Program Overview

Overview of the Microbiology MSc by Research

The Microbiology MSc by Research at the University of Kent provides research expertise with a strong molecular focus, leading-edge activities that are synergistic with one another, and complementary to the teaching provision. Students gain professional skills in contemporary microbiology, opening up a future career in academic research or in the healthcare sector.

Key Information

• Study mode: Full-time or part-time
• Duration: 1 year full-time
• Start date: September, January
• Location: Canterbury

Entry Requirements

• Minimum 2:2 degree in a relevant subject
• Acceptance of any candidate is at the discretion of the supervisor, following an interview
• All applicants are considered on an individual basis and additional qualifications, professional qualifications, and relevant experience may also be taken into account when considering applications
• International students: Please see the International Student website for entry requirements by country and other relevant information

English Language Entry Requirements

• This course requires a Good level of English language, equivalent to B2 on CEFR
• Details on how to meet this requirement can be found on the University's English Language requirements webpage
• Examples:
  • IELTS 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component
  • PTE Academic 63 with a minimum of 59 in each sub-test
  • A degree from a UK university
  • A degree from a Majority English Speaking Country

Funding

• The 2025/26 annual tuition fees for this course are:
  • Full-time: £5,006 (UK), £23,500 (EU), £23,500 (International)
  • Part-time: £2,503 (UK), £11,750 (EU), £11,750 (International)
• For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see the Student Finance Guide
• Tuition fees may be increased in the second and subsequent years of the course
• A bench fee of approximately £1,500 will be applicable to this course
• Search the scholarships finder for possible funding opportunities

Study Support

• The School is well-equipped, with excellent general research laboratories, together with a range of specialized research resources
• Support staff are available to provide assistance with technical issues
• All research students are supervised closely and are regularly monitored online using the University progression and monitoring system
• All postgraduate students have access to electronic and other resources providing information regarding technical issues relevant to their degrees, as well as subject-specific and transferable skills training

Research

• The School's research is focused on biological processes at the molecular and cellular level and spans the disciplines of biochemistry, genetics, biotechnology, and biomedical research
• The five main research themes within the School are:
  • Cancer and ageing
  • Cellular architecture and dynamics
  • Industrial biotechnology
  • Infectious diseases
  • Evolution, reproduction, and genome organisation
• Each theme is supported by specialist facilities

Staff Research Interests

• Kent's world-class academics provide research students with excellent supervision
• The academics who are able to supervise an MSc Microbiology by Research student are listed on the School's website
• Full details of staff research interests can be found on the School's website

Your Future

• A postgraduate degree in the School of Biosciences is designed to equip graduates with transferable skills that are highly valued in the workplace
• Destinations for graduates include leading pharmaceutical and biotechnological companies within the UK and leading research institutes both at home and abroad

Fees and Funding

• The University will assess your fee status as part of the application process
• If you are uncertain about your fee status, you may wish to seek advice from UKCISA before applying
• For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see the Student Finance Guide
• Tuition fees may be increased in the second and subsequent years of the course
• A bench fee of approximately £1,500 will be applicable to this course
• Search the scholarships finder for possible funding opportunities

Next Steps

• Learn more about the application process or begin your application
• You will be able to choose your preferred year of entry once you have started your application
• You can also save and return to your application at any time
• International applicants for research programs: Please note, international applications for September 2025 are no longer being accepted
• The deadline for submission was 30 June 2025
• Any applications submitted after this date will be considered for the next available intake

General Information

• The University of Kent makes every effort to ensure that the information contained in its publicity materials is fair and accurate and to provide educational services as described
• However, the courses, services, and other matters may be subject to change
• For more information, see the University's terms and conditions
• Where fees are regulated, permitted increases are normally inflationary, and the University therefore reserves the right to increase tuition fees by inflation (RPI excluding mortgage interest payments) as permitted by law or Government policy in the second and subsequent years of the course
• If the University intends to exercise this right to increase tuition fees, it will let you know by the end of June in the academic year before the one in which it intends to exercise that right
• If, in the future, the increases to regulated fees permitted by law or government policy exceed the rate of inflation, the University reserves the right to increase fees to the maximum permitted level
• If the University intends to exercise this extended right to increase tuition fees, it will let you know by the end of June in the academic year before the one in which it intends to exercise that right

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