Skip navigation

Microbiology (with a year in industry)

Course details
  • Bachelor of Science (with Honours)
  • 5 Years
  • Full-Time
  • 21 September 2027
  • Undergraduate
Course location
Main Site

Course summary

Microbiology is the study of microscopic organisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.

Microbiology focuses on the biology of micro-organisms that are unicellular, multicellular, or acellular (without cells).

These include microbes like bacteria and fungi, and covers concepts like growth and regulation. It also includes how microbes react with each other and their environments.

On this course, we’ll look at how micro-organism work collectively to maximise their success. We'll look at how we can manipulate them and their behaviour with a view to improving health.

Our course curriculum is shaped by the work of our world-leading researchers to make sure you’re learning the latest advances. This will also help you gain an understanding of the fundamentals of the field.

This course also allows you to spend a year working in industry, for example, in a commercial laboratory. This allows you to gain real-world skills and improve your CV. It also presents you with the opportunity to network and build relationships. These are all things that could have a positive impact on your career upon graduating from university.

We’ll start with a broad-based curriculum where you’ll study a wide range of life sciences topics at Levels 1 and 2. We’ll explore core concepts such as:

  • genetics

  • cell biology

  • biological organisation

  • molecular mechanisms and processes

You will develop your practical skills such as laboratory skills, data analysis, and experiment design. This will prepare you for designing and carrying out projects later in your course.

You’ll then focus more on key aspects of microbiology at Levels 3 and 4, such as biochemistry, molecular structure, and gene regulation. Throughout the duration of the course, you have the flexibility to pick modules that appeal to you, highlighting to future employers where your interests lie.

The year in industry will occur between levels 3 and 4. We will support you to find a suitable placement, however if a placement is not found, you will have the opportunity to transfer to the standard four year course.

Modules

Course Modules

<a href="https://www.dundee.ac.uk/undergraduate/microbiology-industry/teaching-and-assessment">Modules can be viewed on the course webpage at dundee.ac.uk</a>

Assessment method

<a href="https://www.dundee.ac.uk/undergraduate/microbiology-industry/teaching-and-assessment">Assessment methods can be viewed on the course webpage at dundee.ac.uk</a>

Professional bodies

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

  • Royal Society of Biology

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:
C502
Institution code:
D65
Campus name:
Main Site

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2

Open days

Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level
CCC

Including Biology or Chemistry. Plus Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics at GCSE 4/C

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

Scottish HNC
Pass

A relevant HNC with B in the Graded Unit and appropriate science units, plus National 5 Maths at C or equivalent

Scottish HND
Pass

A relevant HND with BB in the Graded Units and appropriate science units, plus National 5 Maths at C or equivalent

Scottish Higher
BBCC

including Higher Biology or Chemistry. Plus National 5 Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics at C.

Access to HE Diploma
Distinction: 15 Merit: 15 Pass: 15

Plus Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics at GCSE C/4

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Offer: 28

28 points with 5,5,4 at Higher Level to include Biology or Chemistry. Plus Standard Level Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics at 4.

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

A relevant BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma with MMM. Plus Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics at GCSE 4/C

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
H3H3H3H3

including Biology or Chemistry. Plus Ordinary Level Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics at grade 3

Entry requirements for students joining after Year 1: https://www.dundee.ac.uk/undergraduate/microbiology-industry/entry-requirements https://www.dundee.ac.uk/undergraduate/microbiology-industry/entry-requirements

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level CCD

Including Biology or Chemistry. Plus Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics at GCSE 4/C

Scottish Higher BCCC

including Higher Biology or Chemistry. Plus National 5 Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics at C.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme Offer: 26

28 points with 5,5,4 at Higher Level to include Biology or Chemistry. Plus Standard Level Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics at 4.

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

A relevant BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma with MMM. Plus Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics at GCSE 4/C

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) H2H3H3H4

including Biology or Chemistry. Plus Ordinary Level Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics at grade 3

English language requirements

You can find details of our specific IELTS English language requirements and other accepted English language qualifications on the individual course webpages on the University website. English language tests should be no more than two years old on the start date of your chosen course. All results will be verified online.https://www.dundee.ac.uk/guides/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.

Achieving a strong set of qualifications is key to earning a place at the University. We understand grades are influenced by things outside your control, such as the impact of deprivation where you live. That’s why each year we look at each student's application in detail including circumstances outside of your control that may have impacted your potential.

Learn more on the University of Dundee 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 available

Historical entry grades data is not currently available for University of Dundee - we are working with them to try and make it available soon - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands, Republic of Ireland, EU & InternationalTBC

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

Tuition fees for 2027/8 are yet to be confirmed.

Like this page