MSci Microbiology

University of Reading

United Kingdom, Reading

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University of Reading

United Kingdom , Reading

Key Facts

Program Level

Master by Course Work

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Course Code

C503

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

MSci Microbiology

About

Expand your knowledge of some of the planet's smallest life forms. Contribute to research projects with global impact on this integrated MSci Microbiology course.

Take a look at the fascinating world of microbes and their crucial roles in the biosphere. Through the course, you will learn about the fundamental properties, genetics and physiology of diverse microbes. Choose optional modules and focus your studies on areas that most interest you, including medical, environmental or food microbiology.

Why study Microbiology at the University of Reading?

You can apply for Chartered Biologist status upon graduation, which is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology.
You'll benefit from membership of the Microbiology Society and our strong links with industry.
Networking opportunities: the University is located in the Thames Valley corridor, giving you networking opportunities with biochemical, chemical, pharmaceutical, cell biology and informatics companies at careers fairs and events.
We are in the UK's top 10 universities for biosciences (ranked 9th by the Daily Mail University Guide, 2024).
97% of School of Biological Sciences students said teaching staff are good at explaining things (National Student Survey 2024, 97% of responders).
You'll become a member of the UK's oldest microbiology department.

Accreditation

This programme has been accredited by the Royal Society of Biology 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.

What you'll study

The MSci follows the standard undergraduate curriculum but with an additional year of study and a master's level qualification.

This course has a strong practical basis, and you will learn a wide variety of techniques such as microbial genetics, biochemistry and propagation. In your first year, you will learn about the structure and function of microbes (viruses, bacteria, archaea, fungi and protists), and the interrelationships between microbes, other organisms and the environment. You will also focus on developing your essential laboratory skills, data handling/interpretation and other key transferable skills.

In your second year, enhance your knowledge of how microbes function and gain a deeper understanding of infectious diseases and the pathogens that cause them, including the mechanisms of treatment and prevention.

The third year of the programme places a strong emphasis on the application of knowledge and skills. Ready for your final year, where you will have the chance to spend three months working on an Advanced Research Project, working alongside academics on cutting-edge medical research. This will provide you with the opportunity to independently plan, execute, analyse and communicate a research project in a specialised area of microbiology.

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.

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

Your MSci Microbiology will prepare you for either professional or academic success in the field of microbiology, and the transferable skills you gain will ensure you are highly employable in both scientific and non-scientific job sectors. Additionally, you can become a member of the Society of Biology and apply for Chartered Biologist status.

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% 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

1. Check our entry requirements

Please see our postgraduate subject finder for minimum entry requirements for the programme you are interested in; entry requirements can vary from one programme to another. International students can consult our country-specific pages for information and guidance on alternative qualification equivalencies for master’s study.

If English is not your first language, you will also need to meet our English language requirements. You can find the IELTS requirements on each course page. We also accept a range of alternative English language qualifications.

If your English ability is not at the required standard, you can choose to apply for one of our Pre-sessional English programmes. The programmes will equip you with the study skills and preparation needed for academic study in English. The length of your Pre-sessional English programme is determined by your current level of English against the English language requirements of your chosen master’s programme.

2. Application and funding deadlines

Although most master’s programmes do not formally close for applications, some programmes do have application deadlines; if your programme has a deadline it will be specified on the course page under the ‘Entry requirements’ section. For programmes that do not have a specific application deadline, places may be limited and programmes may become full. We recommend that you apply as early as possible (particularly if you are an international student) to allow time not only for us to process your application, but for you to ensure that you can meet any offer conditions, arrange your accommodation and, importantly, funding for your studies. For admission in September, we do recommend that you apply by 1 August (if you are a UK applicant) and 1 July (if you are an international applicant requiring a visa to come to the UK) however, we are happy to still consider applications after these dates.

International applicants should also see our advice and guidance on visas and immigration.

Funding deadlines

We require an offer of study for many of our master’s scholarships and bursaries. You should check deadlines for applications carefully, and each scholarship or bursary will have specific application instructions. We may add scholarships throughout the year, so it is a good idea to re-visit our scholarships and bursaries page.

3. Submit your application

You can apply for master’s programmes directly through our online application system, RISIS. For our PGCE/Teacher Training programmes, applications must be made via the Department of Education's Find Postgraduate Teacher Training portal. Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an automatic confirmation.

Various documents are needed to make your application. You should electronically upload:

full transcripts of all degree programmes taken. If these are not in English, a certified translation into English is required. Please do not mail original copies; we only require PDF copies via electronic upload,
an English language certificate (for example IELTS or TOEFL), if English is not your first language (this can also be provided after you submit your application),
contact details for two academic/professional references. Your references will automatically be invited via email to upload their reference directly once you have submitted your application. Please remind your references to check their junk/spam filters for the email and let them know that the link to the form is only valid for 20 days,
statement of purpose. Your personal statement should outline your academic performance, interest in applying to master’s study, any relevant work experience and skills gained,
a copy of your passport (for international students).

Application fee

We do not charge an application fee to apply for our master’s programmes.

4. Track your application

You can track the progress of your application using our applicant portal, Me@Reading, a personalised resource including information about your programme of study, student stories and what's happening here at Reading. It has everything you need to know, all in one place. When we have made a decision on your application, we will contact you via email. If we are able to make you an offer for a place to study, your offer will contain information about what to do next, including how to accept your offer, pay a deposit (if applicable), and any conditions you must meet to study with us.