Microbiology BSc (Hons)
Course Overview - Microbiology BSc (Hons)
This course is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology. You will spend a lot of time in our £5 million Super Lab gaining hands-on lab experience. Practical learning and laboratory experience starts early in semester one of the first year. Your lab skills will improve throughout the first and second years. In your final year, you will become a member of a research laboratory and carry out your own year-long research project. Some students have even had their work published in scientific journals.
What you will study
Microbiologists play an important r...
This course is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology. You will spend a lot of time in our £5 million Super Lab gaining hands-on lab experience. Practical learning and laboratory experience starts early in semester one of the first year. Your lab skills will improve throughout the first and second years. In your final year, you will become a member of a research laboratory and carry out your own year-long research project. Some students have even had their work published in scientific journals.<br/><br/><strong>What you will study</strong><br/>Microbiologists play an important role in helping to prevent disease, develop new treatments, clean up the environment, and keep food safe. You will study the micro-organisms which affect the environment, human, animal and plant health, and find out how to use microbes to make medicines and vaccines.<br/><br/>You will explore the use of good and bad bacteria, viruses and eukaryotic microbes, and learn different methods needed for the safe handling of level 2 pathogens. These are biological agents that can cause disease, including Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria and Salmonella. Our range of optional modules in the second and third years allows you to tailor your study to your interests.<br/><br/>When you graduate you will be qualified to work with microbial pathogens. This means you can work in a laboratory in research or a pharmaceutical company.<br/><br/>You will learn:<br/>+ sterile technique<br/><br/><br/>+ how to identify bacteria (including pathogenic bacteria)<br/><br/><br/>+ how to grow and characterise bacteria in the laboratory<br/><br/><br/>+ the mechanisms of anti-microbial resistance<br/><br/><br/>+ how to detect and count virusesgene analysis and cloning<br/><br/><br/>All microbiology teaching staff are actively involved in research. This ensures that you are learning up-to-date topics and ideas. We aim to produce graduates who are ready to go out and help tackle some of the biggest problems facing our world today.<br/><br/><strong>Why choose this course</strong><br/>+ <strong>Explore</strong> different areas of microbiology, including disease, health, food and the environment<br/><br/><br/>+ <strong>Accredited by the Royal Society of Biology</strong>, who cited good practice in having a research-led curriculum and the progressive development of laboratory skills<br/><br/><br/>+ <strong>Optional industry year</strong> supported by our placement team, for real-life experience<br/><br/><br/>+ <strong>One-to-one support</strong> on your research project from academic supervisors and lab mentors<br/><br/><br/>+ You can choose to add an <strong>additional year in Computer Science</strong> when you start your degree. Cover topics on programming, software development, modelling and more.<br/><br/><br/><strong>Study abroad</strong><br/>On many of our Faculty of Science courses, you get the chance to spend a semester or an academic year at one of our partner universities across the world. Read what its like to study abroad and how it can open new doors for adventures, connections and opportunities.
Course Information
1 option available
Some courses vary and have tailored teaching options, select a course option below.
Course Details
Information
Study Mode
Full-time
Duration
3 Years
Start Date
21/09/2026
Campus
Sutton Bonington Campus
Application Details
14 January
Application deadline
Provider Details
Codes/info
Course Code
C501
Institution Code
N84
Points of Entry
Year 1
Entry Requirements
UCAS Tariff
Not Accepted
Scottish Higher
A,A,B,B,B
This qualification is accepted in combination with two Scottish Advanced Highers at grades AA in two science-based subjects. Accepted Advanced Highers subjects include Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics and Geography. Psychology and Environmental Science are accepted as science subject when quantitative methods has been studied.
Access to HE Diploma
D:30,M:15
This qualification will be considered where appropriate science content is being studied. The requirement is 60 credits overall with 45 graded credits at Level 3. 30 graded Level 3 credits must be achieved at Distinction from acceptable science units, plus 15 graded Level 3 credits at Merit.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
32
Typically including Higher Level 6,5 in any order in two of Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics Applications and Interpretations, Mathematics Analysis and Approaches, Physics, Geography, Psychology, Environmental Systems and Societies. Alternatively, 665 in 3 Higher Level certificates, to include two of Higher Level Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics Applications and Interpretations, Mathematics Analysis and Approaches, Physics, Geography, Psychology, Environmental Systems and Societies. Alternatively, one HL science above plus 2 additional SL sciences may be considered.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DDD
Applications are considered on an individual basis to ensure sufficient science has been studied.
GCSE/National 4/National 5
GCSE English and Maths grade C/4.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DD
This qualification will be considered alongside A Level grade A. Applications are considered on an individual basis to ensure sufficient science has been studied. The required A Levels for mixed BTEC and A Level grade profiles depends on the science content studied in the BTEC.
Scottish Advanced Higher
A,A
To include 2 science-based subjects. Accepted subjects include Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics and Geography. Psychology and Environmental Science are accepted as science subject when quantitative methods has been studied. This qualification is accepted in combination with five Scottish Highers at grades AABBB.
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
D3,M1,M2
To include two science-based subjects. Accepted subjects include Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics and Geography. Psychology and Environmental Science are accepted as science subject when quantitative methods has been studied.
Extended Project
A
Considered alongside 3 A Levels or equivalent, including two science-based subjects. Accepted subjects include Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics and Geography. Psychology and Environmental Science are accepted as science subject when quantitative methods has been studied.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
D
This qualification will be considered alongside A Level grades A,B. Applications are considered on an individual basis to ensure sufficient science has been studied. The required A Levels for mixed BTEC and A Level grade profiles depends on the science content studied in the BTEC.
AQA Certificate in Mathematical Studies (Core Maths)
A
This qualification is considered alongside 3 A-levels (or equivalent). Level 3 Core Maths qualifications from other awarding bodies are also acceptable: - Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Certificate in Mathematics in Context - OCR Level 3 Certificate in Core Maths A (MEI) - OCR Level 3 Certificate in Core Maths B (MEI)
A level
A,A,B
A,B,B
AAB including two science-based subjects at A level. Accepted subjects include Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, Geology and Geography. Psychology and Environmental Science are accepted as science subject when quantitative methods has been studied. Alternatively, ABB including 2 accepted science subjects plus an A In the EPQ. Citizenship Studies, Critical Thinking, Science and Society, General Studies and Leisure studies not accepted.
T Level
D
T Levels will be considered on a case-by-case basis to ensure sufficient science content has been studied; please contact us for more information.
WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales
A
B
This qualification is accepted as equivalent to a non-science A Level.
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Fees and funding
| Region | Costs | Academic Year | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Channel Islands, Republic of Ireland | £9,535 | 2025/26 | Year 1 |
| EU, International | £30,750 | 2025/26 | Year 1 |
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