Medical Microbiology
Entry requirements
A level
including Biology and a second science Second science subjects include Chemistry, Maths, Further Maths, Physics or Psychology
Access to HE Diploma
Access to HE Diploma in a relevant subject: 60 credits overall with 45 credits at Level 3, including 36 credits at Distinction (to include Chemistry and Biology units), and 9 credits at Merit + Interview
Extended Project
in a relevant EPQ + ABB at A Level including Biology and a second science
GCSE/National 4/National 5
GCSE English Language grade 4/C and Maths grade 6/B
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
with 6, 5 in Higher Level Biology and a second science
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
including Biology and a second science
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
in Applied Science + A at A Level in either Biology/Human Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Further Maths, Physics or Psychology + Interview
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
(RQF) DDD in Applied Science (including modules in Applications of Inorganic Chemistry, Applications of Organic Chemistry and Practical Chemical Analysis, and no more than one of the following: Forensic Evidence Collection and Analysis, Forensic Fire Investigation or Forensic Traffic Collision Investigation) + Interview (QCF) DD in Applied Science + A at A Level in either Biology/Human Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Further Maths, Physics or Psychology + Interview
Scottish Higher
+ AB at Advanced Higher including Biology and a second science
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)
+ AA at A Level in Biology and a second science
UCAS Tariff
We've calculated how many Ucas points you'll need for this course.
About this course
Our three-year course will give you a broad understanding of microbiology with an emphasis on topics of medical relevance. You’ll learn how microbes live, as well as ways to disrupt disease processes. You'll study the importance of bacteria, viruses and other microbes in the environment and as pathogens.
You’ll also discover how we can manipulate their genetic makeup to put microbes to good use in biotechnology, how we can tackle the threat of antimicrobial-resistant infections, and the role that microbiology continues to play in supporting the global response to pandemics such as Covid-19.
From your first year you’ll study modules that span the molecular biosciences covering microbiology, biochemistry, genetics and molecular biology. Alongside these modules you’ll have the freedom to explore complementary topics across the breadth of bioscience, such as biomedicine, ecology, plant science and zoology. This flexibility allows you to study microbiology in greater depth, broaden your interests or even switch to another biosciences degree programme.
No matter what modules you choose to study, you’ll develop the practical laboratory and transferable skills that make our graduates attractive to employers including project management, problem solving, communication skills and data analysis.
We’ll give you plenty of opportunities to apply your new skills and knowledge. You’ll be in the lab completing in-depth practicals across molecular genetics, DNA manipulation and protein structure analysis. You’ll get the chance to use cutting-edge equipment to run your own in-depth research projects.
Whether you choose to focus solely on medical microbiology, or study a range of topics across the molecular biosciences and beyond, your personal tutor will support you to tailor your degree to your interests and career goals.
If you want to study this course but don't meet the entry requirements our Biosciences with a Foundation Year could be for you. After successfully completing the one year programme, you'll progress onto the first year of one of our bioscience degrees.
This course is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology which shows employers that you've developed the practical skills and scientific knowledge that they're looking for.
Tuition fees
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What students say
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Microbiology and cell science
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Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
After graduation
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Biosciences
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Top job areas of graduates
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Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
Biosciences
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£20k
£24k
£27k
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.
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Post-six month graduation stats:
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Graduate field commentary:
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While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?
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