Program Overview

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Microbiology and Immunology MSc

Overview

We want our research to make positive change in the real world. The course has a strong research-led emphasis with material directly linked to the specialisms of the course facilitators, such as COVID-19, antimicrobial resistance, and the role of immunity in health and disease.

This course combines detailed instruction of microbes, the immune responses to them and the complex interplays that result in disease or clearance. As a result, our graduates are uniquely qualified to develop and assess highly nuanced novel methods of studying and treating infections.

You will receive advanced instruction into host cell control mechanisms, immune responses to infections and how diverse pathogens manipulate these to cause disease in humans. Introductory modules during this period facilitate students wishing to transition from other biology-related disciplines or aid those who have taken a break from learning.

Course alumni frequently progress onto PhDs or into roles within industry or national government laboratories.

Why Choose This Course?

World-leading Research

84% of the UoA5 Biological Sciences research submitted was judged to be "world-leading" or "internationally excellent" (Research Excellence Framework 2021)

Your Learning

Our teaching is recognised as gold standard in the Teaching Excellence Framework

Employability

Graduates have gone onto career paths with well-known public and private sector employers

Course Content

You’ll have 120 credits of taught modules and undertake a 60 credit research project and dissertation. A full list of the modules is available under the modules tab.

For the research project, you’ll have a choice from topics provided by academics across multiple research areas such as microbiology, immunology, host-pathogen interaction, genetic engineering, microbial virulence, biotechnology, and biochemistry. Many students work on exciting novel research projects.

Past projects have included:

• Genetics and immunology of SARS-CoV-2, antigenic influence on vaccines
• Impact of an educational intervention on the hand hygiene compliance of children
• A novel virulence strategy for Pseudomonas aeruginosa mediated by an autotransporter with arginine-specific aminopeptidase activity
• TLR-induced miRNA in HBD9 regulation during Pseudomonas infection
• Forward genetics in Clostridium acetobutylicum
• Re-use of antimicrobial solution for antimicrobial biomaterials
• Engagement of inhibitory signalling on human basophils
• Changes in the bacterial biofilm due to sub-inhibitory antimicrobial
• Viral Discovery
• Interbacterial interactions within a polymicrobial model
• Development of next generation biosensors for Pseudomonas aeruginosa
• RT-qPCR for meningococcal carriage density
• Role of cigarette smoking in multiple sclerosis

Modules

• MSc
  • Core modules
    • Introduction to Medical Microbiology 10 credits
    • Immunity and the Immune System 10 credits
    • Viral Pathogenesis and Infection 20 credits
    • Bacterial Pathogenesis and Infections 20 credits
    • Innate immune recognition 20 credits
    • Core Research Methods: Transferable Research Skills 10 credits
    • Core Research Methods: Molecular Techniques 10 credits
    • Therapeutic immunology 20 credits
  • Research project (60 credits)
    • Research Project 60 credits

Learning and Assessment

How You Will Learn

• Lectures
• Problem-based learning
• Practical classes
• Tutorials

Teaching on this MSc is heavily varied.

How You Will Be Assessed

• Examinations
• Written exam
• Presentation
• Poster presentation
• Essay
• Dissertation

Assessment methods vary depending on the topic being studied.

Contact Time and Study Hours

As a guide, one credit equals approximately 10 hours of work. For the taught stage of the course, you will spend approximately a third of your time (around 400 hours) in lectures, tutorials, workshops, and practical classes, including the directed study which is necessary in preparation for workshops/practical classes.

The remaining time will be completed as independent study. Tutorial sessions are built into the timetable and there are several group and individual meetings timetabled throughout the year. Additional meetings can be requested as needed.

Entry Requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.

• Home / UK students
• EU / International students
• Alternative qualifications

Undergraduate degree 2:1 honours degree in any relevant subject

Undergraduate degree 2:1 honours degree (or international equivalent) in any relevant subject

International and EU equivalents We accept a wide range of qualifications from all over the world.

