Program Overview

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Immunity, Infection and Chronic Disease MSc

Overview

This MSc program is designed for individuals who want to learn more about immunity and its central role in combatting infection and chronic disease. The course provides detailed treatment of infections and diseases from the perspective of the human immune response, offering training in the latest theoretical and technical advances.

Course Description

The program delivers a comprehensive range of taught graduate education, equipping students with the skills and knowledge necessary to support populations whose healthcare or research needs vary by global region. The pedagogic approach emphasizes critical analysis of literature, experimental design, and hypothesis testing, with exposure to a wide variety of analytic techniques.

Entry Requirements

• 2:2 degree in a biological science (e.g., Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, Microbiology, or Immunology)
• Or significant related work experience in a field related to infection and immunity
• Or a medical or veterinary degree, provided that the course included significant elements of molecular biology, microbiology, and immunology
• English Language Requirements: IELTS 6.5 or equivalent

Fees and Funding

UK Students

• Starting in September 2026: Ł11,200

International Students

• Starting in September 2026: Ł24,250

Careers and Employability

The course is ideally suited for students aiming to gain further experience in experimental protocols for a career in laboratory science. Previous graduates have successfully applied their laboratory-based skills to tackle formidable challenges, including clinical management of intractable infections and leadership roles within their communities.

Course Structure

Modules

• Introduction to Molecular Techniques
• Immunity, Infection and Chronic Disease: Theory
• Scientific Communication and Analytic Techniques

Research Project

One of the most valued features of this course is the MSc Research Project, where students work as a member of a dedicated research team, designing and conducting their own research, culminating in the production of a dissertation.

Why Leicester?

The University of Leicester was recently ranked 2nd in the UK for its world-leading research in clinical Medicine. The Department of Respiratory Sciences is a research-led department engaged in internationally recognized research, with strong links with the NHS.

Teaching and Learning

The course is challenging, requiring good time management and a strong background in immunology, microbiology, and physiology. All teaching is delivered in English, and students are expected to have well-developed skills in listening, speaking, and writing in English.

Key Dates

• Application deadline: 4 September 2026
• Deposit payment deadline: 7 August 2026
• CAS request deadline: 4 September 2026
• 70% tuition payment deadline: 4 September 2026

Research Areas

The course covers a broad range of disciplines, including:

• Damage to kidney cells by IgA containing immune complexes in IgA nephropathy
• Understanding how bacteria adapt to environmental stress to increase infectious disease
• Examining the role of TRPM7 in asthma
• Immunomodulatory actions of alarmins on CD4+ T cells
• Histological analysis of experimental murine pulmonary tuberculosis
• Genomic exploration of differentially culturable Mycobacterial tuberculosis stains
• Investigation of the transcriptomic response of Non-tuberculosis Mycobacteria to low-oxygen conditions
• Development of models for testing drugs targeting dormant Burkholderia
• Developing bacteriophages to target Urinary Tract Infections: predicting phage susceptibility from bacterial genome and MALDI