MSc in Medical Microbiology
Manchester, United Kingdom
DURATION
1 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
GBP 22,000 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* full-time fee for EU and Non-EU international students
Introduction
We’ve designed our MSc Medical Microbiology to enable you to develop an advanced theoretical understanding, together with the practical techniques you’ll need to apply those theories in a research or clinical context.
With this master's degree, you’ll gain a well-rounded understanding of analytical approaches and human disorders. To further your knowledge, you’ll take an in-depth exploration of human infectious diseases, developing the skills to understand, control, and manage those diseases.
You’ll also complete an independent research project, building professional-level research skills. This is your opportunity to explore the issues that fascinate you most by making the most of our extensive links with hospitals across Greater Manchester to conduct research in a real-world context.
By the time you graduate, you should be equipped with the analytical techniques and diagnostic approaches required for practice at a specialist level.
Our course is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) which means our teaching is industry-relevant and provides wide-ranging, research-informed education to ensure you develop the practical skills and experience that employers value. Please note, that although this MSc is accredited by the IBMS it does not fulfill the requirements for gaining registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and does not provide the opportunity to complete the IBMS Registration Training Portfolio.
Features and Benefits
- Industry standards – Recognised for our expertise, the course is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science.
- Learn alongside leading researchers – We're ranked 15th in the UK for the power of our health and biomedical research (REF, 2021). From microbiology and musculoskeletal science to vascular biology and sports medicine, the pioneering research of our department has led to important advances in diagnosis and care.
- Professional study environment – We’ve invested over £115 million to transform the way we teach and the way our students learn. The new Dalton building is equipped with dynamic learning spaces, world-class teaching and research facilities, and collaborative study zones. This means you’ll graduate with the skills and experiences employers look for.
- Athena SWAN award – Manchester Met’s commitment to promoting and advancing gender equality in STEM subjects has been recognized with a Bronze Athena SWAN award.
- Professional connections – Our strong links with the Institute of Biomedical Science, the Health and Care Professions Council, and NHS trusts and hospitals in Manchester and the North West offer you the chance to undertake research projects in clinically relevant areas.
- Cutting-edge facilities – You’ll learn in our new Superlab and modern laboratories for blood biochemistry, microbiology, cell and molecular biology, and tissue culture. These facilities are home to an impressive array of specialist equipment such as a Focussed Ion Beam – Scanning Electron Microscope to enable you to visualize microstructural detail on samples in 2D.
Admissions
Curriculum
Course Information
Our MSc Medical Microbiology is made up of eight core units which you will study over one year full-time. This includes six units that let you explore various aspects of microbiology, infectious diseases, and biomedical science, together with two units based on your research project.
During the master's, you’ll explore taking a systematic approach to disorders and the principles and applications of essential analytical techniques in modern biomedical science. This includes electrophoresis, mass spectrometry, and recombinant DNA technology.
You’ll study in-depth the management and control of infectious disease, gaining the confidence and ability to evaluate strategies for characterizing disease. This will involve critically assessing the relevance of new methods to current biomedical practice, ensuring you take a forward-thinking approach to your professional practice.
You will also look at diagnostics and the ability to take a critical approach in the selection of appropriate methods used in medical microbiology diagnostics. Our Recent Advances in Biomedical Research core unit offers you the opportunity for independent study of a topic at the forefront of biomedical research.
We have designed our Research Methods and Ethics in Biomedical Science unit to help you develop advanced skills in research methods. You’ll explore the evidenced-based and ethical frameworks you’ll need to complete your own in-depth, independent research project.
Above all, your research project is your chance to tackle the issues that fascinate you most. With a deep dive into a topic of your choice, your project will help you understand both the process and the communication of scientific inquiry. You’ll be guided through your proposal and review process to equip you with the skills you need to complete an independent piece of research.
As part of our Department of Life Sciences, you’ll have the support of an expert team and access to excellent laboratory facilities spanning microbiology, exercise performance and human physiology, cell and molecular biology, genomics, blood biochemistry, cell culture, and biomechanics.
Year 1
You'll study eight core units over this one-year course, including an in-depth, independent research project.
Core units
- Disorder Case Study
- Analytical Techniques in Biomedical Science
- Recent Advances in Biomedical Research
- Human Infectious Disease
- Research Methods and Ethics in Biomedical Science
- Management and Control of Infectious Diseases
- Diagnostic Medical Microbiology
- Research Project
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
This course offers an avenue into a range of specialist fields like hospital science, biomedical, and pharmaceutical industries. The subjects you’ll cover will not only help you prepare for the Institute of Biomedical Science higher specialist examination and the advanced practice that follows, but it can also lay the groundwork for careers in research or teaching, or to pursue studies toward a PhD.
Our work with the NHS and clinicians helps shape our curriculum, transfers our expertise, and ensures our graduates are ready for the workplace – and sought after by employers. Some of our MSc Medical Microbiology graduates have gone into roles such as:
- Senior Biomedical Scientist
- Advanced Biomedical Scientist
- Deputy laboratory manager
- Field Application Specialist Manager
- Molecular Business Line Manager
You'll have career support from the moment you join us and for up to three years after you’ve finished your course. We offer a range of services, both within the Department of Life Sciences and through the University's Careers Service, including dedicated careers and employability advisers you can turn to for guidance and support.
Student Testimonials
Program delivery
Study and assessment breakdown
Ten credits equate to 100 hours of study, which is a combination of lectures, seminars practical sessions, and independent study. A master's qualification typically comprises 180 credits, a PGDip 120 credits, a PGCert 60 credits, and an MFA 300 credits. The exact composition of your study time and assessments for the course will vary according to your option choices and style of learning, but it could be:
Study
Full-time 15% lectures, seminars, or similar; 0% placement; 85% independent study
Assessment
Full-time 80% coursework; 0% practical; 20% examination
Program Admission Requirements
Show your commitment and readiness for Grad school by taking the GRE - the most broadly accepted exam for graduate programs internationally.