Pathologist
The diagnosis behind the diagnosis: the specialist whose report on a biopsy decides the whole treatment plan.
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- Typical pay
- €45k–€90k
- Usual education
- Medicine degree + 4-year pathology residency
- Outlook
- Quietly short-staffed; molecular pathology is expanding.
A day in the life
Microscope work, cutting and staining tissue, molecular testing, tumour boards, and occasional autopsies. Little patient contact, enormous consequence.
Ways in
- Medicine degree
- MIR exam
- Four-year pathological anatomy residency
- Hospital labs, molecular diagnostics or forensic pathology
What to study at 16
The subjects you choose for the final years of secondary school can shape which degrees, exams and careers are easiest to reach. This is about choosing courses, not choosing a school.
Spain
Bachillerato de Ciencias y Tecnología
Portugal
Ciências e Tecnologias
France
Bac général — spécialités
Germany
Oberstufe — Leistungskurse
Italy
Liceo scientifico
Netherlands
Profiel Natuur & Gezondheid
Exams you'll need
The gates between you and this job, and when each one comes.
Browse all examsSkills that matter
Best courses to take
The study routes that lead most directly into this career.
Degree in Medicine
Six years, the highest entrance marks in the country, and the only route to becoming a doctor of any specialty.
Specialty chosen after the MIR exam.
Helpful school subjects: Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Pathology, Pharmacology, Clinical rotations
Clinical & Biomedical Laboratory (Grado Superior)
Two years processing the samples every diagnosis depends on, then straight into hospital or private labs.
A shorter route into the same lab, as a technician.
Helpful school subjects: Haematology, Microbiology, Biochemistry analysis, Quality control, Work placement
Places that hire for this
Grifols
Laboratory, quality and technical routes into health science.
Novo Nordisk
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Philips
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Roche
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Sanofi
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SYNLAB
Laboratory, quality and technical routes into health science.