Learn about the application of contemporary microbiology in health, food biosecurity and environmental sustainability to help address the world’s biggest challenges.

Biosciences research has a huge impact on helping people live longer and healthier lives. With the World Economic Forum identifying healthcare as one of the top 10 Global Challenges for 2030, there is a growing demand for specialists in this field.

This course provides you with a broad understanding of the molecular basis of biological systems, with a focus on microbes and their role in disease, developing new medicines, improving food biosecurity and environmental sustainability.

Course highlights

• Study at a Top 10 University, on a course designed in consultation with clinical and industrial partners to give you the skills employers are looking for.
• Develop extensive knowledge in your specialist area of microbiology, as well as a broad understanding of molecular biosciences.
• Gain extensive research experience by carrying out two separate research projects.
• Work in dedicated postgraduate labs to give you the laboratory exposure and specialist skills required by industry.
• Work with leading researchers from both the Department of Life Sciences and Milner Centre for Evolution.
• Further strengthen your employability with a project addressing the challenges of global environment sustainability, applying skills related to either entrepreneurship, teaching, media and communication, or public engagement.
• Get support from your dedicated Personal Tutor who you can go to for academic and non-academic support.

Specialise in microbiology

Microbes present global challenges, such as the rise in antibiotic resistance, as well as opportunities, such as in food biosecurity or human health. We'll equip you with the skills and knowledge to help harness the power of microbes to address these issues.

• You’ll be based primarily within the Infection and Immunity research group at Bath where you’ll work with researchers at the forefront of microbial research, strengthening your ability to work as a scientist.
• You’ll focus on the molecular principles underlying the biology of microorganisms, including their epidemiology, pathogenicity, virulence in the context of medicine, public health or agricultural biosecurity.
• You’ll also have the opportunity to use our specialist facilities, including computational methods to analyse large biological datasets to answer the ‘big’ questions in microbiology, from bacterial epidemiology to evolution.

Research projects

You'll undertake two research projects; a group project based in the lab and a lab-based or non-lab based project, working with a researcher in the department. These projects will give you extensive research experience, helping you stand out when applying for jobs or a PhD.

Examples of projects include:

• Environment sensing in fungi: A regulator of disease and toxin contamination
• Staphylococcus epidermidis resistance to host immunity

Career prospects

You’ll graduate with the specialist knowledge and sought-after skills for a career in further research, such as a PhD, or roles in academic, clinical, industrial or commercial sectors anywhere in the world. Our dedicated careers team offers individual guidance and help you decide between employment and further study.

Recent examples of graduate roles include healthcare scientist, analyst, production technician and agricultural engineer.

Find out more on maximising your employability while at Bath.

Who is this course for?

This course is for you if you’ve graduated from any bioscience, medical, veterinary or related discipline and you’re interested in specialising in a career within the field of molecular microbiology.

We also offer the Molecular Biosciences course with specialisms in Medical Biosciences and Bioinformatics and we have a new dedicated MSc Biotechnology with specialisms available in Healthcare Technologies, Sustainable Biotechnologies or with Entrepreneurship.

Find out more about studying at Bath

• Department of Life Sciences
• Postgraduate study at Bath

• IELTS: 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in all components
• The Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic): 62 with no less than 59 in any element
• TOEFL IBT: 90 overall with a minimum 21 in all 4 components

You will need to get your English language qualification within 24 months prior to starting your course.

If you need to improve your English language skills before starting your studies, you may be able to take a pre-sessional course to reach the required level.