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Biological Sciences (Microbiology)

  • Master of Biological Sciences (with Honours)
  • 4 to 5 years
  • Full-Time
  • 27 September 2027
  • Undergraduate
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2025-20262026-20272027-2028
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Course summary

Microorganisms may be small, but they tell us more about life on Earth than almost any other life form. On this degree you will learn how and why microorganisms cause disease and how microbes have been used for millennia in everything from food production to sewage treatment. On the MBiolSci, you will hone your research and laboratory skills and extend your medically specialised BSc programme into a fourth year of masters level study.

Microorganisms (viruses, bacteria, fungi and protozoa) play a crucial role in many of the Earth's physical and biological processes. They help to purify our waste water and clean up pollution, and humans have used them for thousands of years in the production of foods and drinks – but some types can cause new and devastating diseases. Microorganisms are the oldest inhabitants of the Earth, yet we have only discovered a small fraction of all the microbes that exist. Now microbiology is at the forefront of a technical revolution: incredibly sensitive molecular tools, coupled with sophisticated computer informatics, provide powerful new approaches to unlocking the secrets of life.

On this course you will work alongside leading microbiologists who are investigating some of the most important questions in microbiology research in order to gain insight into the microbial world and develop broad appreciation of the biology and uses of organisms of microscopic size, the role of microbes in health and disease, and of the mammalian immune response to infection. Microbiologists study these processes in all types of organisms and discover how errors in them can cause disease, and they help discover the impact of microbes across the biological sciences. You will also gain a broad understanding of fundamental biological processes, while developing analytical skills and gaining experience in handling complex information. By studying microbiology alongside options in other biological sciences, you will be able to apply your knowledge across the boundaries of traditional disciplines and gain a valuable and powerful asset in scientific environments and in many other walks of life.

The first three years of this course are identical to the Biological Sciences (Microbiology) BSc, including the option to spend a Year in Industry or a Year Abroad between Years 2 and 3. Your fourth year then lets you focus in one of six specialist areas.

The analytical and critical skills you acquire by studying an MBiolSci in Biological Sciences are particularly valued by PhD supervisors, researchers and employers in non-scientific fields.

Modules

Course Modules

For more information on this course and a full list of modules, visit the course information page on our website

Assessment method

For more information on the methods of assessment on this course, visit the course information page on our website

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • Master of Biological Sciences (with Honours) • Full-Time • 4 to 5 Years

Start dates

  • 27 September 2027

Apply by
13 January 2027

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
C503
Institution code:
L34
Campus name:
Main Site
Points of Entry:
Year 1, 2

University of Leicester has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Apply by
13 January 2027

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
C503
Institution code:
L34
Campus name:
Main Site

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2

Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level
BBB

including at least two A-levels in relevant science subjects from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics or Psychology.
General Studies is not accepted.

BBC + Level 3 Core Maths grade B (if Maths not taken as a full A or AS level). A-level subjects to include two relevant science subjects from Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Psychology.

T Level
D

Science (with an Occupational Specialism in Laboratory technician)

AS

Two AS subjects may be considered in place of one A-level. Must be taken alongside two full A-levels in relevant science subjects from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics or Psychology.

Access to HE Diploma
Distinction: 24

A strong science Access course is required. Pass Science diploma with 45 credits at level three, 24 of which must be at Distinction.

Please contact the Admissions Office before applying to check acceptability for Access module content and your overall academic profile.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

Standard requirement - Grade 4/C in both GCSE English Language and Mathematics if not held at A/AS level.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

Applied Science Diploma considered with an A-level in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics or Psychology, plus standard GCSE requirements.

Applied Science Diploma considered with an non-science A-level, plus five GCSEs at grade 5/B or above including two science grades. GCSE English Language and Mathematics to be held at minimum grade 4/C.

Extended Project

Considered with three A-levels. Typical offer: BBC + EPQ at grade B.
A-level subjects to include at least two relevant science subjects from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics or Psychology.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Offer: 28

to include grade 5 in at least two relevant HL science subjects from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics or Psychology. Must include a minimum of grade 4 in SL Maths or 3 in HL Maths and grade 4 in English A or 5 in English B if minimum of grade 4/C not held in English Language and Maths at GCSE.

WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

Accepted in place of a third A-level at grade B or above, provided at least two relevant science A-level subjects are taken from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics or Psychology.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DDD

Applied Science. Plus five GCSEs at 5/B or above including two science grades. GCSE English Language and Mathematics to be held at minimum grade 4/C.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)

Can be considered in combination with other qualifications. Combinations must include a minimum of two Science subjects. Please contact the Admissions Office before applying to check acceptability for your particular combination of qualifications.

Scottish Advanced Higher
BBB

including at least two relevant science subjects from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics or Psychology.

When considering your application, we will look for evidence that you will be able to fulfil the objectives of the course and achieve the standards required. We will take into account a range of factors including previous exam results.

Applicants are not normally interviewed. If you receive an offer you will be invited to visit the School of Biological Sciences.

Entry requirements for students joining after Year 1: Contact the Admissions Team at study@le.ac.uk with details of the course you are studying including modules taken, previous qualifications obtained with grades (at GCSE and A-level or equivalents) and the reason for your transfer request. https://le.ac.uk/courses/biological-sciences-microbiology-mbiolsci/2027

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 or equivalent is required. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. If you do not yet meet our requirements, our English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU) offers a range of courses to help you to improve your English to the necessary standard.https://le.ac.uk/study/international-students/english-language-requirements

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

The University of Leicester is committed to providing equitable opportunities for all applicants from all backgrounds. We make contextual offers to support students who may be impacted by the area they live in, their personal circumstances or who have completed one of our progression programmes. These offers are usually one or two grades lower than the standard entry requirements. To qualify for a contextual offer, you must apply for an eligible course and meet specific criteria.

Learn more on the University of Leicester website

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

This information will be updated as soon as the tuition fees for the academic year 2027/8 have been confirmed.

For further information about fees and funding please see the following page of the University website: https://le.ac.uk/student-life/undergraduates/fees-funding

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