I'm currently in Form 5 and I wish to further my studies in biomedical science (or something similar, though I am quite set on this field in particular). However, I understand that the career prospects for this field in Malaysia are slim, especially research-wise, which is what I plan to focus on. There are few recognised universities in Malaysia (local private unis are a priority since they're cheaper) and I have read up on them quite a bit.

My main option is Newcastle University, followed by Monash and Nottingham. I understand that universities may oversell their course quality to students, so I would like honest opinions on which university I should apply for. Admissions-wise I am probably eligible to apply for most unis (trials GPA 0.78) with my lowest grade being an A-. Currently NUMed seems like the most appealing option since it's cost-efficient and is recognised by Malaysia and QS rankings. My parents prefer me doing foundation because it's much quicker and more specialised that A-Levels or IB, so it's necessary I choose a university now.

I am worried about after I finish my degree as well. I know the pay in Malaysia can be quite terrible for this field. What are my chances of obtaining a job with employers willing to sponsor my work visa outside of Malaysia (provided I graduate with reasonably good results)? Is it a smart move to study biomedical science if there's no guarantee of being able to work in a country where there is actually sufficient funding for research? I don't think there's anything else I would be truly content studying and doing for the rest of my life since I love and am good at Biology (and science in general) but lack the qualities and drive required to be a (good) doctor.

If anyone could help me out on this, I would really appreciate it.

So to sum up, here are my questions:

1. Which university would provide me with the best opportunities? (accreditation-wise, employability, etc)
2. Are there any alternatives to biomedical science that will generate more income once I graduate? Where can I take these alternatives?
3 If the answer to my 2nd question is no, what Master's degrees can I take afer BMS BSc to improve my prospects?
4. Is there any other way to improve my career prospects as a BMS graduate?

This post has been edited by Crucio: Sep 16 2017, 08:49 AM

I am in this field for almost 15 years now. I started as a medical lab tech in a hospital and now I am a lab manager in a private hospital.

My vision was exactly as yours, finish study and work as a researcher, find cure for cancer and all. But as you put it, Malaysia is not a good place for clinical researchers.

There are alot of clinical labs in Malaysia. In hospitals, or as standalone labs. Which makes business hard. And then, there are alot of biomed science graduates. I mean "stockpiles of resumes" alot. My point is, a fresh grad would normally makes shy of 2k and if you are lucky to work in a hospital lab with on call, another 1k. If you are not lucky, which you most probably will, you'll work in with less than 2k every month for a year, working on shifts. Increment is bull crap since you are replaceable. "There are alot more people waiting to work for us" bull crap.

My advise, work in singapore / oversea. Get a cert / post degree such as cyto screener after you finished study. Try to work and gain experience first and then do your post degree cert. Dont go for masters / phd unless you want to be a lecturer. Which is a good idea, should you love teaching.

But dont forget us Malaysians.

For a career in biotech or biomed, you'll likely want to look at a PhD path. Of which is an extremely difficult decision for you to make at this point.

Industrial prospects are very slim not just in Malaysia, but anywhere in the world, with the exception of the US, Japan. There's currently eyes on Korea (South, not North), although it remains to be seen if Korea will succeed in growing its Biotech hub or not. Even the Biopolis in Singapore never really took off either, and the entire place is now mainly used as a venue for various conferences. Furthermore, if you're looking at a research based career path, pharma companies won't even look at your CV if you do not have a PhD.

What this means is that your early post grad years will be likely spent at universities as either a research assistant, or working on your postgrad research work on your PhD path.

In regards to your question about employers willing to sponsor your work visa in other countries, your best bet after your undergrad degree is still the academic path. If you can secure funding for a postgrad research degree, chances are that it'll come together with either a research assistant job role, or a teaching job role.

ps. when I mentioned secure funding for a postgrad research degree, what I mean is not secure your own funding, but more of if you can find a supervisor at a university who's interested in your research and is willing to both supervise you and help you secure funding for your research.

