about the longer term career paths of University of Sheffield Physics and Astronomy graduates.

What do graduates do? - the national picture

The national Prospects website provides an overview of the graduate jobs market.

Our approach to employability

The University of Sheffield is committed to developing your employability.

Understanding your skills, interests and motivation

Studying for a degree means you will be developing a range of valuable skills and competencies that are in addition to those you may have gained outside of your degree, e.g. through activities in both your leisure time and work. You need to be aware of these competencies and be able to provide evidence of them to convince employers that you would be an asset to their organisation.

Although you have a number of skills you need to be aware of these and provide evidence of them to convince recruiters that you would be an asset to their organisation.

Skills acquired by Physics and Astonomy graduates

Find out more about the extensive range of skills and personal qualities that you will have developed as part of your degree. These skills explain why many employers have a positive view of Physics and Astronomy graduates.

Gaining skills outside your degree

Skills developed outside of study are just as important so don't overlook paid or voluntary work and other interests when thinking about what you have to offer. The develop skills section on our website can tell you more.

What jobs would suit me?

Match your skills and interests to potential occupations (part of the Prospects website).

See the bigger picture

A simple step by step outline to help you progress your career ideas, plus a selection of resources to assist you in this process.

Profiling for success

This online assessment package, provided by the Careers Service for University of Sheffield students and graduates, includes two personality type indicators to help you understand yourself.

Options with your subject - Physics

Make a start by reading this section of the Prospects website and develop ideas on how you can best use your degree.

There are a number of obvious jobs that you may wish to consider such as research scientist, software engineer, or medical physicist. However, there are many other alternatives, as a large proportion of vacancies advertised to graduates are open to any degree subject, so you should be prepared to explore all your options and be open to new career ideas, investigating roles with small companies (SMEs) as well as the large organisations you may already be familiar with.

Career directions - Institute of Physics

The Institute of Physics has a useful careers section, with information about job sectors that might appeal, along with a brief guide to Masters courses and PhDs.

Occupations

This section of our website provides links to professional bodies, organisations (many include vacancy databases) and journals. Use it to research your chosen sectors.

Explore types of jobs - Prospects

Detailed profiles for a wide range of occupations are available from Prospects, and include job descriptions, case studies, salary and conditions, entry requirements, training, typical employers, and vacancies.

These are our suggestions

We've chosen these because they are often seen as related to your area of study, or there is a pattern of graduates in your subject working in these roles. Of course, they are not the only options and there are many other graduate careers potentially open to you.

Further study and research

A significant proportion of Physics and Astronomy graduates progress into postgraduate study. Many pursue a PhD / MPhil in relevant subjects around physics, astronomy, mathematics and energy research. MSc courses in these areas are also popular, along with others which might use science in a different way such as Science Communication. Recently, there has been an increase in the number of graduates undertaking a PGCE to train as a teacher.

Search courses and research

If you are interested in postgraduate study, a good place to start is Prospects, which offer a database of courses and research opportunities.

myVacancies

We advertise over 5000 vacancies each year for graduate jobs, placements, part-time, voluntary work, and vacation work. Students and graduates can register and login.

There are a large number of websites advertising graduate vacancies; some cover a broad range of occupations while others specialise in a particular sector. Increasingly, professional organisations and government bodies also include vacancies as part of their website. Here are some that may be of particular interest to you:

Finding work experience

Read about your options after your degree, how to find out about work experience and developing your skills.

Creative job searching

Many jobs are never advertised through the media, so you may need to be creative in your searching. Talk to academic staff in your department about possible vacancy sources and useful contacts for networking if you wish to pursue a career related to your discipline.

You should also read the section of our website on Creative job searching to help you approach employers in some areas of work who do not normally advertise.

Finally...

At this stage you are not seeking the perfect match, but rather choices which are as far as you can tell going to meet your broad objectives; your decision is probably not for life. Though some decisions can have long term consequences, others enable you to keep your options open until you feel more certain.

Use the menu on the left to explore your career options and plan your applications. We can help you to write your CV and covering letter and prepare for interviews.

Please call us on 0114 2220910 if you would like help with your career planning and would like to talk to a Careers Adviser, or visit us at 388 Glossop Road on the corner of Durham Road.

Email Enquiry Service

We also offer an email service if you find it difficult to visit us at the Careers Service.