MSc Medical Microbiology

Year of entry: 2024

Overview

Degree awarded
MSc/PGDip
Duration
MSc: 12/24 mths (FT/PT); PGDip: 9/21 mths (FT/PT)
Entry requirements

We require an honours degree (minimum Upper Second) or overseas equivalent in:

  • microbiology
  • virology
  • medical laboratory sciences
  • biomedical sciences
  • medicine
  • veterinary medicine
  • dentistry
  • pharmacy
  • other biology degrees incorporating substantial human biology and, ideally, an element of microbiology.

Non-standard applicants for the course will be considered on an individual basis, but may be required to enrol initially on the PGDip course.

This course is also available for intercalating medical students, both from the University of Manchester and other UK universities, upon completion of their third year. For St Andrews students, this includes the three-year course plus the following one or two years spent in Manchester. Intercalating medical students need to have passed all assessments at first attempt (if they are third year) or have no fails in third year if they are fourth year.

Full entry requirements

How to apply

Please apply via our online application form . See the application and selection section for details of the supporting documents we require.

We recommend that you apply as early as possible. We reserve the right to close applications if the course is full.

Course options

Full-time Part-time Full-time distance learning Part-time distance learning
MSc Y Y N N
PGDip Y Y N N

Course overview

  • Learn medical and molecular aspects of bacteriology, virology, mycology, epidemiology and management of infectious diseases.
  • Study at a university ranked 8th in the UK and among the top 40 in the world for Medicine (QS World University Rankings 2023).
  • Learn from academics at the University and NHS specialists in infectious disease.
  • Gain practical experience in the laboratory.
  • Prepare for a career in biomedical/clinical sciences, teaching or academic and industrial research.
  • We offer units from this MSc as standalone courses, continuing professional development (CPD).

Open days

Attending an open day is a great way to find out what studying at Manchester is like. Find out about our upcoming open days .

Fees

For entry in the academic year beginning September 2024, the tuition fees are as follows:

  • MSc (full-time)
    UK students (per annum): £13,000
    International, including EU, students (per annum): £32,000
  • MSc (part-time)
    UK students (per annum): £6,500
    International, including EU, students (per annum): £16,000
  • PGDip (full-time)
    UK students (per annum): £10,400
    International, including EU, students (per annum): £25,600
  • PGDip (part-time)
    UK students (per annum): £5,200
    International, including EU, students (per annum): £12,800

Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.

The fees quoted above will be fully inclusive for the course tuition, administration and computational costs during your studies.

All fees for entry will be subject to yearly review and incremental rises per annum are also likely over the duration of courses lasting more than a year for UK/EU students (fees are typically fixed for international students for the course duration at the year of entry).

For general fees information please visit postgraduate fees . Always contact the department if you are unsure which fee applies to your qualification award and method of attendance.

Self-funded international applicants for this course will be required to pay a deposit of £1,000 towards their tuition fees or provide a sponsor letter (which we must first confirm), before a confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) is issued. This deposit will only be refunded if immigration permission is refused. We will notify you about how and when to make this payment. 

Policy on additional costs

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).

Scholarships/sponsorships

For the latest scholarship and bursary information please visit the fees and funding page.

Contact details

School/Faculty
Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health
Contact name
Postgraduate Admissions Team
Telephone
0161 529 4577
Email
Website
https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/medicine/
School/Faculty
Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health

Courses in related subject areas

Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas.

Entry requirements

Academic entry qualification overview

We require an honours degree (minimum Upper Second) or overseas equivalent in:

  • microbiology
  • virology
  • medical laboratory sciences
  • biomedical sciences
  • medicine
  • veterinary medicine
  • dentistry
  • pharmacy
  • other biology degrees incorporating substantial human biology and, ideally, an element of microbiology.

Non-standard applicants for the course will be considered on an individual basis, but may be required to enrol initially on the PGDip course.

This course is also available for intercalating medical students, both from the University of Manchester and other UK universities, upon completion of their third year. For St Andrews students, this includes the three-year course plus the following one or two years spent in Manchester. Intercalating medical students need to have passed all assessments at first attempt (if they are third year) or have no fails in third year if they are fourth year.

