BSc Microbiology with Professional Experience

University of Reading

United Kingdom, Reading

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173

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University of Reading

United Kingdom , Reading

Key Facts

Program Level

Bachelor

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Course Code

C502

Campuses

Main Site

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake DeadlinesSeptember-2026

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 4 year(s)

Tuition Fee

GBP 30,650 / year

Next Intake September-2026

BSc Microbiology with Professional Experience

About

Expand your knowledge of some of the planet's most dominant life forms, and take part in research projects with a global impact on this BSc Microbiology with Professional Experience course.

As part of the UK's oldest microbiology department you can develop laboratory skills in purpose-built microbiology facilities and be taught by world-leading experts, with particular strengths in virology and bacteriology. 97% of School of Biological Sciences students said teaching staff are good at explaining things (National Student Survey 2024, 97.31% of responders).

Through the course, you will learn about the fundamental properties, genetics and physiology of diverse microbes. Options will then allow you to focus on areas that most interest you, including medical, environmental or food microbiology. You will also have the chance to carry out a year-long industrial placement or a paid vacation studentship in order to gain valuable work and research experience. You'll benefit from membership of the Society for General Microbiology and strong links with industry.

BSc Microbiology has a strong practical basis, and you will learn a wide variety of techniques such as microbial genetics, biochemistry and propagation. During your final year you will have the chance to spend three months working on an original research project of your choice. Recent projects have included the molecular engineering of viruses, and the mechanisms of bacterial pathogenicity and host colonisation.

In your final year you will also have the opportunity to take part in our unique Arctic microbiology field course in Iceland. There you will be able to examine the unusual microbes that inhabit extreme environments and learn field-based sampling techniques.

Our £60m Health and Life Sciences building is the home of the School of Biological Sciences. It offers state-of-the-art research and teaching laboratories, seminar rooms, and plenty of study and social space, including a café. The building also houses the Cole Museum of Zoology. The collection, featuring over 3,500 natural history specimens, provides a fantastic resource for biological scientists and the wider community.

For more information, please visit the School of Biological Sciences website.

Placement

You will carry out a year-long industrial placement between your second and final year. Student in previous years have worked at Public Health England’s Porton Down and Colindale laboratories, GSK, AstraZeneca and Covance. You can also choose to spend a year abroad, typically carrying out research in an academic laboratory.

You will be able to undertake paid vacation studentships funded by organisations such as the Wellcome Trust and the Society for General Microbiology. These can take place over six weeks during the summer break, or be carried out part-time over a longer period. During studentships you will typically work on a set project and benefit from valuable training in techniques, experimental design and the interpretation of data.

Additionally, you can take a work placement module.

Our department has a dedicated academic in charge of placements, who can provide you with advice and support.

For more information about securing and completing a placement for your placement year, please visit our Important Information page.

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Select Reading as your firm choice on UCAS and we'll guarantee you a place even if you don't quite meet your offer. For details, see our firm choice scheme.

Our typical offers are expressed in terms of A level, BTEC and International Baccalaureate requirements. However, we also accept many other qualifications.

Typical offer

ABB with B in Biology, or BBB with B in Biology and B in a second science subject.

Acceptable second science subjects: Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Further Maths, Statistics, Psychology, Geography, Environmental Science/Studies, Applied Science, Geology, Computer Science.

International Baccalaureate

32 points including 5 in Biology at higher lever.

30 points including 5 in Biology a second science subject, both at higher level.

Extended Project Qualification

In recognition of the excellent preparation that the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) provides to students for University study, we can now include achievement in the EPQ as part of a formal offer.

BTEC Extended Diploma

DDD (modules taken must be comparable to subject specific requirement)

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5, with no component below 5.5

For information on other English language qualifications, please visit our international student pages.

Alternative entry requirements for International and EU students

For country specific entry requirements look at entry requirements by country.

International Foundation Programme

If you are an international or EU student and do not meet the requirements for direct entry to your chosen degree you can join the University of Reading’s International Foundation Programme. Successful completion of this 1 year programme guarantees you a place on your chosen undergraduate degree. English language requirements start as low as IELTS 4.5 depending on progression degree and start date.

Learn more about our International Foundation programme

Pre-sessional English language programme

If you need to improve your English language score you can take a pre-sessional English course prior to entry onto your degree.

Find out the English language requirements for our courses and our pre-sessional English programme

English Program Requirements

IELTS 6.5, with no component below 5.5

Career

BSc Microbiology graduates have a range of transferable skills that make them highly employable in both scientific and non-scientific job sectors. Additionally, graduates can become members of the Society of Biology and apply for Chartered Biologist status.

This programme has been accredited by the Royal Society of Biology (RSB) following an independent and rigorous assessment.

Accredited degree programmes contain a solid academic foundation in biological knowledge and establish a profile of key skills that bioscience employers can recognise in accredited graduates, including technical and transferable skills.

You can move on to a career as a researcher or scientist. You may also decide to move on to further study or a research studentship at a British or international university. Past BSc Microbiology graduates at Reading have gone on to work for employers such as Abbot Laboratories, Oxford Biomedica, NHS, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and Civil Service (Based on HESA data © HESA 2020 - 2024, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2017/18 - 2021/22; includes BSc Microbiology responders).

Overall, 91.4% of graduates from the School of Biological Sciences are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation (based on our analysis of HESA data (c) HESA 2024, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021/22, includes all School of Biological Sciences responders).

Fee Information

Tuition Fee

GBP 30,650

Application Fee

GBP

How to Apply

You can apply online for all of our courses, including courses with an Integrated Foundation Year, via the national admissions service, UCAS. You can choose to apply for up to five courses in total, including more than one course at the same institution.

1. Find a course

Browse our undergraduate courses and identify which ones you'd like to apply for. Make sure to check your course's entry requirements before you apply.

2. Begin your application

Our UCAS code is R12. The University does not have a campus code.

3. Write your personal statement

As part of your application, you'll be asked to submit a personal statement to support your application. This is your opportunity to tell us more about why you want to study the course and what interests, skills and experience you have that demonstrate your passion for the subject.

4. Submit your application

When you're happy with your application and have added the required information such as qualifications, personal statement and reference, you can submit your application.

A small charge is made by UCAS for applying to university. The application fee for 2024 entry is £27.50 for up to five choices.

Make sure to check the UCAS website for the most up-to-date application deadlines. If you have missed the January deadline, there is still the opportunity to apply (via UCAS), and we are happy to consider late applications until 30 June 2024 (all applications received after 30 June are entered into Clearing). Please be aware that some of our courses may be full after the January UCAS deadline, so we recommend early applications where possible.