This post has been edited by malleus: Sep 10 2017, 08:26 PM

Hi, thanks for the response. Does an accredited degree distinguish an applicant from the sea of biomed graduates? How about soft skills and grades? And yes, I have thought about working overseas, though it is difficult to do that. I doubt I will be able to continue with my Master's right away, as my family isn't exactly filthy rich. I would rather not depend on them to do my Master's. I am thinking of specialising in bioinformatics or pharmacology.

Do you have any suggestions on how I might be able to land a job as a fresh graduate? How are you faring in the field right now, if you don't mind me asking?

As I mentioned earlier, I doubt I will be able to jump straight into my postgraduate because I am depending on my parents for financial aid. Thank you for the response, though, it was very informative. What do you suggest I do in the short term, given I am still only in Form 5?

Also, if anyone has an answer on which educational path (university-wise, course-wise) would be my best bet, that would be tremendously helpful as well.

Well, if financials is a serious problem, I will highly recommend you applying for Matriculation or ACTUAL PRE-U PROGRAMS, [NOT FOUNDATION PROGRAMS]
My opinion is that, go for STPM, A-Level or SAM/WACE HSC.
As it will give you a greater perspective before heading down to either on pathway.

To be honest, after going through A-Levels, STPM is a great option, provided you can score 4.0 every semester, if you plan to enter NTU/NUS, provided if you didn't not screw up too badly.
Also, if you are a potential student, seriously, scholarship grants and opportunities for you out there waiting for you.

If not try enter Singapore's Polytechnic/A-Level Program to see there's a spot for you there? I heard someone in Education Essentials here went to one Singapore Poly for Diploma for Biotechnology or Biomedical. And now pursuing his/her degree in that field right now.

On the side note, no point of going to IB, this program is way too long, and just plain burnt money.
......................................................
If you eventually went down the road of STPM/A-Level, don't have much regrets, don't slack, score a STPM 4.0 or 4As is enough for you to go to a good IPTA/IPTS.

What you can do at the moment is to identify the university that you wish to go into, then check if they have a foundation year or not. that'll provide you with the quickest entry path into that university. get that part over with, get into university and get your undergrad degree over with. then after that it gets interesting.

If you're really keen on the research path after graduation, don't bother looking for a job in the industry, as there's almost none that will help you with your career path. Instead you should be looking for a research assistant position at a university, preferably one where you'll eventually be able to co-author a research publication with your research supervisor. This is rather crucial, as it'll help you with the following:
- learn more about research methods and methodology
- build academic contacts
- when you're applying for a postgrad research degree, this will assist you greatly
- get to know more about the possible research topics that you can do. (this is rather important as well. you'll pretty much need to have an idea of what you want to research on before you even look for a postgrad course, as entrance into a research postgrad degree depends a lot on if you can find a supervisor who's interested in your research topic or not).

The key point here is to use that research assistant's position to help you secure entrance into a postgrad research degree. Once you've secured that, it'll usually come with either another research assistant position, or a teaching position with the university.

In Biotech or Biomed, unfortunately its only after a PhD then you start having a choice of whether you wish to remain in academia, or pick an industrial job with a pharma company.

This post has been edited by malleus: Sep 11 2017, 11:23 PM

I talked to my parents about the finances and they are okay with 26k-ish for pre-u and already have a university in mind, but I would like a few backups should I not be qualified for the uni for various reasons. I would rather not do something that requires I take unnecessary subjects like STPM or public foundation (anything public basically). I've heard STPM can be rather terrible from the STPM students at my school.

Singapore polys are pretty expensive too, but I'll look into it again. I know the prospects would be excellent for me should I study in Singapore. Thank you for the idea!

And I actually have considered IB since there are quite a number of IB scholarships available, though people have said that it's mind-numbingly tiresome.

Thank you for the insight, that was very helpful!

Bump!