English language

International applicants from non-majority English speaking countries must demonstrate English proficiency through a secure and approved testing system. A list of majority English speaking countries, as defined by the UK Home Office, can be found here ).

Specifically, we require a minimum of:

  • IELTS : 6.5 overall with 6.0 in all components

We may also accept evidence of a confirmed place on a University Pre-sessional English language course, if your current IELTS scores meet requirements.

Please note, we must approve this before you apply for the English course. If you wish to be considered for a pre-sessional course please contact the admissions team pgtaughtmedicine@manchester.ac.uk  

English language test validity

Some English Language test results are only valid for two years. Your English Language test report must be valid on the start date of the course.

Other international entry requirements

See further information about requirements for your country

Relevant work experience

We will also consider the length of time worked and experience gained as part of your application.

Application and selection

How to apply

Please apply via our online application form . See the application and selection section for details of the supporting documents we require.

We recommend that you apply as early as possible. We reserve the right to close applications if the course is full.

Advice to applicants

Your application form must have the following supporting documents.

  • One academic reference will be sought. You will be required to provide details of one academic referee when completing your application form. Professional references can be provided in instances where you have been out of university for more than three years.
  • Official degree certificates (with translations if not in English) if you have already graduated.
  • Official University transcripts (with translations if not in English).
  • Full CV.
  • Personal statement (300-500 words).
  • If English is not your first language, we require proof of your English language ability. If you have already taken an English language qualification, please include your certificate with your application. We may be willing to consider your application without this document, but if we choose to make you an offer, the conditions will include IELTS (or equivalent qualification).

Supporting documents can be uploaded with the online application form. We may not be able to consider your application until we have received all of the documents listed above.

You must include your University ID number on any correspondence and do not send any documents before you have submitted your application.

A place on this course cannot be guaranteed if offers made are not accepted by the deadline stated in the offer letter.

Please note that places on the PGDip course may be offered to students who do not exactly meet the academic entry requirements, with the possibility of transfer to the MSc on adequate academic progression in Semester 1.

How your application is considered

On receipt of key supporting documentation, your application will be reviewed by the relevant Course Director. Applicants are considered on an academic and relevant professional experience basis, based on all information provided.

Interview requirements

We do not normally interview applicants, but reserve the right to do so in certain circumstances.

Returning to education

For those returning to education after a period of full-time employment, it may be difficult to obtain up-to-date references. In this instance, we will accept a reference from an employer to support older academic references.

Overseas (non-UK) applicants

CAS Information

Self-funded international applicants for this course will be required to pay a deposit of £1,000 towards their tuition fees before a confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) is issued. This deposit will only be refunded if immigration permission is refused. We will notify you about how and when to make this payment.

For CAS purposes, you will be asked to upload a copy of your current valid passport showing the photograph page. This must show your full name, date of birth, nationality, passport number and the date the passport is valid until, which must be later than the date of your planned arrival in the UK, and the start date of your course.

You cannot use your CAS to apply for a visa more than three months before the start date of your course. The admissions team will contact you at the appropriate time.

Your CAS number is only valid for one Tier 4 application.

Fitness to practise / health requirements

Occupational Health clearance (a Fitness to Work certificate) will be need to be obtained during the first semester, so please ensure that you bring with you a full history of vaccinations received. Any additional vaccinations required will be provided on arrival.

Deferrals

Deferrals are considered on an individual basis. Successful applicants may defer entry to the course for one year.

Re-applications

If you applied in the previous year and your application was not successful, you may apply again. Your application will be considered against the standard course entry criteria for that year of entry. In your new application, you should demonstrate how your application has improved.

We may draw upon all information from your previous applications or any previous registrations at the University as a student when assessing your suitability for your chosen course.

Course details

Course description

Our long-running MSc Medical Microbiology course is ideal if you are a graduate or professional looking to develop or enhance your skills as a microbiologist.

