Program Overview

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Human Biology and Infectious Diseases

Overview

The Human Biology and Infectious Diseases program at the University of Salford is a three-year undergraduate degree that explores the pathology, transmission, and epidemiology of infectious diseases affecting humans and animals. Developed around a core human biology curriculum, the program builds a systematic understanding of human biology and infectious diseases.

Course Details

Attendance

• Full-time
• Part-time
• With placement

Course Duration

• Three years
• Six years (part-time)
• Four years (with placement)

Next Enrolment

• September 2025

Introduction

The Human Biology and Infectious Diseases degree combines aspects of human physiology, immunology, and infectious diseases, making it one of the few courses of its kind outside of medicine. The program is designed to provide a solid academic foundation in biological knowledge alongside key laboratory skills that meet the needs of employers.

Course Accreditations

• Accredited by the Royal Society of Biology

What You Will Study

• Gain a detailed and systematic understanding of human biology and infectious diseases
• Have the opportunity to gain an understanding of many non-infectious diseases such as cancer and heart disease
• Have the option to undertake a relevant industry placement in a clinical or research-based setting
• Have the opportunity to tailor your degree to your own ambitions through specialist optional modules

Course Delivery

• Now is an exciting time to study human biology and infectious diseases
• For three years of study (or four if you choose to include a placement), you will explore fascinating and relevant subjects, including parasitology, pathophysiology, and molecular genetics
• You will gain insight into disease diagnosis and treatment while refining your practical laboratory and human biology research skills

Learning Experience

• This human biology course has a hands-on focus, enabling you to develop the practical skills you need for a career in laboratory research in a wide range of industry sectors
• You will be taught by expert academics and technicians who undertake cutting-edge research in our Biomedical Research Centre
• In your final year, you will specialize your skills by choosing optional modules in areas such as antimicrobial resistance, pathophysiology, clinical immunology, and veterinary and zoonotic infectious diseases
• You will also develop your research design, problem-solving, and critical analysis skills by completing a final year project on a topic of your choice

Industry Placements

• On this human biology course, you will have the option to take an industry placement year between years two and three
• Although you will be responsible for securing your placement, a tutor will support you, monitor your progress, and assess your final placement report
• In our experience, placement students achieve better final degree results and employment prospects
• Building on our industry-focused approach, we have developed longstanding connections with regional health and scientific research organizations
• Recent Human Biology and Infectious Diseases students have completed placements at the Wolfson Imaging Centre in Manchester, the Clinical Epidemiology unit at Manchester, and at TSC Ltd in Heywood

Year One Modules

• Molecules to Microbes
• Genetics
• Human Anatomy
• Biological Skills
• Study Skills
• Cell Biology

Year Two Modules

• Molecular Genetics
• Introduction to Parasitology and Infectious Diseases
• Biological Research Skills
• Microbial Communities and Interactions
• Pathophysiology
• Human Physiology

Year Three Modules

• Human Genetics
• Biology of Parasites
• Choose one of the following optional modules:
  • Advances In Pathophysiology
  • Clinical Immunology
  • Antimicrobial Resistance: Threats and Solutions
  • Veterinary and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases
• Choose one of the following final year project options:
  • Final Year Project and Professional Skills
  • Final Year Project with Science Communication and Professional Skills (HANS)

Assessment

• Typically, human biology modules are assessed through a combination of coursework and examination, with coursework accounting for around 40% of the marks
• Continuous assessment includes a research project, laboratory reports, essays, data analysis, and presentations
• The final degree award is weighted to reflect year 2 (25%) and final year (75%) performances

Facilities

• As a biomedicine student, you will be based in our advanced, integrated teaching laboratory known as the Bodmer Lab
• This specialist, purpose-built facility ensures that you benefit from the latest technologies to keep teaching and learning apace with cutting-edge innovation and discovery

Industry Collaboration and Research

• When you start this human biology and infectious diseases degree with Salford, you are also joining a community making a difference in industry, our local region, and in our wider society
• Many of our academics and technicians who support your course also deliver collaborative, interdisciplinary, high-impact work in a range of bioscience issues and challenges

Employment and Stats

• We've designed the human biology and infectious diseases course to build your human biology knowledge and also help you to develop excellent laboratory skills
• By integrating contemporary research methods and procedures into your studies, we also help you to develop a range of transferable skills that can boost your employability
• With growing interest in infectious diseases fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic, new research and work opportunities will arise worldwide
• RSB course accreditation provides a guarantee of quality sought by employers and enhances graduate employability
• The course also aligns with postgraduate entry to medicine, dentistry, and physician studies

Further Study

• You might find you want to learn more about biosciences
• Building on our scientific expertise, we offer a range of postgraduate courses that can take your interests and career opportunities further
• Salford graduates and alumni also qualify to receive a generous fees discount
• Biomedical Science (MSc)
• Biotechnology (MSc)
• Drug Design and Discovery (MSc)

Requirements

• Applicant profile: We're looking for applicants with a passion for science and discovery
• Ideally, you will have a biology background and be motivated to specialize in the areas of human biology, public health, tropical disease, and infection biology
• English language requirements: If you are an international student and not from a majority English-speaking country, you will need IELTS 6.0 with no element below 5.5
• We also accept a range of other English language qualifications
• If you do not have the English language requirements, you could take the Pre-Sessional English course or the International Foundation Year to gain entry onto this degree

Accreditation

• This course is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology, which means that it meets their requirements for receiving up-to-date knowledge in the right learning, support, and teaching environment
• Studying an accredited course is one way of showing employers you have the knowledge and skills that they are looking for in graduates and has the potential benefits of greater employability prospects and enhanced competitiveness in a crowded global jobs market

Standard Entry Requirements

• UCAS tariff points: 104 - 112 UCAS points including A2 Biology grade C
• A level: 104 - 112 UCAS points including A2 Biology grade C
• BTEC National Diploma: MMM - DMM in a suitable science subject, which must include biology
• T Level: If applying for this course, you will need 120 UCAS points in one of the following T Level subjects: Health, Healthcare Science, Science
• Scottish Highers: 104 -112 points from Higher Level including Higher Level Biology
• Irish Leaving Certificate: 104 -112 points from Higher Level including Higher Level Biology
• International Baccalaureate: 29 points including grade 4 in Higher Level Biology
• Access to HE: 104-112 UCAS points from QAA Approved Access Science Course, must include Biology
• GCSE: English language and mathematics at grade C or 4 or above
• Equivalents are accepted

Tuition Fees

• Type of study | Year | Fees
• Full-time home | 2025/26 | £9,535 per year
• Full-time international | 2025/26 | £17,650 per year
• Part-time | 2025/26 | Part-time fees will be calculated on a pro-rata basis

Additional Costs

• You should also consider further costs, which may include books, stationery, printing, binding, and general subsistence on trips and visits

Scholarships for International Students

• If you are a high-achieving international student, you may be eligible for one of our scholarships for human biology and infectious diseases
• Explore our international scholarships

Enrolment Dates

• September 2025
• September 2026

Student Information

• Terms and conditions

UCAS Information

• Course ID: BC15
• Institution: S03

Related Courses

• BSc (Hons) Human Biology and Infectious Diseases with Foundation Year
• BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science
• BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences

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