So, what qualifications do you need to start an entry-level job as a medical writer in #MedComms in the UK?

Four years ago, I asked the question: "Do you need a PhD to get an entry-level job in #MedComms medical writing in the UK?". I posted an article here on LinkedIn to report a simple snapshot survey that I ran amongst MedComms agencies. In that survey we found 99 (59%) of 168 entry-level medical writers taken on in 2018 had a PhD. It certainly seemed like a PhD helped. Another 42 (25%) had a postgraduate degree eg MSc and 27 (16%) arrived straight from a first degree.

A lot has happened over the past four years and MedComms has boomed! Many agencies have been recruiting at all levels. I wondered if the pattern amongst entry-level medical writers had changed at all. We are, after all, often keen to stress that all backgrounds are welcome.

I have now run another similarly simple snapshot survey this January, again looking at UK agencies only, asking "what happened in 2022?".

This time, I contacted 60 agencies and 31 replied. The results are below. Whilst it’s difficult again to extrapolate to the broader community, the obvious points are clear; entry-level medical writers coming into MedComms in the UK almost always come in with a life-sciences degree background and at the least a postgraduate qualification like an MSc is very useful. Interestingly, though, it does appear the pendulum has swung away from PhDs.

What do you think? Agencies vary a lot. It would be really interesting to get some comments and feedback about these numbers from across the community, from employers, employees, recruiters and wannabes. How does it relate to your own experiences? Please share your thoughts below.

Results:

I received data on 225 entry-level medical writers who had been taken on in 2022 in the UK across the 31 agencies that replied. The agencies that contributed data are listed below.

Numbers per agency ranged from 0 to 49.

220 (98%) had a life-sciences background (including pharmacy and medicine)

Of the 4 (2%) without a life-sciences background, we recorded 1 x ecology, 2 x chemistry and 1 x psychology

Highest qualification of writers on employment 

39 (17%) first degree

115 (51%) post-grad (eg MSc)

38 (17%) PhD

24 (4%) post-doc

9 (4%) others made up of 6 x medics, 1 x pharmacist and 2 x PGCE

Caveat:

A snapshot like this begs a lot more questions. An obvious point to make is that I can't verify these data. I'm simply trusting everyone who submitted their numbers! But it hopefully provides some food for thought.

Participants:

The following MedComms agencies supplied data, kudos to them all: 2theNth, Adelphi Communications, AMICULUM, Apothecom, Ashfield MedComms, Aspire Scientific, Bedrock Health, Bham Pharma, Bioscript Group, Envision Pharma Group, Helios Global Group, Highfield, inScience Communications (Springer Healthcare), Inspired Science, IPG Health Medical Communications, Langland, LCW Consulting, LINK Health Group, Lucid Group, NexGen Healthcare Communications, nspm, Oxford PharmaGenesis, Page Medical Communications, Performance IO, Porterhouse Medical Group, Prescript, Prime Global, Synergy Vision, Virgo Health, Wave, Word Monster.

About me:

I've been supporting the global #MedComms community for quite a few years now via the various services at MedCommsNetworking.com. And I do my best to help promote the business to academics who might be interested in a career in medical writing, particularly here in the UK, via the service at FirstMedCommsJob.com. If you work in or around medical communications, medical education, medical publishing or the associated businesses, or if you want to work with us, then please do take a look. Join the community and please help spread the word. Go #MedComms!