The course is unique because you will spend much of your time in the laboratory, learning how to be a hands-on microbiologist. You will cover medical and molecular aspects of microbiology and immunity to infection, incorporating traditional and current methods of laboratory diagnosis, treatment, epidemiology and management of infection.

We aim to give you a significant level of theoretical and practical understanding of the subject, which will be important if you want to follow a career in the diagnosis and study of infectious diseases.

Since its origins in the 1920s, the course has been taken by many UK and international medical microbiology consultants, clinical or biomedical scientists, along with those who have progressed into academic or industrial research.

During the course, and particularly your research project, you will have the opportunity to specialise in your preferred area (bacteriology, virology, mycology, parasitology, antimicrobials, molecular diagnostics, global health) whilst maintaining an understanding of integrated microbiology.

PhD with integrated master's

If you're planning to undertake a PhD after your master's, our Integrated PhD programme will enable you to combine your postgraduate taught course with a related PhD project in biology, medicine or health.

You can also visit this page for examples of projects related to integrated master's courses.

Aims

We aim to provide you with an understanding of the scientific basis of traditional and modern microbiological concepts.

In addition, you will develop the knowledge, specialist practical skills and critical awareness needed to pursue a career in medical microbiology.

Special features

Extensive practical learning

The lab-focused nature of this course means you will gain maximum exposure to both the practical and theoretical aspects of a wide range of clinically relevant pathogens, helping develop practical skills that are valued by potential employers.

Various study options

You can study either full-time or part-time on the MSc route, enabling you to fit learning around your other commitments if needed. Our part-time option comprises full-time study, one semester per year (approximately 12 weeks).

Research experience

You will typically carry out research projects within one of the University's microbiology, virology or mycology research groups. The close relationship between the diagnostic services in Greater Manchester and the University department enable our research activities to be directly related to current relevant issues in medical microbiology.

Teaching and learning

This course is delivered by academics from the University and NHS specialists in infectious disease and medical microbiology.

You will learn via a range of methods, including lectures, seminars, tutorials and comprehensive practical classes.

We use both face-to-face sessions and blended learning methods, with some material delivered and assessed online.

Find out more by visiting the postgraduate teaching and learning page.

Coursework and assessment

You will be assessed via continual assessment and formal theory and practical examinations.

Course unit details

The course consists of 120 credits of taught material and followed by 60 credits of research (MSc only)
  • Understanding Infection (30 credits)
  • Practical Microbiology (15 credits)
  • Molecular Diagnostics (15 credits)
  • Vaccination, Antimicrobials and Resistance (15 credits)
  • Clinical Microbiology (30 credits)
  • Global Health and Epidemiology (15 credits)

All MSc students carry out three-months of research after the taught components have been successfully completed. In some instances this can be undertaken in your workplace.

Full-time students take the above units and research project in Year 1. Part-time students can undertake the MSc over two years, one full semester per year.

Course unit list

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
Practical Microbiology MEDN68511 15 Mandatory
Understanding Infection MEDN68621 30 Mandatory
Molecular Diagnostics MEDN68631 15 Mandatory
Global Health and Epidemiology MEDN68642 15 Mandatory
Vaccinations, Antimicrobials and Resistance MEDN68652 15 Mandatory
Clinical Microbiology MEDN68662 30 Mandatory
Microbiology Research MEDN68680 60 Mandatory
Research Methods (Non-Credit) MEDN69920 0 Optional

What our students say

Read a blog post by a recent graduate, Emily, on our student blog .

Facilities

This course is based in Stopford Building on Oxford Road, where you will find state-of-the-art teaching and research laboratories, a student common room and good access to University computing clusters.

You will attend lectures across the University campus.

You will be able to access a range of facilities throughout the University.

Disability support

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service .

CPD opportunities

We offer units from this MSc as standalone courses for continuing professional development (CPD).

Careers

Career opportunities

Our graduates typically find employment in the NHS and related organisations, or as medical microbiologists in industrial and pharmaceutical settings.

In addition, many graduates progress to PhD study and a research or academic career.

Several of our students enrol on this programme to further develop an existing career in medicine, pharmacy, dentistry or veterinary medicine.