Biology
A field of study in natural sciences, mathematics and statistics
Vocational or degree?Mostly higher education1 in 10 train through vocational routes in the EU: 13,000 finished vocational training and 106,000 higher education in this field (2024). Figures for the wider field.Eurostat
Do graduates use it?63% in a matching jobof science and maths graduates with a degree in the EU work in a job that matches what they studied. After vocational training: 30% (small sample).All science and maths fields · Eurostat 2024
Do they find work?87% in workof people who finished higher education in the last 1 to 3 years in the EU (2025). Vocational training: 80%. General upper secondary only: 67%.All fields · Eurostat
What you'd learn
BiologyLaboratory techniquesAnatomy of animalsFish biologyMicrobiology-bacteriologyLivestock speciesPlant speciesFish identification and classificationFish anatomyAnimal speciesLife sciencesBiomechanics+ 13 more
The knowledge areas ESCO files under this field, those most needed by jobs first. Actual programmes vary by school and country.
Where it can lead
42 jobs use what this field teaches.
| Job | Prospects | Pay | Usual study | AI exposure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aquatic animal health professional | Good | Well above average | Degree | Very low |
| Biotechnical technician | Average | About average | Post-secondary | Some tasks |
| Scientific laboratory technician | Average | About average | Post-secondary | Some tasks |
| Biologist | Good | Above average | Degree | Moderate |
| Taxidermist | Good | About average | Post-secondary | Some tasks |
| Aquaculture rearing technician | Limited | Below average | Vocational | Very low |
| Water quality analyst | Good | Above average | Degree | Low |
| Slaughterer | Good | Below average | Vocational | Very low |
| Immunologist | Good | Above average | Degree | Moderate |
| Aquaculture harvesting technician | Limited | Below average | Vocational | Very low |
| Aquaculture hatchery manager | Limited | Below average | Vocational | Very low |
| Butcher | Good | Below average | Vocational | Very low |
| Bioinformatics scientist | Good | Above average | Degree | Moderate |
| Nature conservation officer | Good | Above average | Degree | Low |
| Fish trimmer | Good | Below average | Vocational | Very low |
| Ecologist | Good | Above average | Degree | Low |
| Meat preparations operator | Good | Below average | Vocational | Very low |
| Equine worker | Good | Below average | Basic schooling | Very low |
| Aquaculture hatchery technician | Limited | Below average | Vocational | Very low |
| Medical laboratory assistant | Good | About average | Post-secondary | Low |
| Meat cutter | Good | Below average | Vocational | Very low |
| Aquaculture harvesting manager | Good | Well above average | Degree | Very low |
| Equine yard manager | Good | Below average | Vocational | Very low |
| Fish preparation operator | Good | Below average | Vocational | Very low |
| Pharmacologist | Good | Above average | Degree | Moderate |
| Countryside officer | Good | Above average | Degree | Low |
| Groom | Good | Below average | Basic schooling | Very low |
| Agricultural technician | Average | About average | Post-secondary | Very low |
| Aquaculture recirculation manager | Good | Above average | Degree | Very low |
| Animal behaviourist | Good | Above average | Degree | Moderate |
| Aquaculture cage technician | Limited | Below average | Vocational | Very low |
| Aquaculture husbandry technician | Limited | Below average | Vocational | Very low |
| Catcher | Good | Below average | Basic schooling | Very low |
| Fisheries adviser | Good | Above average | Degree | Very low |
| Aquaculture mooring manager | Limited | Below average | Vocational | Very low |
| Veterinary scientist | Good | Well above average | Degree | Very low |
| Animal shelter worker | Average | Below average | Vocational | Very low |
| Agronomist | Good | Above average | Degree | Very low |
| Land-based machinery supervisor | Limited | About average | Vocational | Very low |
| Sensory scientist | Good | Above average | Degree | Low |
| Aquaculture hatchery worker | Limited | Below average | Vocational | Very low |
| Poultry breeder | Limited | Below average | Vocational | Very low |
Jobs that need the knowledge this field teaches (ESCO), closest match first. This is not a record of where graduates actually end up: no EU-wide data says that per field.
Where to study
697 institutions in the EU offer science and maths bachelor's degrees. Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.