For information on entry requirements from your country, see our country pages.

IELTS 7.0 (no less than 6.0 in any element)

English language requirements As well as IELTS (listed above), we also accept other English language qualifications. This includes TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE, GCSE, IB and O level English.

Meeting Our English Language Requirements

If you need support to meet the required level, you may be able to attend a presessional English course. Presessional courses teach you academic skills in addition to English language. Our Centre for English Language Education is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK.

If you successfully complete your presessional course to the required level, you can then progress to your degree course. This means that you won't need to retake IELTS or equivalent.

For on-campus presessional English courses, you must take IELTS for UKVI to meet visa regulations. For online presessional courses, see our CELE webpages for guidance

Visa Restrictions

International students must have valid UK immigration permissions for any courses or study period where teaching takes place in the UK. Student route visas can be issued for eligible students studying full-time courses. The University of Nottingham does not sponsor a student visa for students studying part-time courses. The Standard Visitor visa route is not appropriate in all cases. Please contact the university’s Visa and Immigration team if you need advice about your visa options.

Alternative Qualifications

We recognise that applicants have a variety of experiences and follow different pathways to postgraduate study.

We treat all applicants with alternative qualifications on an individual basis. We may also consider relevant work experience.

If you are unsure whether your qualifications or work experience are relevant, contact us.

Medicine and Veterinary Graduates

The course is also offered to medical and veterinary graduates wishing to pursue a career in immunology or microbiology. Applicants with a 2:2 or international equivalent may be considered on an individual basis.

Fees

Qualification | MSc ---|--- Home / UK | £10,400 International | £30,750

Additional Information for International Students

If you are a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you may be asked to complete a fee status questionnaire and your answers will be assessed using guidance issued by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA).

These fees are for full-time study. If you are studying part-time, you will be charged a proportion of this fee each year (subject to inflation).

Additional Costs

All students will need at least one device to approve security access requests via Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). We also recommend students have a suitable laptop to work both on and off-campus. For more information, please check the equipment advice.

Our libraries contain all relevant books and research journals you might require, however, if you wish to purchase these materials for yourself, you should take this into consideration.

Funding

There are many ways to fund your postgraduate course, from scholarships to government loans.

We also offer a range of international masters scholarships for high-achieving international scholars who can put their Nottingham degree to great use in their careers.

Check our guide to find out more about funding your postgraduate degree.

Careers

Careers Advice

We offer individual careers support for all postgraduate students.

Expert staff can help you research career options and job vacancies, build your CV or résumé, develop your interview skills and meet employers.

Each year 1,100 employers advertise graduate jobs and internships through our online vacancy service. We host regular careers fairs, including specialist fairs for different sectors.

International students who complete an eligible degree programme in the UK on a student visa can apply to stay and work in the UK after their course under the Graduate immigration route. Eligible courses at the University of Nottingham include bachelors, masters and research degrees, and PGCE courses.

Graduate Destinations

Students from our MSc courses have gone on to positions including:

• PhD Immunology
• PhD School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Cambridge
• PhD University of Nottingham
• Senior House Officer (SHO) in Medical Microbiology
• Research Assistant in Immunology
• Research Technicians
• Senior Registrar (SpR) in Medical Microbiology
• PhD London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
• Infection Control Nurses
• NHS Clinical Scientists
• Regulatory Affairs Specialist - AMGEM Biotech
• Clinical Trial Data Managers
• Application Specialist Biological Sciences – Japan
• Biomedical Scientists (BMS1)
• Graduate Entry Medicine
• Biomedical Scientist Scientific Training Programme (STP)

Career Progression

81.5% of postgraduates from the School of Life Sciences secured work or further study within six months of graduation. £25,679 was the average starting salary (HESA Graduate Outcomes 2019/20 data published in 2022). The Graduate Outcomes % is derived using The Guardian University Guide methodology. The average annual salary is based on graduates working full-time, postgraduate, home graduates within the UK.